drag tire ???????????
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 438
From: Tucson Arizona
drag tire ???????????
have a few questions for you guys, I have c5 and Im thinking of getting some drag tires, what size rim can I get by with that will fit on the car and how tall does the tire need to be? I heard if they are the same height front and back that it will throw codes, something to do with act handling or something, thanks Ozzie
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 1
From: Between a rock and a hard place, S.E. PA
I think most people are running stock front C5 17" rims with 275/40/17 tires or something close. They're readily available and less expensive than the newer 18" DR's which fit your stock rear wheels. Never heard of anyone throwing codes.
If I had to choose, I'd go with the 17" if I wanted to simulate a slightly better gear ratio. I'd go with the 18's if engine mods made traction a problem and use the extra meat to put it down. Hope this helps.
PS. A search on this would have brought up plenty of info.
If I had to choose, I'd go with the 17" if I wanted to simulate a slightly better gear ratio. I'd go with the 18's if engine mods made traction a problem and use the extra meat to put it down. Hope this helps.
PS. A search on this would have brought up plenty of info.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Iowa
Yes, you can run different size rims front and back and have no problem. Rims are not what makes the diference though- it is tire size.
Running 17" rims with a ~26" tire diameter would be the same as running 18" rims with a ~26" diameter. Only difference that would matter is the size of the sidewall of the tire. The 18" tire would have a shorter sidewall and probably give you less flex. Therefore, making traction and little bit more difficult.
A C5 can even run a 16" dimeter rim if the car has been modified (rear spindle- easy to do) so the rim does not scrap on the spindle. I have done this to my '99 and then could run 16" late model Firebird rims with Mickey Thopmson ET Streets ( A street legal slick). I would not and do not drive these to the track though, as they are mixing bias-ply with radials up front and handling can be difficult at higher speeds. I now have gone with bias-ply all around and trailer my car to every track event.
My advice- if you don't want to go the 16" route, would be to buy a pair of 17"x 8.5" front C5 stock wheels. Then get some 17" BFGoodrich drag radials that fit a 8.5 " rim. (275/40-17) and go have fun.
Running 17" rims with a ~26" tire diameter would be the same as running 18" rims with a ~26" diameter. Only difference that would matter is the size of the sidewall of the tire. The 18" tire would have a shorter sidewall and probably give you less flex. Therefore, making traction and little bit more difficult.
A C5 can even run a 16" dimeter rim if the car has been modified (rear spindle- easy to do) so the rim does not scrap on the spindle. I have done this to my '99 and then could run 16" late model Firebird rims with Mickey Thopmson ET Streets ( A street legal slick). I would not and do not drive these to the track though, as they are mixing bias-ply with radials up front and handling can be difficult at higher speeds. I now have gone with bias-ply all around and trailer my car to every track event.
My advice- if you don't want to go the 16" route, would be to buy a pair of 17"x 8.5" front C5 stock wheels. Then get some 17" BFGoodrich drag radials that fit a 8.5 " rim. (275/40-17) and go have fun.
Last edited by HawkIVette; Oct 14, 2006 at 10:56 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Iowa
Another thing to consider is how much power your Vette is putting out. Your stock tires are probably about 25.7" in diameter. If you have stock gears, then staying with the same size tires won't effect your hp/t output.
I am currently running the 26" Mickey Thompson ET Streets. I also have a 4.10 rear end (which I now wished I would have gone with 3.90). I just recently had a Heads/Cam installed along with a few other goodies and increased 80 HP. Now my Elapsed Time (ET) has dropped, my MPH has increased, but I am hitting Redline (or close to Rev Limiter) so much earlier before the line that I don't feel I am getting all I can out of the car. And shifting to 5th just doesn't work. (MN6)
I am going to increase tire size to 27" or 28" and give them a try.
I will lose a little gearing this way, but feel I will make it up on the big end of the track.
BTW- last run a 1/8th mile track, I ran a 7.502 @ 92.98 MPH. Last run a 1/4 mile track was 12.00 @120.04 (still looking for the 11's- I know it's there.)
I am currently running the 26" Mickey Thompson ET Streets. I also have a 4.10 rear end (which I now wished I would have gone with 3.90). I just recently had a Heads/Cam installed along with a few other goodies and increased 80 HP. Now my Elapsed Time (ET) has dropped, my MPH has increased, but I am hitting Redline (or close to Rev Limiter) so much earlier before the line that I don't feel I am getting all I can out of the car. And shifting to 5th just doesn't work. (MN6)
I am going to increase tire size to 27" or 28" and give them a try.
I will lose a little gearing this way, but feel I will make it up on the big end of the track.
BTW- last run a 1/8th mile track, I ran a 7.502 @ 92.98 MPH. Last run a 1/4 mile track was 12.00 @120.04 (still looking for the 11's- I know it's there.)
Last edited by HawkIVette; Oct 14, 2006 at 11:17 AM.
