I've been wondering what kind of improvement I might see if I put on skinnies.
front wheels
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: E. Amherst NY
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,102
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From: Portsmouth Virginia 396LT4 435RWHP/400RWTQ Best so far 11.26 @ 123mph
Something else people should think about in addition to less rotating mass is that when using skinnies over wider tires it should reduce the amount of water you pick up going thru the water box unless you can drive around it every time. The potential for rear wheels picking up water from the front wheels after your burnout is possible when rolling forward to the line causing tractions problems when launching.
RG
RG
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
The gains in ET depend on what kind of weight savings you are getting.
Going on a C3 with steel rallye wheels and 255/60R15 steel belted radials to a 15 x 4 Convo Pro with a bias-ply front skinny, you'll pick up .15 or more just with the skinnies..
When I had my old 383 and the 5-speed in my car, I went from 12.08 @ 115 mph to 11.67 @ 119.79 mph by just changing to front skinnies and bias-ply rear tires on light weight wheels (from Drag Radials on heavy wheels). My 60' time acually slightly slowed down with bias-ply compared to the drag radials..
Going on a C3 with steel rallye wheels and 255/60R15 steel belted radials to a 15 x 4 Convo Pro with a bias-ply front skinny, you'll pick up .15 or more just with the skinnies..
When I had my old 383 and the 5-speed in my car, I went from 12.08 @ 115 mph to 11.67 @ 119.79 mph by just changing to front skinnies and bias-ply rear tires on light weight wheels (from Drag Radials on heavy wheels). My 60' time acually slightly slowed down with bias-ply compared to the drag radials..
Last edited by GrandSportC3; Nov 14, 2008 at 10:21 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,231
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Something else people should think about in addition to less rotating mass is that when using skinnies over wider tires it should reduce the amount of water you pick up going thru the water box unless you can drive around it every time. The potential for rear wheels picking up water from the front wheels after your burnout is possible when rolling forward to the line causing tractions problems when launching.
Excellent point.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 7
From: Cliffwood Beach NJ
I saw big difference with front skinnies. Best I ever got with slicks on rear and regular tires on front was 12.1 or so, best with slicks and front runners 11.85. Of course I don't have enough runs with each to put a firm number on improvement. With the stock C-3 wheels saved almost 50lbs with front skinnies.
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