Drag Radials on an L98
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
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From: Modesto CA
Drag Radials on an L98
I think, that the single best thing at the drag strip for the L98, is Drag Radials. They'll cut your E/T by at LEAST a .5 seconds. The L98 makes all it's power down low, and without tires to use that power, it's pretty much just wasted.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
Re: Drag Radials on an L98 (TIMSPEED)
I think, that the single best thing at the drag strip for the L98, is Drag Radials. They'll cut your E/T by at LEAST a .5 seconds. The L98 makes all it's power down low, and without tires to use that power, it's pretty much just wasted.
Run the car, run the car, run the car, run the car, run the car, until you have it perfect. The L98 does have gobs of torque on hand down low, but not 1/2 second worth. As it stands my best 60' times are in the 1.94 - 1.97 range on street tires. I wouldn't expect a stock L98 to get any thing more than another 0.1 to 0.175 the most off that 60'.
They do two things, give more traction, but also in a way make it harder to push the car. That low end torque as you probably have seen on dyno sheets runs out QUICK. It's all right there at 2900RPM and then starts to drop off quick.
It is a very delicate balance of spin, bog, or launch with these cars as the powerband is so narrow.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Drag Radials on an L98 (TIMSPEED)
I pretty much have to agree with Scorp508, it takes a driver that knows how to drive the car to launch it hard and that takes practice.
However for consistent passes DRs are very beneficial, though you will likely lose some trap speed due to the increased rolling resistance.
However for consistent passes DRs are very beneficial, though you will likely lose some trap speed due to the increased rolling resistance.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 16
From: Little Elm TX
Re: Drag Radials on an L98 (65Z01)
I think everybody is right in this post.... you gotta learn how to drive & you need good sticky tires !!! My vette picks up a solid 5 tenths going from street tires to ET Streets....I go from a 60 ft of 1.95-2.05 to 1.55-1.62 which equates from 12.2 to 11.6..... but on a closer to stock vette with a stock torque converter, I agree sticky tires are not worth 1/2 second typically, more in the neighborhood of 2-3 typically... but of course varies.
However, I do disagree with trap speed differences... on drag radials you won't lose or gain any trap speed whatsoever.... ET Streets will cost 1/2 mph or so though. But your consistency is tenfold better with the ET Streets.
later
Beach
However, I do disagree with trap speed differences... on drag radials you won't lose or gain any trap speed whatsoever.... ET Streets will cost 1/2 mph or so though. But your consistency is tenfold better with the ET Streets.
later
Beach
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
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From: Long Island, NY
Re: Drag Radials on an L98 (TIMSPEED)
Well I'll give you an example of my car, stock motor with bolton's.
Without DR's -> 60' times are 2.0 - 2.1 seconds
With DR's -> 60' times are 1.80 seconds
So I pickup 2 full tenths on the 60' , which gives me 3 full tenths in the 1/4 mile.
Vic
Without DR's -> 60' times are 2.0 - 2.1 seconds
With DR's -> 60' times are 1.80 seconds
So I pickup 2 full tenths on the 60' , which gives me 3 full tenths in the 1/4 mile.
Vic
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: (JD 90 383)
Pending you had spin on your 13.4 run, you might have benefitted from DR's that day. I donno how..but there's more in your car the way it is(with stickies).
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Drag Radials on an L98 (Vic'89)
Vic'89, what inflation do you use in those DRs? Though weather is a factor did you lose any MPH going from streets?
BTW, about 4wks ago to eliminate wheel spin, I had to start "driving" it off the line; and believe that has led to some inconsistency in 60' times and so RT as well as ET. It's tough to drive it off exactly the same every time.
BTW, about 4wks ago to eliminate wheel spin, I had to start "driving" it off the line; and believe that has led to some inconsistency in 60' times and so RT as well as ET. It's tough to drive it off exactly the same every time.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
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From: Long Island, NY
Re: Drag Radials on an L98 (65Z01)
Vic'89, what inflation do you use in those DRs? Though weather is a factor did you lose any MPH going from streets?
I haven't run the street tires at the track this year. All my runs were with the DR's. I run them at 25 psi. When the track is good, I hook everytime.
I believe you pull about 2.0 60' times, right ? I would get the same 60' times as you if I ran the Street tires this year.
Last year when I ran both the street tires and the DR's, I didn't lose any MPH.
Vic
