Tire Pressure

[Black Stang 97]

At what PSI should i set my tires at the track?? last time i went i think i had too much air.

 

[PULMEOVR]

I would use about 24 or so, that is my opinion. Start at say, 25 and lower it by 2 after each run (if you think you could use less air). Don't go too low though, you don't want to wreck your tires, spin the tire on the rim, etc.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

On plain old radials......I wouldn't bother lowering it much at all. Lowering the tire pressure on a street radial causes the tire to buckle in the middle and reduces the contact patch on the pavement, which is what you don't want.

On (bias ply) slicks or drag radials, the tire casing is designed differently and made from a different rubber compound. In this case, reducing air pressure will allow them to wrinkle on the side-wall, while still maintaining an optimum contact patch with the pavement......but it doesn't work on stock tires.

I’ve never, ever in all my years at the track, seen anyone consistently improve their 60ft time by varying from the stock tire pressure on street tires.

 

[PULMEOVR]

On plain old radials......I wouldn't bother lowering it much at all. Lowering the tire pressure on a street radial causes the tire to buckle in the middle and reduces the contact patch on the pavement, which is what you don't want.

On (bias ply) slicks or drag radials, the tire casing is designed differently and made from a different rubber compound. In this case, reducing air pressure will allow them to wrinkle on the side-wall, while still maintaining an optimum contact patch with the pavement......but it doesn't work on stock tires.

I’ve never, ever in all my years at the track, seen anyone consistently improve their 60ft time by varying from the stock tire pressure on street tires.

I dunno, I mostly just give advice on track stuff about what I hear works from different people. I've never been to the track my self (yet), so I can't really say what actually works for me.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I dunno, I mostly just give advice on track stuff about what I hear works from different people. I've never been to the track my self (yet), so I can't really say what actually works for me.

No worries. This was an old trick carried over from the era when all tires were bias ply.....it worked great back then, but with todays street radials, that are built with more rigid and durable casing, the same advice doesn’t hold true. Most people that still do it at the track are doing so out of either inexperience, because they read it in an old issue of hot rod, or their friends, friend heard from their father that it was a good advice. Just to clear up any further misconception…..it is not good advice. It’s a sure fire way to poor and inconsistent 60ft times. Keeping the tire pressure at about 28-32lbs depending on weather, temperature, or track conditions seems to be where most radials like it best.

 

[PULMEOVR]

No worries. This was an old trick carried over from the era when all tires were bias ply.....it worked great back then, but with todays street radials, that are built with more rigid and durable casing, the same advice doesn’t hold true. Most people that still do it at the track are doing so out of either inexperience, because they read it in an old issue of hot rod, or their friends, friend heard from their father that it was a good advice. Just to clear up any further misconception…..it is not good advice. It’s a sure fire way to poor and inconsistent 60ft times.

Cool, I'll remember that when I hit the track next summer. Thanks!