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Topic: tire pressure

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

tire pressure

Posted: 4/3/11 5:01pm Message 1 of 20
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prescott, AZ - USA
Joined: 2/9/2011
Posts: 16
Vette(s): 1977 corvette, 95% restored. ZZ4 engine with tuned exhaust. T10 4 speed.
My 1977 owners manual on page 5-17 says tire presure front 20 rear 26. Is that correct?
20 sounds very low for tire presure. I have 4 goodyear eagle GT 11, size 255 60R15.  Does anyone
know what the correct tire pressure is for these tires?
thanks
Paul



Paul

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tire pressure

Posted: 4/3/11 5:54pm Message 2 of 20
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA
Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.
I looked at the sticker on the driver door of my '78.
it say
Max load 28 ft 32 rr
min load 20 ft 26 rr
never noted the minimum before.



tire pressure

Posted: 4/3/11 6:04pm Message 3 of 20
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prescott, AZ - USA
Joined: 2/9/2011
Posts: 16
Vette(s): 1977 corvette, 95% restored. ZZ4 engine with tuned exhaust. T10 4 speed.

Thanks for the quick reply Jeff.  What pressure do you run in your tires?




Paul

tire pressure

Posted: 4/3/11 6:28pm Message 4 of 20
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Burke, VT - USA
Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7280
Vette(s): SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Sold - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am
"BLUBYU" - '04 Coupe
I usually run 32 to 36 psi in "The Toy".  I like the responsiveness of the firmer setting and it helps a tad with the gas mileage.


Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

tire pressure

Posted: 4/3/11 6:29pm Message 5 of 20
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Former Member
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA
Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.
I run 28 to 30. 20 seems kind of low in the front. Maybe that is based on driver only and nothing in the back.  I would think it would ride more like a Cadillac at the lower PSI. Does your ZZ4 add extra weight compared to a stock 350?


tire pressure

Posted: 4/3/11 6:55pm Message 6 of 20
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
If you look on the placard on the door, you will find the correct tire pressure recommendations. They may seem low by today's standards, but they are that way for a reason. That's the pressure that the car handles BEST(ie: safest) at. Never go by the numbers on the tire itself...those are Max pressures@temp.
The pressures on the door sticker are best for the car, depending on the load. More weight in the car(luggage, etc) would require more tire pressure.

This subject has been debated to death, since most folks just can't believe that GM would recommend such "low" tire pressures....
I run what Zora suggested....never had an issue at all. I do add a few pounds when loading it up for a trip, but never over 28psi front or rear. Gm spent millions of development dollars to determine these settings....I ain't smart enough to argue anything different.
Thass my story, and I'm stickin wid it....



Joel Adams
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tire pressure

Posted: 4/4/11 10:03am Message 7 of 20
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Eagan, MN - USA
Joined: 6/18/2007
Posts: 427
Vette(s): Gone, but not forgotten: 1974 Coupe Red, matching numbers, Black Interior, L-48 w/ 4 speed; The “Admiral”, also gone and never to be forgotten. 1994 Admiral Blue LT-1 coupe, Black Interior Automatic

Ah, the great tire pressure debate!  For my two cents worth....The tire pressures in the door are generally set to give the best compromise between ride and handling. I tend to think that slightly higher pressures will give the car a better handling characteristics but the resulting ride will be a bit more harsh. My C3 seemed to handle best around 26 to 30 psi. The darn thing wants to understeer anyway and at 20 psi in the front, it would not turn. I have always thought that 20 psi was too low and a compromise for a better ride. Don't forget what happened to the Ford Explorer a while back when the recommended tire pressures were used.




There is no substitute for low end torque!


tire pressure

Posted: 4/4/11 10:39am Message 8 of 20
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prescott, AZ - USA
Joined: 2/9/2011
Posts: 16
Vette(s): 1977 corvette, 95% restored. ZZ4 engine with tuned exhaust. T10 4 speed.
OK, thanks guys, I just checked my tire pressure and all four of them was 34 psi.
I think i'll do what you guys say and set it to 26 front and 30 rear.
thanks for the help.



Paul

tire pressure

Posted: 4/4/11 10:41am Message 9 of 20
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prescott, AZ - USA
Joined: 2/9/2011
Posts: 16
Vette(s): 1977 corvette, 95% restored. ZZ4 engine with tuned exhaust. T10 4 speed.
Jeff, the zz4 has aluminum head, but its still close to a stock engine. It a good running enging.


Paul

tire pressure

Posted: 4/4/11 12:20pm Message 10 of 20
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Dutchess County, NY - USA
Joined: 8/27/2007
Posts: 2484
Vette(s): White '79 Corvette. It's a driver.

I just checked mine the other day and set all four at 28. I think it rides and handles pretty good for a 31 year old car.

Kevin




in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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