Tyre Inserts

[Spetz83]

For slick rubber tyres, on hard pavement (parking lot) are soft or hard inserts better to use?

[94eg!]

For slick rubber tyres, on hard pavement (parking lot) are soft or hard inserts better to use?

For racing, inserts are a tuning option. That is why all pre-glued tires always come with medium inserts. This allows the end user to go in either direction if they feel it's necessary. If your just bashing, it doesn't matter what insert your using. Especially when your not preping your tires or setting up your chassis. If you are racing, start with medium and switch if necessary. I've been racing for 10 months now in stock sedan, and changing inserts has never crossed my mind. Pre-mounted race tires cost enough without having to piece them together (tack on another $15 or more)...

[Spetz83]

Well I have the choice of either using the sponge that comes with Tamiya tyres, or using the inserts from Tamiya I bought which feel fairly stiff

But I don't know which would give better results

[94eg!]

Well I have the choice of either using the sponge that comes with Tamiya tyres, or using the inserts from Tamiya I bought which feel fairly stiff

But I don't know which would give better results

Give better results at doing what?

If it's just bashing, it doesn't matter...

[Spetz83]

So you mean the difference is so small that it doesn't matter?

[94eg!]

Yeah! If your not comparing lap times, it doesn't matter. That's why cheap inserts are not shaped. You have to have something in there, but it doesn't really matter what when your just having fun...

[Spetz83]

I see

But as a rule of thumb for onroad use there has to be one which is "generally" better than the other?

[hedge]

I see

But as a rule of thumb for onroad use there has to be one which is "generally" better than the other?

You see here in lies the issue . One rule of thumb won't suit another persons environment/setup. You need to have a problem to fix before good advice can be given.

If you live in a fairly average temperate climate and your runnning on a fairly average grip tarmac then a medium grade rubber with medium grade insert would suit you. But once fitted you are now looking for better... better what ? If you bash I don't know the answer however if you race then you should analise the problems you area having and see if you can find the solution in changing your inserts. Too much grip - twitchy front end may just MAY be solved by going for a harder insert. Large amounts of understeer may be helped by a softer insert.

To be honest just go for med or kit standard or buy pre-built. To have the skill and knowledge to ID the insert as needing changing as opposed to - changing rubber tyres, shock oil weight, shock piston, spring weight, shock mounting position top, shock mounting position bottom, track width, wheelbase, camber, toe, droop, chassis flex, roll center heights, Diff tightness, ride height... I think you get the picture - to affect your set up would rank you high enough to not be asking the question.

If you just want to have a fun, don't worry about it use what you have. Sorry if the above sounds condescending I don't mean it at all I wish you the best of luck.

Paul

[irenL]

let me guess, you're still trying to make the tgx work?

the foam strip insert in the kit box is decent for bashing around, but they tend to flat-spot, or else become stiff at 1 point if u use the wrong glue to join the ends.

The shaped type insert are far more reliable down the long run, but it really is depend on how you use it. If they're firmer, then you'll find more steering feedback. Much like pumping up the tyres cold to higher than daily driving necessity (while staying within the tyres' max) before an AutoX run.

In general, when I'm racing, I purchased my own set of 24mm wheels (I simply despise pizza cutter for wheels) and a set of 24mm race tyres (shaped inserts included), but whatever floats the boat for the month.

Usually I'd go for 34 or 32 rubber with medium inserts, and concentrate on suspension tuning + driving style adjustment instead.

[Spetz83]

I think driving style is a major issue

I haven't driven the TGX in a few months and I started thinking one day about my driving style, and why it wasn't working for me. Then I thought if that was my driving style in a 1:1 car then I'd kill myself.

At the moment though I am just trying to gather information so that I can set the car up for the next time I drive it. It's summer here (and coming to an end soon) and it is generally over 40 deg C so it's too hot to run it. Once the temps drop I'll be out again

But yes I have the TGX tyre inserts and wondering whether to use them or just the sponge that comes with each tyre set?

I have the sponge in the rally tyres and the inserts in the slicks, and I notice the slicks have more grip + are much more responsive, but at the same time less forgiving

It's a bad comparison though as the tyres are different, though the rally tyres are bald now so effectively slicks anyway but there might be a rubber difference