Question regarding Spare tire on C5
06-14-2007, 08:19 AM
#1
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Question regarding Spare tire on C5
I don't know where I read it, but somewhere it stated that the C5 exhaust was originally designed to make room for a spare tire and if it wasn't for that it would have had straight pipes to the exhausts. It read that since the Generals designers decided on the two different tire sizes and RF's that the idea of a spare was scrapped, but the over the axle pipes were kept. Anyone recal seeing this?
Haven't looked much, but can we remove the over the axle pipes and plumb straight back?
Thanks in advance
Haven't looked much, but can we remove the over the axle pipes and plumb straight back?
Thanks in advance
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Fogarty (07-21-2021)
06-14-2007, 09:33 AM
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St. Jude Donor '07
Never heard that either, plus the area behind the rear suspension isn't large enough to put a spare. I really can't see putting a donut on a vette. Looks silly enough on a MUSTANG.
Never had a flat, but I got a tire repair kit and my insurance company offers free towing.
Micah
Never had a flat, but I got a tire repair kit and my insurance company offers free towing.
Micah
06-14-2007, 09:34 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
This is true, it is in the book "All Corvettes are Red" which is a book on the development of the C5.
The exhaust was designed to allow for a spare tire. BUT, after they decided on run flats, they redesigned the rear to allow for more trunk space/storage, a common complaint from earlier Corvette owners.
I measured only 5 inches clearance under the rear crossmember. I don't think you would want to run 3 inch exhaust pipes here. Also, you don't want to heat up the rear transverse PLASTIC spring. Does the C6 run pipes under the axle?
The exhaust was designed to allow for a spare tire. BUT, after they decided on run flats, they redesigned the rear to allow for more trunk space/storage, a common complaint from earlier Corvette owners.
I measured only 5 inches clearance under the rear crossmember. I don't think you would want to run 3 inch exhaust pipes here. Also, you don't want to heat up the rear transverse PLASTIC spring. Does the C6 run pipes under the axle?
06-14-2007, 09:43 AM
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Even Borlas straight pipes the XR-1 go over the axle.
even the C6 goes over the rear axle
even the C6 goes over the rear axle
06-14-2007, 09:53 AM
#8
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C5 was designed from the start without a spare. Front/Rear different tire sizes also don't make a difference since, nowadays, not many cars come with full size spares.
06-14-2007, 09:55 AM
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This is true, it is in the book "All Corvettes are Red" which is a book on the development of the C5.
The exhaust was designed to allow for a spare tire. BUT, after they decided on run flats, they redesigned the rear to allow for more trunk space/storage, a common complaint from earlier Corvette owners.
I measured only 5 inches clearance under the rear crossmember. I don't think you would want to run 3 inch exhaust pipes here. Also, you don't want to heat up the rear transverse PLASTIC spring. Does the C6 run pipes under the axle?
The exhaust was designed to allow for a spare tire. BUT, after they decided on run flats, they redesigned the rear to allow for more trunk space/storage, a common complaint from earlier Corvette owners.
I measured only 5 inches clearance under the rear crossmember. I don't think you would want to run 3 inch exhaust pipes here. Also, you don't want to heat up the rear transverse PLASTIC spring. Does the C6 run pipes under the axle?
Yup...
Peace
Chip
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Fogarty (07-21-2021)
06-14-2007, 11:00 AM
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Space for storage of the spare tire and the road tire is the issue, those of you who have owned C-4s will remember the little donut space saver spare. The spare tire carrier had two stops on the hangers as it was designed to store and carry the flat larger road tire. So the space was large enough to accept the big tire. I would rather have the extra hatch or trunk storage space of the C-5.
In 16 years of C-4 ownership I only used the donut tire once, it was really weird looking.
In 16 years of C-4 ownership I only used the donut tire once, it was really weird looking.
06-14-2007, 03:06 PM
#13
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Jim Perkins, who was the general manager at Chevrolet when the C5 was being designed, specified that the C5 was to have a spare. He retired in 1996, and then the decision was made to eliminate the spare tire and make the run flats std equip. Check the center compartment in the rear and you will see that is has a rounded bottom and is slanted towards the front so a spare tire would fit. The flat removable cover was to have been molded to cover the top of the spare that was higher then the rear trunk floor.
06-15-2007, 06:33 AM
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I for one welcome the extra storage space in lieu of a spare tire. The runflats work just fine to get you to a repair facility in case you have a flat and if you run non-runflats, a AAA membership or emergency road service on the insurance helps a lot. Just don't think I would want to chance running pipes under the rear crossmember - not much room there.
06-15-2007, 08:47 AM
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Jim Perkins, who was the general manager at Chevrolet when the C5 was being designed, specified that the C5 was to have a spare. He retired in 1996, and then the decision was made to eliminate the spare tire and make the run flats std equip. Check the center compartment in the rear and you will see that is has a rounded bottom and is slanted towards the front so a spare tire would fit. The flat removable cover was to have been molded to cover the top of the spare that was higher then the rear trunk floor.
Like oldvetter says "right in the book" All Corvettes are Red. The C5 was going to have a spare. Check right here on the forum and you'll see you can get a GTO spare that works great.
06-15-2007, 09:56 AM
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Nope. Read the book. It should be required for C5 ownership. And for anyone considering any purchase of GM stock.
06-15-2007, 10:07 AM
#19
Le Mans Master
Jim Perkins, who was the general manager at Chevrolet when the C5 was being designed, specified that the C5 was to have a spare. He retired in 1996, and then the decision was made to eliminate the spare tire and make the run flats std equip. Check the center compartment in the rear and you will see that is has a rounded bottom and is slanted towards the front so a spare tire would fit. The flat removable cover was to have been molded to cover the top of the spare that was higher then the rear trunk floor.
best regards -
mqqn
