I am looking to get a set of wheels either made or ordered and would like to get some input on tire sizes and wheel offsets. I will have to run a 16" rim so the following 3 seem to be the only choices available for wrinkle wall drag tires.

Hoosier #18153 28.0/10.0-16
10.0" wide 28.0" diam. 8-10" rim 12.0" section width / soft drag slick

Mickey Thompson #3793 26X11.50-16LT
9.7" wide 26.2" diam. 10" rim 10.8" section width / street slick

Mickey Thompson #3792 26X10.50-16LT
8.4" wide 25.9" diam. 9" rim 10.3" section width / street slick

I would prefer the Hoosier for the extra diamerer, width and the fact that is a true drag slick which is most likely a softer compound however i am not sure if this large of a tire would be pushing the limit to fit. I am sure it would need the perfect rim size and offset to make it fit if at all. (any experience or suggestions?)

The Mickey Thompson would probably work if needed but i would rather run the larger 26x11.50 for the extra width. This might also require a wider rim with the perfect offset. (I have heard of the 26x10.50 suggested but has any one tried the larger M/T tire?)

Can any one verify fitment on the larger mickey thompson or the Hoosier slick?

What rim width and offset would you recommend for which tire?

I am running after market toe links, trailing lings and coil over suspension. I have no problem rolling the inner lips. I do not believe i can run the stock FD rims as i have a brembo 12.9" rear brake kit installed and need more clearance between the spoke and caliper without the use of spacers of course. Other than that, i believe a 16" diam. will fit around the brakes just right.

Before i get abused, the reason for the big brakes on a drag racing setup is that this is a purpose built street car which will be taken to the track on ocasion.
The reason for needing a larger slick is a built 3-rotor with very large HP goals. (the drive train has already been addressed!)

 

Also, does anyone know of a good 17" or larger skinny front drag tire that is at least 25" tall. Not 2" like a drag rail but like a 4" to 6" rim/tire fitment?

 

Email Brian Hinson at www.hinsonsupercars.com or give me a call he has run slicks on his LS1 powered FD many time he can tell you what fits and what does not. I know up front he used two spares seemed to work great for him.

 

CCW (Complete Custom Wheel) in FL can make you the rims you are searching for. They can make any size diameter/width wheel you need.

If you have big brakes up front (I assume) in order to run the stock 16x4 spares up front with speed/load rated tires you will need custom hubcentric spacers to clear the calipers. The alternative is to have CCW make you a set of 17" front runners.

Remember that M/T ET Streets may say 12.5" on the sidewall but in reality are only 10.5" wide. I believe they also make a 27" tall tire. Call a shop and ask for the complete list of 16" size slicks/ET Streets. Contact Hoosier as well as they mainly list the popular sizes and others may be available.

A 28" tall tire will rub if your car is lowered I imagine.

 

Unless you plan on slamming your car, I would go with a 26 inch tire. A 28 inch tire looks silly unless the car is sitting on the ground.

 

Forgot to mention Bogart Wheels can be ordered in any size you need and are super light.

What kind of mph does your car achieve in the 1/4 and what gear are you running out back? I'm curious....

 

Well thanks for all the input. I talked with John from CCW wheels and that is an awesome lead. He knows his **** and is not afraid to help out. I will buy a set of wheel from him for sure. Maybe not for this drag setup as the only wheel he can make in a 16" is the Clasic which is kind of a plain. He said i could run the 16x10 with the 255/50-r16 mt radial slick all day long but would not suggest the bias with a wide front radial tire. He thought that if we went to a 5" rim up front with a narrow tire it might be ok. M/T just come out with a new 26/6-r18 narrow front tire. I am just considering getting an el-cheep-o 16x8,9 wheel with the proper backspacing and throwing it on the back for now with the steer E/T radial tire.

1/4 mile has not been run yet nor has the car. Just figuring out everything. I have a bad habit of buying stough for the car before it is needed. Lost my *** a couple of times this way.

Any way, i am running a 4:30 gear out back with a 1:1 4th gear in the trans. I would like to end the 1/4 in 4th at about 8500rpm which would put me at about 152mph and then i would be required to run a shoot. That would be awesome!

According to rotary performance acceleration calculator
887 rwhp + 3200lbs + 3 shifts + 26" tires + 4.30 gear = 9.41sec / 152.84mph @ 8501 rpm

3200 is a little on the heavy side but with the cage, large turbo and extra accessories i feel it is a safe number

887rwhp i believe is achievable as 1000 engine HP is the main goal for the project!

Traction durability will be the biggest factor to change the numbers above. I would like to see the car in the high 8 second bracket but realize that would be tough with a purpose built street car with air conditioning and full interior without wheel tubs and wheelie bars

 

I think you should go out and drag race a little and you'll find out there's a little more than crunching #'s into formulas if you want to run that fast.

 

Good Advice!