DRW Stability

RoyJ wrote:
BTW Transamz9,

Instead of just taking my word for it, google sidewall stiffness and see what others say:

Tirerack:

"a "stiff" sidewall that could provide responsive handling and high-speed stability would also reduce ride comfort"

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=22&
The stiffer sidewalls they are referring too are short sidewall (like on mine and your Corvettes) or higher rated tires (air pressure)

Evo forums:

"You need some sidewall complacency for handling. Too stiff and the tread patch will not work effectively (keeping the car glued in turns). Too soft and steering response suffers."

http://forums.evolutionm.net/evo-tires-wheels-brakes-suspension-sponsored-tire-rack/563176-how-can-you-tell-if-tire-has-soft-sidewall-stiff-sidewall.html
The very short sidewalls on the tires they are talking about are very very sensitive to air pressure change because of the very light weight cars they are being run on and also the fact that there is very little air volume to cushion the bumps and allow for the sidewall flex that some people are looking for.

Grassroot:

"the sidewall will most likely be stiffer on the higher load rated tire"

"the heavier-rated tire is stiffer because of the extra material needed to contain the higher pressures that are associated with the higher load rating" - note, this is the exact point you're arguing against earlier

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/tire-load-index-sidewall-stiffness/30646/page1/
Read the side wall on you Vette tires and the sidewall on you truck tires. Side wall ply is 2 Polyester. The higher load rated tire will be stiffer when air to is max but when aired to the same as the same size lower rated tire it will flex the same.

Sweedspeed:

"I went from 235/60/18 103H to 235/60/18 107V XL. Hoping to get some extra life with the stiffer sidewalls. Anyway, same size tire; is there any need to increase pressure due to the XL rating if I am not loading up the vehicle"

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?169854-Tire-with-a-stiff-sidewall
If he don't increase the air than the sidewall is going to flex the same. The compound of the tire is what going to determine how quick it wears out if he doesn't overload the tire.


Not trying to win a pissing contest with ya, just want to enlighten where I can. Thousands of people don't chase for stiff sidewalls for nothing, if air pressure can compensate.

To get a stiffer sidewall you have to increase the air pressure or lower the air volume. So you will have to go to a heavier load rated tire to be able to increase the air pressure or get bigger rims and go to a shorter sidewall but then you will have to go with bigger wheels to keep the height.