PSI for Track use?

[REAZO]

I have a 2016 Tech Pack, stock tires. Ford's "tips" brochures recommends lowering the psi to 28 for track use. However, I've heard from others that a higher psi is best?

Any experience from anyone? What do you recommend and why?

Many thanks!

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[S550guy]

In before all of the 'get a track pack' posts.

 

[REAZO]

Lol. Yes, maybe I should have. For this topic, tires are the same for both packages. FWIW, I've done 4 track days with it. Yes, it overheats uber-consistently at 13-15min, doesn't matter if a cool night or a hot day. But....I just installed the Shelby Transmission Cooler Scoop. Will test it out on Thursday. If it can get me through the session, in my opinion, I have a track capable car with all the benefits of the tech pack.

 

[GT_Dave]

For open track you want to start with Fords recommended cold pressures @ 28psi. For Autocross you want to run higher pressures in the 34 - 37 psi range, corrected after runs.

 

[nastang87xx]

For open track you want to start with Fords recommended cold pressures @ 28psi. For Autocross you want to run higher pressures in the 34 - 37 psi range.

I would HIGHLY disagree with that autocross range. Bring it down to 29 on the Super Sports. 28 for 200 tread wear tires like 71R's. Autocross surfaces are also very imperfect so you definitely don't want firmer tires.

 

[PP0001]

I would HIGHLY disagree with that autocross range. Bring it down to 29 on the Super Sports. 28 for 200 tread wear tires like 71R's. Autocross surfaces are also very imperfect so you definitely don't want firmer tires.

My how have tire pressures changed with respect to auto crossing.

Back in the late 80's I was running one of the softest street tires available at the time which were Yokohama A008R's and if I recall correctly the tread wear rating was around 60 and just an outstanding tire. They reminded me a lot of the Corsa's that I run on my Laguna Seca's as very sticky.

On two of the cars that I was racing at the time I ran ~42 PSI on the fronts with 34 PSI on the rears and of course adjusted after each run until I found the right tire pressure for that day and track.

:cheers:

 

[Norm Peterson]

I would HIGHLY disagree with that autocross range. Bring it down to 29 on the Super Sports. 28 for 200 tread wear tires like 71R's. Autocross surfaces are also very imperfect so you definitely don't want firmer tires.

I would take that 34 - 37 as a first cut at hot pressure . . . what the tire runs at for most of a track session.

It's close to what I run the PSS in 285/35-18 at (hot) on my '08 GT, with the front tires around 37 and the rears closer to 34.


Norm

 

[TDC]

I agree with the 34-36psi for Autocross when using Supersports. The car feels much sharper in the turns and doesn't plow the front as much.

Track I start 32psi for the first session and then walk it down in subsequent sessions as the tires heat. Usually end up around 28-29 cold psi.

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