Drag Radials - Help With Selection
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,242
Likes: 8
Drag Radials - Help With Selection
Which drag radials do you guys recommend for me? I'm running an unmodified, stock C6 with Z51. I have not reprogrammed the ECU. I am, however, thinking I may do some performance mods in the future, so please take that into account.
I've considered picking up some used C5 Z06 wheels, as they might be the right size. I understand that I can't get drag radials on the wheels that are on the car, as they are 19's in back.
1. What tires do you recommend. Pease be specific with regards to size & width, brand, etc.
2. With which wheels? Again, size please.
3. How do you guys feel is the best way to release the clutch? What rpms? How do you feel that this impacts on tire selection and what role does TM play / ECU reprogramming play here?
If you can, please list your average 60' times, 1/4 times, and list what you're running in terms of performance mods, tuning change vs. stock, and wheel / tire package. Thanks!
Thank you. Hopefully, this thread can generate a fairly comprehensive list of wheel / tire / mod packages that can help me and others new to drag racing choose the best package for their needs.
I've considered picking up some used C5 Z06 wheels, as they might be the right size. I understand that I can't get drag radials on the wheels that are on the car, as they are 19's in back.
1. What tires do you recommend. Pease be specific with regards to size & width, brand, etc.
2. With which wheels? Again, size please.
3. How do you guys feel is the best way to release the clutch? What rpms? How do you feel that this impacts on tire selection and what role does TM play / ECU reprogramming play here?
If you can, please list your average 60' times, 1/4 times, and list what you're running in terms of performance mods, tuning change vs. stock, and wheel / tire package. Thanks!
Thank you. Hopefully, this thread can generate a fairly comprehensive list of wheel / tire / mod packages that can help me and others new to drag racing choose the best package for their needs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
I am in the process of widening some OEM front wheels 2 inches. There is a thread in tech called Rim Widening if you want to follow along.
My wheels have been widened and are now at the chrome shop. Post on that thread so you can keep up if you are interested.
I plan to run either 295 or 315 BFG DR's.
My wheels have been widened and are now at the chrome shop. Post on that thread so you can keep up if you are interested.
I plan to run either 295 or 315 BFG DR's.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Wow, thats a lot of questions.
I run C5 Z06 front rims with 17 inch ET Streets
If you are considering bolting your tires on for track use, get the ET Streets, not the Drag Radials. Swapping back and forth defeats their purpose. Either keep them one all season, or get tire meant for the drag strip. By the way, BFG Drag Radials have about a 5,000 mile life.
As far as launching, you have a stock car, if you use ET Streets and do a decent burnout, you can launch as hard as you want without any wheel spin.
You can see in my avatar how hard they hook and see below how they look on the car.
I run C5 Z06 front rims with 17 inch ET Streets
If you are considering bolting your tires on for track use, get the ET Streets, not the Drag Radials. Swapping back and forth defeats their purpose. Either keep them one all season, or get tire meant for the drag strip. By the way, BFG Drag Radials have about a 5,000 mile life.
As far as launching, you have a stock car, if you use ET Streets and do a decent burnout, you can launch as hard as you want without any wheel spin.
You can see in my avatar how hard they hook and see below how they look on the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Originally Posted by CYA-Vett
I run C5 Z06 front rims with 17 inch ET Streets
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Originally Posted by shurite44
If I had it to start over I think I would have done this also. One problem I had is everyone told me the 17's would not fit over the Z51 brake package.
As you know, I don't have the Z51 package...but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,242
Likes: 8
Originally Posted by shurite44
If I had it to start over I think I would have done this also. One problem I had is everyone told me the 17's would not fit over the Z51 brake package.
Does anyone know that they fit over the Z51 brakes?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,242
Likes: 8
Originally Posted by schilitj
Wow, Craig, you are really getting serious.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,242
Likes: 8
Originally Posted by shurite44
I am in the process of widening some OEM front wheels 2 inches. There is a thread in tech called Rim Widening if you want to follow along.
My wheels have been widened and are now at the chrome shop. Post on that thread so you can keep up if you are interested.
I plan to run either 295 or 315 BFG DR's.
My wheels have been widened and are now at the chrome shop. Post on that thread so you can keep up if you are interested.
I plan to run either 295 or 315 BFG DR's.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Originally Posted by cmb13
I didn't read the whole 6 pages, but I'll tell you, I'd rather pick up some new wheels than widen wheels. That's not for the faint of heart, that's for sure! Hope it works out well!
It is getting a little expensive though.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,477
Likes: 2
From: Boca Raton, FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by cmb13
Well, it is fun! Did you catch my thread in C6 general? I even got Mindy to hang in the bleachers and videotape! Tell Harriet she'll have a blast.
Great pics! I'm still talking to her, I think there might be a little movement my way. BTW, just order the Raptor shift lite so if I ever do get to take it down the track I will know when to shift before hitting the redline.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by CYA-Vett
....If you are considering bolting your tires on for track use, get the ET Streets, not the Drag Radials. Swapping back and forth defeats their purpose. Either keep them one all season, or get tire meant for the drag strip....
You are recommending MT ET Streets (bias ply) over the MT Street Radial? And those get better tire life on the street than BFG DRs?
Ranger
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Originally Posted by Ranger
CYA-Vett, Please clarify. Are you saying you run ET Street (bias ply) and leave them on the car all season?
You are recommending MT ET Streets (bias ply) over the MT Street Radial? And those get better tire life on the street than BFG DRs?
Ranger
You are recommending MT ET Streets (bias ply) over the MT Street Radial? And those get better tire life on the street than BFG DRs?
Ranger
I was trying to clarify that bolting on drag Radials at the track is not really ideal since you can use them for every day driving, just keep them on all teh time. And if he had that plan in mind get the ET Streets (bias ply). Since you should basically ONLY use them at the track and since bolting on the DR's required an extra set of rims anyway.
In short, if you aren't leaving them on ALL the time, I think the ET Streets make more sense.
ET Streets are good for about 100-130 passes. I can, but rarely do drive around with them on, but I have driven 150 miles on them to the track.
I used to use the BFG Drag Radials for all of my driving and averaged 5,000 miles. Since the ET Streets are cheaper, grip better and are a bit easier on the drivetrain (due to sidewall flex), I use them exclusively now.
Sorry for the confusion.
This logic may not pertain to your Z06 since there is no 18 inch ET Street yet and a 17 inch rim may not fit your car.
Dave
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,242
Likes: 8
Originally Posted by schilitj
Great pics! I'm still talking to her, I think there might be a little movement my way. BTW, just order the Raptor shift lite so if I ever do get to take it down the track I will know when to shift before hitting the redline.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 2
From: Fresno CA
Originally Posted by cmb13
So, CYA, if you're using ET Streets, what are you doing up front? Need bias ply up there too, right?
I personally like the Nitto's, I run them on some spare C6 copy C5 sized front wheels, stock 17 inch C5 size. I do not have Z51 though. The ET Streets need some getting used to, they get squirlly on the top end, dont take corners at all in town driving.I ran them in a 16 inch size on my 89 Turbo TA. They didnt last long on the street either. I get 10k miles on my Nitto's and they hook up better (In my opinion, please no tire war) I personally just like them better than two other brands of DR I have bought and worn out, also better than two cars that I ran ET Streets on also until worn out. In my opinion they handle pretty good for street cornering and in light rain too.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Originally Posted by Cucchiara
No you dont need bias ply to run the ET Streets on the rear, dont know where that came from? I personally like the Nitto's, I run them on some spare C6 copy C5 sized front wheels, stock 17 inch C5 size. I do not have Z51 though. The ET Streets need some getting used to, they get squirlly on the top end, dont take corners at all in town driving.I ran them in a 16 inch size on my 89 Turbo TA. They didnt last long on the street either. I get 10k miles on my Nitto's and they hook up better (In my opinion, please no tire war) I personally just like them better than two other brands of DR I have bought and worn out, also better than two cars that I ran ET Streets on also until worn out. In my opinion they handle pretty good for street cornering and in light rain too.
I personally like the Nitto's, I run them on some spare C6 copy C5 sized front wheels, stock 17 inch C5 size. I do not have Z51 though. The ET Streets need some getting used to, they get squirlly on the top end, dont take corners at all in town driving.I ran them in a 16 inch size on my 89 Turbo TA. They didnt last long on the street either. I get 10k miles on my Nitto's and they hook up better (In my opinion, please no tire war) I personally just like them better than two other brands of DR I have bought and worn out, also better than two cars that I ran ET Streets on also until worn out. In my opinion they handle pretty good for street cornering and in light rain too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
As long as you keep enough air in the rears and make sure they are even, you will get minimal drift. There will be less drift with the 17 inch as opposed to the 16 inch since the sidewall is shorter. Some people even swear there is no drift at all with the 17's.
So basically, you do not need bias ply's up front, recommended maybe, but need, certantly not.
I've been using this combo for years, the rims I am using are left over from my old car.
This combo has proven to be much cheaper for me than DR's since you drive them (DR's) around all year, thus you have to replace more often. Plus ET Streets hook better.
So basically, you do not need bias ply's up front, recommended maybe, but need, certantly not.
I've been using this combo for years, the rims I am using are left over from my old car.
This combo has proven to be much cheaper for me than DR's since you drive them (DR's) around all year, thus you have to replace more often. Plus ET Streets hook better.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
CYA-Vett, I may have missed it, but
(1) Is your ECU tuned?
(2) Is your clutch stock?
(3) What is your average and your best 60' wearing ET Street bias-ply?
(4) With that tire, what is the general range of launch rpm you are using?
(5) How many passes are you expecting to get from the clutch?
TIA,
Ranger
(1) Is your ECU tuned?
(2) Is your clutch stock?
(3) What is your average and your best 60' wearing ET Street bias-ply?
(4) With that tire, what is the general range of launch rpm you are using?
(5) How many passes are you expecting to get from the clutch?
TIA,
Ranger
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Originally Posted by Ranger
(1) Is your ECU tuned?
Originally Posted by Ranger
(2) Is your clutch stock?
Originally Posted by Ranger
(3) What is your average and your best 60' wearing ET Street bias-ply?
I ran the same combo on my C5 Z06 (with heads/cam) and could pull any 60 I wanted from 1.6-1.8. I've seen lower than 1.6's on them from other guys. (Robz) (Dr.Ron) I averaged 1.8's since I had no roll cage and wanted to stick around
Originally Posted by Ranger
(4) With that tire, what is the general range of launch rpm you are using?
Originally Posted by Ranger
(5) How many passes are you expecting to get from the clutch?
For me, one of the biggest advantages of these tires is consistency. Both for launching and shifting, there is no wheel spin during shifting.
Now, I cannot drive like you, so it may be a smaller factor for you but I would think it might help your ET's. On the down side, they are taller than DR's so that may hurt you too.
For some reason, the C6 just does not launch like the C5.