New tires for my 1981

I was hoping to purchase BFG Radial T/A 255/60 R15 tires for the front and 275/60 R15 for the rear of my 1981 Vette. I'm using the GM alloy wheels that were optional that year.

I'm sure I've seen this done before, and I've seen some ramblings within this forum that comes close but I'm not sure it can be done with the standard rims and without any mods.

If I do purchase these and they don't fit, my dealer says that he won't take them back!! So if anyone out there can confirm that this will work, I'd really appreciate it.

I'm no expert on this, but since I plan to increase tire size soon, I have read many threads. It seems most agree that the 255s are about as big as you should go on those 8" rims. They should fit OK on back, but I have heard that 255s will rub a little on the front suspension during tight turns. The fender wells are opened up so much on an '81 that I can't imagine you'd ever have it rub a fender. I also have an '81. I'll be curious to hear what others have to say!

Starting in '78 255/60's were the optional oversize tire with a 70 series as standard. From what I've seen, larger sizes MAY fit on a car by car basis, simply from manufacturing tolerances in body panels.

It's not something you can count on, you have to try and see.

Gunslinger is right. The front wheel wells on the 78 are trimmed compaired to the 77 so the front wheels won't rub. When they first came into the dealer, we thought they really messed up some of those wheel wells. Nope, planned that way.

On at least on the 78 and 79's, the front edge of the front wheel opening was only trimmed if the Vette came from the factory with the 2.55's. If you got the smaller(thinner) 2.25's, no trimming was done. Check your wheel opening, if it's even with a slight lip all the way around the 2.55's may make occasional contact. But if it looks somewhat uneven like it's been cut, you should be OK in front. Mike

Doh!!!! It just hit me that the 80-82's have the different front end. Kinda impractical to trim the rubber bumper. I would think the 2.55's would fit in front as I see no way to alter that opening. Mike

I run the BFG 255/60/15's front and rear on my 81 with no problem with the factory alloys.

I have a 72 with stock ralley's. I run 255/60-15's on all 4 corners. I have not had any problems.
I just bought the new Firestone Indy 500 Firehawk Tires.
Man are they GREAT! This Vette really like the new rubber.

http://www.VetteRegistry.net/member_pages/4201_4300/4237/WETVET copy.jpg

|UPDATED|6/7/2004 6:06:57 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I have an 80 and have spent countless hours under the car (think my wife is about to through a pillow under to me and let me sleep there). I have the 255-60-15's on it all the way around. I can tell you they are very close to the exhaust on the rear. If the tires you are wanting to put on the rear are any wider they may rub the exhaust. The other question is the condition of your rear suspension. If it is in real good condition and kinda stiff you mite be OK if you bounce on back roads and pot holes I'll bet they will rub.

Hope this helps, and if you have time stop in the on line show and vote for me.

Thanks Glenn

milkman said: I can tell you they are very close to the exhaust on the rear. If the tires you are wanting to put on the rear are any wider they may rub the exhaust.

I agree. The other thing to be sure and check is the emergency brake cable bracket. It's the closest point to the 255's on my 69.

Dave