Safety Issue ???????
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Sunshine State
Safety Issue ???????
I bought a set of rear wheels and BFG DR's already mounted used. I was told the ZR1 knock offs were 12" wide. Turns out they're 9 1/2" wide.
Before I go any further I talked to him and he was told they were 12" wheels when he bought them and he didn't know they were 9 1/2". I believe him 100%.
This is NOT an "I got screwed" thread. I just want to know if this is a safe combo. 9 1/2" wheel and a 315 tire. What are the disadvantages if safety is not an issue? Are there any advantages?
I ran the tires last Sat and with my basically stock C5 and they hooked well.
Thanks guys.
Bob
Before I go any further I talked to him and he was told they were 12" wheels when he bought them and he didn't know they were 9 1/2". I believe him 100%.
This is NOT an "I got screwed" thread. I just want to know if this is a safe combo. 9 1/2" wheel and a 315 tire. What are the disadvantages if safety is not an issue? Are there any advantages?
I ran the tires last Sat and with my basically stock C5 and they hooked well.
Thanks guys.
Bob
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
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From: Central Florida
Most folks would say the wheel is not wide enough and 11" or 12" width is preferred.
But plenty of guys are running the 315.35.17 BFG DR on 9.5" Z06 front wheels and they have not reported any safety incidents related to the wheel/tire combo..
Some folks have written on other threads that your combo produces a sub-optimal contact patch. But at our club's last drag day, there were about a dozen Z06s running drag radials on 9.5", 10.5", 11" and 12" wheels on a well prepped track. There was no notable difference in the 60' produced by the various wheel widths. All the combos were producing very high 1.6X to very low 1.7X.
Bottomline: your wheel size is OK.
Ranger
But plenty of guys are running the 315.35.17 BFG DR on 9.5" Z06 front wheels and they have not reported any safety incidents related to the wheel/tire combo..
Some folks have written on other threads that your combo produces a sub-optimal contact patch. But at our club's last drag day, there were about a dozen Z06s running drag radials on 9.5", 10.5", 11" and 12" wheels on a well prepped track. There was no notable difference in the 60' produced by the various wheel widths. All the combos were producing very high 1.6X to very low 1.7X.
Bottomline: your wheel size is OK.
Ranger
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by TLewis4095
I ran the same for a few years....no problem. Easy mistake to.
I would not worry unless you add another 50-75 RWHP!
Good racing!!
I would not worry unless you add another 50-75 RWHP!
Good racing!!
I'm sure BFG will tell me you can't do it but I'll try Edgars suggestion. I do feel better after hearing from Ranger and Tracy.
Bob
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by REDGAR
You should be okay, I would verify by sending BFG tech an email or calling them.
"Bob,
Thank you for visiting our Web site and sending us your e-mail.
Regarding your message...
I purchased a set of 17" BFG DR's, 315 and they are mounted on a 17 X 9
1/2" rim. Is this safe for drag racing?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The g-Force T/A Drag Radial in size P315/35R17 is not approved for your rim
and therefore not recommended. The approved rim width range for this size is
11" to 12".
The only size in the g-Force T/A Drag Radial that we show will work on a 9.5
inch rim is size P275/40r17.
If you have additional questions, please respond to this email
or you may call us at 1-877-788-8899 (toll-free) between
8:30AM and 6:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday to allow
one of our Consumer Relations Representatives to assist you.
BFGoodrich Tires
Consumer Relations Department
(Please Do Not Delete the line below.)
Email ID: 1365693
Bob
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
General rule of thumb is to match tread width with rim width. The difference between 315's and 275's is only 1.5 inches, but that's section width, I never measured the tread width, but it would be slightly less.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
General rule of thumb is to match tread width with rim width. The difference between 315's and 275's is only 1.5 inches, but that's section width, I never measured the tread width, but it would be slightly less.
I'll bet there's a good 1/2" variation in these widths anyway.
Bob
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Team Owner
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From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
The other thing to consider, I cannot remember if I said this before, is that they will look funny. The top of the tire will overhang the side of rim.
Really, it is not the optimal configuration and if the guy will take them back, I would take the opportunity and look for the an 11" rim, provided I don't need the tires right away.
Really, it is not the optimal configuration and if the guy will take them back, I would take the opportunity and look for the an 11" rim, provided I don't need the tires right away.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by REDGAR
The other thing to consider, I cannot remember if I said this before, is that they will look funny. The top of the tire will overhang the side of rim.
Really, it is not the optimal configuration and if the guy will take them back, I would take the opportunity and look for the an 11" rim, provided I don't need the tires right away.
Really, it is not the optimal configuration and if the guy will take them back, I would take the opportunity and look for the an 11" rim, provided I don't need the tires right away.
But I do appreciate your input. I heard a story the other day. Something about you and a puddle of water. Damn.
Bob
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by REDGAR
Yup.
I fought the puddle and the puddle won
I fought the puddle and the puddle won
Bob
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From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
My case was an extreme case. It was mix of torrential downpoor, unfamiliar roadway, panic to try and keep up, excessive speed and sheer stupidty in trying to restart the car.
I have a vararam now but not for that reason
I have a vararam now but not for that reason
