Correct Tire Pressure
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
If 30 people answer your question, you will get 30 different answers. The answer is, "whatever pressure gives you uniform tire wear with good cornering performance." In my experience, on the front-heavy C2/C3 Vettes, that ends up being about 40 on the front and 30-35 on the rear. That BFG tire has a tall, soft sidewall, so you need the pressure to keep it from "rolling under" on hard cornering.
There will now be 29 people who will disagree and have different suggestions for you. All of the answers will be correct.
Lars
There will now be 29 people who will disagree and have different suggestions for you. All of the answers will be correct.
Lars
Last edited by lars; Sep 22, 2018 at 08:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 54
From: Arlington TX
Tire pressure really is directly related to application and unlimited variables. Cruising streets, drag racing, autocross... all different. Then there is driver preference which creates virtually infinite possible pressures.
The only universal truth on pressure is to stay is to stay within manufacture pressures and weights. However, there will undoubtedly be someone who will argue against that statement on here as well.
Whatever works for you. Be safe!
-Stroke
The only universal truth on pressure is to stay is to stay within manufacture pressures and weights. However, there will undoubtedly be someone who will argue against that statement on here as well.
Whatever works for you. Be safe!
-Stroke
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 223
Likes: 20
From: jim thorpe pa
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 54
From: Arlington TX
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
Max psi for a BFG T/A is 35 psi. Even though it's like riding on a donut or trying to stand on two basket ***** compared to the new gen low profile tires, I would not go over that. I run 32 front and 30 rear in my 69 big block and 30 all around in my wife's 78 small block. Tire performance on uneven or crowned roads leaves a lot to be desired with tall sidewalls....
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The low psi spec on the door stickers was a total FUBAR by the US auto makers when they first installed radial tires. Europe knew what pressure they needed, but US knew "better", did the pressure-to-load calculations and wound up with specs WAY to low for radial tires. They found out when LOTS of tires blew out on new cars under extended driving conditions. The OVER-flexed sidewalls OVER-heated and blew out. Pressure specs for mid-late 70's cars were revised upward, significantly.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 54
From: Arlington TX
The low psi spec on the door stickers was a total FUBAR by the US auto makers when they first installed radial tires. Europe knew what pressure they needed, but US knew "better", did the pressure-to-load calculations and wound up with specs WAY to low for radial tires. They found out when LOTS of tires blew out on new cars under extended driving conditions. The OVER-flexed sidewalls OVER-heated and blew out. Pressure specs for mid-late 70's cars were revised upward, significantly.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
I won't disagree with Lars on this one. 40 front, 35 rear for radials sounds pretty good. For Autocrossing on BFG Radial T/As (same tires, not a C3), I set them to max rated sidewall pressure, which I think is 44 psi (please check!). Don't expect to have much wet traction with these tires, but the rest of your car will melt in the rain, so it's best to only drive a C3 when the sun is shining.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
The low psi spec on the door stickers was a total FUBAR by the US auto makers when they first installed radial tires. Europe knew what pressure they needed, but US knew "better", did the pressure-to-load calculations and wound up with specs WAY to low for radial tires. They found out when LOTS of tires blew out on new cars under extended driving conditions. The OVER-flexed sidewalls OVER-heated and blew out. Pressure specs for mid-late 70's cars were revised upward, significantly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
That's actually not true. It was deemed unsafe because of a design flaw in the rear suspension having nothing to do with tire pressure.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It was killed by negative publicity and unnecessary public disdain. Could the Corvair have been designed better? Yes. About every car ever made could have been designed "better".
Public opinion matters...and biased media can sway public opinion. That's what we are dealing with these days! Facts are irrelevant when emotions get cranked up....
Public opinion matters...and biased media can sway public opinion. That's what we are dealing with these days! Facts are irrelevant when emotions get cranked up....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
The early Corvair had a swing-axle design that was much less sophisticated, and could cause issues with underinflated tires and hard cornering. I knew someone who autocrossed an early model. He was much quicker than I ever was.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
I won't disagree with Lars on this one. 40 front, 35 rear for radials sounds pretty good. For Autocrossing on BFG Radial T/As (same tires, not a C3), I set them to max rated sidewall pressure, which I think is 44 psi (please check!). Don't expect to have much wet traction with these tires, but the rest of your car will melt in the rain, so it's best to only drive a C3 when the sun is shining.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Sep 26, 2018 at 12:59 AM.