Quote:
Originally Posted by ZDan
do I have to say this again?
1. Bigger tires don't necessarily give a bigger contact patch.
2. Bigger contact patch doesn't necessarily give greater grip
Bigger contact patch at the same loading per square inch will generally give more grip, but that means a heavier load hence commensurately greater grip is *required* just to pull the same cornering g's if all the load is coming from mass and not aero.
I had said that the FR-S/BRZ has more tire width per weight vs. the Mustang. You said:
Quote:
|
It's not just width. The Mustang's 255/40R19 tires have a larger diameter, so in addition to a wider contact patch, the Mustang also has a longer contact patch.
|
Quote:
|
Obviously there are other advantages to smaller tires; my point was simply that you really can't only look at tire width per weight.
|
Wider tires o generate more lateral grip and it's not due to "increased contact patch". How much more is generally overstated and it is going to be something less than a straight linear relationship.
Taller tires do not inherently generate more lateral grip.
Generally, a shorter/wider contact patch is better for handling, and a longer/narrower contact patch is better for drag racing.
For a given tire construction, "contact patch" is a strong function of inflation pressure and weight, not so much tire width and diameter. |
I agree with most of that (and yes tire width, tire PSI, and vehicle weight have a larger impact). I think you're reading a bit too much into my comment... again, my point was simply that you can't only look at tire width per weight.
BTW, an interesting page:
http://www.performancesimulations.co...on-tires-1.htm
This has gotten off topic; feel free to PM me if you want to discuss it further.