Tyre pressure for oversteer fun?

Tyre pressure for oversteer fun?

Author
Discussion

Jamie-rhpkn

Original Poster:

652 posts

107 months

Monday 24th June 2019
quotequote all
So I've just purchased an MX5!

I'm used to more powerful cars that can induce a touch of oversteer with a blip of the throttle but alas the little MX5 doesn't quite have the power.

So I'm wondering, is there a tyre pressure combination that can make the car a little more prone to oversteer than standard as its just a little too stable for my liking.




AWRacing

1,730 posts

231 months

Monday 24th June 2019
quotequote all
Try 50psi in the rears, that should help

Oldandslow

2,405 posts

212 months

Monday 24th June 2019
quotequote all
Last time I had tyres replaced they pumped them to 36psi. Which made for an interesting trip home.

You could take a page out of the GT86/BRZ book and fit narrow Prius tyres for more slip slidey fun.

Jamie-rhpkn

Original Poster:

652 posts

107 months

Monday 24th June 2019
quotequote all
Interesting... when I got mine it had new tyres on and some were over 30 psi but not all 4 and it handled like a boat, entertaining and frightening but that's what got me thinking that perhaps a less extreme change in psi might just add a little bit of oversteer without it being dangerous.

I've read conflicting reports as to whether adding psi to the rear or front increases oversteer.

Does anyone actually do this or is it just a bad idea? if so, why?

finishing touch

809 posts

173 months

Tuesday 25th June 2019
quotequote all
I thought the whole idea of an MX5 was that it didn't over or under steer. ????


Under extreme cornering (AutoSolo's) mine would rip the outside edges off the fronts (understeer) in a single day
but after a chat with a race set up / hunter wheel alignment specialist he dialled that out. FRSU with added toe in.

Because the MX5 has variable wishbone geo then I'm sure oversteer could be dialled in, but after a summer shower
every tee junction would become a roundabout. Only a matter of time before disaster strikes.

If this is just a temporary bit of fun then a spare set of wheels with Rainsport3's on the front and ditchfinders on the back
might be the answer. High rear pressures might just ruin straight line traction being a rear wheel drive car.



I vaguely remember a display driver at Silverstone who would park a row of cars on the edge of the straight in front of what
was then the Rover Stand with a tight one car gap. He would then drive fast (ish) down the straight, do a 180 sliding turn, and
finished neatly parked in the gap. That was done with 60psi in all 4 wheels.


Paul G