Tire sizing for high HP
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,380
Likes: 1,183
From: Lexington,NC,USA
C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Tire sizing for high HP
I am going to build a ’59 Corvette with a tube frame and ’94 Corvette suspension. The car will weigh approximately 3100 LBS. The engine I am planning on using is the new Chevy 572 CI crate motor rated at 620 HP @ 5500 RPM and 650 FT-LB @ 4500 RPM (flywheel). I have a stock Dana 44 rear end, 3.45 ratio. The transmission will most likely be a 4L80E ( 2.48:1 1st., 1.48:1 2nd , 1:1 3rd, 0.75:1 4th) with a 2500 RPM stall converter. I would like some opinions on how wide a tire section I can run with this combination before I run into problems with u-joint or other driveline parts breakage.
Thanks,
Charles
Thanks,
Charles
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx
Re: Tire sizing for high HP (atotalnincompoop)
Take a cue from the Viper, which has about 600 hp and lots of low end torque.
Viper uses 335/30-18 tires on 18x13" wheels. You can get 345 section tires as well. Or you can get 335 section in 17" wheels. These tires are slightly larger in diameter than the 315 found on the ZR1 Vette. Not a large selection of brands, but Michelin Pilot Sport is one.
Don't know what the Viper uses for a rear axle ratio, but that would be a good place to start also. Near 600 HP will spin street tires at will with at 3.73 ratio.
Sounds like a great engine/chassis combo.
Viper uses 335/30-18 tires on 18x13" wheels. You can get 345 section tires as well. Or you can get 335 section in 17" wheels. These tires are slightly larger in diameter than the 315 found on the ZR1 Vette. Not a large selection of brands, but Michelin Pilot Sport is one.
Don't know what the Viper uses for a rear axle ratio, but that would be a good place to start also. Near 600 HP will spin street tires at will with at 3.73 ratio.
Sounds like a great engine/chassis combo.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: Tire sizing for high HP (tkrussell)
Well from other posts I'd guess you can run whatever you want in the rear- just expect to use solid u-joints and HD half shafts- maybe even carbon fiber but I'm not sure which is strongest. Why not put a manual in that thing??? :D
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,283
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Re: Tire sizing for high HP (Ramanstud)
Probably gonna have to go to a 3pc wheel. All depends on how much room your gonna have back there. Saw a custom car with vette susp. using zr1 wheels and tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: Tire sizing for high HP (Light84vette)
the larger the sidewall, the more flex and absorption of shock/torque... the less shearing action on the tread... more acceleration. that's why drag radials have those tall, twisty sidewalls.
:cool:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 0
From: Union City CA
Re: Tire sizing for high HP (Ramanstud)
the larger the sidewall, the more flex and absorption of shock/torque... the less shearing action on the tread... more acceleration. that's why drag radials have those tall, twisty sidewalls.
:cool:
:cool:
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