Correct tire pressures
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa AL
Correct tire pressures
I have an '88 that came with the 16" cuisinart wheels (they have been sold) I now have the ZR! 17" wheels with 275s up front and 315s in back. The label from the factory calls for something like 35 psi front and back and that just doesn't seem right. Right now I have the rears at 30 psi and they still seem to be wearing more in the middle than on the edges. Any tips on proper tire pressure for this size wheel and tire?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
With 275s around I run 35-37psi up front & 30-34psi out back.
Remember that when you boil the hides the tire gets taller so burns rubber more off the center than off the outer edges.
Do you have 11" rims on the back?
Remember that when you boil the hides the tire gets taller so burns rubber more off the center than off the outer edges.
Do you have 11" rims on the back?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Christiansburg VA
More weight on the front end, so you need to compensate for the added "squish" factor to get even treadwear.
You'll probably think I'm insane; however, I run max pressures cold for the most part. Firestone SZ50 EP's at 44psi.
I've been doing this for years on other cars and this practice was only reinforced during my first driving in-service for work a couple of years ago.
We are instructed to run max pressures on our cruisers for temperature dissipation and high speed operation. I drive that Crown Vic like I stole it all shift long and get great even treadwear and much improved handling.
Then again...this is just my experience.
You'll probably think I'm insane; however, I run max pressures cold for the most part. Firestone SZ50 EP's at 44psi.
I've been doing this for years on other cars and this practice was only reinforced during my first driving in-service for work a couple of years ago.
We are instructed to run max pressures on our cruisers for temperature dissipation and high speed operation. I drive that Crown Vic like I stole it all shift long and get great even treadwear and much improved handling.
Then again...this is just my experience.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by DukeDiablo
More weight on the front end, so you need to compensate for the added "squish" factor to get even treadwear.
You'll probably think I'm insane; however, I run max pressures cold for the most part. Firestone SZ50 EP's at 44psi.
I've been doing this for years on other cars and this practice was only reinforced during my first driving in-service for work a couple of years ago.
We are instructed to run max pressures on our cruisers for temperature dissipation and high speed operation. I drive that Crown Vic like I stole it all shift long and get great even treadwear and much improved handling.
Then again...this is just my experience.
You'll probably think I'm insane; however, I run max pressures cold for the most part. Firestone SZ50 EP's at 44psi.
I've been doing this for years on other cars and this practice was only reinforced during my first driving in-service for work a couple of years ago.
We are instructed to run max pressures on our cruisers for temperature dissipation and high speed operation. I drive that Crown Vic like I stole it all shift long and get great even treadwear and much improved handling.
Then again...this is just my experience.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Yes I run higher up front for handling traction and to reduce edge wear during hard cornering and I run lower out back for better hookup on the street. I find that 28-32 psi works best at the strip.
For your rear tires you might try doing a burn out and checking darkness of the strips from edge to edge. Adjust pressure for a uniform stip. This works well when setting up for the drag strip but not sure how it would do for street driving.
For your rear tires you might try doing a burn out and checking darkness of the strips from edge to edge. Adjust pressure for a uniform stip. This works well when setting up for the drag strip but not sure how it would do for street driving.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
That question has no exact answer...
I like to run 35 all around. A little stiffer ride but better gas mileage. Also handles better. I ran under 30 for a month and the results are as follows: Softer ride.
Bad gas mileage.
Rear tire blowout.
I'll stay with 35 all around, thanks.
Bad gas mileage.
Rear tire blowout.
I'll stay with 35 all around, thanks.
