:
about running skinnies..
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,699
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,699
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
find a set of pizza cutters ...old centerlines. Plenty fat for the rear and razor thin up front. Common on straight line cameros and novas. Pretty useless anywhere else, but great for the straight line car.
ProStar makes a similar set up...15 wide rear and 5 up front.
ProStar makes a similar set up...15 wide rear and 5 up front.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,673
Likes: 750
From: NEwhere Ohio
Question: can you run skinnies with 13" j55 brakes?
I remember some guy paid me top dollar for my 12" front brakes (when I upgraded to 13") because he said he wanted to run skinnies.
He was in england too and paid top dollar shipping
I remember some guy paid me top dollar for my 12" front brakes (when I upgraded to 13") because he said he wanted to run skinnies.
He was in england too and paid top dollar shipping
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
With the 12 in brakes you can run 3.5 X 15 wheels and no spacer. (I do it.) The person I purchased the wheels from had them on a 96 and he needed 5/16 spacers to clear the brakes. I think all 96 models had the 13in brakes BTW my tires are 165mm They look like a vw bug tire.
Here is a picture from the front.
And here is a picture from the side.
I looked but cant find any pictures from under the hood showing the brakes.
Last edited by 93 ragtop; Jan 24, 2013 at 04:56 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Also keep front and rear tire heights in mind if the car has ABS.
Tire height differences can cause the ABS to throw a code and malfunction.
You don't have to limit yourself to 15" fronts for drag racing anymore either... I have to run 17X4 Centerline wheel with 26X4.5 M&H Race Master tires on the front of my 92 street car when I go to the track, because of the C5 front brakes I have. I run a 315/35R17 MT Drag Radial on the back which is 25.6" tall.
Your 285 40R17 rear tire is 25.9" tall.... I think you'd be fine with any of the 24-26" tall front tires offered by M&H, Moroso, MT, Good Year, Phoenix and Hoosier... IF you can still find some the 165 80R15 radials (or the older 165R15 like 93 ragtop has) will also work but they are getting difficult to find these days and almost cost as much as a real racing tire.
Will
Tire height differences can cause the ABS to throw a code and malfunction.
You don't have to limit yourself to 15" fronts for drag racing anymore either... I have to run 17X4 Centerline wheel with 26X4.5 M&H Race Master tires on the front of my 92 street car when I go to the track, because of the C5 front brakes I have. I run a 315/35R17 MT Drag Radial on the back which is 25.6" tall.
Your 285 40R17 rear tire is 25.9" tall.... I think you'd be fine with any of the 24-26" tall front tires offered by M&H, Moroso, MT, Good Year, Phoenix and Hoosier... IF you can still find some the 165 80R15 radials (or the older 165R15 like 93 ragtop has) will also work but they are getting difficult to find these days and almost cost as much as a real racing tire.
Will
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...ntrunners.html
Have the same black powder coated Weld Prostars((3.5x15) as Rich S is selling on my 94. Do not need the spacer. Run with the MT 26x6.00R15LT radial tires on these wheels. These are the tires that all the Hot Rod guys run around town on. They are a little more expensive but handle great. Use to race with the 165/15 VW tires but never felt comfortable at 125MPH.
Have driven and raced with my 17x11 GS wheels on the back a few times with no problems.
315/35/17 BFG DR's are on this set up. Race with 15" black powder coated Pro Stars and Hoosier DR's on the back most of the time.
Have the same black powder coated Weld Prostars((3.5x15) as Rich S is selling on my 94. Do not need the spacer. Run with the MT 26x6.00R15LT radial tires on these wheels. These are the tires that all the Hot Rod guys run around town on. They are a little more expensive but handle great. Use to race with the 165/15 VW tires but never felt comfortable at 125MPH.
Have driven and raced with my 17x11 GS wheels on the back a few times with no problems.
315/35/17 BFG DR's are on this set up. Race with 15" black powder coated Pro Stars and Hoosier DR's on the back most of the time.
Last edited by Red Rocket; Jan 24, 2013 at 09:02 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 16
From: Little Elm TX
With the 12 in brakes you can run 3.5 X 15 wheels and no spacer. (I do it.) The person I purchased the wheels from had them on a 96 and he needed 5/16 spacers to clear the brakes. I think all 96 models had the 13in brakes BTW my tires are 165mm They look like a vw bug tire.
Here is a picture from the front.
And here is a picture from the side.
I looked but cant find any pictures from under the hood showing the brakes.
I found those VW tires in a book after searching for a radial front tire that had the height I wanted and weight. Radial front skinnies are heavier, but that particular tire was halfway between most other radials and a bias ply so I bought them. I sold the complete front and back weld set because I was buying some Prostars, but got rid of those and have since re-purchased draglites. You have the 16" Weld Draglite XP's on the back ? If yes, I am sure those were mine.
As a note to the OP, most with 12" or smaller brakes run the Weld Draglite or Prostar wheel 15" x 3.5" and then the MT ET Front (bias-ply tire) 26" x 4.5" This is what I run right now.... clears both 11 and 12" brakes easily, but with 13" would probably be close or a problem.
Make sure you get yourself the 26" tire.... I made the mistake of getting a 25.2" tire about 15 years ago.... sat too low in front, spoiler would hit a pebble.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 16
From: Little Elm TX
I've owned 3 or 4 sets and never had a problem. I think Weld was pretty good... at least they were before. They went out of business for a while and then re-opened after I think getting the name purchased or something to that effect. I don't know if their quality has since gone up or down, but I know their price has doubled. Welds used to be 1/2 the price they are nowadays. Never know what you're gonna get anymore.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Thats what worries me. Current style wheel I have is sold by a few different mfrs....all of them come from china i havent been able to get a straight one yet. Frustrating...everything is junk nowdays
Last edited by cv67; Jan 24, 2013 at 11:57 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
[QUOTE=Beach Bum;1582937940]I think those are my old wheels & tires.... the guy you purchased them from was also from VA and had a silver 96 ?
No, these came out of NJ and belonged to John Mackey, Backs are 15x10 7.5 BS
No, these came out of NJ and belonged to John Mackey, Backs are 15x10 7.5 BS
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
OMG
Perhaps you should do a before and after track day
No doubt the handling and braking will be affected
The pizza cutters are just for drag racing to save weight and show off making it easier lifting the front wheels of the ground, see how they affect the general handling and safety of the car on the road first. That is where you will be spending the majority of your time 99.9%, drag strip is like 0.1%.
Perhaps you should do a before and after track day
No doubt the handling and braking will be affected
The pizza cutters are just for drag racing to save weight and show off making it easier lifting the front wheels of the ground, see how they affect the general handling and safety of the car on the road first. That is where you will be spending the majority of your time 99.9%, drag strip is like 0.1%.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,155
Likes: 553
From: Glenbeulah Wi
OMG
Perhaps you should do a before and after track day
No doubt the handling and braking will be affected
The pizza cutters are just for drag racing to save weight and show off making it easier lifting the front wheels of the ground, see how they affect the general handling and safety of the car on the road first. That is where you will be spending the majority of your time 99.9%, drag strip is like 0.1%.
Perhaps you should do a before and after track day
No doubt the handling and braking will be affected
The pizza cutters are just for drag racing to save weight and show off making it easier lifting the front wheels of the ground, see how they affect the general handling and safety of the car on the road first. That is where you will be spending the majority of your time 99.9%, drag strip is like 0.1%.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
[QUOTE=bjankuski;1582939071]Handling and braking with pizza cutters is still pretty good. For 99% of daily driving you will never notice the difference, it is only when you push the car near the limit that you can tell a difference.[/QUOTE]
This wheel and tire combo makes 2 tenths and 2mph difference at the track. I normally just put them on to go to the track, but have driven around with them. Under normal driving, they are fine.
This wheel and tire combo makes 2 tenths and 2mph difference at the track. I normally just put them on to go to the track, but have driven around with them. Under normal driving, they are fine.