[gibbons]

I was all ready to go with another set of 275/60-15 mounted on 15x8 on the rear, and 225/70-15 mounted on 15x7 on the front. The fronts are currently 235/60's, and they look short for my tastes (compared to the rears, see signature pic link). So I was going to go taller with the 225/70's which match the diameter of the 275/60's.

I went to the tire store, and held the 225/70 against the side of the 235/60 which were on the car. The 225's looked gigantic tall, they would only give about an inch of clearance to the front of the wheel wheel lip on a turn. Now what? What size do we all currently like in 15"? Or should I mount one and see what it looks like on?

Thanks for opinions and pictures. Gotta be 15", and I am going Ralleye again for nostalgia.

 

[BlueSS454]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

235 60 15 for me. If that looks too short for your taste, look at a 215 70 15.

 

[doc j]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

Your car looks great, I wouldn't change a thing! I have 235/60 15 on 15X8 all around and that seems to me just about right on the front.

 

[Gary S]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

I run 245-60-15 on all 4 corners. I want my car to turn as well as it goes, and small front tires limit good handling.

 

[gibbons]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

Gary- I was looking at 245's... what wheel size and backspacing are you using on the front? I am looking at 7" wide with a 3.75" BS.

 

[DZAUTO]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

On the 70 conv, I have 255/60R15 on 15x8 Vette Ralleys with the small 67 Ralley center caps at all 4 corners.
Originally, it had the common 15x7 Ralleys with the "top hat" center caps. When I switched it to the 15x8 Vette Ralleys, it acquired a totally (better) different look!!!! Much more aggressive stance! Also, last year, I finally replaced the stock front springs with BB springs then added a little air to the rear air shocks to level it out. From my perspective, it looks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better than the popular ( :wacko: ) lo-rider stance. YUK!

 

[gibbons]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

Tom- What backspace are you using with 8" on the front? Any clearance or rub issues with the 225's? On my current 7's I have 4.25" BS. The 3.75" I am intending to buy will widen things up a bit, which it needs and will give a front spacing about equal to the rears for a consistent look.

I don't see this car ever handling well without a major cash injection. It's just for fun, my daily drivers handle just fine. Chevelle=quick. Daily=nice.

 

[ToocoolZ28]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

I have 255/60/15s on the front of mine on 7 inch wide cragers (3.75 backspacing). I think they look good with the 275s on the rear/

 

[Gary S]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

Gary- I was looking at 245's... what wheel size and backspacing are you using on the front? I am looking at 7" wide with a 3.75" BS.

I have 7" factory SS wheels, and I believe they are about 4 to 4 1/4 inch backspacing like most Chevy factory wheels. Also, my Son has 245-60-15 on 7" factory Corvette style rallys on his El Camino with probably the same backspacing.

 

[anychevy]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

I tried 225x70 and 235x70 on the front, but they didn't look right compared to the back and the 235s rubbed.
These are 245x60x15 on 15x8 4-1/2 BS ss wheels up front and 275x60x15 with the same wheel out back, lowered 2" with no rubbing issues anywhere
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/32533

 

[davewho1]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

Dave/anychevy -

Sharp '70 - nice stance; looks just right. :thumbsup:

 

[novaderrik]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

a 225/70 is a 27" tall tire and the 275/60 is a 28" tall tire.
personally, i like the way my Monte looks with the 235/60 (26" tall) on the front to balance out the 275/60 (28"tall) on the rear. if you really want the front the same diameter as the rears, then you need to step up to 235/70- but have fun finding them. they came stock on the Caprice cop cars from 87-96, and i think on the Caprice wagons from those same years, so there might be someone still making them.

 

[GRN69CHV]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

I run a 225-70 frt w/ 275-60 rear. My car is lowered up front so tire tucks up in wheelwell just slightly. If available, a 225-65 would be just enough reduction in ht. I think a 225-60 is too short in a 15". One thing that is nice with the 225-70 up front is, I have the chassis set up firm enough for handling (QA1 coilovers and a large sway bar upfront helps), the taller sidewall of the 225-70 absorbs impacts enough to smooth out the ride. This car handles very well and corners flat.

 

[dreis454]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

a 225/70 is a 27" tall tire and the 275/60 is a 28" tall tire.
personally, i like the way my Monte looks with the 235/60 (26" tall) on the front to balance out the 275/60 (28"tall) on the rear. if you really want the front the same diameter as the rears, then you need to step up to 235/70- but have fun finding them. they came stock on the Caprice cop cars from 87-96, and i think on the Caprice wagons from those same years, so there might be someone still making them.

I have 235/70 BFGs on the front & 275/60 in back............see pic

I like having all tires the same diameter so you only need to carry one spare & won't burn up your posi!

 

[gibbons]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

As you guys have messed with changing front tire diameters, have you noticed a change in braking? A larger tire gives more leverage against the brake. Did you notice that small difference? I run manual discs on the front....

 

[Derek69SS]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

I like the 235/60s, and if they don't fill up the wheel-opening enough, drop the car an inch or 3. :yes:

 

[Ricks70ss]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

I have the same thing that Derek has on his Chevelle. I think it looks good this way

 

[novaderrik]

Re: Not tech: Preference for front tire size? What "feels" good?

As you guys have messed with changing front tire diameters, have you noticed a change in braking? A larger tire gives more leverage against the brake. Did you notice that small difference? I run manual discs on the front....

in 99% of all driving situations, you won't notice much difference at all. when i first got my Nova it had 4 wheel power drums, and i ran everything from 195/75/14's all the way up to 255/50/16's on the front with 235/75/15's, 255/60/15 and 255/50/16 on the rear in various combos just for the hell of it, and the car always seemed to stop about the same- well, when i had the old dry rotted Goodyear GT+4 255/50/16's on the GTA wheels all around, it stopped much better than anything else. when i put the C4 Vette brakes on the front and ditched the power booster, then it became a totally different ballgame.....