Got me a new set of Michelin's...X-One's...215/70R/15's....

What would be the Tire Pressure you would use??? What have you found works best for you in your C-2 promoting the best tire tread life and fuel mileage?

SWCDuke..I know you have recomended 32 PSI in an earlier post.. Could you expound on this.. and anyone else...Chime right in... :cheers:

 

Viet Nam Vett,

Excellent choice in tire and size. Had my X Ones since '99. Good all around tire...even in the wet. I'd start with 32 and experiment with how the car handles...bumps, turns under speed etc.. You may find the "right" feel of the car at it's maximum of 35 psi. When I drag raced with them (on the track), they'll just spin as radials are a much harder compound then, say bias plys. I've taken the tire pressure in the rears down to 25 psi in hopes of getting a little better bite off the line...she still spins. Michelin gives you an 80K tread life warranty on these. For me, it'll be a good horse race between wearin' 'em out and dry rottin' 'em out. I figure I put around 4K to 5K a year on the car.

Jim

 

Hey Mark,

Good choice on the tires... :yesnod: Where did you get them and what was the cost please..... :cheers:

 

Heh Andy,
Got them from a friend of a friend...$97.00 ea..hand delivered to my door no shipping charges...even the White Walls were precleaned... Brand new Tires with the sticker on the tread... :yesnod:

 

All modern tires are placarded with "max load @max cold pressure". The least rolling resistance, which will usually yield maximum fuel economy and tread life will be obtained by running the tire at the maximum cold inflation pressure. Higher pressures also make for crisper steering response and better overall handling, but will increase ride harshness. If these tires are US standard P-metric as I expect they are, they are probably placarded at 35 psi maximum cold pressure.

Best handling might actually be obtained at a bit less cold pressure, because the weight this size tire is carrying relative to its maximum load capacity is rather low on a Corvette, and a lightly loaded tire usually doesn't need maximum cold pressure for best handling.

Tire pressure is somewhat subjective and each individual should experiment to see what works best for you; 32 psi cold is a good starting point. From there go up and down in 4 psi incresments to see what gives you the best ride/handling compromise. Small blocks probably work best with equal pressure all around. Big blocks might benefit from a bit of front bias to compensate for their additional front end weight distribution. I would also peg 24 psi as the minimum cold pressure if you want to reduce ride harshness, but you'll sacrifice some steering response, tread life, and fuel economy at this low a value.

Pressure should alway be checked cold, with the car in the shade. Highway driving will usually cause about a 4-5 psi rise. When I go to the track I get a 8-10 pound rise in tire pressure. Never bleed down a hot tire. Remember, the placarded maximum pressure is COLD and a tire that is worked hard will gain pressure, which is normal.

Sometimes I overfill tires if it's not convenient to check them cold, then I bleed them down to proper cold pressure the next morning.

I note that the Michelin X-1 has a UTQG rating of 700AB and is only T-rated. Such a rock hard tire with less than the best resistance to heat build up would not be my choice, but they will work for normal driving.

In contrast the Pirelli P-4000 Super Touring is W-rated and carries a UTQG of 320AA, and the Michelin Energy MXV4 is V-rated and 340 AA. I don't know why an 80K tread life would appeal to the owner of a vintage Corvette, assuming the car is driven a few hundred to few thousand miles per year as most are. Even Pirelli offers a 40K mileage warranty and at 5K miles per year it would take 20 years to wear them out.

I wish the 215/70R-15 was available in a DOT legal racing compound with a tread wear of less than 100. That would be about ten years for me, and I would definitely appreciate the grip.

Duke





[Modified by SWCDuke, 3:36 PM 4/24/2003]

 

Thanks Duke,
For the reply. I will take your advice and start at 32PSI and experiment from there. Thanks for taking the time to go in depth in your reply.:cheers:
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Also Thanks 6T5RUSH for the comments. They seem to have gotten some good reviews, and I am loking forward to the new ride feel from a radial. I know with the new tires and the new 5 speed OD tranny that I will enjoy my road trip to BG for the 50th.. :cheers:

 

Viet Nam Vett,

Just caught your note about attending the 50th Bash in Bowling Greene. I hope to meet up and connnect a forum handle with a face. We'll (Michigan and Ontario) be coming in from the north, hooking up with the Ohio bunch on Wednesday, June 25 and will be in Bowling Greene midday Thursday.

Till then...be wav'n and just drive 'em!

By the way, I did take SWDuke's advice and installed the Pirelli's on my retro '60's look last week. They're definetely a stickier tire!

Jim

 

Heh Jim,
I will arriving 6/23/03....Need some party time... I'll be at the Marriott Fairfield in BG.. Look Me up...I'm Buying...... :cheers: