Optimal tire pressure for drag racing?

[Joe Fan]

Hey 2005+ owners, I am planning on drag racing my new GT this weekend and wanted to know what tire pressures I should go with. Anybody experimented with this before? I have 17 in wheels and stock Pirelli tires.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AlloyGT]

I've heard two opinions...one that with a radial, lowering your pressure reduces your contact patch, and will actually hurt your traction, and another that you get better traction by lowering your pressure down to 20 psi or so.

I left mine at 32 when I went to the track Wednesday. Next time I might lower it a bit for a couple of runs, and see which works better.

Have fun at the track!

 

[Joe Fan]

Thanks for your input. I am thinking about going with 35 in the front tires and 28 in the rear tires.

 

[Joe Fan]

I've heard two opinions...one that with a radial, lowering your pressure reduces your contact patch, and will actually hurt your traction, and another that you get better traction by lowering your pressure down to 20 psi or so.

I left mine at 32 when I went to the track Wednesday. Next time I might lower it a bit for a couple of runs, and see which works better.

Have fun at the track!

So what did you find with lower pressures?

 

[xtweakerx]

good question im still trying to figure it out on my 275/50/17's M&H

yes they are a inch taller or so and i need some bigger gears.

But ive tried pressure from 22 psi to 15psi.. and boy it all sucks.

best pass was w/ 15 psi

 

[iskwezm]

I run my 18" BFG's(stockers) at about 15-18 psi and cut 1.8X 60 foots.

 

[Joe Fan]

I run my 18" BFG's(stockers) at about 15-18 psi and cut 1.8X 60 foots.

Are these street radials? What is the normal recommended pressures and what pressures do you run on the fronts? I have heard that it is better to run higher pressures in the fronts due to less resistence during rollout.