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Michelin Cup 2 set-up for track day

Old Nov 22, 2021 | 02:01 PM
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Michelin Cup 2 set-up for track day

Hi all, I have bought a new set of Cup 2 for my C63S Coupe. My question is, what do you reckon should be the cold tire pressure for optimal track use? Should it still be the recommended cold tire pressure for max load (44psi front, 45 rear) or normal load (42psi front, 39 rear) - according to this: https://www.carsguide.com.au/mercede.../tyre-pressure
To me it sounds too high for a semi-slick, as the Trofeo R that I had been using previously was happy around 34psi front 32 rear, hot already (but that was a 80TW tire, while the Cup 2 is 180TW)
Also, what would be the optimal operating temperature to get the best grip?
Thanks
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Old Nov 22, 2021 | 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by VHDM
Hi all, I have bought a new set of Cup 2 for my C63S Coupe. My question is, what do you reckon should be the cold tire pressure for optimal track use? Should it still be the recommended cold tire pressure for max load (44psi front, 45 rear) or normal load (42psi front, 39 rear) - according to this: https://www.carsguide.com.au/mercede.../tyre-pressure
To me it sounds too high for a semi-slick, as the Trofeo R that I had been using previously was happy around 34psi front 32 rear, hot already (but that was a 80TW tire, while the Cup 2 is 180TW)
Also, what would be the optimal operating temperature to get the best grip?
Thanks
Depends on the season but I generally run 29psi front and 28psi rear. Takes a few sessions to dial it in. 190 degrees is optimal temp for max grip for Cup 2’s.
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Old Nov 22, 2021 | 03:18 PM
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Came across this PDF the other day. It has some information on the CUP 2 regarding tire pressure and temperatures. They say to start at the recommended pressure for road use, and then adjust after some laps. You essentially need to use a temperature gun and adjust until the temperature is even across the entire width of the tread.

https://www.pca.org/sites/default/fi...r-TTW-2018.pdf
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Old Nov 22, 2021 | 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by W213e63s
Depends on the season but I generally run 29psi front and 28psi rear. Takes a few sessions to dial it in. 190 degrees is optimal temp for max grip for Cup 2’s.
Is that cold pressure? Thanks for the temperature tip. I already bought a temperature gun for this very reason.

Originally Posted by superswiss
Came across this PDF the other day. It has some information on the CUP 2 regarding tire pressure and temperatures. They say to start at the recommended pressure for road use, and then adjust after some laps. You essentially need to use a temperature gun and adjust until the temperature is even across the entire width of the tread.

https://www.pca.org/sites/default/fi...r-TTW-2018.pdf
Thanks, I saw this same info but for the Cup 2R, on the Michelin website. It's just too broad of an instruction in my opinion, it says the optimum operating pressure (so hot pressure right?) is between 33 and 39, but that some cars may need more than 39. The cold pressure under normal load for the C63S Coupe is 42 front and 39 rear, when hot I would expect an increase of 0.4 bar or 6 psi (at least that's what it used to be on the Trofeo R I had before), which would put the operating pressure at 48psi, which is too close to the 50psi max allowed, right? That just doesn't feel right. I was thinking on starting at 33psi and then settle at 39

Has anyone used the track connect sensors and app? What does the app recommend? Although Cup 2 Connect tires are 240 treadwear, not 180 like the normal Cup 2, so maybe there's a big difference.

EDITED: I just saw that same PDF has information about the temperature, so I guess i should start around 33, then play with the pressure depending on the temperature.

Last edited by VHDM; Nov 22, 2021 at 03:43 PM.
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Old Nov 22, 2021 | 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by VHDM
Is that cold pressure? Thanks for the temperature tip. I already bought a temperature gun for this very reason.



Thanks, I saw this same info but for the Cup 2R, on the Michelin website. It's just too broad of an instruction in my opinion, it says the optimum operating pressure (so hot pressure right?) is between 33 and 39, but that some cars may need more than 39. The cold pressure under normal load for the C63S Coupe is 42 front and 39 rear, when hot I would expect an increase of 0.4 bar or 6 psi (at least that's what it used to be on the Trofeo R I had before), which would put the operating pressure at 48psi, which is too close to the 50psi max allowed, right? That just doesn't feel right. I was thinking on starting at 33psi and then settle at 39

Has anyone used the track connect sensors and app? What does the app recommend? Although Cup 2 Connect tires are 240 treadwear, not 180 like the normal Cup 2, so maybe there's a big difference.

EDITED: I just saw that same PDF has information about the temperature, so I guess i should start around 33, then play with the pressure depending on the temperature.
42f/39r would be normal load for extended high speed runs, which you won't do on a track, so you should start at normal load for speeds <= 155 mph, which on my fuel door sticker is 33f/32r and that's what I'm running for road use. Now this is with the PS4S and on the road, but the hot pressure settles in around the range they are recommending for the Cup 2, even on an aggressive canyon run.
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Old Nov 22, 2021 | 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by VHDM
Is that cold pressure? Thanks for the temperature tip. I already bought a temperature gun for this very reason.



Thanks, I saw this same info but for the Cup 2R, on the Michelin website. It's just too broad of an instruction in my opinion, it says the optimum operating pressure (so hot pressure right?) is between 33 and 39, but that some cars may need more than 39. The cold pressure under normal load for the C63S Coupe is 42 front and 39 rear, when hot I would expect an increase of 0.4 bar or 6 psi (at least that's what it used to be on the Trofeo R I had before), which would put the operating pressure at 48psi, which is too close to the 50psi max allowed, right? That just doesn't feel right. I was thinking on starting at 33psi and then settle at 39

Has anyone used the track connect sensors and app? What does the app recommend? Although Cup 2 Connect tires are 240 treadwear, not 180 like the normal Cup 2, so maybe there's a big difference.

EDITED: I just saw that same PDF has information about the temperature, so I guess i should start around 33, then play with the pressure depending on the temperature.
yes, that’s cold. I want to come off track in mid 30’s. Takes a session or two to dial it in. I have a tire temp gauge as well and having adjustable camber arms helps with consistent temps across tire. My last track day was earlier this year, first time with CarBahn adjustable camber arms, I was running -3.5 in front and -2 in rear and had consistent temps across all tires.
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Old Nov 23, 2021 | 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
42f/39r would be normal load for extended high speed runs, which you won't do on a track, so you should start at normal load for speeds <= 155 mph, which on my fuel door sticker is 33f/32r and that's what I'm running for road use. Now this is with the PS4S and on the road, but the hot pressure settles in around the range they are recommending for the Cup 2, even on an aggressive canyon run.
Oh! There's conflicting information, as I was basing this on the pressures given on the B pillar! But I dug deeper and found this thread as well: https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-c63s-...helin-pss.html
So yes, you are right. I thought the ride was harsh on my OEM Contis because well, they are run-flats after all. Now this will make such a big difference!

Originally Posted by W213e63s
yes, that’s cold. I want to come off track in mid 30’s. Takes a session or two to dial it in. I have a tire temp gauge as well and having adjustable camber arms helps with consistent temps across tire. My last track day was earlier this year, first time with CarBahn adjustable camber arms, I was running -3.5 in front and -2 in rear and had consistent temps across all tires.
Thanks!
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Old Nov 23, 2021 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by VHDM
I thought the ride was harsh on my OEM Contis because well, they are run-flats after all. Now this will make such a big difference!
No runflats on the C63. The 63s only come with proper summer performance tires. MO and MO1 AMG spec as indicated on the sidewall. Runflats as found on the C43 say MOE on the sidewall for Mercedes-Benz Original Extended Mobility.
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Old Nov 23, 2021 | 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
No runflats on the C63. The 63s only come with proper summer performance tires. MO and MO1 AMG spec as indicated on the sidewall. Runflats as found on the C43 say MOE on the sidewall for Mercedes-Benz Original Extended.
Oh just realized I should have mentioned that I am in Mexico... sadly, here they do come with runflats. I assume it's because our roads are beyond crap. Also, the suspension is softer here, same reason...
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Old Nov 26, 2021 | 08:30 PM
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You want your hot track temp to be around 32 psi and no more than 36psi.

Kurt
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