2501967

Ok, I am trying to figure out what radial tire to put on my 1971 LS5 Corvette. I have Winston Winner 255/60/15s on the front and back, the front rubs a lot and I need to go down in size.
Can you guys tell me what tires you have on your 1971 Corvettes that do not rub. Thanks
Was thinking about 245/60/15 or 235/60/15 or maybe 225/70/15. Please let me know if you have a tire on your Vette that fits the same year and does not rub, thanks Frank

Mooser

You'll find many differing opinions on what fits and what doesn't.
Fenders have been trimmed, bodies shifted, springs worn, dropped or have the different rate springs.
Some like the fat look, some the stock, some big and little
Pretty open question and everyone has a belly button

Check this thread for just one of a series of opinions (my own included)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...tire-size.html

Mooser

69FASTFUN

I have always used 255-15 on my C3's. I like how the tire fills up the wheel well and I have not had an issue with tire rubbing

ajrothm

I run 245/60/15 BFG Radial TAs on the front of my 71. They fit perfect on the stock wheels and do not rub anywhere... Been running them for 5-6 years...15k miles or so...

I run either 255/60 or 275/60/15s on the rear...

To run 275s on the rear you need to relocate your parking brake cable/brackets on the trailing arms...

2501967

Pirelli P 4000 Energy 225/65 ZR15 99W anyone every try them? Been trying to see what this tires specifications/ measurements are but have had no luck so far.

CQRT

Stock is 225 70 15 as you probably know - - you can go far larger . ..235 or 255 at a 60 profile quite easily. As you might guess, this topic has had a large number of discussions- you might benefit from using the "search" feature on the right side of the discussion listing and use various tire brands or even sizes as the key search words.

Not to take away from the valuable discussion here - - but it would give you much more information quickly to bring you up to speed on the topic.

Welcome to the forum - - and good luck -

Dan H.

I put on 235/60/15's last summer. I had an issue with the tires rubbing the mufflers. After a little work they fit with no problems.

I just installed a new exhaust system, Corvette Central N-11, and the mufflers are no where near the tires.


Tires ride nice, much better than the 14 year old tires that were on it. I bought BF Goodrich tires off of tirerack.

bobbarry

245/60-15 Uniroyal Tiger Paws on my '71; fit great, fill the wheelwells, no rubbing:

Alan 71

Hi 250....,
I think how 'tall' tire is has a lot to do with it's appearance, and how it fills the wheel opening arch.
The original tires were just a bit under 27" tall... 26.92"
I'd be sure that what ever tire you select is at least that tall. (But only a faction taller if the tire you select is taller).
Regards,
Alan

7T1vette

235R60-15's will fit without rubbing. 245R60-15's? Maybe; maybe not.

Les

This matches up with my personal experience- specific to 69s since I think later C3s have a bit more clearance. About 10 years ago my tire shop was willing to test fit the 245s on the front of my 69 and then swap to the 235s if needed. In my case the 245s lacked clearance and I had to go with the 235s. There's never been any problem with my 235s except for the fact that they are now long overdue to be replaced due to age. As we all know, the options are very limited and I'm struggling like everybody else to find a good choice.

bobbarry

I know that on other cars, the sidewalls of 60-series tires in the 235mm width can *appear* subtantialy shorter than the original-equipment tires, and seem not to fill the wheelwells, leaving a noticeable bit of open space around its circumfrence at the top of the wheelwell. Of course, this varies from tire-model to tire-model, depending on the actual dimensions of the tire.

This gap is more pronounced in the rear of the Vette than the front, which is why I think the 255/60-15 rear/235/60-15 front combination is so popular.

I think this is also why the 225/70-15 sizes don't look too small compared to 235/60's; they're a bit narrower, but they fill the wheelwells more.

Tim H

Here is 225/70s on my 76.

markdonc

I just last week put 245/60/15 BFG TA's on my 74 with rally wheels. 255s rub the lower front of the wheel well openings on turns,245 no problem at all.

gcusmano74

I tried the 255/60R-15's for a while. The fronts rubbed the inner fenders at full lock. No issues in the rear.
I then had 225/70R-15's on my '74 for years, and the speedometer always read slower that the actual speed of the car (according to my GPS).
I found an old Firestone GR7015 while cleaning out the shed, and took some careful measurements. It was slightly wider and not quite as tall as the 225's.
I switched over to 235/60R-15's, and now, up to 70 MPH, the speedo is spot on.
But I believe the earlier cars had the F70 15's, so that might not help you.

7T1vette

The outer diameter of the 235R60-15 tire is almost identical to that of the 'stock' 215R70-15 (F7015) tires that came on the car.

Les

I really don't see a fender gap difference between your 225/70s and my 235/60s- certainly not enough to matter. Plus the 60s have a bigger contact patch and shorter sidewalls with less flex= better handling if all else is equal.

69 Chevy

OK, why not go to your local tire shop and have them mock up tires that don't rub on your car? A dozen CF members could recommend the size and brand that fits their cars. But if your springs are more akin to weak bed springs, they will rub.

Unless you plan on buying tires from e-bay and mounting/balancing them yourself.

Tim H

235s are shorter than a 225/70 but the real notice would be on the back.
I dont take turns at 100MPH so contact patch flex doesn't matter to me at all.

MalibuVLX

245/60/15 BF Goodrich on stock 8" rallys. No rub, look good.
Tire height according to my measurements is right at 26".