Hey, Brad, I went through my Old Triumph Mail and found the original. It
was from Charlie B.
I also include one that followed it from Barry Schwartz.
Vic Whitmore
From: "Charlie B." <cb1500@erols.com>
Subject: Re: GT6 Perplexia
Martin,
What in the world are you doing running 40 psi in those GT6 tires?
The starting pressure should be somewhere around 26..
Try chalking the tires like autocrossers do to find the normal street
pressure for you specific tires. Rub little chalk marks on the tire
corners, where the tread meets the side wall. Go for a spirited (not
crazy) drive, getting the tires up to temperature. Go left, go right.
When you get home check the chalk marks. If the chalk is worn off the
side walls, you need a little more air. If the chalk marks are still
visible on the tread, you're overinflated. Rear pressures may be
different from front pressures, although side-to-side should be
similar..
If necessary, adjust pressures and go for another drive. What the hell,
it's a beautiful time of the year here in D.C..
Charlie B..
> All right everyone, turn the flame throwers off for a moment, please ....
>
> I spoke today with my LBC mechanic about the tendancy of my GT6 steering
> to become *floaty* at higher speeds, and he suggested something simple --
> such as a tire pressure that is too high. He points out that the GT/Spit is
> engineered for a pressure of 20-25 lbs., and I am running with something more
> like 40-45 lbs. on a set of Dunlops. He also says that individual tire
>pressure
> recommendations are irrelevant to this lower pressure requirement for the
>car..
>
> Of course, I protested about tire wear, reduced MPG and all that stuff, but
> he maintains that the Spit/GT6 is so *nimble,* it requires a lower pressure,
>as
> Triumph indeed recommends. So there it is ... more fuel for the fire ....
>
> --
> Martin Secrest
> 73 GT6-3
> 74 Spitfire 1500
>From - Fri Sep 19 08:37:29 1997
From: Barry Schwartz <bschwartz@encad.com>
Subject: Re: GT6 Perplexia (tire pressures)
> and I am running with something more
>like 40-45 lbs. on a set of Dunlops..
***********************************
Whoa. . .This is a potentially dangerous/explosive situation. Look at
the
sidewall of the tires. You should see a MAXIMUM tire pressure on the
sidewall somewhere. This should NEVER be exceeded. This is not a
pressure
recommendation for the tire pressure as some people assume. It is the
maximum this tire is designed to hold under operating conditions. I'll
bet
you'll see something like 36 psi. Tire pressures for your car are not
what is stamped on the sidewall, but are in your owners manual for the
car
using stock tires/normal driving conditions. If you change sizes all
bets
are off, but use those as a starting point. I currently run 24 front 28
rear, found it works best for this car/driving condition (GT6+ with 165
SR
13's highway cruising) The Spitfire works best with 26/30 (205/60 13's,
spirited driving, NO float at any speed, 1/2 to 1negative camber front
and
rear)
Barry Schwartz in San Diego, CA
Bschwartz@encad.com
72-V6/5sp Spitfire ( daily driver )
70 GT6+ ( when I don't drive the Spitfire )
70 (sorta) Spitfire ( project )
73 Ford Courier ( parts hauler )
Brad Kahler wrote:
>
> Spit owners, what pressures do you recommend for my 155x13 Michelin
> radials on my Mk1 spitfire?
>
> Inquiring minds want to know!!
>
> TIA
>
> Brad (In Lincoln Nebraska 402-464-1502)
>
> 1964 Spitfire4 BFC25720L (Back on the Road!!!!!)
> 1966 TR4A CT72398L (Car is finally home and ready for
>Restoration)
> 1951 Dodge Truck 82217766 B-3-B-108 (Frame back in garage and ready to
>paint)
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