Drag radial question...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Germantown, TN
Drag radial question...
I am running at set of BFG drags out back. They are 295/35/18. I am running at 30 psi (everyday driving). The car at speeds over 65 mph does something that I can only descripe as "floats". This is not uncontrolable but just uncomfortable. Is this expected with these type of tires? Would running them at 35 psi resolve this problem? Thanks ahead of time for the input! Mike
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Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Kayenta Utah
The sidewalls are flexy, and that's what you're feeling. The car "meanders" a bit. I ran Drag Radials (4 sets) on my Vorteched Camaro, and I noticed the same thing, but I ran mine at 26 lb. for better off-the-line grip. I love the wear rating on the tire..."0"... 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: New Market Mn
I have the nitto dr's 305/35/18, run them on the street at 35psi just to avoid that problem, you won't get as good as a hook on the street vs. 25psi but then again your usually not racing every stoplight. try 35 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by 3318C5
I am running at set of BFG drags out back. They are 295/35/18. I am running at 30 psi (everyday driving). The car at speeds over 65 mph does something that I can only descripe as "floats". This is not uncontrolable but just uncomfortable. Is this expected with these type of tires?...
Ranger
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Germantown, TN
Originally Posted by eRiCdWoNg
I dont want to hijack this thread but is 295 the largest you can run on the 18x9.5" rears and 275 for the 17x8.5" fronts for a non-z06 oem wheel?
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From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
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I run no more than 28psi hot on the street with my BFG DR 345/30/18s on the 97' & 275/35/18s on the 00' vert ..........I have no float!
Wonder why
You could go down to 25 psi hot and see! It works for the above
Wonder why
You could go down to 25 psi hot and see! It works for the above
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: FT Lewis WA
Originally Posted by Face
I've noticed the float also, you just have to deal with it. If you raise the tire pressure too much, your tires will wear unevenly.
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From: Suffolk, Long Island NY
Originally Posted by Cary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: FT Lewis WA
Originally Posted by Face
From what I've read it should, they have a very stiff sidewall. I'm saving up for a set now.
Do you have the stock C5 size [17x8.5/18x9.5] or the Z06 size wheels? I went to the Nitto website, yet there tire fitment feature was not working for Corvettes.
Right now, have the Kumho Ecsta MX 245/45ZR17 95Y & 275/40ZR18 99Y tires. After 15K+ miles still have tread left on the Kumhos. However, going from the 350rwhp when I bought the Kumhos over 1.5 years ago to the current 405rwhp my C5 is putting down, I'm seriously considering the 555RII. What size 555RII for my stock C5 wheels & stay within the same front/rear tire difference as stock?
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285/35/18 should work ok...............
ROT is 3/8" difference front to rear on the tire OD and your ok.
I run 265/35/18 up front and 275/35/18 out back w/o issue.
I run stock OEM front with a 275/40/17 nitto 555 on the back..........that was an issue with the back being a little smaller than the front and due to tire wear.......T/C & active handling issues!
I run 295/35/18 out back and 275/35/18 on the front w/o issue.
I have also run 275/40/18 on all 4 corners w/o issue
ROT is 3/8" difference front to rear on the tire OD and your ok.
I run 265/35/18 up front and 275/35/18 out back w/o issue.
I run stock OEM front with a 275/40/17 nitto 555 on the back..........that was an issue with the back being a little smaller than the front and due to tire wear.......T/C & active handling issues!
I run 295/35/18 out back and 275/35/18 on the front w/o issue.
I have also run 275/40/18 on all 4 corners w/o issue