Question about Drag Racing Tires...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
What kind/size tires is everyone running at the track? Also, who is running a 275/40 ZR17 tire on a 17"x9.5" rim up front? I've been contemplating putting a set of 15x10's on back, and throwing 275/60 R15 tires on them. Would this work out? I know that my front tire overall diameter is 25.7*which makes it a 26" OD tire)I'll be going with either Hoosier QuickTime Drag DOT's or McCreary DOT's or possibly ET Streets. Any suggestions/comments? THANKS
P.S.- I plan to run 1.5x 60's with mid 10 second ¼ mile blasts.
P.S.- I plan to run 1.5x 60's with mid 10 second ¼ mile blasts.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I run stock streets around. Some guys run stocks up front and DRs out back. Others have skinnies in the front with smaller dia rims and bigger sidewalls on their DRs.
Personally, I would stick with stock sizes till I was well into the 12s.
Personally, I would stick with stock sizes till I was well into the 12s.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 2
From: Houston, TX
Go with either the 15x10 in the back or Weld 16x10 XP's in the back. I would definitly step up to at least the ET Streets if not the ET drags!
You will gain a little in the 1/4 by putting skinnies up fronts also.
You will gain a little in the 1/4 by putting skinnies up fronts also.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 16
From: Little Elm TX
I run the Weld draglite 16 x 10 XP's on the back with ET Streets. I wish I had gone with a 15" rim, more tire options and more sidewall.
In addition the XP series is basically just as heavy as a stock 8.5" Corvette rim... however they are designed to clear your late model brakes with no problems.
You're gonna have to run ET Streets mininum if you're running a 10 second 1.5 60 ft racecar. You might be able to get drag radials to hook up every now and then... but I'd guess it would be rare.
Quite a few on the forum run 15" rear rims.
I agree with 2fst4u, some front matching weld skinnies will give you another mph or so.
cheers,
Beach
In addition the XP series is basically just as heavy as a stock 8.5" Corvette rim... however they are designed to clear your late model brakes with no problems.
You're gonna have to run ET Streets mininum if you're running a 10 second 1.5 60 ft racecar. You might be able to get drag radials to hook up every now and then... but I'd guess it would be rare.
Quite a few on the forum run 15" rear rims.
I agree with 2fst4u, some front matching weld skinnies will give you another mph or so.
cheers,
Beach
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Thanks for the replies everyone, but which size tire should I go with? I'm just curious as to what the backspacing needs to be for a set of 15x10 rims to fit and not really stick out. (Around 7"?)
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 16
From: Little Elm TX
Tim,
With either 16 x 10 Weld XP Draglites on an 85, you do not have to worry about backspacing or anything... they just bolt-on with no clearance problems with either the brakes or fender.
The XP series was designed to clear the late model brakes which is why they're a tad heavier than the other Weld rims.
You do not have to run Weld rims either, you can pick-up a used set of C4 rims cheaply and they'll work great too with ET Streets. But get the 16 x 9.5" rims as opposed to the 8.5" for a better rubber plant on the ground.
Hope this helps.
Beach Bum
With either 16 x 10 Weld XP Draglites on an 85, you do not have to worry about backspacing or anything... they just bolt-on with no clearance problems with either the brakes or fender.
The XP series was designed to clear the late model brakes which is why they're a tad heavier than the other Weld rims.
You do not have to run Weld rims either, you can pick-up a used set of C4 rims cheaply and they'll work great too with ET Streets. But get the 16 x 9.5" rims as opposed to the 8.5" for a better rubber plant on the ground.
Hope this helps.
Beach Bum
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
Recently sold my 16" Draglite XP's and MT ET streets and installed the 15 x 10 Draglites with 325-50-15 BFG Drag Radials on the back and the 15 x 3.5 draglite and skinnies on the front. Had to use 7.5 backspacing, grind the calibers alittle and use 5/16 spacers. Weight about the same as the 16" XP set up.
These made my 315-35-17 Nitto Drag Radials look tiny. Plan to race tonight with them so will keep you posted. Believe the 275-50-15 BFG's will also fit on the 15 x 10 rims but they recommend the 15 X 8's.
These made my 315-35-17 Nitto Drag Radials look tiny. Plan to race tonight with them so will keep you posted. Believe the 275-50-15 BFG's will also fit on the 15 x 10 rims but they recommend the 15 X 8's.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
First I would think you need to tell us how your going to get from running 14.0s to the mid 10's??????????
Your going to need more than those tires. Don't you think???????
Your going to need more than those tires. Don't you think???????
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
I'm just gonna steal your car John! Duh! 
Actually I'm building up a nice 388 stroker motor, and I'm going to do a direct port(under manifold) Nitrous System (200hp shot). I'm going with the stock style TPI intake, because my goal is to try and look as "stock" as possible. Hehe Actually, my goal is to
1.) Stay stock looking
2.) Get 14mpg(City)/25mpg(Freeway)
3.) Run in the 10's on Nitrous/11's on the motor.
Actually I'm building up a nice 388 stroker motor, and I'm going to do a direct port(under manifold) Nitrous System (200hp shot). I'm going with the stock style TPI intake, because my goal is to try and look as "stock" as possible. Hehe Actually, my goal is to1.) Stay stock looking
2.) Get 14mpg(City)/25mpg(Freeway)
3.) Run in the 10's on Nitrous/11's on the motor.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
I've gone with Weld Pro Stars 15x10 with a back space of 7.5" also had to use a 5/16" spacer, & do a little grinding on my calipers..
In the front I have Weld 3.5 with 165x15 Dunlop tires & it drives just fine on the highway.. I even have removed the front sway bar..& I can drive it the 100 miles w/no problems.
I'm running Nitto 275/50x15 drag radials.. They are great on a GOOD track, with my set up I will 60' in 1.69 - 1.71 however as soon as the track loosens up, I'm dead.. Cant hook at all
I think my next set of tires will be the same a Mackey .. he has NO problem hooking up..
I hate to race and HOOK hard in the AM and as soon as a few street tired cars make passes the track goes to hell.. and so does my 60' times..
In the front I have Weld 3.5 with 165x15 Dunlop tires & it drives just fine on the highway.. I even have removed the front sway bar..& I can drive it the 100 miles w/no problems.
I'm running Nitto 275/50x15 drag radials.. They are great on a GOOD track, with my set up I will 60' in 1.69 - 1.71 however as soon as the track loosens up, I'm dead.. Cant hook at all
I think my next set of tires will be the same a Mackey .. he has NO problem hooking up..
I hate to race and HOOK hard in the AM and as soon as a few street tired cars make passes the track goes to hell.. and so does my 60' times..
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
You guys are all having to grind your calipers, because you have 13" rotors (I think) but I know for a fact that you have bigger calipers than me. My car is originally designed for 15x8½ rims. I just gotta find a tire size to match the front.
