First, let me say it's sometimes a bit of a guessing game with questions like this because the post that begins the thread doesn't offer any info as to what model year Corvette is the issue. Confonted with that, I just look at the sig line info which in this case shows the car in quesiton is a C3. If I'm wrong and the car is some other "C-series" some of what's below will be inaccruate.
If a nice ride is the goal don't install 17-tires on a C3..
It's as simple at that.
The C3 suspension was designed in the early 1960s, long before tires with low aspect ratios for road vehicles were introduced. The lower the aspect ratio of the tire, the shorter the sidewall and the less the tire itself can contribute to ride. From a ride perspective, the crude suspension technology of the 1960s was based, in part on tires with 75 and 80 aspect ratios. Once you go to a 16-in tires with a 50 or 55 aspect ratio or a 17-in with a 50, 45 or 40 aspect ratio, you cause a significant increase in stiffness and harshness and a decrease in ride quality.
What I'd do for that 82 is:
1) Buy a 255/50-15 all season radial tire and put it on the stock wheels.
2) If the car has FE7 (Gymkahana or HD) suspension, I'd convert the car to base springs and stabilizer bars.
3) I'd use an inexpensive "standard" (rather than "heavy duty") shock absorber.
4) Do not install any polyurethane suspension parts.
Follow those rules and you'll have the best possible ride from your 82.
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