MickVette

Does anyone have any input for the MT ET Street S/S 305/35/19 Drag Radial in 1/2 mile competitions? I called MT and they stated the tire was rated for 85 mph and not to run it on a 1/2 mile competition. I mentioned their drag radial just went 5's at over 250 mph in the 1/4. The MT rep didn't go into details just stating they are not designed for 1/2 mile.

Unreal

Tons of RWD car runs them here and through out the country. I haven't personally run the 19s but run the 18s and 15s with zero issues. Not only for 1/2 mile use but for daily driver duty too.

Da Z06

Wow, it makes no sense. Very interesting response.

Unreal

Just generic lawyer/liability speak. You'll get that out of any tire maker for using it past any specified ratings.

HOXXOH

Pretty dumb to state a 85 mph rating when the feds don't even have that mph rating. Also dumb to expect someone to need a drag radial that owns a car that's not capable of exceeding 85 in any distance. It's why no one makes a (Y) rated tire in Prius sizes.

More importantly to check with the 1/2 mile promoters about tire requirements, since their liability insurance should state those conditions.

Bad00SS

I've been in a car on the highway at 165mph with a drag radial. it was fine. I would not worry one bit.

lobamotive

They know it is capable for above 85 miles per hour. What Unreal is saying is that if MT were to say their tires were good for 260mph and one popped going 150mph, they wouldn't have a big juicy lawsuit on their plate. Their rating is to reinsure that all liability is on the owner/driver with exceptions to defective tires from the factory.

Premiumspeed

The problem with most drag radials at high speeds is they tend to "walk" due to the difference in side wall and people running them at lower PSI. With a 19" wheel you aren't going to experience this much at all, just don't lower the tire pressure too much or you will feel the rear end becoming unstable at 100+ MPH, which is fine if you know it's coming.

Like mentioned above, it's best to check with the event staff to see what tires they allow.

Patriot Six

I ran the 325/30/19 MT ET Street SS at a half mile event and almost shat myself. The lateral movement in the rear was significant, but I think MT has corrected this problem on more recently produced lots. They hook great, though.

yellowzron

Well, I did a 178 mph pass on an open road in MEXICO illinois this summer, when no one was around. It felt shaky at 150 plus. It can be done. My tire was a 305 35 19.

MickVette

I called and talked to the event personnel. They stated the MT SS was a popular tire and used often.

What air pressures were you guys running?

I have raced 1/4 mile with my old Mustang wearing Hoosier Quick Time Pros at 10 - 12 psi but only up to 140 mph and they did walk quite a bit. An extra quarter mile walking around like that might be a real handful especially at much higher speeds.

I keep going back and fourth between the 305/35R19s and the 325/30R19s. Did you have to program the tire size when using the slightly taller 305s to keep the speedo, braking, traction and stability control happy?

MickVette

I went with the 325s. They came in today and were supposed to measure 27" as per MT website. They only measure 26 1/4". Does anyone have an actual measurement for the 305/35r19s?

gnx7

How much power are you making and what speeds have you done before in it?
At the event I run at there was a blue ZR1 making about 850rwhp with a 250hp direct port nitrous setup spraying on top of that and he was going mid/low 180's I believe. He had a 345/15 M/T DR.

I ran an NT-01 and 555R in the high 180's at 1/2 mile events (275/35/18) and ultimately had to go to a 275/50/15 M/T ET Street drag radial to put down more power (197mph best).

My findings were that the M/T ET Street DR had the best grip for sure..... but the other 2 tires were much more stable at speed. There will always be a tradeoff between grip and stability when trying to put down 1000rwhp+ on a 10" wide tire. You want as much sidewall as possible for higher HP applications....

When running the M/T tires I was running them at 18-20psi otherwise they were not confidence inspiring above 170mph.... and especially with a small braking zone (no parachute). I can't really put any decent power down until 4th gear..... using boost by gear. At 180mph shifting into 5th it blows the tires off easily with 22psi. Car made 1060rwhp/1070rwtq on 14psi.

MickVette

First of all, your car is awesome! Sounds like you have done a fair amount of racing with a slew of cars. Secondly, thank you for the information. That is very helpful.

I have no 1/2 mile experience. I have not raced this car at high speeds yet. However, I have raced 1/4 mile back in 1999-2006 in my turbo Mustang. It was mid/high 9 sec car.

The Vette doesn't quite have the quickness of the Stang but I'm shooting for mid 160s NA in the 1/2 mile. I heard the Ocala FL airfield traction is pretty slippery. Just trying to give this car a fair shot. HCIE with a pressurized intake I designed. Not sure of the exact power.

KM177122

It's interesting to see how tires and cars behave differently at 150+

MickVette

305s just showed up. Measured in at 26 7/8" tall. That's more like it. Now I get to send the 325s back.

MickVette

Yes, that has me a little nervous. I won't get a test shot at that speed prior to the race to see how the car will react.

Millenium Z06

I ran Nitto NT05R's 305/35/19 and they move a lot at high speed and under hard braking. i will never run DR's again. Conversely, I now have R888R's and they are awesome. All the grip of the NT05R and none of the lateral walking the DR's have, completely stable. Ran them at Wanna Go Fast last November and they were great

MickVette

How fast did you go? I'm stuck with the 305s now so I'll try to keep the shiny side up.

Thank you and also the others that replied with first hand information. Very helpful.

Millenium Z06

157 mph, there's another 3-4 mph in it though.
Track (runway) prep was crap and no one had traction the 1st 100-150 feet.

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