Kumho Ecsta MX - tire pressures? Initial observations

[pbs911]

Finally had the Kumo Ecsta MX tires put on the car yesterday after having them sit in my gargage a few months. I also increased the fronts 50 series front from 215s to 225s to help correct some understeer. I kept the 255/45's in the rear. There is a lot of room for the extra rubber with the negative camber I run and I could easily have fit the 265s. These replaced by AVS Intermediates. Initial impressions are these are much better tires than the Intermediates. Very smooth ride, better response in steering, and so far good grip.

Does anyone run these tires? If so what's a good tire pressure to begin with?

[KTL]

I have these tires Paul.

They seem like a great bargain to me. Since my car is basically stock, I go with the factory 29F/36R. But my car seems to hop around corners a bit, so I think i'll increase the front pressure a bit and lower the rear pressure a bit to induce a bit more understeer?

I like how the tires are quiet. Quiet as in they don't screech much around corners. Just some scrabbling until you break them loose and then they groan a bit. I'm guessing the better response could be due to the big tread blocks (without the holes in them) and the response you get from them is probably better than the Yokos because it's got a shallower tread depth. The MX starts with 9/32nds while the AVS is your standard 10/32nds. But you're comparing new MX's with used AVS which probably had a shallow tread (used).

Since you're running 17's on your SC with a 3.6, pressures are gonna be a trial and error deal. My guess would be to run maybe 40 lbs. in the rear since you've got a bit more weight back there and a much wider than stock tire. Probably be a good starting point? Check what a 993 runs in the rear. That would also be a decent place to start. But maybe drop below what the 993 says since your car is significantly lighter.

[radcon]

I just put Kumho Ecsta Supra 712s on my car the past week. Of course I got them from Tire Rack. Everyone in Hawaii charges ridiculous prices for performance tires. I saved at least $100 to 200 even after paying for shipping. So far they seem like a really good tire. I've been running them at 29/34 psi.