Slicks Vs. Drag Radials
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Slicks Vs. Drag Radials
Which is the more dangerous option for vette owners? Which is the safer choice?
What do I need to worry about with Slicks?
What do I need to worry about with Drag Radials?
For those who go to the track often, which do you use and why?
Which is the best option and why? I would like to hear from those who have run both. I want to know what is the safest route to go for at the track. I plan on keeping my launchs relatively safe and low. Not more than 3k. But, I want to know what to be cautionary with.
Let me know your opinions, thanks!
What do I need to worry about with Slicks?
What do I need to worry about with Drag Radials?
For those who go to the track often, which do you use and why?
Which is the best option and why? I would like to hear from those who have run both. I want to know what is the safest route to go for at the track. I plan on keeping my launchs relatively safe and low. Not more than 3k. But, I want to know what to be cautionary with.
Let me know your opinions, thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Depends on power levels, transmission type, gearing and even which DRs or which slicks (DOT legal slicks I assume) you'll be using and which rims they'll be mounted on.
In most (say, under 500rwhp) applications I still think that a Mickey Thompson drag radial is the way to go.
In most (say, under 500rwhp) applications I still think that a Mickey Thompson drag radial is the way to go.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 72
From: Cincinnati OH
if you want the best 60, in general a full slick is always going to be your best bet, especially if the track isn't prepper perfectly
if you could squeeze a 15" wheel with a big fat drag radial, that may not be too bad though, but i'm not sure what size wheels work on these cars as i haven't attempted slicks with them as of yet
if you could squeeze a 15" wheel with a big fat drag radial, that may not be too bad though, but i'm not sure what size wheels work on these cars as i haven't attempted slicks with them as of yet
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,838
Likes: 1
From: Valencia '32 Ford 3 window with 615 HP!!!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
For a "daily driver",,,Drag radials such as Nitto's 555r are pretty good{that's what I just put on}.
It just depends if Your going to drive it to the track,or "bring" the slicks with You!
The softer sidewall tires are always a little harder,and not as safe to drive.
Good luck!!
There really is no "perfect" street/drag strip tire!
It just depends if Your going to drive it to the track,or "bring" the slicks with You!
The softer sidewall tires are always a little harder,and not as safe to drive.
Good luck!!
There really is no "perfect" street/drag strip tire!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,392
Likes: 2,911
From: Fort Worth, Texas
if you're speaking strictly of a track tire...the slick is gonna be your best bet b/c it actually absorbs some of the driveline shock...be sure to run skinnies up front as it gets a little wobbly on the big end w/o them, they're good for about a .1 and 1mph too...most breakage occurs from wheel hop and I've never had my ET streets (cheater slicks) do it, they're also taller which helps again to absorb the launch...at your power levels you don't need a slick and shoudn't break anything even if it dead hooks b/c your stock clutch will slip first, but you can up the air pressure so the slick doesn't hook as hard...you also say you won't be launching over 3krpm(you can get away w/ that on street tires)...I'd consider ~4krpm, right where the torque curve really comes in, it'll keep you from bogging or having to feather the clutch(more wear and tear)
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
if you're speaking strictly of a track tire...the slick is gonna be your best bet b/c it actually absorbs some of the driveline shock...be sure to run skinnies up front as it gets a little wobbly on the big end w/o them, they're good for about a .1 and 1mph too...most breakage occurs from wheel hop and I've never had my ET streets (cheater slicks) do it, they're also taller which helps again to absorb the launch...at your power levels you don't need a slick and shoudn't break anything even if it dead hooks b/c your stock clutch will slip first, but you can up the air pressure so the slick doesn't hook as hard...you also say you won't be launching over 3krpm(you can get away w/ that on street tires)...I'd consider ~4krpm, right where the torque curve really comes in, it'll keep you from bogging or having to feather the clutch(more wear and tear)
I went from the bias ply ET streets to M/T drag radials as I got tired of trailering up the bias ply tires all the time. I drive up on the drag radials. And, as I didn't have skinnys up front, the wobbly feeling at the big end got a little scary - I realized if someone came at me from the other lane, my handling was compromised. Forget that.
Plus the 17" M/T dr's are over an inch shorter which gave me .1 to .2 consistently due to the gearing advantage.
Wheel hop is your enemy...I don't get it with the drag radials at 18 to 20 psi. I've seen several rears break at the track....most on street tires wheel hopping.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: 1BadC6 New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '08
if you want the best 60, in general a full slick is always going to be your best bet, especially if the track isn't prepper perfectly
if you could squeeze a 15" wheel with a big fat drag radial, that may not be too bad though, but i'm not sure what size wheels work on these cars as i haven't attempted slicks with them as of yet
if you could squeeze a 15" wheel with a big fat drag radial, that may not be too bad though, but i'm not sure what size wheels work on these cars as i haven't attempted slicks with them as of yet
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: 1BadC6 New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '08
if you're speaking strictly of a track tire...the slick is gonna be your best bet b/c it actually absorbs some of the driveline shock...be sure to run skinnies up front as it gets a little wobbly on the big end w/o them, they're good for about a .1 and 1mph too...most breakage occurs from wheel hop and I've never had my ET streets (cheater slicks) do it, they're also taller which helps again to absorb the launch...at your power levels you don't need a slick and shoudn't break anything even if it dead hooks b/c your stock clutch will slip first, but you can up the air pressure so the slick doesn't hook as hard...you also say you won't be launching over 3krpm(you can get away w/ that on street tires)...I'd consider ~4krpm, right where the torque curve really comes in, it'll keep you from bogging or having to feather the clutch(more wear and tear)
This guy knows his stuff!
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: 1BadC6 New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '08
I'd agree with all this. Good post.
I went from the bias ply ET streets to M/T drag radials as I got tired of trailering up the bias ply tires all the time. I drive up on the drag radials. And, as I didn't have skinnys up front, the wobbly feeling at the big end got a little scary - I realized if someone came at me from the other lane, my handling was compromised. Forget that.
Plus the 17" M/T dr's are over an inch shorter which gave me .1 to .2 consistently due to the gearing advantage.
Wheel hop is your enemy...I don't get it with the drag radials at 18 to 20 psi. I've seen several rears break at the track....most on street tires wheel hopping.
I went from the bias ply ET streets to M/T drag radials as I got tired of trailering up the bias ply tires all the time. I drive up on the drag radials. And, as I didn't have skinnys up front, the wobbly feeling at the big end got a little scary - I realized if someone came at me from the other lane, my handling was compromised. Forget that.
Plus the 17" M/T dr's are over an inch shorter which gave me .1 to .2 consistently due to the gearing advantage.
Wheel hop is your enemy...I don't get it with the drag radials at 18 to 20 psi. I've seen several rears break at the track....most on street tires wheel hopping.
This Is a good guy to listen to. Hes very fast and know his stuff!
I agree 100%
Mike
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Radials to radials is great - bias to radial is a little scary (but lots of guys do it, just not me anymore).
The 555's, in my OPINION (I've never had them but my buddy has), are great for a car driven on the street mostly. They are better than street tires by a mile on the track....but they're not nearly as good as a M/T drag radial on the strip. The M/T's on the other hand, are drivable on the street, but they wear out FAST on the street and they are a little wobbly for my taste. Lane changes are sometimes fun if there's ruts in the road...two hands on the wheel is sometimes called for.
If street is your priority, they are a great choice. I'd choose them for that if I ever decide to run DR's all the time. If you want to work your way down the c6 drag racing fast list, they are not the best choice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 1,200
From: Ft. Myers FL
I had Nitto 555r's on my C5. They are the best solution if you drive to the track. If you want to haul tires, then get a set of Mickey Tees & put them on there. If you have more than 500 hp, then get slicks. That's my expirence & opinion.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,838
Likes: 1
From: Valencia '32 Ford 3 window with 615 HP!!!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
I "do" have a set of M/T 345/35/18's on order from Summit since 4 months now!
I am mostly on the street,but would rather not "trailer" tires to the track,but I think M/T's should be fine to drive on the highway at 70mph or so to the track!
I am mostly on the street,but would rather not "trailer" tires to the track,but I think M/T's should be fine to drive on the highway at 70mph or so to the track!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
I drove with my DR's for 4,000 miles with 30psi it feels like any other NON runflat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,838
Likes: 1
From: Valencia '32 Ford 3 window with 615 HP!!!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
I'm sure it should still be fine!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
I'd agree with all this. Good post.
I went from the bias ply ET streets to M/T drag radials as I got tired of trailering up the bias ply tires all the time. I drive up on the drag radials. And, as I didn't have skinnys up front, the wobbly feeling at the big end got a little scary - I realized if someone came at me from the other lane, my handling was compromised. Forget that.
Plus the 17" M/T dr's are over an inch shorter which gave me .1 to .2 consistently due to the gearing advantage.
Wheel hop is your enemy...I don't get it with the drag radials at 18 to 20 psi. I've seen several rears break at the track....most on street tires wheel hopping.
I went from the bias ply ET streets to M/T drag radials as I got tired of trailering up the bias ply tires all the time. I drive up on the drag radials. And, as I didn't have skinnys up front, the wobbly feeling at the big end got a little scary - I realized if someone came at me from the other lane, my handling was compromised. Forget that.
Plus the 17" M/T dr's are over an inch shorter which gave me .1 to .2 consistently due to the gearing advantage.
Wheel hop is your enemy...I don't get it with the drag radials at 18 to 20 psi. I've seen several rears break at the track....most on street tires wheel hopping.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
