tire/wheel balance...tpms
 

So, I noticed that American muscle no has the valve stem based TPMS units versus the band units for the 07-09 mustangs.

The question is, would one or the other style be better for balancing the tires/wheels?

I'm prepping for a top speed event (mojave mile) and just want to make sure the tires/wheels are balanced well for speeds approaching the tire rating, any suggestions?

I'm not sure if the valve stem style sensors even work on a 05-09. And if the band type are installed properly, you shouldn't have any balance problems. I've been over 130 MPH on numerous occasions and haven't had an issue with the bands I had installed in my GT500 takeoffs.

the valve stems from the 10+ don't, but AM now has a kit for the 07-09 that does...
http://www.americanmuscle.com/tpms-fullkit.html

I know the last time around, I started noticing vibrations around 140.
I'm getting new rear tires and was going to get them all balanced hoping to smooth things out a bit.

On another suspension issue, on a nice smooth surface (runway), straight line, and at high speed what would be the best setting for the dampers (front and back), harder or softer?

Is there any absolute requirement that you install the sensors, especially for the duration of your mile runs? I don't particularly care for those things in the first place, let alone where the highest speed you can reach is the specific goal of the day.

As far as shock settings, I'd guess firmer in the front than in the rear, and just firm enough up front to limit how far the nose rises if the runway has any heaves in it. You may be able to adapt the Koni shock tuning guide to suit this endeavor (start by ignoring the bump damping part) and give some direction to your tuning between runs.


Norm

No, there's no requirement for them to be present for the mile runs, I guess I was stuck inside the box on that thinking. For daily use, I like not having the nag and dash light, but I haven't noticed any vibration at "normal" speeds.

Thanks for the tips on the dampers and reminding me that koni has a tuning guide.

FWIW, I broke the stem off one of the TPS stem sensors on a Expedition...got a replacement from Ford. As I recall, they are very, very light...plastic and aluminum so I don't know how much it would affect balance. Never had the band-type in my hand though.

Just FYI.
I didn't bother replacing the TPMS, just got the tires rebalanced a couple weeks before the event and had no vibration issues at all, smooth as can be all the way up to 157.6, which seems to be the limit in the standing mile for my car (5-speed, 3.55gears, 467RWHP).