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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Tyre pressures

I have on my 1973 midget 165/60 R13 73H on revolution wheels.
The manual says tyre pressures for standard tyres: 20 rear, 18 front.
I picked the car up from the garage a while back and on checking pressures a few days later I noticed they hd put them up to if I remember correctly around 50psi.

What would be the best pressure for my tyres, obviously they are different tyres to the original spec.
Thanks




Mallorcaben

20/22 Fronts and 22/24 rears see what its like at that, 50 is way to high..
K Harris

I think it's generally accepted that around 24-27 will give you nice gentle handling, up to 30 you'll get it a bit more spirited, and 30+ you'll be looking at a a VERY skitty car, but much fun if your suspension is sorted!
Rich Amos (1 Sprite 1 Midget!)

I run my Avon 165/60 on 5.5J wheels on the Frogeye at 26 fronts and 28 rear.
50 must make for interesting handling.
G Lazarus

I use 25psi both ends... easy to remember (175/70)... and car seems to handle fine....

A
Anthony Cutler

I found mine had dropped to around 16 when I did my first lap at the recent track day

[OK I know already....]

pumped them up to 26 all round to try them and they were perfect, so good I have decided not to change around between front and back

Made the handling very predictable and let me get around a very tight hairpin/esses section easily when many of the far faster Scoobies and big Vauxhalls were losing loads of speed on the same sections and through the double chicanes
Bill

I keep my tires at 22 front and rear. Makes the less then perfect suspension feel better
Bob 76 Midget

22/24 front to back. 50 would make the car a bit lively.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

On the road, I have been using 28/28 on 155R/13 SP/Dunlops with standard wire wheels. A few times used 30/30 with fully loaded boot on vacation.

I have used higher pressures at our local clubs autocross events. No where near the the winning cars times, but great fun on street tires. There I have used between 32/32, and 34/34.

Regards,

Larry C.
Larry C '69 Midget

>>> I run my Avon 165/60 on 5.5J wheels on the Frogeye at 26 fronts and 28 rear. <<<

Same here with my 1500. As I've mentioned before, this seems to be a good compromise between ride and handling. Besides, if the tires are too firm you drive more road imperfections right into the springs and dampers, which can result in the above-mentioned skittery handling. The tires are meant to be the first element in damping, followed by the springs, etc. The springs and dampers are designed to work with specific tire pressures, and exceeding those pressures makes the rest of the suspension work harder and just feel wrong.

IMHO,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Does anyone remember the time when it was suggested that off and nearside tyres were set to different pressures to allow for road camber. Have just in fact
found reference to it in the handbook with the tyres nearer the kerb set higher. Does anyone do this anymore and is it in fact safe?
John
J R Clark

This thread was discussed between 11/12/2008 and 12/12/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.