2800' altitude and the temp is usually around 78-85* LACR in palmdale,california What would be a good tire pressure to run? Size 255/50/16

 

I've since switched to QTP's, but when I used to run BFG DR's (same size as yours) I would run 18-20 psi in them, depending on track conditions. I'm sure I'll get some flack on this as others seem to think a lower pressure is necessary. But I had my best 60 ft. on BFG's running this prerssure. I think the trick is to do a real hot burnout. BFG recommends just enough to get a "wisp" of smoke off the tires and that's it. Well, it isn't

 

I have heard of people running 13-14psi in them before. But most dudes stay between 15-20. See what works for you. Start at 20 and go down.

 

I've previously had my best 60' times setting 17 left, 15 in the right, I also have an air bag in the stock right rear spring, w/3-way adj. Comp Eng drag shocks. Seemed to leave better than lower pressure and higher, but could have also been track conditions, etc. It was also at E-town, NJ, and I have not had that great of luck (or times) for some reason at that track, even when others had a great day, lol!

 

I would start at 18-20 and then move up or down from there after examining the tread patter following a run.

You may want to put about 40 in the fronts...

 

When you're hunting for your best pressure, do burnouts for the same amount on each run. A longer burnout will add more heat to the tire (and increase pressure). Last week at Moroso down here I had my Kumho street tires down to 18psi cold in the staging lanes. Immediately after the run I got out and checked the pressure again and had 25psi in both rears. This was with a short 2 second burnout.

 

I had my DR's down to 12.5psi last year when I ran my car at St. Thomas, this is on a 255/50/16 mounted on a 16x8" rim. I ran my fastest et and mph last year at this setting. Obviously depending on what size DR you're using and the width of the wheel it's mounted on the pressures you should run will change.

BFG recommends not going lower than 12 psi with their DR's when drag racing and obviously much higher if you plan on driving to the track or on the street with these tires.

 

It's been several years since I talked to BFG, but I seem to remember them telling me nothing lower than 16 psi for the DR's when racing Maybe they've changed their recommendations.

 

tirerack says this about DR's which is taken straight from a BFG pamphlet:

"It is also important to remember that the Drag Radial operates most efficiently on the strip at cold inflation pressures of between 15psi and 20psi (in no case should below 12psi be used). And after the racing is done for the day, it is essential that Drag Radials be reinflated to normal highway operating pressures in order to safely bring the driver and trophy back home. Running any tire at relatively low inflation pressure for a given load reduces the tire's speed capability by causing it to stretch more and operate at a high deflection (more radial bulge). The Drag Radial is built to withstand brief "bursts" of high speed while inflated at low pressure (such as would be experienced on a quick car in the quarter-mile), but no tire can be expected to survive for a long time at high speed while operating at high deflection."

So even though they recommend 15-20 psi cold you can go lower than that just not below 12 psi. 2-3 psi either way isn't going to make a huge difference just make sure if your DR's are several years old check the tires throughly for any signs of cracking and stuff before running them at the track with the low pressures.

Tony

 

Thanks for the update