Red86Z51

Stock 15x8 steel rims (Rings-n-derbys)

The car had 225's on it but they look WAY too skinny...

Can I get away with 275's on the rear (10" x-section of rubber on the road) and, oh, say...265's on the fronts?

This is a body off resto with all new suspension components, so wheel well clearance won't be a problem

Dave

Red86Z51

Well, I did what I should have done in the FIRST place, and searched for previous posts on this topic...and guess what? I found the info I was looking for.

Sorry for taking up space by :beatdeadhorse:

Dave :seeya


[Modified by 73L48 Dave, 6:29 PM 5/22/2004]

redwingvette

Glad you found what you needed. I only wish I had know the answer to your question so I could have helped. My front tires hit a little when I make a hard left turn. (P225 70R15). You can see where they rub the frame and the drivers side sometimes hits te inner fender. on the bottom. I think they are alittle shorter and wider then what came for the factory. (26" tall) :cheers:

camaroneil

i think it's sometimes good to revisit previously asked questions,
firstly, you may find out something not in the archives,
AND, it keeps us all in touch with each other,
we need hardly ever post anything if we always go to the archives,
it's just good to talk, and re-discuss things,
anyway, thats my 2 cents worth,
neil

Corey_68

My 255's rubbed on the front w/ a hard turn, so I doubt the 265's would work. I'm running 275's on the rear and had to relocate the E-brake bracket.

Flyboy26

When I first purchased my 72 in 1996, the previous owner had 255/60-15's all around. I thought they looked nice, but from a performance standpoint, they were definitely a step backwards. The factory tire was a F70-15, which equates to the metric equivalent of 205/70-15. Pretty skinny by todays standards, but remember, yesterdays standards were different. That *F* tire was considered large at the time, and was engineered by GM to get the proper performance and saftey out of the Vette.

I found the 255's would wander all over the highway, searching the groves pressed in by countless semi-trucks. It was a handful to manage, to say the least. I changed to a 225/70-15 and found the car MUCH more responsive to steering inputs. These are still 2 sizes up from the original, and I would not want to go any more, unless I modified the suspension to handle the additional unsprung wheel weight.

There is the horsepower issue as well. More contact patch requires more horsepower to turn the wheels. I think the two most common mistakes made by amateur hot rodders are too big a tire/wheel assy, and too big a carburator.

Simply put, the C3 factory suspension is not designed for the fat tires of todays Vettes.

For what it's worth. . .

;)

Red86Z51

Thanks for the input... I really appreciate hearing what works well (as well as what doesn't) from those who have already "been there - done that"!

I don't want to have to relocate components, and I would really like to avoid any rubbing on the fronts when turning. The last is especially importatnt as my car does NOT have power steering.

If anybody else would like to add their experiences/opinions on tire size, performance, handling, etc...please feel free to jump in! Thanks for the reply's!!

Dave

:seeya

PatsLs1vette

ive fit 275/50/15 on the rear with 8 inch rallys and not relocate e brake bracket.

Red73

I had 255/60 15s all the around. Now I have 255/60 15s on the front and on hard left turns I can see where the tire rubs on the frame. On the rear I have 275/60 15s with offset trailing arms.

Red86Z51

Okay, I have another question directed to those who have had (or have) 255's on their cars now:

Did the 255's clear the E-brake cable on the rears without having to relocate the mounting bracket?

Red73

My 255s cleared without moving the ebrake bracket.


[Modified by Red73, 10:29 AM 5/23/2004]

Corey_68

255's will clear with no problems. :cheers: