Remove Spare Tire Or Not?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,904
Likes: 2
From: Anchorage Alaska
Remove Spare Tire Or Not?
I've been debating this for a long time and haven't made up my mind. I know the pros and cons of haveing it and not. It's up to you to make up my mind for me :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Re: Remove Spare Tire Or Not? (Dudeurgettnavette)
hrm..I don't know. I'm a bit cautious, so I'd keep it. But if you have AAA, dont mind using it, and want to save the weight, go ahead - its a free mod :D
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Remove Spare Tire Or Not? (Dudeurgettnavette)
If you have performance mods to your Vette and race or just want the extra 5hp (40-50lbs) do the "spare delete", otherwise leave well enough alone. And, face it, if you work in an office, are you likely to go under the rear of your Vette to drag out that filthy spare??
Though I don't have AAA, I carry a cell and a puncture repair kit (needle, glue and plugs) along with a pair of plyers. I've successively removed a wood screw from the tread of my IROC and pluged it in this manner with great success; that was over 3yrs ago and still holding.
So far I've made three trip between NY and OH, winter and summer, (about 500mi) with no fear.
Though I don't have AAA, I carry a cell and a puncture repair kit (needle, glue and plugs) along with a pair of plyers. I've successively removed a wood screw from the tread of my IROC and pluged it in this manner with great success; that was over 3yrs ago and still holding.
So far I've made three trip between NY and OH, winter and summer, (about 500mi) with no fear.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 824
Likes: 2
From: Camden SC
Re: Remove Spare Tire Or Not? (65Z01)
The C4's spare tire location is part of the gas tank protection planned by the engineers. In normal day to day driving, during a rear end collision, your gas tank and you are less likely to have any problems. If you are at the track, betting your pink slip, get rid of it. Otherwise, are you better off with the extra horsepower or crash protection? Your call.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield CT U.S.A. CT
Re: Remove Spare Tire Or Not? (dlmeyers)
Crash protection :crazy: if your getting hit that hard it's not going to matter if it's in or not. The tire hangs by to hangers and a bolt in the back I don't see that doing anything in a rear crash but shotting out. The only thing I can see it doing is protecting it from something from the road wile driving not to kick up and hit the tank and maybe do some damage, but in a crash I don't see it helping at all.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
Re: Remove Spare Tire Or Not? (John G 92)
The tire has to hit the rear end by then the rear would have to be pushed in 8" or so. Cars of today don't even line up with our bumpers. If you get hit the car is going to get jacked up, spare or not. Ditch it. My spare tire can't even hold its air for a day. :crazy:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Remove Spare Tire Or Not? (merrick)
Use methods other than weight to improve rear traction.
For example, make a copla passes down the 1/4mi with say 1/4 tank of fuel and then with a full tank. Let the time slip trap speeds tell you what that extra 90lbs has done for you.
For example, make a copla passes down the 1/4mi with say 1/4 tank of fuel and then with a full tank. Let the time slip trap speeds tell you what that extra 90lbs has done for you.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Veracruz
Re: Remove Spare Tire Or Not? (gcrouse)
I don't think they were supposed to have a spare. Follow this link for some more "shiney hiney" fotos. :lol:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=374176
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=374176
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 3
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Remove Spare Tire Or Not? (Dudeurgettnavette)
I have the spare tire delete brace (GM factory option) for sale if anybody is interested. Came out of a 96. It won't mount in my 85 because my frame cross member/subframe doesn't have the mounting points. $150 shipped takes it. Please email if interested. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Remove Spare Tire Or Not? (bill mcdonald)
Thanks- it would have been nice if there was a kit! That's a couple PepBoy's battery trays, couple lengths of 3/8" threaded rod, and a couple brackets cut from 1/8" steel. I had a shop weld the brackets/top tray to that frame cross brace, then I did the rest. You just need an Optima gel battery that can lay on it's side; about 12ft of 0/2 gauge red wire to the starter and 1ft 0/2 gauge black to chassis ground. Oh and some cute PepBoy's terminal covers...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Re: Remove Spare Tire Or Not? (gcrouse)
I took mine off and found 2 tiny leaks in the bottom of my fuel tank (rust?)!! Fixed them but now I am thinking if a racing fuel cell could be used instead of stock tank. Meanwhile I plan to install a rubber plate to protect the tank from road debris. Any opinions of the fuel cell? Can stock fuel pump, fuel level meter aned stock fuel inlet be used with a cell?
Thanks
tonih
[Modified by ToniH, 11:11 AM 9/2/2002]
Thanks
tonih
[Modified by ToniH, 11:11 AM 9/2/2002]