Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

[Z06] drag radials or ET street???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 19, 2007 | 09:47 PM
  #1  
LT1driver's Avatar
LT1driver
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
Default drag radials or ET street???

1. which is easier on the rear/trans/clutch
2. which give better 60" times
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2007 | 11:05 PM
  #2  
Ranger's Avatar
Ranger
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Default

Depends on the set-up of the car as to which tire is more suitable.

What is your current set-up and do you have plan for mods.

Finally, assume you mean tires for the drag strip.

Ranger
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 12:12 AM
  #3  
bullitt4110's Avatar
bullitt4110
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 57
From: Mt Pleasant, TN
Default

I was wondering the same.

My set-up is at the moment...

-Cam/ FAST/ headers/ CAI making 436/386
-Exedy twin disc clutch
-DTE brace
-fully built RPM diff with 4.10's

I also have a set of heads that will be going on soon.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 06:51 AM
  #4  
Ranger's Avatar
Ranger
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Default

Originally Posted by ;1562828575
I was wondering the same.

My set-up is at the moment...

-Cam/ FAST/ headers/ CAI making 436/386
-Exedy twin disc clutch
-DTE brace
-fully built RPM diff with 4.10's

I also have a set of heads that will be going on soon.
Hi bullitt4110. You have the mod-power, after-market clutch, gearing, and hardening to leverage the traction potential of a serious tire for the drag strip. Good choices include
(1) Mickey Thompson ET Street Radials, which can be run with the stock radial front tires or
(2) MT ET Street bias-ply, which for safety sake require a bias-ply front tire.

If you are after the absolute lowest ETs you can get and are prepared for the expense of swapping both rear and front wheels and tires, then the bias-ply tires are for you.

If you want to save some $$ and just change the rear wheels and tires, then the radials are for you. It takes commitment and many passes at the drag strip to get the most from the best tire combos. So you want to be realistic about you goals and time available to leverage the larger investment.

Hoosier, M&H and Goodyear also make tires that will fit. But the traditional tire for the C5 platform in your configuration is made by Mickey Thompson.

Selecting the correct size requires some research.

Ranger

Last edited by Ranger; Nov 20, 2007 at 06:53 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 10:29 AM
  #5  
bullitt4110's Avatar
bullitt4110
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 57
From: Mt Pleasant, TN
Default

Thanks Ranger!
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 10:42 AM
  #6  
robz's Avatar
robz
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by Ranger
Hi bullitt4110. You have the mod-power, after-market clutch, gearing, and hardening to leverage the traction potential of a serious tire for the drag strip. Good choices include
(1) Mickey Thompson ET Street Radials, which can be run with the stock radial front tires or
(2) MT ET Street bias-ply, which for safety sake require a bias-ply front tire.

If you are after the absolute lowest ETs you can get and are prepared for the expense of swapping both rear and front wheels and tires, then the bias-ply tires are for you.

If you want to save some $$ and just change the rear wheels and tires, then the radials are for you. It takes commitment and many passes at the drag strip to get the most from the best tire combos. So you want to be realistic about you goals and time available to leverage the larger investment.

Hoosier, M&H and Goodyear also make tires that will fit. But the traditional tire for the C5 platform in your configuration is made by Mickey Thompson.

Selecting the correct size requires some research.

Ranger


To thew OP: I've cut slightly better 60'(.05-.08) times with etstreets over et street radials same day.(both MT).This was with a manual c5Z06 and a CLUTCH. The et street tends to be easier on the car due to flex of tire and the ability to avoid wheelhop.

Last edited by robz; Nov 20, 2007 at 12:11 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 11:58 AM
  #7  
Higgs Boson's Avatar
Higgs Boson
Race Director
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 2,641
From: Texas Hill Country
Default

With a 6 speed car you want bias plys.

For an auto you want radials.

Radials are faster than bias plys (and more stable on the top end) on 9+ second cars.

I run radial slicks (not DRs) on my drag car and picked up .03-.04 60'. Remember, when the tire wrinkles, you are not moving the car forward. My race car is a powerglide on a trans brake, though.

if you can run a radial, you should. however, a stick vette can't be launched with wheaties on them (cars like ours at least).

BTW, I run ET Street bias plys on my Z06 with stock front tires. I ran 18psi which spun a little off the line but that's what I wanted. No parts breakage and a bit more stable. In fact, I had absolutely no stability issues on the top end possibly due to my stiffly damped Pfadts....

I ran the same tires on a bone stock 01 Z28 in 2001 to a 12.6 but it was really wobbly past 1000 ft.

Last edited by Higgs Boson; Nov 20, 2007 at 12:04 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 12:08 PM
  #8  
Ranger's Avatar
Ranger
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Default

C5Zs with stock clutches and less that 400 rwhp will see no improvement by switching to MT ET Street bias-ply tires compared to the MT Street Radials.

That was proven over and over in 2004-2006 as owners made the switch to bias ply and did no better in the 60', 330' or 1320'.

The reason for this is the limitation of the stock clutch, which can accommodate only a set amount of launch force (rpm and coefficient on traction by the track/tires) without slipping.

The lower limit of the stock LS6 clutch under the parameters on para 1 is 1.60. Many cars with ET Radials achieved that. No car with ET Street bias-ply beat that.

That recommendation changes if the power level increases and an aftermarket clutch is swapped in.

Ranger
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 12:11 PM
  #9  
robz's Avatar
robz
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by Ranger
C5Zs with stock clutches and less that 400 rwhp will see no improvement by switching to MT ET Street bias-ply tires compared to the MT Street Radials.

That was proven over and over in 2004-2006 as owners made the switch to bias ply and did no better in the 60', 330' or 1320'.

The reason for this is the limitation of the stock clutch, which can accommodate only a set amount of launch force (rpm and coefficient on traction by the track/tires) without slipping.

The lower limit of the stock LS6 clutch under the parameters on para 1 is 1.60. Many cars with ET Radials achieved that. No car with ET Street bias-ply beat that.

That recommendation changes if the power level increases and an aftermarket clutch is swapped in.

Ranger
edited it.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 12:28 PM
  #10  
Higgs Boson's Avatar
Higgs Boson
Race Director
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 2,641
From: Texas Hill Country
Default

Originally Posted by Higgs Boson
With a 6 speed car you want bias plys.

For an auto you want radials.

Radials are faster than bias plys (and more stable on the top end) on 9+ second cars.

I run radial slicks (not DRs) on my drag car and picked up .03-.04 60'. Remember, when the tire wrinkles, you are not moving the car forward. My race car is a powerglide on a trans brake, though.

if you can run a radial, you should. however, a stick vette can't be launched with wheaties on them (cars like ours at least).

BTW, I run ET Street bias plys on my Z06 with stock front tires. I ran 18psi which spun a little off the line but that's what I wanted. No parts breakage and a bit more stable. In fact, I had absolutely no stability issues on the top end possibly due to my stiffly damped Pfadts....

I ran the same tires on a bone stock 01 Z28 in 2001 to a 12.6 but it was really wobbly past 1000 ft.
Originally Posted by Ranger
C5Zs with stock clutches and less that 400 rwhp will see no improvement by switching to MT ET Street bias-ply tires compared to the MT Street Radials.

That was proven over and over in 2004-2006 as owners made the switch to bias ply and did no better in the 60', 330' or 1320'.

The reason for this is the limitation of the stock clutch, which can accommodate only a set amount of launch force (rpm and coefficient on traction by the track/tires) without slipping.

The lower limit of the stock LS6 clutch under the parameters on para 1 is 1.60. Many cars with ET Radials achieved that. No car with ET Street bias-ply beat that.

That recommendation changes if the power level increases and an aftermarket clutch is swapped in.

Ranger
Thanks for the backup, I think....
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 01:04 PM
  #11  
Cjunkie's Avatar
Cjunkie
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 1,487
From: Ashland, OH
Default

Ranger and RobZ where did you guys find to be the best launch RPM and air PSI for the M/T Drag Radials?
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 01:19 PM
  #12  
Ranger's Avatar
Ranger
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Cjunkie
Ranger and RobZ where did you guys find to be the best launch RPM and air PSI for the M/T Drag Radials?

At 363 rwhp and with the stock LS6 clutch, I ran the MT Radials (275.40.17) at 20-22 psi hot, measured in the lanes before each pass. The precise psi depended on conditions. I generally started the day at a launch rpm of 4600 and worked up to a max of 5200 depending on conditions.

My PR was at a launch rpm of 4600.

Many owners used a very high launch rpm with this tire, 6000-6600. I refrained from that out of a desire to increase the longevity of my clutches.

But the super elevated launch rpm produced no better 60', 330', or 1320' than 4600-5200 did.

I generally subscribe to the philosophy of minimal force required to achieve the desired result.

Ranger
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2007 | 02:12 PM
  #13  
robz's Avatar
robz
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by Cjunkie
Ranger and RobZ where did you guys find to be the best launch RPM and air PSI for the M/T Drag Radials?
With about 450rwhp thru 4.10's on an m6 c5 coupe and clutch my buddy would run about 17 psi on a well prepped track.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To drag radials or ET street???





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:54 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE