I think soru81 is correct
Also a stiffer front sway bar will reduce oversteer. I know because I had one

 

I believe that link is correct. While it does seem counter-intuitive (lower tire pressure = larger contact patch = more grip, right?) that is not what happens with street tires while loaded laterally, as in during a turn. The lower tire pressure decreases the stiffness of the tire and allows it to deform. This compromises the contact patch and decreases the available grip. This is all of course, true up to a point. If you crown the tires by over-inflating them, then that changes the dynamics further.

 

If you have a stiff setup in the back, and normal tire pressure (i wouldnt be messing around with the tire pressure for other reasons) the tires will chirp when you get in 2nd gear, same logic thus will induce oversteer. i believe the best setup is to have the front half an inch lower than the rear. stiffness could be uniform

 

well whatever I am doing is working.

2nd place out of 58 cars at a BMW event 2 weeks agao, 4 th place over the weekend out of 40 cars. I have also place (2) 9th place finishes out of 91 and 56 in a BMW events, top ten at a PCA event 60 drivers, and I am currently the SCCA texas region SM2 leader.

I have been auto-x for 10 months and I am still learning. From my observation and experience in the learning curve, I have used the chart on this site has helped me out. It has been recommended by several veterans in my area to keep (On R tires)tire pressure 35PSI hot in the front and 32PSI hot in the rear. The veterans that have recommended this have always been front runners at every auto-x that I have been to and I have not been able to beat them yet.

 

Disclaimer: I'm no suspension expert and this is wholly my opinion--i'm just sharing what has worked for the Miata community for 12+ years.....


the whole point of tuning a suspension is that you don't want to bias the car from one to the other unless it is presently severely out of handling balance. Put your susp. settings(if applicable) back to stock (if applicable) and look at your ALIGNMENT first.

You want a car to be as progressive and predictable as possible. keep in mind that tires also should be factored into this. this whole adjusting the sway bar and shock settings and tire pressures should be done AFTER you get a quality non-factory alignment.

I don't know what kind of alignment Honda gives the S, but the Miata fact. alignment is way off. I had my car aligned and the difference was bigger than from here to Jupiter. THEN, I went and played with tire pressure and my shock settings. now it gently transitions into mild oversteer after the tires have no more to give. I'm never suprised and my tires while very sticky, last longer

 

Well nobody is saying you can't drive :-) No seriously, try it out yourself, as I've suggested. Besides, if you prefer neutral handling for auto-x, than it is logical to run higher pressure on front, since our stock car is oversteer biasad in most conditions. Higher front pressure will make its tail little more stable. Also, I'm not saying you should ignore experienced drivers advice, but I strongly believe that something that can be optimal for one car, can be sligthly off optimal for another car. There are so many factors that affect handling, tires being huge one - so therefore a little experimenting can only make things better and you also gain a lot of experience.

 

I should say.... for my my driving so far having higher front psi and lower in the rear, along with Solid front sway bar and full coil overs, this has worked for me. I tried more in the rear than the front and felt like I had understeer. you are right, each car, driver and set up are different there are too many variables. But there is always a base foundation to start with.

I still learning and this thread has brought new life to my thoughts. Thanks, Jeremy

 

I was talking about street use. the kind you care what happens with the tire wear and you also care about ride quality...

i guess u know better in racing but it seems logical to have more tire wear in the rear, thus less oversteer thus faster lap times. i think we sould become scientists or something, i also think that were thinking about this too much, dont u think so?

 

my rear tires wear out 2 times faster than the front. I am on my original fronts 235/40ZR/17 A032R In service since Nov. '02 and I am on my second set of rears. The fronts have over 60 runs on them and are probably good for another 12-15.

I don't think we are thinking about this too much, there more to just lowering the car and the Center Of Garvity. Handling characteristics will be changed.

TS2000,
does driving on the other side of the road change tire wear and pressure Maybe we need input from a US driver, thanks.