Drag Radial ?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
Drag Radial ?
What is the most common or preferred rim size for the C5 when using drag radials? Is there an advantage to using 17" over 18" rims? Cheaper tires? Lower gear ratio?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 654
Likes: 1
From: chandler az
If you are serious about racing run the smallest rim you can fit. The smaller the rim the less reciprocating mass you have. You don't have to take my word for it. Pick up a magazine like GM High Performance and look what the hardcore guys are using. I see quite a few C5 vettes running 16 inch rims out back for drag racing.
I'm not a serious racer so I prefer the look of 18 inch rims. I remember an episode of trucks on TV and the guys installed a set of big 22 inch rims that took 12 feet off the braking distance. They compensated the loss by installing a set of baer brakes. I dunno, it seemed kind of pointless to me.
I'm not a serious racer so I prefer the look of 18 inch rims. I remember an episode of trucks on TV and the guys installed a set of big 22 inch rims that took 12 feet off the braking distance. They compensated the loss by installing a set of baer brakes. I dunno, it seemed kind of pointless to me.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
If you are serious about racing run the smallest rim you can fit. The smaller the rim the less reciprocating mass you have. You don't have to take my word for it. Pick up a magazine like GM High Performance and look what the hardcore guys are using. I see quite a few C5 vettes running 16 inch rims out back for drag racing.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 8
From: Still the Fastest (still running) Stock Bottom End Blown LS1/ 2010 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Hamilton, NJ
Stock fronts: 17 X 8.5 with 275/40/17 drag radials. Your choice. I have been running this setup and have gone into the nines on it. If your a stick car, you may want more tire. All depends on what you have done to the car, and how hard you leave.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 380
From: South Florida FL
I personally didn't like the smushy feel I got from the 16s on the big end. I have to always "correct" the car as it went side to side. but thats also coming stock F1s, to M/T ET streets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
But the compounds are so good these days and the vast tire selection has made the 18 equal in performance. On street car corvettes it has been proven that even a wide 18" drag radial can 60' like a racecar on slicks with todays technology.
The best thing to do is lay out what goals want to accomplish and then choose a tire to match your setup. We can help if you give us all the details of your setup and your intentions. Nitto's will last the longest as well.
If you just want them as street tires then a Nitto drag radial is a great choice. They will be the closest to a street tire and capable of 1.5x's. They are just coming out with new tires with a new compound as well and they always keep the street driving in mind. Even a Nitto road race tire will work well if you plan on higher speeds and faster turns.
Most people pick 17's because the tire is cheaper and they can can use front rims that match but like mentioned above a good 18" drag radial will hook well enough on the street and strip for most street cars within reason.
