Do 17-11"s help at Drags?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Maryland
Do 17-11"s help at Drags?
Mr Mojo or any of you other Drag racers,
If I'm using a good street tire, like GY F1 Supercar or GS-D3, Pilots, etc, is there a big advantage in adding the 3" of rubber that you get with 3153517's vs 2844017s? Or do people use 315 mostly for looks?
Also, is the a good street tire pressure closer to 20 psi or 25? I've been going with 25, have not had the courage to try 20 yet.
If I'm using a good street tire, like GY F1 Supercar or GS-D3, Pilots, etc, is there a big advantage in adding the 3" of rubber that you get with 3153517's vs 2844017s? Or do people use 315 mostly for looks?
Also, is the a good street tire pressure closer to 20 psi or 25? I've been going with 25, have not had the courage to try 20 yet.
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Re: Do 17-11"s help at Drags? (sothpaw2)
Yes they would help, in general. Added traction.
Tire brand is something else to consider though
Tire brand is something else to consider though
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
Re: Do 17-11"s help at Drags? (sothpaw2)
I am sure they will help a bit.
That said, typcially an inch of height will add more traction ability than an inch of width. For example going from a 29 x 9 to a 30 x 9 will theoreticlly provide more contact patch than going to a 29 x 10.
That said, typcially an inch of height will add more traction ability than an inch of width. For example going from a 29 x 9 to a 30 x 9 will theoreticlly provide more contact patch than going to a 29 x 10.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Dover NH
Re: Do 17-11"s help at Drags? (LT-4 CE)
I am sure they will help a bit.
That said, typcially an inch of height will add more traction ability than an inch of width. For example going from a 29 x 9 to a 30 x 9 will theoreticlly provide more contact patch than going to a 29 x 10.
That said, typcially an inch of height will add more traction ability than an inch of width. For example going from a 29 x 9 to a 30 x 9 will theoreticlly provide more contact patch than going to a 29 x 10.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
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Re: Do 17-11"s help at Drags? (sothpaw2)
This guy upgraded from 9.5" rims to 11" rims on his T/A. He realized a net LOSS of 3.6 rwhp and 3.5 lb/ft. The likely reason is extra weight.
http://www.ws6.com/wheels.htm
http://www.ws6.com/wheels.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Corona CA
Re: Do 17-11"s help at Drags? (sothpaw2)
For drag racing they did not help me. My 60's were only very slightly better after the 315s were added. I attribute that to new tires rather than 315s.
However, I am absolute terrible at launching.
Best I could do on any street tire was a couple of 2.08s but was usually in the mid 2.1s.
What did help was DRs.
However, I am absolute terrible at launching.
Best I could do on any street tire was a couple of 2.08s but was usually in the mid 2.1s.
What did help was DRs.
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From: Melbourne Florida
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Re: Do 17-11"s help at Drags? (sothpaw2)
I recently switched to 11" rims and 315-35-17 Sumitomo tires...they are pretty soft with a treadwear rating of 160...my 60's didn't drop very much but my spin was reduced dramatically....2 weeks ago I put in a 24-2600 stall converter and my 60's dropped a full tenth !....I'm averaging just under 1.91 now.. :D ...my ET's haven't dropped too much cause I have 9.5" rims up front with 275-40-17's...btw, all four Sumi's from Tire Rack cost $526.00...
I race with about 25 lbs. in the rears and 42 lbs. in the fronts... good luck
I race with about 25 lbs. in the rears and 42 lbs. in the fronts... good luck
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Re: Do 17-11"s help at Drags? (sothpaw2)
According to Dragmaster Extrordanaire MackeyRed96, the skinniest tire you can get without spinning is all that's necessary, so in other words, if you are hooking with 285's, there is no need to go with 315's.
Mackey himself has gone to 325/50R15, they are 28" tall and provide a huge contact patch, but he needs it.
I hooked pretty good with 285's, they were Michelin Pilot XGT Z4's(best damn tire in the world) at 30 psi. Lowering the psi too much can cause a negative effect by letting the center of the tread cup inwards. In essence it would be like riding on two bicycle tires. You just have to keep experimenting with tire pressure. On drag radials I'm at 22 psi hot, on the street tires I was at 28-30 psi cold.
As mentioned above, when I went to 315's I lost a little, I think mostly due to the extra weight.
Mackey himself has gone to 325/50R15, they are 28" tall and provide a huge contact patch, but he needs it.
I hooked pretty good with 285's, they were Michelin Pilot XGT Z4's(best damn tire in the world) at 30 psi. Lowering the psi too much can cause a negative effect by letting the center of the tread cup inwards. In essence it would be like riding on two bicycle tires. You just have to keep experimenting with tire pressure. On drag radials I'm at 22 psi hot, on the street tires I was at 28-30 psi cold.
As mentioned above, when I went to 315's I lost a little, I think mostly due to the extra weight.