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Tyre pressures
colibriman - 14/11/04 at 01:24 PM

What are the normal tyres pressures to run in a BEC....?

I am currently using 15" wheels with 195/45/15 tyres....

cheers folks,
Colin


zetec - 14/11/04 at 03:24 PM

I run 18PSI, suspect bec would run 16PSI.


alister667 - 14/11/04 at 06:20 PM

It depends on the tyres. Those 'cut slick' type tyres will be very low - 14-16psi maybe, a more standard road tyre won't have as much strength in the sidewalls and will need a little more maybe up to 20-22psi. Also the tyre profile will have a bearing on optimum pressure.
I was at a hillclimb once with a guy (no names no pack drill!) who I knew. He was running a locost blade, and asked me about tyre pressures - he was in a roadgoing class and had 'normal' tyres. I told him I run mine at 20 psi - he was surprised - his were at 32!!!
Another BEC owner came along and persuaded him to run them at 16psi. Well, on his next run he spun off, and swore he had sod all grip! I think he now runs at around 28!
The moral? Play around and set them for what seems to suit your set up/driving style. I don't think any 1 answer is right.


colibriman - 14/11/04 at 06:38 PM

ok thanks fella's..

the reason I asked was, on the track yesterday it felt as if I had no grip...I had set all my tyres at 17lbs cold pressure..

it wanted to go its own oversteering way at every corner..

think I'll have to play with the pressures a bit, next time out.


alister667 - 14/11/04 at 10:16 PM

I have a set of michelin competition only tyres and pirelli road tyres (much higher profile), I run them both in around 20psi, and I do notice the road tyres when used on the track are a lot more 'jelly' like, you can feel the tires 'give' well before they lose grip.
Obviously the competition tyres have consideably more grip and feel more 'solid'.
I need to try fiddling with the pressures myself.