'63/c2 Tire/wheel Inquiry

[Jonisti]

Looking for information or someone who has had experience with adding larger tires/wheels to their c2/63? My suspension is stock and I was noticing that the rear end sits about 2 inches lower than the front. I was thinking of adding some 235 or 245/60/15s
From my measurements it seems they will fit but maybe there are other C2 owners who have altered their wheel/tires who have had this same question?? Any opinions or help please??

Also, to get the car to sit a bit more leveled, is there such a thing as add a leaf from aftermarket suppliers that I havent seen?

 

[youwish2bme]

Well I just put TTII's on mine. 17X7 with 4" of backspacing. I probably could have gone with 4.5" of bs but I didn't move the e-brake bracket. I put 225/50/R17 Cooper V rated tires. No problems with fit or rubbing. I previously had a set of 15X7 Rallies with 215/70/R15 Regatta II's. Hope that this helps.. Dave..

 

[Andy.E]

Looking for information or someone who has had experience with adding larger tires/wheels to their c2/63? My suspension is stock and I was noticing that the rear end sits about 2 inches lower than the front.

...snip...

Also, to get the car to sit a bit more leveled, is there such a thing as add a leaf from aftermarket suppliers that I havent seen?

I think the ride height is supposed to be the same at both ends. Sounds like you've got a spring problem. If your rear spring hasn't been replaced in a long time it could have flattened out. Check the front springs too though - they could be too tall.

Andy

 

[youwish2bme]

It is quite possible that one of two things are happening,
1. The rear is collapsed as stated above or that someone just put the longer bolts in the rear. I had a post going on here not to long ago about ride height and all of the specs are there.

2. I'm almost positive my front springs aren't correct as are my pop's so it is entirely possible that you have some different springs in the front.

Measure your ride height front and rear and let us know what you have... Dave..

 

[Jonisti]

reply to those who cared to write

Thanks a bunch for the inputs, really appreciate the info. I will research and measure the ride height and go from there. I will go and read that post form earlier. I wanted to ad the TTIIs also, not trying to steal anyones idea or thunder, but man that wheel is boss......... My 63 is sadle tan, and those colors go well.

Curious if you bought chrome or polished aluminum? Man the chrome one's are out there in price, but it is worth making my c2 look like a million. Thanks again for both your messages..... When I get progress I will send a message back.......

signed
//USAF Active Duty TSGT//

CHEERS ALL.....

 

[youwish2bme]

I went with the polish not really b/c of the price but b/c of the lag time of 6-8 wks. The chrome I was qouted of only 25 extra a rim plus 50 to ship all four from where they were chromed. The polished really are shiny but they will never be as much as chrome. You say you have Saddle tan do you mean the vette is Saddle w/ tan int? Well I know you can't tell from my avatar but mine is white w/ tan int and top and the TTII's look great on it. I will post a pic for everyone and you make the choice you will not regret it. I picked mine up for 250 a rim and the tires were 100 a piece. Needless to say they put four divots per rim on the back side and I didn't have to pay the original qoute of 1500 for everything just 1375. So it was a good day they fit, no rubbing ie fenders, calipers etc.. and the divots will go unnoticed to anyone but those that I point it out to.
http://www.photohost.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2208&password=&sort=1&thecat=

 

[Andy.E]

FWIW my '65 rides at 25 3/4" front and rear, measured at the middle of the wheel well from the bottom of the fender to the ground. That's with correct springs front and back and 205/75 tires, which might be a bit tall. Hope this helps.

Andy

 

[Jonisti]

wheel/ tire

The exterior is same as interior, from my research they call it saddle tan. It is really a gold color, I will try to post a pic soon but the wife has the digital camera in Florida (visiting parents). Thanks andy e. for the message, my measurements are 25 7/8 FRONT, 24 3/4 REAR..... I suppose I have some spring issues to attend to.....Thanks again youwish2bme, I will keep in touch my wheel purchase may wait till I get this spring/ride height attended to......... cheers all

 

[JP1522]

Jonisti, My 64 has the original springs, bushings, etc. front and rear, and possibly sets 1/2" to 3/4" lower than when new. I also have 205/70-15 tires which is a little smaller in diameter then the original 6.70-15's. On the front it measures 24 & 1/2" from the ground to fender lip, and measures 12 & 3/8" from the center of the wheel up tp the fender lip. this measurement is a better way to compare to other's cars as the tire size dosen't effect the measurement. On the rear the measurement's are 25" and 12 & 7/8". On your rear springs, check to see if the rubber bushings, located on both ends of the spring bolts, are in good shape. Also check to see if an earlier owner installed longer bolts. The original bolts were 6 & 5/8" long with castle nuts and cotter keys. Replacement bolts used to lower the rear of the cars are usually 8 to 10 inches long and use a nylok nut without a cotter key.
What size tires are on the car presently? 235/60-15 tires are 26.1" diameter and 245/60-15's are 26.6" diameter. My 205/70-15's are 26.3" in diameter. If I changed to the 235/60 tire on the rear of my car, the back would be lower then with the 205/70's, plus they wouldn't fit without tearing off my fenders as they are way to wide. With my near stock ride height, the widest tire that might fit and be close to the original diameter of the original tires, would be 225/70's on the rear, but that size tire is likely to give you problems on the front. IMHO, the largest tires that fit and keep the same proportions as the originals are 215/70's.

 

[Jonisti]

tire sizes

Really appreciate the inputs and the time you offered, I suppose I have a BIG homework project to investigate the issue. Thanks again and will advise all on the outcome, cheers all......

I see you have a 98 coupe, wanted to tell you of my experience with my 97 a few years back. I got orders to Germany, and didnt want to leave my torch red gem at home in Florida, so off I go, to europe with my C5 in tow (shipped by uncle sam). Luckily it arrived in country un-damaged......

Well after a few months crusing around and babing her, I went to visit my friend in Frankfurt one sunny (but windy) saturday afternoon. Germans love to go fast and they love the looks of the C5. A local was tailing me @ around 80mph, and decided to try to play/harass me for a laugh (he was in a new audi something???

Well I wasnt in the mood for goofball germans that day, so I looked in my mirror, gave a small golf wave to the fine euro, and DOWN WENT THE PEDAL...... Before it was all said and done, he was well behind me, (unable to catch up) And I noticed a high pitched wistle streaming from the exterior of my sweet machine.
(the mirror noise)

Before I knew it, my speedo read 165mph 4200 (roughly) RPMs and the pedal had more play to go......... WOW what fun, and spanking the german was a nice addition....... Never got it over that point again...... I wish I had of, but the day was windy and the stock 97 was getting a bit light in the front.........

I finally sold her to an american who took her to Italy (in 2000) more than likley still over there?? Just thought I would share that with you......... CHEERS MATE.......Take care

 

[SeaLawyer]

I've got the opposite problem...

Mine is 2 inches lower in the front! Makes it look kinda cool (like the rear is jacked up), but something tells me it's not right....

Vaughn

 

[IH2LOSE]

DAve the car looks excellent !

I love those wheels

 

[Jonisti]

WHELS AND TIRES

IH2LOSE, Thats really a cool set up, what package is that?

 

[IH2LOSE]

That picture is not mine
that car is belongs to dave "youwish2bme" he had this picture in a link above I just cut and pasted it into this post. Car looks great doesnt it

 

[youwish2bme]

Thanks for the compliments guys I'm really liking it since I got my rims last week. I haven't been able to drive it very much to see how I like the ride though. If you can't tell from the pic I have a lot of rear rake. I don't know if I like it but it's how it's going to wait for now. I have about 26.5 to the fender in back and about 27 in the front it just looks more drastic.. IH2LOSE, thanks for linking it correctly I couldn't get it to work and haven't had time to learn what I've been doing incorrectly. Dave...