pianoprodigy

...get some stock wheels and use ET Streets.


Currently I'm running 275/35-18 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s on my rear 9.5" Enkei Aegis wheels.


Since my 4.33 gear change, I'm losing traction in first gear more easily, and I get virtually no traction if I slip the clutch and launch from around 4500 RPMs.

I have several options:

BFG Drag Radials:
Cost: $195/each at TireRack (plus shipping)
Pros: Super Sticky, Come in 275-35/18
Cons: Terrible Treadlife, Poor Wet Traction

Nitto 555R Drag Radials:
Cost: $273/each at Discount Tire Direct (includes shipping)
Pros: Good Treadlife (I've heard 10-15k miles), stickier than what I have especially w/burnout
Cons: Closest size is 285/35-18 - Rear tire currently is VERY close to fender, but rolling will probably fix issue

ET Streets on stock wheels
Cost: ~$185/each
Pros: Awesome Traction, lots of sidewall
Cons: Looks like ***, fast treadwear, have to switch rims and tires, looks like ***

So what should I do? I really want 11s at the track, but I still drive the car daily.

gnx7

iTrader: (10)

The new M/T Drag Radials are supposed to be awesome. A few guys have cut 1.3x 60ft times on them with 15" rims. Check them out as well. A few records have been broken in drag racing in the street tire DOT legal class with them.

18" rim gives a horrible selection of tires with a healthy sidewall. Meaning the tire won't absorb the shock load well when the clutch is dumped and they will go up in smoke easier. No tire to "wrinkle" and keep the tire footprint planted. I imagine your 18" rims aren't the lightest either... or at least they aren't 16lbs or less like the stockers.

Some M/T 255/50/16 DR's would work great on stock rims..... or 26x10.5" DR/slick, or 245/50/16 Nitto DR. Nitto DR's are great for all around driving rain/shine. I would be caught in the rain with any of the other tires you talked about especially ET Streets.

I went mid 11's@115mph and 1.71 60' on 245/50/16 Nitto DR's. THey work but require a healthy burnout to get them sticky.

-GNX7

spoolin93r1

use good street tires on the 18's and get something for the stockers. if anything, use the nittos on the 18's. they're by far the best drag radial if you put a lot of highway miles on them. they're not too shabby at the track either. they also have a 555rII that has a stiffer sidewall but the same compund. might look into those

pianoprodigy

How about the MT Drag Radial in 255/50-16?
Would these work OK on the stock rims?
They are $160/each from Summit Racing.

EDIT: I just re-read gnx7's recommendation. I guess these are the tires he was recommending.

86GXL-T

Stock wheels with some ET's on your car is probably your best bet...

spoolin93r1

there was an article in hot rod magazine a few months ago comparing the et streets to the et street drag radials. turns out, they were getting better 60ft's on the drag radials with the same air pressure. they showed pics of the launches and they even wrinkle a little bit like the et streets do. i'd recommend them even though i haven't personally tried them. if i were to buy another drag radial, they'd be my first choice

rex u.k

MT et street radials are definately the way to go imo.

t-von

iTrader: (8)

The picture that pianoprodigy posted, is that the new M/T Drag Radial your talking about?

spoolin93r1

yes, those are them

wankel510

The BFG drag radials hook excellent, especially for 18's. I have a set of the 295/35/18 ones on my mustang, best pass on low boost is 10.76 @ 135 MPH with a 1.78 60 foot. I wouldn't expect to get more than 3000 miles out of them, so if you drive your car on the highway or whatever I really can't recommend them.

t-von

iTrader: (8)

Thx! Does anyone know if the stock rear end of the Fd will hold up with these tires w/stock hp and a high rpm launch? I understand that wheel hop is the #1 killer of the stock rear end but, if no wheel hop is present, will it hold up? Just trying to make sure I don't break **** if I buy these and go to the strip w/ my stock Fd.

pianoprodigy

Supposedly, there is at least one guy that runs 9s with the stock Torsen diff. I've heard that wheel hop is the killer, but I wasn't going to risk it. I swapped my Torsen for a TurboII diff a few weeks ago. I launched tonight on a back street and kept traction for about a half a second until full boost (about 12 psi at the time) kicked in. I'm thinking about just getting the remote button for the Profec B so that I can launch in 1st gear with like 8 psi and then punch it and switch to 16 psi. I've spent a lot of money on the FD over the last few weeks, and I'm not sure that I want to spent another $500 on wheels and/or tires.

Snook

iTrader: (12)

If your only goal is to just barely get into the 11s then you don't need to do anything if you really have 410rwhp. I can get into the 11s every time with a 2.1 60 foot time or better with ~25rwhp less than you.

gnx7

iTrader: (10)

I wouldn't consider 1.78 60' times too hot. Definately attributed to the 18" wheel and short profile tire.

There is a guy cutting 1.34 60' times on 15x8 rims with a 275/50/15 and the new M/T drag radials.

I'd definately mount them on your stock FD rims.

-Mark

rfreeman27

iTrader: (5)

in what type of car?

modifications are needed to fit 15's on a stock rear braked fd...