I bought a 91 Z28 about two months ago and it had an inflatable spare and a dead canister. I was asking everyone about how they work, now I guess I am an expert. I just bought a 91 Firebird and it had the inflatable spare, the canister attached to the spare, even a little instruction booklet from goodyear attached to it. Here are some pics. I poked the valve on the inflator to see if it had a charge and it almost blew my hat off. Yep, shes charged all right. Its not an aluminum spare which I heard some years had. You can get the inlfators charged at fire extinguisher charging places, you may have to look around some to find one that has the right adapter. It cost me $12 to charge, its about $50 for a new charged inlfator from GM. I can only get on pic per message

You can even read the instructions

heres another one. I told you it was everything you wanted to know (probably more).

This is almost the last one, (I promise)

Yes it is a '91 Firebird Formula

:hail: Thank you! Now I know what it missing and how it goes.

the spacer under the wingnut screw is a new one to me... can anyone verify if there's supposed to be a spacer?

This car is so stock its ridiculous. Since there was the spacer there I feel pretty confident it came that way. It is a piece of plastic and the end that goes into the lug hole is rounded like a lug nut to fit into the hole. By the way, I found a firebird owners manual in the utility compartment in the back, it's brand new in the plastic wrapper that has never been unwrapped. The guy I bought it from had another unwrapped owners manual in the side compartment by the cup holder, I don't know why there was an identical one, new like that in back. It also has an audio cassette and some kind of plastic card in what looks like a business card holder, all wrapped under the plastic. I would love to open it up and listen to the tape but I thought it might be more of a collector item if I left it in the wrapper. Weird.

Cool stuff. When I first got my IROC I couldn't figure out what the hell that tire was about. Mine looks like it's been previously enjoyed, and had no air can, so I just pulled it out of the car. One of these days I'd like to get an aluminum replacement.

I've got a question, Mr. Expert.
What cars got the full-size spare? Did all Z28/TA/Formulas get them, or was it linked to cars with posi rears or what? It makes sense to me that the posi equipped cars would get it, but my IROC has an open diff and still got it.

The only cars I know for sure are 91Z28 and 91Formula both got it because those are the ones I have. Both have posi rear end so that part of your theory sounds good. Beyond that I can't help you

I've been watching for the cassette tapes for my Formula and my RS for awhile now, the only source I've found has them shrinkwrapped with the manual. I already bought another Camaro manual to get the convertible supplement, I don't really feel like buying another firebird manual for a tape.

Does anyone know whats on the tape? I've got one from a 91 Dodge Dynasty my parents used to own. It basically just tells how to tune the radio and has some Gloria Estefan and Micheal Jackson tunes... hehehe If the GM tapes are this bad I think I'll pass.


BTW new owners manuals cost between $15 & 20.

Thats what this is then. It's a new manual, the tape, and the business card deal, with shrink wrap plastic around it. Maybe I'll open it and listen to the tape then if its not really collectible. You'd think a Firebird tape might at least have some Santana and maybe Led Zepelin on there,

The card is probably the credit card keys...
In other words its a set of plastic keys attached to a card the size of a credit card so you can keep a spare pair of keys in your wallet.

Personally they're rather worthless, you'd have to crack them out of the card to have them cut to match your keys, not to mention if you don't have your keys whats the likely hood that you'll have your wallet?

Thats what they are all right. there are some instructions to the dealer I can read through the plastic that says to cut the "credit card" keys for the car being sold so the customer can have them. I never heard of that before. It does sound a little useless. You have to crack them out of the plastic to have them cut, then what. Also are they going to have the little thert deterrent chip? I got an extra set of keys already from the prevous owner anyway.

The credit card key is for the door locks only. You can get a similar one from AAA. They have saved my butt more than once. Lon

The set I have has both ignition and door keys, but again without the VATs the ignition key would be useless.

Of the alum, ten spoke space-savers I've sold, the spacer was present. On the steel version in my car oddly enough there was no spacer.

JamesC

the inflatible spare (195/75/15?) came with all cars that had 16" wheels. If it had anything else it got the doughnut spare. This is what i have seen in the past and i view it to be accurate. (i.e. my 92 Rs has 16" rims and the incredible inflatable spare)

Larry Dunlap, do either of your cars have rear disc brakes?

Yes, the Firebird is a WS6 package and has 4 wheel disk brakes, why? that sounds like a loaded question.

Larry Dunlap, first of all thanks for all the info. Do you know the part numbers for the spare and the can by any chance? If I am not mistaken they should be somewhere on the labels or in a list that says how to replace. I am looking for these since I got my car six months ago. Also please if you or anyone knows who I can find which kind of spare my car had (mini, inflatable or donut). I have a Firebird Formula 88 5.0 V8 (305) with disks all around and the performance suspension. Thanks in advance for any kind of help.

Larry, As you may know from my many posts on the "Brakes" board. I am something of an expert on the 1LE brake package. I have added nearly 100 photos with annotations of this brake upgrade to my website.

But one problem still exists. Other than finding an original Aluminum 1LE spare tire. No spare tire that I have so far seen has fit. The brakes are just too big. On my car I have factory 15" wheels which clear the brakes just fine. But every 15" spare tire (exept the aluminum one) hits the calipers front and rear.

So I figure that if your car has the big PBR brakes on the rear as original factory equipment. Then the original spare will clear not only the rear brakes but the front also. Of course the only way to prove this is for me to try and fit an original spare tire from a car like yours onto my car. But every place that I go to ( auto recyclers) the spare is gone.

The spare tire problem is a real concern for everyone who has done this brake upgrade.

So I guess the real question is: What is the part# for the spare tire? I actually know where to get new spare tires. But I need a sample or part number.

I am certain that someone on this board has the answer.

I would love to see this question finally resolved.

Thanx,ANDYZ28

From what I can tell the spare has never been used or taken out of my T/A. I will have to check in the spring to see of the inflator is any good anymore. I did not know there was such a controversy over it. Makes me not want to use anything on my car.

Jay

The 1LE cars all had the aluminum spares. This is old news.

My best guess is that GM got tired of the expense of the aluminum spares and did away with them by 1990 with the exception of the 1LE cars. If you need a spare for a 1LE chances are you'll need the aluminum spare.

I guess I should try my spare tire on my Baer brakes...

Both my 87 Formula's have that little plastic support piece for under the spare tire.

John

The plastic piece did not come with the inflatable in my 85 IROC, but was in an 86 IROC whose spare I sold. Go figure.

JamesC

I can only speculate ,and hope that the steel 16" spare tire will fit the 1LE brake package?

Larry, please email me. I may have a way for you to check this 1LE "spare tire fitment" question out. Without shipping spare tires around the country.

Thanx,ANDYZ28

Drew,

I bought my '91 RS new way back when and I had the tape. Side A went over all the standard features of the car and Side B went over all the options. Hope this is what you wanted to know. Where did you find the set for the manual and tape?

Thanks

My car has never had the spare out since new, the car has a goodyear doughnut tire size 195/14, steel wheel with the inflator attached to the back side of the wheel. The inflator bracket is attached with a small wingnut and no spacer. The whole assembly is attached with a large wing nut and washer with a threaded rod hooked to a ring. The car does have a posi rear end and is just a plain Camaro, not an Iroc. There are no part numbers on the wheel or the yellow instruction sticker.

I just recieved my "NEW" 1LE aluminum spare tire today. Here is a big surprise. The tire size is P195/75D14. I have serious doubts about a 14" wheel clearing my 1LE brakes.

Can anyone provide the RPO or part# for the 1LE package spare tire?

I don't worry about it just add towing onto your insurance policy
and have a cell phone, problem solved. Unless you out in bum
F#$% mid of no where and you cant get a receiption from your cell, them your

AndyZ28, rpo code for alum. spare is N64.

I have one of the front brake assemblies in the floor, with 1le rotor and caliper, just laid the aluminum spare on top of it, it does clear, but just barely. I can provide photos, if someone can post or tell me how.

Please email the photos to me. What is the tire size on your aluminum spare?

N64 how do you guys know about this stuff? It is great.

Thanx,ANDYZ28

I have always been curious about the "1LE" aluminum spare tire. So after much searching I found a brand new one. Size P195/75D14. I did not think that a 14" wheel would fit over the big 1LE brake package. But to my surprize, it does! I attached it to my right front wheel, and it clears rather nicely. Wioth only approx 1/8" crearance. The wheel and tire are not available from GM. But it has "GM" cast right into the wheel.

Oh well! More info for those who need to know. Thanx,ANDYZ28

Larry, Do you have the GM part# for the "New" inflation cannister?

Thanx,ANDYZ28

FWIW, my 90 IROC had the 1SD pkg w/regular front brakes and PBR rears, 16" wheels. The spare is the inflatable style with CO2 cartridge. It has the spacer.

It fit the rear PBRs fine. Since I've upgraded to Baer 12" Sports it no longer fits over the front brakes.

Heh.. all this time i thought the dang thing was flat.

I went to GM at first and they told me it was available for $50 or whatever it was but I didnt get the Part number. Ive seen several on Ebay. I just wonder if the dang thing will really work if I get a flat!. Don't really have the option of a full size spare unless you want to have a lot of weight and zero cargo space.

NUTS,
I was wondering about my Baer brakes, oh well, I guess I will have to call a wrecker if I get a flat, or take one of those "fix-a-flat" cans with me just in case...

John

Another good suggestion that was made earlier was to get one of those 12V little air compressors. Ive seen them at walmart for about $20 or $30 I think it was. You could keep it in you utility compartment in the back. I would do this if I didn't have the cannister. It might take an hour to fill a flat though. You could use it to blow up inflatable beach toys too.

Larry

As the original owner of a 1991 Z28, I have the original: "Scott Irvin Chevrolet" leather key fob; owner's manual; the cassette tape; the "credit card" keys; the dealership delivery check list; the build sheet; and the window sticker...the car still even has the "Protected With An Anti Theft Device" decals on the driver and passenger window, AND untouched spare, jack, and fully charged inflator bottle!
Bill

Here's my 100% stock, never touched, virgin spare and can from my vert . . .

The mounting is a little different, but same idea. Hope to never need it!

And thanks for resurrecting a thread from 2002.

No Problem.
Bill

Do good topics have expiry dates like a jug of milk?
It is an oldie but it's nice that TG has lasting power.

My 86 Iroc and 88 Sport Coupe both came with the space saver spare tire.Ive also have 2 complete aluminum mini spares found in junkyard cars.One of them has never seen the ground as all the printing is still intact on the tread.Just found an inflator with the clamp screw and it did have the plastic spacer.First time ive seen that.

I was pleasantly suprised when i cracked open my spare tire area and found an aluminum spare never used. What all years did the aluminum spare come in?

I am not entirely sure, but from what I am learning it came on those cars which were heavier. IE, Trans Am's, GTA's etc which needed weight savings...

It appears that the Aluminum spoked spare appeared around 1987, but there are some people who state that they have had it as early as 1985.

John

So all the camaros with that type of tires are supposed to be inflated before they are put on? I have a tire like that but I dont have that compressor can. I just thought that was how the tire is supposed to be when you put it on.