26" vs 28" for 3:42 gears and 890whp
05-21-2019, 07:36 PM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
26" vs 28" for 3:42 gears and 890whp
Hello everyone,
I have a 99 FRC with a 408 stroker and vortech YSI blower making 887WHP, I am a MANUAL TRANSMISSION TR6060 swapped car with 2.66 first gear. I just did a 15 inch conversion and I had 325/50/15 Mickey Radial R tires already. After putting them on the car felt super sluggish compared to the prior street tires. After a lot of research i have seen that maybe I need a 26" tall and not 28" as it makes the gearing much lower. Reading some posts showed me how bad the gearing is affected. I just ordered the 275/50/15 Mickey radial R tires. What is everyone else's experiences? I just did the 15 inch conversion so I'm new to this 26 vs 28 inch tire debate. The radial R tires I have currently is 28.3inch and the 275/50/15 is 26.3. I also understand the width difference will leave a lot less rotational mass for the car to spin going from 325 to 275. Hoping this wont give me traction issues. Please share opinions and experiences.
I have a 99 FRC with a 408 stroker and vortech YSI blower making 887WHP, I am a MANUAL TRANSMISSION TR6060 swapped car with 2.66 first gear. I just did a 15 inch conversion and I had 325/50/15 Mickey Radial R tires already. After putting them on the car felt super sluggish compared to the prior street tires. After a lot of research i have seen that maybe I need a 26" tall and not 28" as it makes the gearing much lower. Reading some posts showed me how bad the gearing is affected. I just ordered the 275/50/15 Mickey radial R tires. What is everyone else's experiences? I just did the 15 inch conversion so I'm new to this 26 vs 28 inch tire debate. The radial R tires I have currently is 28.3inch and the 275/50/15 is 26.3. I also understand the width difference will leave a lot less rotational mass for the car to spin going from 325 to 275. Hoping this wont give me traction issues. Please share opinions and experiences.
05-22-2019, 05:44 AM
#2
Le Mans Master
the taller wider tire should hook like a bear but you are right that a 275 tire should give you plenty even with the big HP
the X275 cars put down way more power and the 26l tire should put you at the right revs going through the traps
just keep a sharp eye on the 60 ft time and trap speed and you'll see how much better the smaller tire is
the X275 cars put down way more power and the 26l tire should put you at the right revs going through the traps
just keep a sharp eye on the 60 ft time and trap speed and you'll see how much better the smaller tire is
05-23-2019, 04:05 AM
#3
With the 2.66 1st gear, most find a 28" is preferable over the roughly 800whp mark. Of course the car will 60' better with the 26", but from what most see, the difference is minimal especially when factoring in the advantages down track of a 28" tire.
If you had the 2.29 1st gear (ZR1 gearing), you would be on a 26" tire for life.
Either way, you will be fine on a 275. The 325 would only be for the look, IMO.
I highly suggest you run a bias ply at the track. Radial is fine for the street, but the bias ply will be far easier to launch and give you some cushion on parts at the track.
For what its worth, my car is a 1200+whp twin turbo C5z. I run a 28" ET Street R Radial on the street and a 26" ET Drag Bias Ply at the track. I run the 26" due to my TR6060 has the 2.29 1st gear. This has been the combo I have found to work for myself.
If you had the 2.29 1st gear (ZR1 gearing), you would be on a 26" tire for life.
Either way, you will be fine on a 275. The 325 would only be for the look, IMO.
I highly suggest you run a bias ply at the track. Radial is fine for the street, but the bias ply will be far easier to launch and give you some cushion on parts at the track.
For what its worth, my car is a 1200+whp twin turbo C5z. I run a 28" ET Street R Radial on the street and a 26" ET Drag Bias Ply at the track. I run the 26" due to my TR6060 has the 2.29 1st gear. This has been the combo I have found to work for myself.
Last edited by Black8Banger; 05-23-2019 at 04:08 AM.
05-24-2019, 10:58 AM
#4
Intermediate
Thread Starter
With the 2.66 1st gear, most find a 28" is preferable over the roughly 800whp mark. Of course the car will 60' better with the 26", but from what most see, the difference is minimal especially when factoring in the advantages down track of a 28" tire.
If you had the 2.29 1st gear (ZR1 gearing), you would be on a 26" tire for life.
Either way, you will be fine on a 275. The 325 would only be for the look, IMO.
I highly suggest you run a bias ply at the track. Radial is fine for the street, but the bias ply will be far easier to launch and give you some cushion on parts at the track.
For what its worth, my car is a 1200+whp twin turbo C5z. I run a 28" ET Street R Radial on the street and a 26" ET Drag Bias Ply at the track. I run the 26" due to my TR6060 has the 2.29 1st gear. This has been the combo I have found to work for myself.
If you had the 2.29 1st gear (ZR1 gearing), you would be on a 26" tire for life.
Either way, you will be fine on a 275. The 325 would only be for the look, IMO.
I highly suggest you run a bias ply at the track. Radial is fine for the street, but the bias ply will be far easier to launch and give you some cushion on parts at the track.
For what its worth, my car is a 1200+whp twin turbo C5z. I run a 28" ET Street R Radial on the street and a 26" ET Drag Bias Ply at the track. I run the 26" due to my TR6060 has the 2.29 1st gear. This has been the combo I have found to work for myself.
I think the 325 28inch tall tire was hurting me with extra rotational mass that i did not need. I just got the 26inch 275 so i will use that tire. Going to stay in the 275 width i think i had a slowdown with 325 tire due to wider and higher tire.
05-27-2019, 03:51 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
granted mine are for the street & occasional road course rather than drag, but i'm actually looking forward to my new 27" radials because the current 26s are just too easy to roast with my stock FRC gearing.