drag radials
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
drag radials
how many of you run drag radials all the time ? pros and cons of running them all time ? I am going to 18" wheels and thinking of running them full time. I generally don't drive in the rain and don't put more than about 3,000 miles a season on my vette if I could get 2 or 3 seasons out them I would be fine with that
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I don't think many here use them at all, let alone full time, so I'll jump in here. I just bought my third pair. I use them only to drive to the track, race and drive home. 100 mile round trip to one track, 50 mile to the other. I race about 7 to 10 events per year. About 70 runs per set plus about 1500 to 1800 miles and I wear them down to almost no tread. Pro vs con?
Pro. Vastly increased straight line traction even without heating. When heated with a good burnout, night and day difference with street tires.
Cons. Much higher wear out rate. Must run fairly low pressure to work well (24 - 25 psi). Small stones stick to them and are thrown onto your paint ( I use cleartastic vinyl strips for protection) .
Pro. Vastly increased straight line traction even without heating. When heated with a good burnout, night and day difference with street tires.
Cons. Much higher wear out rate. Must run fairly low pressure to work well (24 - 25 psi). Small stones stick to them and are thrown onto your paint ( I use cleartastic vinyl strips for protection) .
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
with the new power of the big block I don't want a smoke show every time I get a little frisky with the throttle that's why I was thinking of a drag radial but if your saying 1800 miles than I would be buying rear tires every year don't know if the wallet could handle that! thanks bkbroiler
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,926
Likes: 739
From: Youngstown Ohio
.....with BKbroiler. My use is exactly the as his, and the pros and cons are perfectly stated. If you like the advantages enough to drive them all the time, give them a try. Be prepared to remove sticking debris at almost every stop, though, and buying a new set of tires every month.......and never get caught in the rain (it will be like driving on ice).
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 526
Likes: 90
From: Kings Park NY
I run Mickey Thompson street comps on my 82. I also was burning the tires off with my new build. The Mickey T's are super sticky when heated and Throw up all the little stones. I have just over 6 months on them and they look like I have a fair way to go although they have never seen the rain they have an amazing rating.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
ET streets all I have on there full time
last thing I want is to get loose in 2nd or 3rd and pile the car up; Safety issue far as Im concerned. Burnouts are for kids
Ive driven them on the hwy (carefully) in the rain. was only twice no problem but would NOT recommend it period.
last thing I want is to get loose in 2nd or 3rd and pile the car up; Safety issue far as Im concerned. Burnouts are for kids
Ive driven them on the hwy (carefully) in the rain. was only twice no problem but would NOT recommend it period.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
I have a set of Nitto NT05R's on my car that I ran full time for two seasons of about 1500 miles each. The only 2 problems I have had todate is being caught out in the rain once where they make great skis, the second was a nail that forced me to have to plug one with a patch behind it. The nail was fortunately in one of the grooves otherwise it would have been a loss. I wound up buying another set of rear wheels and getting a pair of Nitto 555's for early season use (wet here) and switch back and forth. There is a noteable difference in the hook up between the two...if you're going for traction on dry pavement the NT05R's are awesome. Also if you go over to the C6 site a lot more guys run them there.
Ray Y
Ray Y
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i saw an article in i think super chevy this month about a nova they drove over a thousand miles on the nitto drag radials rain or shine and they said they acted like normal tires. sort of far fetched i think but you may look for it
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
I used to run Nitto drag radials year round on my '69. They are actually a great all around tire if you can avoid the rain. They reached a point where they weren't getting the job done- combination of increased power and probably reaching the end of their life cycle. I replaced them with M/T drag radials, which I also run year round. The M/Ts are definitely a stickier tire. I've been really happy with them. They work fine for all around use at 32 PSI, and they get very sticky with a decent burnout. Track pressures are around 18 PSI and, they dead hook when properly heated up. I can still blow them away, especially on cool pavement at my street PSI, but after that they are ready to 
What power level do you expect to see? If 450-500 HP or more I do recommend the M/Ts or you'll be putting on a smoke show without really having to try very hard. Honestly, that gets old and could get costly if the wrong person sees it happen. The way I look at it, why build an engine up to that level if you can't safely put the power down? By the way, I've been down the drag strip a few times and have almost 2 years of street miles on my current set and they look like they have a long ways to go.
What power level do you expect to see? If 450-500 HP or more I do recommend the M/Ts or you'll be putting on a smoke show without really having to try very hard. Honestly, that gets old and could get costly if the wrong person sees it happen. The way I look at it, why build an engine up to that level if you can't safely put the power down? By the way, I've been down the drag strip a few times and have almost 2 years of street miles on my current set and they look like they have a long ways to go.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
At that level it's a no brainer, especially knowing that Straub emphasizes torque. Get the M/T drag radials or get used to feeling like you're driving on ice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
I did the MT route a few years back for traction issues I had with street P295 50 15's. Problem solved, the MT's stick like glue.
I do not race....period. But with the street 295 50's I could smoke them from a 45 mph roll in second, then the rear would start doing the hula, and I'd have to let off the gas. Not so with the MT's. Just smash the peddle and hang on.
My 406 should put out right around 540 horse, but I honestly have not had it dynoed. If you think you're over 500 hp,.....you're going to want the MT's.
I do not race....period. But with the street 295 50's I could smoke them from a 45 mph roll in second, then the rear would start doing the hula, and I'd have to let off the gas. Not so with the MT's. Just smash the peddle and hang on.
My 406 should put out right around 540 horse, but I honestly have not had it dynoed. If you think you're over 500 hp,.....you're going to want the MT's.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 7
From: Katy (Houston) TX
CI 7-8 Veteran
Been running DR on the rear for many years. Started with Nittos and now have M/T. Like the M/T's better. Life is shorter but I don't put very many miles on mine and they dry rot before tread life kills them. NOT good in the rain though. Can be done but you have to drive VERY carefully. Steering wheel becomes more of a suggestion wheel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
years ago i had a Vega drag car with14-32 w slicks and had to get it to my shop and my trailer was in use. threw a set of header mufflers on it and set out, it started snowing , HARD. i would have been happy with a suggestion wheel. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
As a few have mentioned already, just be prepared for the rock pebble blasting your quarter will take from running a drag radial. I have MT ET street 295/55-15 drag radials on my 70 Chevelle all year but had some clear 3M put on the back to prevent all the rocks from chipping the paint. When I drive through the neighborhood after some "shenanigans" on the street it sounds like I am driving down a dirt road with so much stuff being thrown into the rear wheel housings. I would think it would be even worse on a vette as the rear quarter angles in so much more near the bottom.
Try to never get caught in the rain! It is not fun.....
Try to never get caught in the rain! It is not fun.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I run Nitto 555Rs full time on my 71'. I have about 4k miles on them and they look almost new... But I don't make any drag strip passes on them.. Just cruising and street hits.. They are 275/60/15s and have a lot more tread depth then the 17" and 18" models.
I have also ran 305/35/18 Nitto 555Rs on my Z06. They have about 5k miles, 10 track passes and tons of highway bombs.. They are down below the wear bars now and really should have been replaced a long time ago. This was with 600-900rwhp on them.
At the track, I run MT ET Street radials on my 71'. They dead hook on a good track, they hook on the street from a 20mph roll. They do wear out fast on normal street driving.. Probably 2k miles and they are done.
On my Z06 I run 295/50/16 Hoosier drag radials and these things hook awesome at the track and will hook from 60 mph/2nd gear on the street with 800rwhp. Awesome tires but they wear out faster then any tire I have ever seen... Lol.
For 18s, also look at the Toyo TQ Drag radials. They are only $250 a piece for a 315/35/18 and seem to last a pretty good while. I'm about to pick up a set of them. Can't go wrong with a Nitto 555r if you're trying to get 5k miles out of a set.
I have also ran 305/35/18 Nitto 555Rs on my Z06. They have about 5k miles, 10 track passes and tons of highway bombs.. They are down below the wear bars now and really should have been replaced a long time ago. This was with 600-900rwhp on them.
At the track, I run MT ET Street radials on my 71'. They dead hook on a good track, they hook on the street from a 20mph roll. They do wear out fast on normal street driving.. Probably 2k miles and they are done.
On my Z06 I run 295/50/16 Hoosier drag radials and these things hook awesome at the track and will hook from 60 mph/2nd gear on the street with 800rwhp. Awesome tires but they wear out faster then any tire I have ever seen... Lol.
For 18s, also look at the Toyo TQ Drag radials. They are only $250 a piece for a 315/35/18 and seem to last a pretty good while. I'm about to pick up a set of them. Can't go wrong with a Nitto 555r if you're trying to get 5k miles out of a set.
Last edited by ajrothm; Jan 9, 2014 at 04:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
I run Nitto 555Rs full time on my 71'. I have about 4k miles on them and they look almost new... But I don't make any drag strip passes on them.. Just cruising and street hits.. They are 275/60/15s and have a lot more tread depth then the 17" and 18" models.
I have also ran 305/35/18 Nitto 555Rs on my Z06. They have about 5k miles, 10 track passes and tons of highway bombs.. They are down below the wear bars now and really should have been replaced a long time ago. This was with 600-900rwhp on them.
At the track, I run MT ET Street radials on my 71'. They dead hook on a good track, they hook on the street from a 20mph roll. They do wear out fast on normal street driving.. Probably 2k miles and they are done.
On my Z06 I run 295/50/16 Hoosier drag radials and these things hook awesome at the track and will hook from 60 mph/2nd gear on the street with 800rwhp. Awesome tires but they wear out faster then any tire I have ever seen... Lol.
For 18s, also look at the Toyo TQ Drag radials. They are only $250 a piece for a 315/35/18 and seem to last a pretty good while. I'm about to pick up a set of them. Can't go wrong with a Nitto 555r if you're trying to get 5k miles out of a set.
I have also ran 305/35/18 Nitto 555Rs on my Z06. They have about 5k miles, 10 track passes and tons of highway bombs.. They are down below the wear bars now and really should have been replaced a long time ago. This was with 600-900rwhp on them.
At the track, I run MT ET Street radials on my 71'. They dead hook on a good track, they hook on the street from a 20mph roll. They do wear out fast on normal street driving.. Probably 2k miles and they are done.
On my Z06 I run 295/50/16 Hoosier drag radials and these things hook awesome at the track and will hook from 60 mph/2nd gear on the street with 800rwhp. Awesome tires but they wear out faster then any tire I have ever seen... Lol.
For 18s, also look at the Toyo TQ Drag radials. They are only $250 a piece for a 315/35/18 and seem to last a pretty good while. I'm about to pick up a set of them. Can't go wrong with a Nitto 555r if you're trying to get 5k miles out of a set.