skateparkdave

I did a search and didn't find much on the subject. So if I'm beating a dead horse here please forgive me.

I've heard talk of removing the whole spare tire and carrier assembly in an attempt to shave a few pounds and squeez a tid bit more performance out. "Just tote a cell phone and a can of fix a flat", they say. Just pray that you dont have a total tire shredder blowout, I guess.

I'm pondering this and it occured to me that the lil' C4 doughnut cant weigh much more than about around 15lbs or so. So is it worth it??

Does anyone know how much the carrier assembly and hardware weighs?? Or what the total weight reduction of tire and assembly is??

Has anyone considered the possible wind lift or drag that could result in opening that pocket up back there where wind could catch in the rear bumper area?? Not saying it happens, just wondering.

I'm kind of thinking that maybe eliminating my personal spare tire and shedding about 15 or 20 lbs. off of me instead of the Vette would be better for my health and smarter than removing the Vettes spare. But that would mean less beer!!

Any thoughts on the matter guys????

T.I.A.,

Dave

c4cruiser

The spare tire is part of the rear collision absorbing system. In 95 and 96, IIRC, when a C4 was equipped with runflats, a H-shaped aluminum beam was installed in place of the spare tire carrier.

The whole assembly weighs about 30-35 lbs. But for drag racing, that weight is behind the rear axle and would help some for traction. For autocross and track days, the weight savings could help.

I've never heard whether or not removing the carrier makes a difference in airflow under the car. The carrier itself does not weigh much more than about 10lbs so you could pull the spare and fashion a block to take up the space so the carrier could be tightened up and kept in position.

Guess if you have a cell phone and AAA, you may be OK without the spare. A blowout that shreads the tire may really foul things up if you don't have a spare especially if it happens after all the local tire shops are closed.

JCAIRE2

I have had mine off for the two years that I've had the car. Fix a flat and cellphone are my only hope. I didn't weigh the pieces, but the jack has to weigh at least 10 Lbs, spare ~20Lbs, and the carrier and hardware probably 10 Lbs.

People say that it is the crash absorber for the rear, but looking at how it's put together, I can't see how it would make any significant difference. Two little bolts in the front are supposed to absorb a significant impact? I'm not convinced. Plus my spare was useless when I received the car, would not hold air at all and I couldn't find a replacement.

65Z01

I run without a spare, jack, etc and carry a cell phone and tire plug kit with a pair of pliers.

I also run with 1/3-2/3 tank of fuel; the combination saves about 100lbs from stock curb weight and is worth about .1sec off the 1/4 mile time.

CentralCoaster

If you want to increase your life expectancy, then buy a Volvo.

I had a rapid tire deflation, and it blew out as I was trying to get to the shoulder. Had to get flat bedded home. It's much harder than I expected to notice a low tire with these low profiles on here.

Most people drive around with rotted and/or flat spare tires anyways. Now how dumb does that sound?

skateparkdave

Then I would just die of bordem.

My spare is in good shape. But I may sacrafice it.

AGENT 86

Loose the spare
Buy more beer

VenkmanP

I will probably never use the spare. I'm not crawling under the car on the side of the road to get that thing out unless I'm in such a hurry that I can't wait for AAA. Given that a flat is going to take anywhere from a couple hours to a couple days to repair, the extra hour waiting for AAA is pretty insignificant.

(I had a flat in the middle of Colorado a few months ago. Unrepairable. No vette sizes in stock anywhere in CO. 40 hrs later I got back on the road.)

I'm also doubtful that my C5 rears will fit in the carrier, so it's only good for a front flat for me.

But I have no reason to remove it for street use.

For autoX or road racing I might replace it with the delete bar.

Now if I could figure out how to turn that space into a useful trunk, I might take the spare out. I have a vert and it sorely lacks luggage space.

Mr Mojo

Keeping the spare isn't going to hurt and losing it isn't going to hurt either.

If you are primarily a street driver and cruiser, leave it there. If you are a drag racer, remove it for weight savings(it's gotta be more than 15lbs, though I never actually weighed it).

As far as crash protection, if you get hit hard enough where that would be a factor, I think you'd be lucky to survive with or without it. Besides it wouldn't matter, you'd be in jail for killing the bastard who rear ended you.
The frame extends to the rear of the car anyway, so it isn't like there is no protection at all.

sniperdiver37

Loose the spare you loose some "rattles" in the rear, save on weight, and make room to work on thinks under it.
Being that I went from 16" wheel to 17" with some real meat on them that spare does nothing for me.

Cell phone and give a good buddy a key to the garage to bring you a floor jack.....

serving Proudly~ Jeff

Mr Mojo

If you kept the same tire diameter, that shouldn't matter.

NitrousSam

Mine is coming out. Cheap weight savings plus it makes it easier to work under your car without it.

skateparkdave

I've about decided this is true. I may just pull the tire and jack and lighten my load to go to the track and return it for road trips and cruising. Then again, since I drive it to the track and dont trailer it, maybe I'll just leave it alone.

Well, ya got a point there.

I may be "devil may care" but safety or fear of a rear ending was never part of the equation for me.


THANKS for everones replies and input.

Dave

Rich & Lisa_84

So very true. If I'm not in jail, it will be because Lisa got to him before I did. Which means I go get the bail.

runner140*

But for a daily driver, I wouldn't. I was thinking about doing the spare tire delete, but before I did it I shreaded a tire and the spare sure came it handy.

rick lambert

Never leave home without it lol, unlike forgetting the cell phone-or forgetting to charge the batteries and the cig. adapters in the daily.You can always remove it at the track.

Corvette Kid

Mine's out most of the time. There's a place I park frequently where when returning to the car I'm walking uphill as I approach the rear. With the cleaned up rear components, the swoop of the big pipes and the now even larger tires and wheels, it's a great view when unencumbered by the spare and carrier. What can I say? I've always appreciated a nice rear end!