I'll be trying out my new 275 MT drag radials tomorrow at the track. Any tips on tire pressure, launch rpm/technique, etc. My car is a MN6...with a stock clutch. Thanks

 

I find that running 18lbs works best.

 

about 22 to 23 PSI hot and i pull 1.5s but im also an auto with a stall

 

First pass, smoke 'em real good to get the glaze off and heated at 28-30 psi.
Don't let the 60' influence dropping pressure initially.
Your clutch work is more important to dial in consistantly before tire pressure. Once you can launch well with the higher pressure, then you can drop the pressure a bit (2-4 psi) and launch more agressively. Repeat until you find the comfort zone for you and the car. Don't expect too much too fast.

A local friend Z06 owner and long time drag racer, took about 50 passes to find the perfect pressure and launch technique. It paid off going from 12.20's to 11.34 with no other changes.

I presently run 18 cold and easily hook on our track's new surface. I should bump the pressure up till it won't hook, but the DRs are too close to dead to bother.

Remember to have fun too.

 

track prep, how long you do a burnout and what rpm you're launching will all dictate the best tire psi...I'd recommend starting out at low on the rpm(3k) short on the burnout(till you see smoke in your mirrors) and high on the pressure(start at 24psi and drop 2 psi, 16psi best from experience)...the only thing about having a stick is that lower pressure will help absorb some the drivetrain "shock", but then again so can some "spinnage" as long as you're not wheel hopping

 

yep the wheel hopping is the problem i had with the drag radials.

sold them and going to a regular et street (wrinkel wall) that should help absorb alot of the shock and help with the wierd vette launch nistead of a dump.


edit: after reading i di dnot answer your question.

I would start with 22psi, and light burn out ont hat tire, (they dont take much heat) and then try a nice 2500-3000 dump slip. and then see what it does. if it hops LET OUT.

 

As a rule, I usually start with 18psi hot when the tire is fairly new and in it's prime, then start running closer to 15psi when it's getting towards the end of it's usefullness. I also run less when the track prep isn't very good.

A good way to find out where to start is by analysing your burnout tracks, you want an even contact patch. If the tire pressure is too high, there will be more rubber towards the middle of the your tracks and it will be more narrow than the tire is wide, if it is too low, you'll see more rubber towards the outside edges due to tire cupping.
NOTE: This is performed on regular asphault, without VHT or any other traction compund...
Once you have a good contact pactch which probably going to be around 23, you can move to the track and start stepping down in 2 PSI increments until your'e able to launch fairly aggressively in the 3,500rpm range with very little spin. A little spin is what your'e looking for, it takes up the shock to the drivetrain and is actually faster than a dead hook. Speaking from experience, when you dead hook, you tend to break things!!! (2 stock rears, 1 axle & 2 300m hardened output shafts)

Also, drive around the water box and back in to prevent your front tires from getting the track wet as your pulling up to the line. Back all the way into the water, pull forward out of the water but where it is still wet and do the burnout. Make sure you have traction control off or it will die. Once you get the hang of doing your burnout, try to use 2nd gear to speed things up.

Also, also, the first track burnout should have the smoke rolling to get the chemical compund in the tire to start releasing, after that, just haze them to warm them back up and clean them off...