Does tire pressure affect top end?

[Camarorulz]

I know tire pressure can determine how your launch is, but what about top end? If your tire pressure is too low, can your top end power be worse?

[StockV6Cam]

It might affect it a very tiny little bit just because when you have more contact area between the tire and the ground there's more drag. However the time you gain in the launch far outweighs any adverse effects.

[Oryan02]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>It might affect it a very tiny little bit just because when you have more contact area between the tire and the ground there's more drag <hr></blockquote>

I disagree. The tires have less contact surface at higher speeds. Assuming we are still using radial tires. The faster you go on radial tires the more the contact patch tends to narrow.

[RSFireDog]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Oryan02:


The tires have less contact surface at higher speeds. Assuming we are still using radial tires. The faster you go on radial tires the more the contact patch tends to narrow.<hr></blockquote>

[Oryan02]

RSFireDog

[RSFireDog]

I was agreeing

[Oryan02]

Gotcha. ;)

[StockV6Cam]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Oryan02:


I disagree. The tires have less contact surface at higher speeds. Assuming we are still using radial tires. The faster you go on radial tires the more the contact patch tends to narrow.<hr></blockquote>

Right, but what I'm saying is that if you start with more contact area at 0mph. You're going to have more contact area at say 80mph.

[pgriffith]

yes if you are running low PSI it can affect top end. It will be like driving in sand. So you want to find the right PSI and not too low and not too high.

[Oryan02]

Negative Ghost Rider...the pattern is full.

At 0 MPH say you have a contact patch of 8". As you accellerate your contact patch will narrow(assuming you lower the psi). By the time you get to 80 you have a contact patch of 7.75".

Disclaimer:
These numbers are just imaginary. They are by no means actual measured differences. Just here to give an example.

[ravenp]

definitely affects.

i lost 3 mph going from 35 to 20psi on radials.

in my near stock setup, 30psi rear and up to 40psi front works best for me.

[12secondv6]

Well, technically it could affect it.
I usually run 33 psi street and 20 psi track on my drag radials.
I can not hook on 33 PSI.
If I can see many runs tomorrow I will try a higher psi and see if MPH changes.
Now it can be different other times
Especially people who run ET streets/ drags or any kind of slick.
I run 15 PSI in them.
Traction is my main issue
Top end does suffer.

Too low a psi makes the top end all squirrelly

[Camarorulz]

Interesting, thanks for the replies everyone. I'll experiment with it and see what works best, but I definitely won't go below 30 psi on any of the tires.

[W68Firebird97]

I agree w/ james.