What's a good starting point for the tire pressure in a 3800lb car (with me in it)? I've run this thing so little I can't remember what air pressure to run!
I would think that a good place to start would be about 15 lbs. cold. After a good burnout and run, they should be 3 lbs. or so higher. Then it's just trial and error to get the best hook off the line. I personally run mine at about 12-13 lbs. once they're warmed up.
It is a trade-off with traction and high speed stability, especially when you let off the throttle at the top end. If they are softer it can feel a little mushy, but too much air and they won;t bite as good. My old back half Camaro at 2800 lbs I used to run only 6 lbs before the burn-out and never actually checked what they were after that or back in the pits. I just checked themn before a run. I actually hooked up mufflers and brake lights to my Camaro and ran it on the street! Fiberglass front end, fiberglass doors, lexan windows, 2inches of ground clearance in the front, no lights except rear. What a gas that was, I ran on the slicks, just bumped the air to about 12 psi on the street. That was actually higher than it should have been, as the edges of the tire were pulling off the ground. Sure it wasn't legal in the strict sense, but it sure was fun. Note, you need more than 2 inches of header clearance, I kind of flattened a couple tubes by running on the street. Not sure what that has to do with your car and your question, just an amusing story.
Thanks! I'd rather give up a hair of traction on the launch than get squirrely on the brakes! At one time this car (with a different engine) didn't even need a burnout, just clean the tires off and pull to the line. The tires would spin about 1/2 a rotation on the launch.
YEE HAW! It sure was fun! Want to put that old motor back in? It isn't getting used now or for a while. If I remember correctly I ran 10 to12 pounds max. with the old combo, even in the 1/4 at 121.5mph. I was scared to go much lower than 8 with the car at 3500 lbs. Had no problems on the top end. When I drove Wayne's car in Columbus and I let off the gas it did feel "loose" but I didn't correct for this and it settled down soon. I knew that his rims were too narrow and this was most of the problem.
Well, I aired the tires up the night before and didn't check the pressure again until after the first pass. 8 lbs in both tires! (am I good, or what????? :laugh: OK, don't answer that!) The tires are a few years old and the track started going away as it cooled off, but it did OK for what I was trying to do.
