C-3 tire suggestions

[Doug'sL81]

I have BFG 265 50x15 on my '81 on stock rims. I like the look and the handling so far.

 

[Tom Bryant]

My '79 came with "Spartan" 235-60R15's. They have plenty of meat left, but I think I will replace them with some 235-65R15's from a better brand, since I'm tired of having to guess my speed (if my speedo says 70, I'm really barely going over 65).

If anyone wants some tires to do a burn show with, I'd be happy to sell these once I replace them

Joe

If you want your speedometer to be right you need to either play with the teeth count on your speedometer "driven" gear or go back to the original size tire. In '79 you had 3 tire choices. Options QGQ and QGR were both 225/70R15 in black and RWL resp. Option QBS was 255/60R15 RWL. In the Tools tab at the top of the page are tire size selectors for a few of the major brands. You can see the height and other specs to comare sizes and make a better decision.

If I remember right it seems that one tooth smaller on the driven gear will increase your indicated speed around 3 mph. It's been awhile since I had to do this.

Tom

 

[RLP]

My tires are mismatched right now. I am in the middle of getting differant ones. I now have 215 70 15 front and 245 60 15 rear. I am going to 225 70 15 and 235 75 15 rear to give me a higher gear. I am running 3.9 gear end gear.

 

[c4ever]

JHL
I 've got the Gotti's on my 85 and love them. I agree, the look fits real well. Bet they'll look great on the Shark. I would suggest to anyone, check out the Gotti line if your looking for wheels.

Merry X-mas:grinsanta

Carlo

 

[Evolution1980]

Re: speedo

Thanks Joe. I have been curious about what it corrected out to. Getting new skins on Monday. Going with the BFG 255/60 15 Radial TA. Dick M.

That's what I have on my car. The T/A's are only rated for 112mph (sustained), but I haven't had any problems. I have the 255's on the rear, and 235 up front. I also have a set of 245's on all 4 original rims. I like the 245's up front better than the 235's.

 

[80vette_ca]

Has anybody tried the BFGoodrich Comp T/A® Drag Radial. I really like the look of these tires and that fact that they are a DOT aproved tire that is pretty close to a slick. I'm just wondering if these would fit on the stock 15x8 wheel. I really don't know anything about the sizing on the tires and what will fit what. The sizes off the web site are

P295/65R15...235/60R15..P275/60R15..P315/60R15..P345/55R15
..P275/50R15...P325/50R15...P255/50R16

Would any of these sizes fit or am I just dreaming of putting these on the stock wheel. Thanks for the help

 

[bossvette]

I have BFG's on my 76 275/60 15 on the back and 2.55-60-15 on the front I use BFG on all my cars and trucks

 

[Chris Sanchez]

stock size?

My 81 lists the 255/60R15 as the correct stock size on the door jamb sticker. Was this perhaps an option at the time? I also have the Firehawk ss20s and they look great with the stock aluminum wheels.

 

[MaineShark]

Optional sizes were 225/70R15 and 255/60R15

80vette_ca: the first thing you need to look at is the last number. If it isn't 15, then the tire won't fit your 15" wheel.

The next thing is the width and height. The first number in the group is the width, in millimeters. The second number is the aspect ratio. To get the sidewall height, you diving the aspect ratio by 100, then multiply by the width.

For example: a "255/60R15" tire has a sidewall height of 153 millimeters. ( 60 / 100 = 0.60 ... 0.60 * 255 = 153 )

You can divide that by 25.4 to convert to inches, if you care.

If the sidewall height differs too much from stock, your speedometer will not read correctly. If that gets too far off, you can end up with speeding tickets without realizing it.

The width is important, as well, to avoid rubbing problems. I've seen some conflicting reports of exactly what will and won't cause a problem, so I'll leave that to someone else.

Joe

 

[81 Corvette]

I have Kelly Chargers. They look good but are way to hard.

 

[80vette_ca]

Hey thanks MaineShark for all the good info

 

[laruec]

i have original rally wheels with goodyear eagle gt's......they only have 4000 miles on the since 1986! previous owner gave me the reciept ....$129.00 each!
wonder what they cost today?

I bought two Eagle II, 255/60R-15 for $76. each plus $16 shipping at the
tire rack.
Carl

 

[Eric]

Just in case anyone else notices, this is a year old thread that has been revived but since the discussion is always relevant I'm leaving it open. Of course, it kinda bums me out since when I originally replied I still had a Vette.

- Eric

 

[Tom Bryant]

laruec

Welcome to the CAC. How do you like your Eagle IIs?

Tom

 

[laruec]

Just in case anyone else notices, this is a year old thread that has been revived but since the discussion is always relevant I'm leaving it open. Of course, it kinda bums me out since when I originally replied I still had a Vette.

- Eric

Tom the tires look great but I have my vette hanging installing suspention
rebuild for and aft.
Carl