Looking for a front tire & rim package for drag race only...."Skinnies" obviously. Tired of the "wandering" on the big end caused by ET Streets in the rear and the big, very directional radials up front....not to mention losing another 20 lbs. or so of front wheel rotating mass is certain to improve my ET a bit.

What are the choices? Looking for some input....A buddy of mine has some 5.5" rims (don't remember the brand), and it looks like he could have went even smaller in width (which would weigh even less) based on how the tire fits on the rim.

Any info is much appreciated...

Thanks,
Tony M.

 

Call John @ CCW, they will sell the front skinnies and wheels (Firestones 5.5") .
386-258-0083

 

Tony CCW wheels OK but don't put those Firestone tires on them, they are not a racing rated tire. M&H Racemaster now makes 4.50x 26x16 front runner. Call John at 661-324-4773 here in Bakersfield.

I was at Famoso Friday night. Just put on a new set of 12x26x16 M&H full race slicks. Best 60' with ET Streets was 1.52 did two 1.46 Friday.

 

How was the weather when you ran your 1.52's compared to your 1.46?

 

What wheels did you use for a slick that big? Were there any fitment issues? Besides, did you use tubes in that slick?

appreciate your info

 

GOT Pictures!!!!!!

 

Where did you get the M&H tires from?

Keith

 

CCW does a 16X5 front wheel and 16X10 rear wheel for a drag setup. 26x11.5 ET Streets are the popular tire/size.

 

I do a 140 mph on the Highway with my CCW Drag Package with no complaints.

 

I hope nobody cuts in front of you...

 

ccw uses the 5.5" rim on the front with the firestone tire to pull the diameter down to 26" so you do not get abs/ah problems. the tire is too tall to work with 26" et streets when used with a narrower rim. it is a big no no to have the front diameters larger than the rears.

 

call Brian at RPM
http://www.real-performance-motorsports.com/index.cfm
(972) 434-2151
custom setups for the front of our c5's

 

I had a set made by him. Totally excellent quality and job done. Narrowed a set of 16x8 to 16x4 and widened a set of 16x8 to 16x9. All said and done, it cost a total of $1130 for a set of Chrome TA wheels, the work, and shipping.

Keith

 

The weather was good Friday night. When I ran a 1.52 60' with 11.50x26x16 ET streets the track was supper sticky and I only did it once. I normaly would run 1.55 or so. Friday I ran two 1.46 in a row,track was good but not great.

The tires are on centerline 10x16 I forget the off set but the ET streets didn't stick out at all. The 12x26x16 M&H stick out about an inch and don't rub at all.

Let me tell you the ET Streets can't compare at all to these M&H's. All I do is a burn out in the water box, as soon as I see a little smoke let off the brake, keep RPM about 5000, let the car ease out till the tires grab, and boy do the grab, and your good to go. I run about 14LB cold.
Don't need tubes, work just like the ET streets.

Those Firestone front tires are " classic car tires" call Firestone and ask them. I know alot of guys use them because that was all you could get, but M&H now makes a 16" front runner that is made for racing.

I know I must sound like I work for M&H, but I don't, I just know how hard it is to find tires that fit the vettes and work good. I just want to share what I found and works better than any thing else.

I get mine here in Bakersfield from John Hashim he has the best price I have found and will ship any where. PH# 661-324-4773

 

Guys...

Thanks for all your input....

Looks like I've learned a few things in the last day or so....I'm screwed trying to run CCW's due to the aftermarket Wilwood brake set-up I have (the calipers have opposing pistons and stick farther out which interferes with the rim), and NOBODY has a 17" front runner to go on a modified 17" stock Z06 rim.

I think what I might end up doing is to purchase two 17 X 9.5 Z06 chrome replica's (to match the rims my ET Street are on), and have them modified (narrowed) to say 6" in width and then run a very small 205/45 ZR17 radial. I like the fact it would be a Z-rated tire for the high speed blasts, and the combination should weigh close to a CCW 16" set-up if my information is right. Does anyone have the exact weight of the 16" Firestone CCW set-up??....I was told about 32 lbs or so. The only couple of negatives with my plan is cost, and the fact its still not a bias ply and might still wander a bit, but I think a much smaller tire than I'm currently running (285/35 18) would want to "steer" the car a little less and be more stable than I am currently experiencing. Also, I will probably have to disengage the traction control at all times as the tire is only 24.4" tall, but that doesn't seem like a big deal....I usually run that way anyway. Plus, I'm hoping the additional slight rake and being lower to the ground in the front might have a benefit with some "aero" on the big end.

All this for a tenth....maybe....LOL I must be crazy. What I do like about this plan (assuming all works out) is the car will still look VERY stealthy with the factory Z06 rims front and rear....I kinda like that.

Any more input before I get sucked in this direction?

 

Can you use a spacer up front to avoid the Wilwoods? E-mail John at CCW.

Sounds like an interesting idea. I would think(positive) the CCW race wheel would be a couple of pounds lighter. Yes, rake is good front to back. I can't remember to best racing spec's for that at the moment. Thining an 1-2."

I would have one Z06 set for the dragstrip and one set for the street.

If you have to ask...Yes, you are nuts. Unfortunately, I too, suffer from the mental issues. Thinking about dumping 10K+ plus on my next tire and rim combo.

 

http://www.intercotire.com/html/drag-slicks.htm

john@mandhtires.com

 

Correct, the skinnies weigh 32 lbs ea.

 

Thanks Al....

I think I can come pretty close with my gameplan laid out above. If my modified stock rims come in close to 13-14lbs I'm golden!

 

Tony before you comitt call John at the # I posted he told me they were going to start making a 17" front runner tire. These tires are extreamly light. You can have a set of wheels cut down to match your rear wheels.