Need advice on 17" drag wheel setup
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
Need advice on 17" drag wheel setup
So I just bought a set of factory forged C5 Z06 17x9.5 front wheels for use at the dragstrip on my C6. Did some research and a lot of guys seem to be running these.
My dilemma is tire size. What is the biggest I can go? Seems most are running a 275/40/17. This tire is a lot shorter and also narrower than the factory rear tires. I see Mickey Thompson makes a 295/45/17 that is only 0.3" taller than the factory 19" rear tire. I'd like to run this if it will fit. My only concern is that the offset on the Z06 wheel is 54mm, which means the wheel is going to stick out ~1 inch further than my stock rear wheel.
Anyone running this wheel setup that can comment on fit? My car is not lowered and this is going to be just for the dragstrip. I just don't want to break my quarter panels or buy a set of tires that don't fit. I'd like the added width and near-factory height of that 295/45/17 M/T.
Should I go with the 295s or stick with the tried and true 275 setup?
My dilemma is tire size. What is the biggest I can go? Seems most are running a 275/40/17. This tire is a lot shorter and also narrower than the factory rear tires. I see Mickey Thompson makes a 295/45/17 that is only 0.3" taller than the factory 19" rear tire. I'd like to run this if it will fit. My only concern is that the offset on the Z06 wheel is 54mm, which means the wheel is going to stick out ~1 inch further than my stock rear wheel.
Anyone running this wheel setup that can comment on fit? My car is not lowered and this is going to be just for the dragstrip. I just don't want to break my quarter panels or buy a set of tires that don't fit. I'd like the added width and near-factory height of that 295/45/17 M/T.
Should I go with the 295s or stick with the tried and true 275 setup?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
So I just bought a set of factory forged C5 Z06 17x9.5 front wheels for use at the dragstrip on my C6. Did some research and a lot of guys seem to be running these.
My dilemma is tire size. What is the biggest I can go? Seems most are running a 275/40/17. This tire is a lot shorter and also narrower than the factory rear tires. I see Mickey Thompson makes a 295/45/17 that is only 0.3" taller than the factory 19" rear tire. I'd like to run this if it will fit. My only concern is that the offset on the Z06 wheel is 54mm, which means the wheel is going to stick out ~1 inch further than my stock rear wheel.
Anyone running this wheel setup that can comment on fit? My car is not lowered and this is going to be just for the dragstrip. I just don't want to break my quarter panels or buy a set of tires that don't fit. I'd like the added width and near-factory height of that 295/45/17 M/T.
Should I go with the 295s or stick with the tried and true 275 setup?
My dilemma is tire size. What is the biggest I can go? Seems most are running a 275/40/17. This tire is a lot shorter and also narrower than the factory rear tires. I see Mickey Thompson makes a 295/45/17 that is only 0.3" taller than the factory 19" rear tire. I'd like to run this if it will fit. My only concern is that the offset on the Z06 wheel is 54mm, which means the wheel is going to stick out ~1 inch further than my stock rear wheel.
Anyone running this wheel setup that can comment on fit? My car is not lowered and this is going to be just for the dragstrip. I just don't want to break my quarter panels or buy a set of tires that don't fit. I'd like the added width and near-factory height of that 295/45/17 M/T.
Should I go with the 295s or stick with the tried and true 275 setup?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Plus the 295-45 also gives you more sidewall which is obviously more preferable in drag racing. Among the downsides are cost (the 295s cost more), rim fitment (the 295s fit that rim but not quite as well as the 275s do) and less overall gearing but the gain in traction and having a correct speedometer might be worth it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
You have nearly the lightest OEM wheels, so go with Hoosier 275/40 as they seem to be the lightest too. The smaller diameter also helps like a slight gear change would. Don't worry about the offset, as the only problem there is cleaning the lower quarters. A bit of WD40 or painters tape helps.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
He likely means the radials even though he called them ET Streets (which is actually the name of M/T's DOT legal bias ply slicks), a lot of people call them that but technically they should be called M/T ET Street Drag Radials.
Also when one mentions the tire size in that manner (ie: 275-40-17 etc.) as opposed to say 26.0-11.5-17 (bias ply sizing) then it usually designates the radial.
Also when one mentions the tire size in that manner (ie: 275-40-17 etc.) as opposed to say 26.0-11.5-17 (bias ply sizing) then it usually designates the radial.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
It sounds like the 275/40/17 mt drag radial will be enough. But I guess my original question still stands: will the 295/45/17 fit under a stock C6 rear fender on a C5 Z 17" wheel? I know a 9.5" wheel is on the smaller side, but MT recommends a 9" or better for that tire. So I should be fine as far as wheel to tire fitment.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,097
Likes: 5
From: Brentwood World's first A6 in the 9's (including N/A, blower, turbo and nitrous cars) 9.950@139.267 CA
It sounds like the 275/40/17 mt drag radial will be enough. But I guess my original question still stands: will the 295/45/17 fit under a stock C6 rear fender on a C5 Z 17" wheel? I know a 9.5" wheel is on the smaller side, but MT recommends a 9" or better for that tire. So I should be fine as far as wheel to tire fitment.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. I'll stick to the 275/40/17 size. One more thing I forgot, though. I have not bought a set of drag tires in almost 10 years....
For my manual trans, would you guys suggest the Mickey Thompson ET Street radials or the Hoosier DOT drag radials? Pricing is about the same.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,392
Likes: 2,911
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. I'll stick to the 275/40/17 size. One more thing I forgot, though. I have not bought a set of drag tires in almost 10 years....
For my manual trans, would you guys suggest the Mickey Thompson ET Street radials or the Hoosier DOT drag radials? Pricing is about the same.
For my manual trans, would you guys suggest the Mickey Thompson ET Street radials or the Hoosier DOT drag radials? Pricing is about the same.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
What is the best thing to do about the TPM sensors for drag racing? I didn't really do my research on this and ordered a set for my drag wheels. What do most guys with 2 sets of rear wheels do? Is there any advantage to running TPM sensors at the track, or will the low pressure readings from running drag radials cause problems? I thought I remember reading that a TPM malfunction or even low pressure reading could affect performance.
I have no problem using the TPM sensors and programming them when I swap my wheels at the track. I just want to do whatever keeps the vehicle and Active Handling working properly. I plan to run in "traction off" mode.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
