PSI in drag radials?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
PSI in drag radials?
Everyone seems to agree that drag radials are the tires to run in the 1/4 rather than street tires. But there doesn't seem to be too much information on the pressure in the DR's. Give us the brand you are using the the PSI that you run at the track.
I bought some used BFG's from a fellow Forum member. A couple of members have suggested 26 PSI at the track. What about those of you who are running MT, Kumho or Nitto?
I bought some used BFG's from a fellow Forum member. A couple of members have suggested 26 PSI at the track. What about those of you who are running MT, Kumho or Nitto?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 1
From: Santa Maria CA
1984' vette I'd run 30psi in Nittos,didn't have the real power after a gooooood burnout to really spin em' out of the hole much. For best hook run em' at a normal psi then work down. reason being is if you can dead hook from a good burnout at 30psi then why drop em'? It will help the car MPH better if the tires aren't air'd down to 12psi or whatever. If they keep breaking loose and killing 60fts then air em' down alot. But again,if your not spinning and your hooking,don't drop em'......add more HP!
on my 1969 chevelle I run 12psi cold and it works great. These are large 325/50R15 MT drag radials. I run 28 on the street and they still hook pretty good.
on my 1969 chevelle I run 12psi cold and it works great. These are large 325/50R15 MT drag radials. I run 28 on the street and they still hook pretty good.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 428
From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
The rule of thumb is run as high a pressure as you can and still hook...less rolling resistance this way...
I run Nitto DR's and what I drop them to depends a lot on which track I am racing at...if I know track prep is real good I will drop to 28 and go down a pound at a time till I hook...if the track isn't known for prepping real well I will drop to 25 and go from there...the lowest I have ever been is 20 lbs. at Moroso and it still didn't hook...
I run Nitto DR's and what I drop them to depends a lot on which track I am racing at...if I know track prep is real good I will drop to 28 and go down a pound at a time till I hook...if the track isn't known for prepping real well I will drop to 25 and go from there...the lowest I have ever been is 20 lbs. at Moroso and it still didn't hook...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
M/T recommends 16 psi for the Vette.
I had my best 60' times with 16 psi, but it was inconsistent and hard for bracket racing. I dropped it to 12 psi and was more consistent, but not quite as fast. This is on a track with crappy prep.
I didn't give 16psi its fair shake though, but I will next time out.
And yes, driving 100 mph on tires with 12psi of air in them feels just like you'd think it would.
I had my best 60' times with 16 psi, but it was inconsistent and hard for bracket racing. I dropped it to 12 psi and was more consistent, but not quite as fast. This is on a track with crappy prep.
I didn't give 16psi its fair shake though, but I will next time out.
And yes, driving 100 mph on tires with 12psi of air in them feels just like you'd think it would.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; May 31, 2007 at 04:14 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
I ran BFG drag radials at between 12-15 lbs. Turned out to be a mistake as the tire wear showed severe cupping in the middle, that is, wear on both sides, but not down the middle. 
They were great drag tires BTW
I currently have MT Streets and they work fine at 22 lbs. I am watching the tread pattern wear closely. Something I did not do with the BFG's.
I think unless you are running a large 2-ply drag tire with a ripple sidewall, very low pressure is a mistake and even counter productive. I run 6 to 6-1/2 lbs on drag slicks on my altered, but that is because the ripple wall slicks need to take a deep set and larger footprint to launch without spinning.
They were great drag tires BTWI currently have MT Streets and they work fine at 22 lbs. I am watching the tread pattern wear closely. Something I did not do with the BFG's.
I think unless you are running a large 2-ply drag tire with a ripple sidewall, very low pressure is a mistake and even counter productive. I run 6 to 6-1/2 lbs on drag slicks on my altered, but that is because the ripple wall slicks need to take a deep set and larger footprint to launch without spinning.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I've checked the wear and it didn't seem to be a problem. I put about 100 runs on them and have maybe 20 more in them.
