Help me decide on Drag Radials

[Tim Russell]

I have been doing some research on what would fit my stock 15" wheels. (I have an extra set so I can change them easily) Choices:

- BFG Drag Radial 205/50R 15 - Gives me a shorter tire 23.1" diameter compaired to 25.5 for stock. Be like going to a 4.10 as well as adding more grip.
- BFG Drag Radial 225/50R 15 - Gives me a shorter tire 23.9" diameter compaired to 25.5 for stock. Be like going to 3.99 as well as adding even more grip because it's wider.

Nitto 555R's only come in 275 50 and 60 which gives me a taller tire and is probably heavy so they would be a bit much for the V6 to spin.

What do people think, any others I should look at. Right now I need a better hook off the line and some shorter overall gearing would help. Thanks - Tim

[Fatstang]

How wide are your 15's, 7"? If you want a tire for street/strip go with the Nittos or McCeary's. If they are strictly used at the track, get the BFG's. I run a 275/50/15 Nitto and been getting low 1.8 short times and love it. I think you should try like a 255/55/15 if they sell that size.

[Tim Russell]

Probably just for track use. The 275/50R 15 was the smallest Nitto that was listed on their site. That would be 0.3" taller than stock and would slow me down although my 60' might improve somewhat.

Lets think about this:

The 275 would grip better.
Adding more power would fix the top end.

But:

I cross the line with well over 1000 RPM to spare now.
I'm not planning on a big power adder or changing rear end gears anytime soon.

My thinking now is going with the shorter BFG DR's which should help with the 60' and I'll end up closer to peak HP RPM at the end of the 1/4.

[Fatstang]

Probably just for track use. The 275/50R 15 was the smallest Nitto that was listed on their site. That would be 0.3" taller than stock and would slow me down although my 60' might improve somewhat.

Lets think about this:

The 275 would grip better.
Adding more power would fix the top end.

But:

I cross the line with well over 1000 RPM to spare now.
I'm not planning on a big power adder or changing rear end gears anytime soon.

My thinking now is going with the shorter BFG DR's which should help with the 60' and I'll end up closer to peak HP RPM at the end of the 1/4.

Just try to stick to a stock hieght tire. I heard those BFG's really grab good. There's also those new M/T drag radials that grab good as ET streets, but are impossible to find in stock.

[dufkis]

Just try to stick to a stock hieght tire. I heard those BFG's really grab good. There's also those new M/T drag radials that grab good as ET streets, but are impossible to find in stock.

The M/T dont come in smaller than 275 I dont think

[Nick 1]

Tim, what does Kirk use ????? Of the tires you have listed with your car, I'd go with the 205/50/15's. The Nitto is Huge, I have a pair I haven't used yet & it might be to much tire for my car, way to much for yours. My favorite tire & size is the BF's in a 235/60/15's. I stock & sell these tires. If you'd like to see the size in person, stop by when in the area. As always, no shipping charges if you pick up the tires. If you need tires shoot me a pm & I'll give you the best price I can.

Nick 1
:thumbs_up

[Nick 1]

The M/T dont come in smaller than 275 I dont think

Correct Joel !!!!! They are in the process of makeing a 235/60/15 in the near future. I'm planning on trying a set when they are available.

Nick 1

[MAT88GT]

- BFG Drag Radial 205/50R 15 - Gives me a shorter tire 23.1" diameter compaired to 25.5 for stock. Be like going to a 4.10 as well as adding more grip.
- BFG Drag Radial 225/50R 15 - Gives me a shorter tire 23.9" diameter compaired to 25.5 for stock. Be like going to 3.99 as well as adding even more grip because it's wider.

those aren't going to hook that well...too short/narrow, not enough sidewall, not enough tread area

255's would be much better

I'd get some mccreary g60/15's off a roundy round guy

[Fatstang]

I'd get some mccreary g60/15's off a roundy round guy

???
Roundy round?

[MAT88GT]

circle track...dirt track

they sell those tires for 10-25ea after a race...the edges will be a bit worn but its no big deal. These tires are dot legal, very soft in compound and construction, and hook very well

[Tim Russell]

Tim, what does Kirk use ????? Of the tires you have listed with your car, I'd go with the 205/50/15's. The Nitto is Huge, I have a pair I haven't used yet & it might be to much tire for my car, way to much for yours. My favorite tire & size is the BF's in a 235/60/15's. I stock & sell these tires. If you'd like to see the size in person, stop by when in the area. As always, no shipping charges if you pick up the tires. If you need tires shoot me a pm & I'll give you the best price I can.

Nick 1
:thumbs_up

Right now Kirk uses 225/60R 15 street tires, not sure what brand. A 275 Nitto would be huge and too much tire for my car.

The 235/60R 15 is a taller tire than my stock size, the 225/50R 15 would put a fair amount of tread down and be a bit shorter. I calculated it to be the same as if I went to a 3.99 gear with the stock tire size. 205 is like a 4.10 compaired to what I have now. Anything taller than 25.5" and it's gearing me up.

[MAT88GT]

255 would be fine though

[Tim Russell]

255 would be fine though

I was speaking of the diameter of the tire. 205/65R 15 is 25.5" tall. A 225/60 R 15 is 25.6" so about the same. A 255/50 would be a bit shorter.

Basically it boils down to getting something that will grip better than the street tires I have that are fairly hard and long wearing tires.

Here's my logic:

A softer DR even with the same tread width should reduce my 60'. Going with a shorter tire will help me by having the effect of gearing the car down a bit more so I should have a quicker ET. That's the logic I'm using with this. A 225/50R 15 would give me a 20mm wider tread and be a bit shorter, 23.9" it would be like having a 3.99 compaired to the 3.73 with the stock tire hight I currently have.

[Fatstang]

circle track...dirt track

they sell those tires for 10-25ea after a race...the edges will be a bit worn but its no big deal. These tires are dot legal, very soft in compound and construction, and hook very well

Where is the best place to buy McCeary's you think???

[MAT88GT]

used...I have no idea who sells them new anymore
mccreary = american racer
Company Name: Race Tires America

Location: Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701

Established: 1985
Mailing Address: 1545 Washington Street
Phone: 800-662-2168
Fax: 724-349-6497

shorter sidewalls are going to make the car tricky to launch...they're less forgiving than a 60 series tire and honestly...you're not going to notice a whole hell of a lot by swapping to a 23.x" tire

[Fatstang]

used...I have no idea who sells them new anymore
mccreary = american racer
Company Name: Race Tires America

Location: Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701

Established: 1985
Mailing Address: 1545 Washington Street
Phone: 800-662-2168
Fax: 724-349-6497


Damn, thanx for that info Matt :thumbs_up

[Greg@GLD]

I'll believe it when I see them, but John at Fast Times told me he would have a set of 26x9x15 M/T drag radials for me by tomorrow afternoon. Here's hoping. He said the 17" are the ones you can't get...

[Tim Russell]

I see that I could get a 235/60R 15 in a BFG DR as well. That's only slightly taller that my current stockers. Might want to look into those.

So I'm thinking either 225/50R 15 or 235/60R 15 currently.

[Greg@GLD]

275/50's Greg?


http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/strip_et_street_radial.html

Dan, look at the first two on that list- I believe they are the P235/60R15 which are 26 X 9.50R15

[Nick 1]

I see that I could get a 235/60R 15 in a BFG DR as well. That's only slightly taller that my current stockers. Might want to look into those.

So I'm thinking either 225/50R 15 or 235/60R 15 currently.

Yes, the 235/60/15's are the ones I stock & use on my car. :thumbs_up


Nick 1

[Nick 1]

Ahhh yes Greg.

Tim, if you're getting tires exclusively or the track, why get anything short of a drag slick? Are you going class racing requiring a DOT tire?

How much tire do you need on a mild V-6 combo ??? Enuff to hook but not tear up the rearend. :thumbs_up

Nick 1

[Tim Russell]

That's why I'm not going too big, gonna be a few years before I'll need more tire.

[MAT88GT]

SIZE
EQUIVALENT

fyi from that site, the size equivalent is stated in section width...9.5 section = roughly an 8" tread width (slick rating)

255/50/15 = 25.5" tall, around 9" wide...good size dr

[Greg@GLD]

Dooooooods! I am at Fast Times right now, I just got my MT DR's.

HOLY CHIT!!! :thud: These things are so sticky they practically peel your skin off when ya touch 'em!!! Me thinks I'm gonna be able to get some serious hooky with these babies...! WOOO HOOO!!!!!

[Tim Russell]

Greg any comment on DR size for me?

[Tim Russell]

I more worried about underpowering them, the poor wittle 6 is week as it is. :D

[Nick 1]

I agree with Dan !!!!!



Nick 1