Tire Pressure: 1973 Then & Now.....

[Rich C.]

Tire pressure sticker calls for 20lbs. pressure for the old goodyear/ firestone radials that came on the car. That seems way too low for todays radials. I installed BF Goodrich Comp/TA's (equivalent size), and have been running them @ 32 psi. Any thoughts on more/ less?

[Joel A.]

Re: Tire Pressure: 1973 Then & Now.....

This is a debate that will not have a definitive answer. I have been running 20psi in mine forever, with no ill effects. I do raise the pressure when the car is loaded for a road trip, but never more than 28psi. The car rides much harsher with the higher psi, and seems(to me) to be a little twitchy, compared to the recommended pressure. Granted, the pressures were specified for the tire technology available at the time, but it was also to help with the ride quality, since Corvette was turning into more of a touring car than a strictly performance vehicle.
We're about to head out to Illinois in the '74 for C3Fest/C3VR Gathering...the tires will have 28psi in them.
I'm sure the newer tires would probably benefit from more psi, if for nothing other than to help them keep from wearing as quickly...who knows?

[Peter G.]

Re: Tire Pressure: 1973 Then & Now.....

I think the newer tires are recommended at 35 psi and the door and auto manufacturer say 20 psi. So I compromise and run 30 psi in the Goodyears on my '73 and the tires seems to wear evenly and the ride is okay.

[Duke W.]

Re: Tire Pressure: 1973 Then & Now.....

A tire's load capacity is a function of contained air volume and pressure. Higher pressure will yield cooler tire temperatures and lower rolling resistance, which means better fuel economy.

Higher tire pressures also yield more precise and responsive handling, but greater ride harshness.

The maximum cold pressure placarded on the sidewall is not necessarily the best running pressure.

The Corvette's relatively light weight and large tires mean that the tires have a lot of load margin, so you can run them at relatively low pressure if you want the smoothest ride.

The bottom line is that it's an individual choice based on each individual's preference.

My recommendation is to run the cold pressure as high as you can stand - not to exceed the maximum placarded cold pressure - and I think most owners end up in the range of 28-32 psi, but each individual has to do some experimentation to determine what is best for them.

Duke

[Dick W.]

Re: Tire Pressure: 1973 Then & Now.....

Remember the Firestone/Ford Explorer fiasco? Underinflation was the major culprit of that. P metric tires are designed to run at a higher low and maximum pressure than the old tires. I would lean to the high side. We run 35# in the Michliens on the '72. A little harsh, but I do not worry about shoulder separation from underinflation.