chrisp250r

Looking for input on tire choice for dig racing my 2006 manual trans corvette. have a set of 325/40/18 m&h racemasters now and although the car dead hooks, it seems like they are killing me on the big end. I was thinking of switching to a shorter tire, but i'd like to keep my 18" wheels. Any suggestions? I've heard that the mt e/t street 2s are working good.

chrisp250r

no help here guys? i've tried the forum search and didn't really turn up much info... where all you racers at?

GS_DAN

You are correct, the MT ET Street II is probably your only other decent choice in a 18" DR. MT is about to start shipping the S/S tire which i think is going to replace the ET II.

good luck and let us know what you find

chrisp250r

So is a radial actually better for a manual car? Car has a custom cut tick cam, ported fast intake and tb, 1 7/8" headers, full 3" exhaust. not sure on exact power but it made 397 before the cam and intake. I have a centerforce DYAD clutch with tick master as well. At the track i'd like to be able to just dump the clutch from high RPM instead of slipping it.

robz

A bias ply tire is typically better for a manual car. It's easier to launch and much more forgiving and consistent. Some guys have success with radial tires when they have gears and a stock clutch or a clutch that is forgiving a slip quite a bit. The problem with a vette is that it's hard to find adequate slicks in sizes 17 or bigger.
I run a small diameter, narrow, stiff wall, 15" slick that would benefit a lot of cars if they could get them to fit.

chrisp250r

yea, i'm finding hardly anything in a 17" bias ply. my 325/40/18 racemasters have a good bit of sidewall as you can see in the pic, and they hook like a mother but i just think i'd benefit up top from a smaller tire. the car was trapping only 121 the last time i went to the track

C6David

Hoosier 315/30/18 should work good

rpmextra

I have a hoosier 315-35R17 DR and really like them. Just prdered my 2nd pair. so far cut a best 1.52 60ft, and think once I get the hang of it maybe see a 1.45-1.47 but as rob said i have a forgiving ZR1 clutch.

Joe_G

315's will rub on a regular c6.

You can't dump the clutch in a Vette, the rears won't take very many of those. Bias ply will enable faster release as RobZ says, but you need skinnies up front as well or you will be weaving all over the track at the big end if you mix bias rear and front radials. Plus you can't street drive bias ply, if you hit a puddle you'll be swapping ends.

Shorter tires will help launch ET and MPH. Are you shifting to 4th? You might have to with shorter tires but they will still pick up quite a bit of ET for you.

18 is pretty lean in selection, but I recommend Mickeys. The 305/35/18's are 26.6 tall which is too tall for my taste. I'd prefer 17" rims and 275/40/17 which is 25.5 and the extra inch makes a bit of a difference.

Rocket-J

Go to the 1/4 performance chart and see what the top drivers are using.
Find the class that closest fits your car. That should give you a pretty good idea of what to use.
I see more Hoosiers making record passes than any other tire. Check and see for your type car and set up.
Good luck

lsxvette

hoosier quick time pros or mt et street bias ply the mt will last longer but IMO the hoosier grabs better and they are lighter