I’m just about fed up unfortunately! :mad For 2 whole seconds I almost thought of getting another car to go fast in. ;) Maybe you guys can help me in a semi cost effective manner, as I just got a new home, which equals a weaker Vett fund :smash:. You guys pull through so often, maybe I’m missing something or some needed advise would help?

My car is not making huge amounts of power, but is pretty fast at low 12s and high 11s if and when I get traction which is getting more and more of a rarity, with no type of consistency anymore. My Nitto Drag Radials used to be good for 1.6 60’ times on a almost regular basis but only after heating them up quite a bit, but after they ware down (unlike other drag tires I've been told) they became totally useless. I’ve been trying my street tires (Piolt Sports, 275/295) at the track, and they also been getting worse with an average 2.3-2.5 60’ times, and even one 3.00 when they totally broke loose against an arrogant viper owner none the less that swore I was using “NOS” just because I was even close to his car!

Given the track conditions this time locally are not great, but others with other brand street tires, and similar or less power were doing much better! Seems like ever sense the added TQ, its been harder to go faster than before. It’s easily 370RWTQ on a cool day like today, however I didn’t expect these issues without over 400RWHP and RWTQ to match? Its frustrating to have more power and run slower. Anyhow...

Wants/Goal:
a) I want a setup that works well on the street, and I can take straight to the track, no changing wheels. That would be optimal, maybe not possible?
b) I have OE Z06 front and rear rims, and like the look, so tires that fit that would save me money, considering I’ve had the rims and tires on the car less than 6 months. I know 305 or 315s would fit on the back if any good tires have those, but not sure if that would help any over the 295

Do I really just need to spring for a Drag setup? I don’t understand the issue, when I see reviews like this about the Pilots, and have seen others use them with at least a 1.8-2.1 60 foot range?

(GTS Viper Owner Review) Awesome car must have an awesome tire. Tires grip like nothing I have ever felt! They hold a line perfectly and give a great response to the driver. Even with a 450hp Viper these tires hook up well off the line and don''t break loose very easily.

Don’t Brake loose?? Maybe it’s the hard hitting TQ plus the few bolt ons with my car, however I knew how to handle this car consistently last season, and I was never able to just mash it, and I’m not doing that now? Maybe some type of Drag Radial better than Nittos for the rear 18x10.5 rims exist that I don’t know about, and leave the sports up front though I would feel tacky :D ? Not sure what to do!

 

I'm in the same boat but haven't had the time to spend at the track lately so it's not as annoying to me. :) I think your best DR option is the BFG 315 on a 17x11, but that means a new wheel and swapping out at/before the track. I have been too lazy for that (my goals were almost the same) and have been playing on runflats but I can tell there's no way I can be as consistent as before the converter and gears. I have to do something.

 

I have the same desire. I don't want to have a second set of wheels to deal with -- not the least of which because it causes so many questions from my wife :):).

I have the Pilot Sports, in 335/30-18 and they hook very well, certainly better than stock tires, but I still think there must be something better.

Tom
P.S. It's the stock size for the Viper, so they have a lot more meat than we do -- stock to stock

 

I've played around too, but not in a controlled setting like the track. I think that's the only way to really tell.

I usually run them 28-30 or so.

Tom

 

I've tried 24 psi to 34 at the track. Gong any lower than 28, didn't do anything, and I think lower than that hurts more that in helps, unlike drag radials, with larger side walls!

Any other input, maybe somethin I can put on an 18x10.5 rim?


[Modified by TexCorvette, 3:07 PM 9/21/2002]

 

just get the bfg DR's 315's!! well woth it I hear from brteathless!!

 

Do these last any amount of time on the street, I could just change out the rear tires, otherwise I would need another set of rear rims? They have the 315s in 18"? Is so, where is the best place to order?

 

The 315 BFG DRs come in 17 inch NOT 18. I have a these tires mounted on a spare set of 17X11 rims. Unfortunately BFG DRs do not last very long if you drive on the street regularly with them, you will get 5000 miles or less with them.

98 A4
Powerloaded
Donaldson Blackwing
Pro Torque 2400
3.42 Gears




[Modified by Mitch C, 11:15 AM 9/22/2002]

 

5000 miles out of BFGs if you are lucky :)

I had a tough time deciding on what to do so I just went with stock 99 front wheels with 275/40/17 nitto DRs. The BFGs work quite a bit better but the closest 1/4 mile track to me is 100 miles and I probably wouldnt just leave them on the car. If I wasnt going to leave them on the car I would just get ET streets for the track and be done with it..

On my previous camaro I started with nittos, went to BFGs and then went to ET streets (all on the same stock wheels :) ). The nittos would hook about 30% of the time (without the blower with a ST3500 converter), BFGs about 70% and the ET streets were 99% on a decent track - even with the blower.

In the end the ET streets are a lot less beating on the car since you dont need much of a burnout plus I usually made less passes because I didnt have to throw 1/2 of them out because of traction issues. Nothing more frustrating then waiting in the staging lanes for 2 hours only to end up blowing the tires away on a launch with nittos. The ET streets are no street tires in the rain, I damaged two of them street driving in one summer also, but neither are BFGs once the tread wears off - which will happen after a couple trips to the dragstrip.

 

Looks I might just have to spring for drag setup as nothing seems to fit while lasting at least 10,000 miles and work more than marginally better than the piolts :(

 

That has been my thinking too. I now need to overcome my laziness. :nopity

 

Ok, I think I'm going to go with 2 17x11 Grand sport offset AFS wheels for about $550, and then 315 BFGs for anout $150ea.

This will give me a wide R compound tires for the track at about 15psi, should work well for under $1000 total. I think I'm too lazy to change all 4 for track nights like with the Drag setup. This this is it unless I can find something else more cost effective working as well.

 

ernie from breathless uses 17x9.5 GS wheels for $234 each on a SC car and getting 1.69 60ft times

 

I agree with "KP"

If you plan on doing switch out of tires, why not have the best traction possible and go with an E/T Street, it will save you many runs and you wont have to worry about spinning, and for the cost its not that bad....

97-99 Camaro Z-28 "5 Star Wheels" - No More then $50.00/each - $100
(2) E/T Streets (26X10.5X16) i dunno if you can go bigger - less than $300

So for no more than 400.00 bucks your pulling the best 1.60 or better 60' times, depending on your car and mods...

Reminder there will be some grinding to do to get a 16" wheel to fit, but its no big deal and the tires look very nice under the C5, kinda looks mean!! :cheers: :cheers:

 

where are you getting your et streets at that price. ccw quoted me $2000 for a set of 4 (for a C5), includ skinnies up front with ccw wheels mounted and balanced.

 

Just to let you know that was only for the rear E/T Streets and you can get them all over the place for about $300.00. Personally I paid $50 for (2) 99 camaro rims - from a guy on ebay and 280.00 for my E/T streets from a local speed shop.... email me if you want more details.... i know you can even get take off wheels from SLP for 50/each so thats where i came up with my price comparison....... Now the Wheels wont look as good a CCW's Wheels but who is looking at your rims when your Flying down the 1/4 mile, right!!!! I rather take the $1500.00 and put it to a better use elsewhere. Just my own $.02 :seeya

 

I think your tire pressure is to high...IMO :yesnod: I run my Nittos to the nub and I still get 1.6 short tomes..Try running at 14-15 lbs. and be sure to heat 'em up.:D

 

choices choices.

I'm interested in the wheels for $50, but would hate to grind my car. They don't make the ETs in 17"s, right? I already have an extra set of 98 C5 front rims with worn nittos. I was looking into the GS rim as I like the 315 width compared to just 275 on those, plus BFG is supposed to be better.

 

at 280 a pair for 26x11.5x16 et streets. i'll take a few dozen

 

I lost your "Instant mess" when my Dail-up decided to kick me off.... But I found the wheels off a guy who sold them on ebay and didn't sell i offered 50 for the pair and he took it, but i have seen them elsewhere also you have to check "other forums" or you can get "take-off" wheels from SLP at 50/each, 100 total which have about 5 miles on them look brand new - Camaro/Firebird wheels.... The grinding wasn't bad, I used my 4" grinder and grinded the top of the A-arm where it was rubbing and it was fine... you just need to shop around (ebay, other forums - like camaro forums, and websites) and you will find them, but I wouldn't pay more than $100.00 for them anywhere.
Hope this helps :seeya