Geared

It seems to me like a 345 drag radial would be excessive, and have a smaller contact patch on stock wheels than a 315 drag radial?

Using an 18....or even 17 inch wheel.....all else being equal (widths)........

I was wondering if anyone has done any research into wWhich size drag radial maximizes the contact patch (i.e. creating the best traction).....

IMO, the smallest size tire that gives you close to maximum contact patch would weigh less, and with the max traction, and lighter weight translate into the best possible times.

Geared

No bites? I thought this would be a 10 page thread by now.

RichieRichZ06

I run the 345/30/19 NT05R's and have no issues. I am willing to bet there is more on the ground then a 315 based on seeing them next to a friends 315's. With stock gears I have cut very consistant 1.58-1.63 short times on over 20 runs.

LSXPWR

The 17 x 9.5 front C5 Z wheels with 275/40-17 DR.

FNQWK

345/35/18 mt dr and 18x12 c6 repro wheel=70lbs(old setup-waaay to much tire for 530rwhp)
305/35/18 mt dr and 18x10.5 c5z oem wheel(2nd old setup,worked great. went 10.8@131 w/ a 1.73 60ft. very confident with this setup)
315/35/18 mt dr and 18x10.5 c5z oem wheel=50lbs(new setup,have not taken to the track yet. shorter tire than the 305, should give me more gear) if the 315 does not do any better, i will be happy to go back to the 305. the 315 is 25.5, 305 is 26.5, 345 is 27.5 in diameter. i can drive arounnd with all these setups on the street no prob as they fill the rear wheel well. have not seen a pic of a 275/17 tire on the back of a z. little small imo to be takin the place of a monster 345. prob does not look as silly as some running gto fronts on thier z at the track

C5 Frank

Yo... You want my 2 cents?? I am running C5 Z06 17x9.5 fronts with 315/35-17 MT ET Street Drag Radial. The shorter tire gives you a slight gear advantage and they HOOK!!!! Next time I head to the track I will let you know....

lane_change

I am in the same boat, except I want a tire that will work on the street as well w/o the proper heating. The 275's have been proven time and time again at the track, but I highly doubt they would work properly on the street sans burnout. So it just depends if you want a street/track tire, or if you just need a track setup. I want both, so I am looking for wider contact patches. The 335 series 18" Hoosier DR's on 18x10.5 rep's looks to be the winning setup to me.

BOWTYE8

Will this tire 315/35/18 mt dr fit a C6Z replica 18*12 rim?

I already have the rims so getting just shorted tires would be easier. Or I heard one of the vendors on here has a C6Z replica look in the 17" style.
Or is it best to go with the C5Z for least weight?
THanks

Fartpipe

My less than .02cents here. Contact Patch doesn't mean diddly!!!! Go put a 365 street tire on and use that big contact patch for traction. You will find that tire compound and road temperature and engine/rear combination determine what works best. Bigger contact patch will be with the heavier tire/rim combo and slows you down so more traction seems there yes. Faster? No! Use the smallest lightest rim/tire combo you can get traction with. For me it's a 17x11 c4 version ZR1 rim and 275/40/17 mickey thomspon. As for street traction search "Mexican mile" on YouTube. Some say taller for the track and stay in 3rd gear. Well I tried it and was slower !!!! Just shift fast the car loves to get into 4th gear!! But what do I know..... I only run 10.5s at the track at 133mph with just bolt ons. good luck on your decision.

lane_change

It's hard to know what tire/rim combo is the smallest and lightest that will work unless you simply had all of them sitting in the garage and went out and tried them all out. For me, I need a tire that can hold 700whp, and I am doubting a 275 will do that in Mexico. That is why I think the 18x10.5 wheel with the 335 30 18 Hoosier DR would be the best combo since the 10.5 is lighter than the 12, and the Hoosier DR's are lighter than the MT's.

In your video of Mexican Mile, what are you demonstrating or explaining? Does the Black C6Z run on a 275 tire?

Fartpipe

1st demonstration is FUN
2nd demonstration is the Black H/C/I 600rwhp C6Z has street tires on!!! And obviously hooks better than the procharged C5 with 315's on or even 26x11.50x16 dr's does LOL!
I think theres also a nice TT 03 black cobra in there somewhere racing my C5 FRC with me on just 275dr's and him on 335hoosiers and I walk away aswell. There races with my orange C6Z walking away from a nitroused 28in slick T/A with 150shot,cam, etc etc from a couple floats. My car consistantly traps 1+mph slower with a 315/35/17 hoosier versus my 275/40/17s.
I agree 275/40/17s dont look pretty on the car but on the street they make a bigger difference than on the track because its like going from 3.42 rear gears to 3.65's IMO. Which makes the car rocket off amazingly. However I throw the stocker tires on and still get traction on warmer days but pay attention to me racing the Red Supras boths single turbo cars. One has light weight wheels on etc and in one race we're damn close to being even and him walked a bit on top. Then I do a rear tire change for the next time out to the 275s and the video changes to me getting away I wish I had the video of me smacking the GT500 with 792rwhp from 1st gear and 2nd gear rolls. From 1st gear I anhilated him by 2-3cars to 135mph and then from 2nd gear floats at 60mph he got me by almost a car and I had the passenger

Just saying choose wisely. I say the 315 hoosier is a great tire but didnt hook aswell for me on the street and hopped at the track depending the perfect clutch release can make them run smooth and good track prep.

GARY2004Z06

Much will depend on your setup as well as track/road conditions. The following is from our experience.
Hoosier 275x40x17 on OEM C5Z front wheels - Not enough traction on the track.
Hoosier 315x35x17 on OEM C5Z front wheels - Very good traction on the track but tempermental. Best 60' - 1.44 but 1.5x-1.6x can be expected. Street traction is acceptable; however, would spin at 4000 rpm as you roll into it.
M&H 12x26x16 Slicks on CCWs or Bogarts - Consistent traction at the track. Best 60' - 1.36 but mid 1.4x to low 1.5x can be expected even if you blow the tires off. I have driven this setup to the track without any problems. The tires can still spin very hard on the street. I do not recommend this tire for street use.

BTW- I live to far from Mexico to race and do not feel comfortable unless I'm at a track.

lane_change

Well, I live in Houston so Mexico is pretty close to us....lots of cars here frequent the border for some racing. When it's warm, my stock run-flats will hold a 60 punch in 2nd with 550whp....when it's below 60 outside, hang on. When it's cold...it's useless, I spin in 4th at 125 still.

tkr

Just a thought for FYI-Repo chrome C6- ZO6 wheels 18x10.5 with MT et street radials 305x35x18 weight 60lbs. C5 ZO6 17x9.5 painted wheels with MT et street bias tire 26x11.50x17 weight 40lbs. Radial tires are heavy. With this set up you MUST run bias front runners.

FNQWK

fyi, i have a used pair of 26x11.5x17 mt et streets for sale. $100 + ship
john
pics to come later in the parts section

Dave concrete

How is the NT05R on the street? Does it feel stable on ramps, and other turns?

RichieRichZ06

NO! In a straight line there are no issues, but any kind of corner is a little sketchy to me. On ramps seem like the back end is very floaty. I just drive to and from the track on them.

joe11204

I have had my best ET on my C6Z using MT ET Street Radials (II) 315/30-18 on GM C5Z06 Rears