Drag Radial Newbie...questions

[RIBS]

I have been running my 15 GT and want to improve my times, traction is my biggest problem...I am thinking about a set of rear Drag radials for limited strip use... It either needs to be a DOT approved radial I can drive to the track-45 miles each way, or the pair of rears need to fit in my trunk. I am new to the technical parts of Drag racing...info is appreciated.

My setup:
2015 GT Auto 3:15 gears, not Brembro's, lowered one inch. 20x9 OEM rims, otherwise stock driveline.

So whats a good Budget setup for occasional use?
Does Rim size matter?(I have 20's up front)-can I run a 17/18 inch rim in back?
Whats a good price range for a budget setup?
I see some budget setups but am unsure what is right for my car...

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[brucelinc]

I am also a newbie to drag radials but if you don't want to spend a ton, you can get 2 17x9 Bullitt style wheels from American Muscle for under $100 each with their discount code. You can get a set of Mickey Thompson 275/40-17 ET street R tires for around $200 each. The are 26.1 inches in height. They will fit in the trunk with the rear seat folded.

I plan on changing at the track and not using mine for street use.

 

[bluebeastsrt]

I have been running my 15 GT and want to improve my times, traction is my biggest problem...I am thinking about a set of rear Drag radials for limited strip use... It either needs to be a DOT approved radial I can drive to the track-45 miles each way, or the pair of rears need to fit in my trunk. I am new to the technical parts of Drag racing...info is appreciated.

My setup:
2015 GT Auto 3:15 gears, not Brembro's, lowered one inch. 20x9 OEM rims, otherwise stock driveline.

So whats a good Budget setup for occasional use?
Does Rim size matter?(I have 20's up front)-can I run a 17/18 inch rim in back?
Whats a good price range for a budget setup?
I see some budget setups but am unsure what is right for my car...

You can run any size tire out back. 17 or 18s work fine with your 20 inch wheels up front. Look for a wheel at least 9.5 inches wide. Cheap options are on both american muscle & late model. Older mustang wheels fit also. So dont be afraid to buy off of craigs list. As far as the tires themselves. Ive used Mickey Thompson and Nitto NTO5Rs. If your looking for the absolute best price. Ebay will sell two 305 series nittos for $550.

 

[SolarFlare]

26" tire. either a 275 wide 17' or a 265 wide 18'.

 

[bluebeastsrt]

Just curious why you'd recomend such a small tire. For someone thats looking for a drag set up?

 

[SolarFlare]

Heavy, NA car with 3.15s. Car doesn’t make enough power to spin hot 26” DRs at a decent track. 28” will just further extend gearing and add unneeded weight.

Preferably this 26” tire would work best with a skinny up front vs a heavy 20” wheel.

 

[poncho@home]

Just curious why you'd recomend such a small tire. For someone thats looking for a drag set up?

On stock or close to stock power levels, there is no hope to pull a 28" tall tire to peak power in 4th gear (manual car with 3.31) to maximize acceleration.

My calculations put my setup with a 25.7" tall tire at around 114-115 mph if I can get to 6500 rpm in 4th, a 28" tall tire would only be at 6000 rpm for the same speed, leaving the peak power untapped in 4th.

With 3.73s, 28" is ideal.

 

[brucelinc]

At my local track I have seen a lot of guys run slower after mounting 28 inch drag radials on STOCK S550s. With power adders or deeper gears, it is a different story, of course.

Actually I am a little surprised that the OP has traction issues with an A6 and 3.15 gears. However, going from his 20s to a 17 with a 275 drag radial should help with both traction and overall gearing as well as less weight. MT 275/40-17 ET street Rs are 26.1.

 

[bluebeastsrt]

No you boys are misunderstanding my question. I'm asking why you'd recommend a 265-275 tire as apposed to a 305-315? Everyone knows smaller diameter wheels and tires are better. See my sig photo. Those are 3.5 wheels in the front. 12 on the back. I'm pretty sure I know more about a drag strip launch then most on here! It was also pretty obvious the OP didn't want the added expense of running skinnies up front. (The majority of people at drive in street night don't.) And I assume he was asking strictly about rear tires and wheels. But the advantage of a wider rear tire far out weigh the rolling resistance arguments I've heard on here.

 

[SolarFlare]

Ive hooked perfectly fine with a 265-40-18 with a procharger. Proper pressure, heat and prep and and a nearly stock car should have no issue hooking with that small tire.

 

[bluebeastsrt]

1.67 is straight up hooking with a supercharged car? Not exactly the argument for the 275 series tire. No offense. I race with a friend. SC'd on stock stall. He's 1.58-1.65 with a 305 tire. Borrow a 305 or 315 from someone and see if you can improve your sixty. I'm betting it'll improve.

 

[brucelinc]

It sounded like he wanted to keep the cost down. If buying new, 19x9 wheels are cheaper than what is needed for a wider tire. Also 275 tires are less expensive.

275 ET street Rs have a 10.2 tread width. I would think that should hold a stock coyote with a A6 and 3.15 gears.

 

[brucelinc]

Does anyone make a 305 or 315 tire that isn't 28 inches tall? I am not arguing....just asking. With the OPs 3.15 gear, I don't think he wants more than a 26.

 

[SolarFlare]

1.67 is straight up hooking with a supercharged car? Not exactly the argument for the 275 series tire. No offense. I race with a friend. SC'd on stock stall. He's 1.58-1.65 with a 305 tire. Borrow a 305 or 315 from someone and see if you can improve your sixty. I'm betting it'll improve.

you think it’s that easy to get a 1.5 60ft with a stock stall and centri? 1.67 was with a 285/40-18(27) I went to a 17x9.5 with a 305 tire (28) only because I didn’t like the look of the 17” fronts 18” rears. Whether it can match the 1.67 of the 27” tire is up in the air.

 

[bluebeastsrt]

you think it’s that easy to get a 1.5 60ft with a stock stall and centri? 1.67 was with a 285/40-18(27) I went to a 17x9.5 with a 305 tire (28) only because I didn’t like the look of the 17” fronts 18” rears. Whether it can match the 1.67 of the 27” tire is up in the air.

ok so you've went to a 305. Let me know when you make some runs on them. And if your sixty improves?

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