Drag Radial Sizes?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Drag Radial Sizes?
I'm wanting to buy a set of drag radials and mount them on a separate set of rims. I was hoping that some of you guys could clue me in on what brand and size would be best for a 2001 Z06.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Re: Drag Radial Sizes? (Red96Coupe)
I don't really have a preference on what size. Wouldn't it be better to go with 16" rims so that I could get a taller tire which would allow more flex? Plus, wouldn't it be cheaper to go with the smaller rims? I don't care how it looks, I'm only going to use them at the track.
Red96Coupe: did you go with the 17" rims? If so, what brand of tire did you use?
Thanks!
Red96Coupe: did you go with the 17" rims? If so, what brand of tire did you use?
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Re: Drag Radial Sizes? (Swimmer)
Originally I used 275/40x17 both BFG & NITTO.. they worked well even with my 3.73s & 2800 Vigilante converter, however more times than not the track was marginal.. & I'll hook hard (1.65-1.70) 60' times for the first 2 runs.... while the track was in "GOOD" condition...
Then the street tired cars would tear up the track & I'd spin BAD (1.9) 60' Then I changed to 15' Weld Pro Star Wheels & am using 325/50x15 28" tall BFGs but they slow me down about .05- .08 due to a higher overall gear ratio..
BUT now I am consistent, & hook up 90%..
As for 17 or 16 I've heard a lot of guys running great 60' with the 17" 11" wide GS rim & 315 BFG.. also Dennis with his auto 98 is running 16" & ET Streets..
If it were my car, I'd go with 17x11" wheels & 315 BFG because I'm lazy & OLD :( & cant be changing tires at the track..
Check with some of the C5 guys...
[Modified by Red96Coupe, 8:21 AM 6/12/2002]
Then the street tired cars would tear up the track & I'd spin BAD (1.9) 60' Then I changed to 15' Weld Pro Star Wheels & am using 325/50x15 28" tall BFGs but they slow me down about .05- .08 due to a higher overall gear ratio..
BUT now I am consistent, & hook up 90%..
As for 17 or 16 I've heard a lot of guys running great 60' with the 17" 11" wide GS rim & 315 BFG.. also Dennis with his auto 98 is running 16" & ET Streets..
If it were my car, I'd go with 17x11" wheels & 315 BFG because I'm lazy & OLD :( & cant be changing tires at the track..
Check with some of the C5 guys...
[Modified by Red96Coupe, 8:21 AM 6/12/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Drag Radial Sizes? (ralph)
I think BFG only makes one tire for the 16 in wheel. 15 & 17 have a lot more choices.
Most C5 use 17" front rims on the back with the 275 tires. The rims are really to narrow 9.5 for 315 tires.
C5 with ET streets use 16" wheels. 16" will fit.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 32,545
Likes: 2
From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
Re: Drag Radial Sizes?
The 16" rim on the C5 will require you do a little grinding on the top a-arm depending on what 16" wheel you buy, it may need some machining to clear as well.
I did run the ET Streets on my C5 but with redial on the front the car sways a bit too much for my liking at the top end. So I am back to Drag radials.
Real easy for me front C5 rims with 275 17's on them. Take them off an on the car in 12 minutes when I have to switch to my street tires (not often;))
I did run the ET Streets on my C5 but with redial on the front the car sways a bit too much for my liking at the top end. So I am back to Drag radials.
Real easy for me front C5 rims with 275 17's on them. Take them off an on the car in 12 minutes when I have to switch to my street tires (not often;))
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 23
From: Newark CA
Re: Drag Radial Sizes?
I'm using the 275/40/17s on OEM 17 X 8.5 wheels. A 9.5-inch wheel would be better, but I couldn't find one that matches the polished wheels. You could use a similar setup with OEM Z06 front wheels.
[Modified by joeflyer, 9:14 PM 6/12/2002]
[Modified by joeflyer, 9:14 PM 6/12/2002]
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Re: Drag Radial Sizes? (Swimmer)
I think I found the perfect combo for those who don't wish to grind or stuff a big DR in the eheelwell without tubbing... I went with Nitto DR 275x17 on a repro Y2K 17x9.5 polished wheel from www.Performancewheeloutlet.com...They work great and the car looks like a real sleeper. :yesnod:
Noone would ever know you were running drag radials and they ...bite!
Noone would ever know you were running drag radials and they ...bite!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Re: Drag Radial Sizes? (Swimmer)
I think I found the perfect combo for those who don't wish to grind or stuff a big DR in the wheelwell without tubbing... I went with Nitto DR 275x17 on a repro Y2K 17x9.5 polished wheel from www.Performancewheeloutlet.com...They work great and the car looks like a real sleeper. :yesnod:
No one would ever know you were running drag radials and they really bite!
No one would ever know you were running drag radials and they really bite!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Re: Drag Radial Sizes? (Red96Coupe)
As for 17 or 16 I've heard a lot of guys running great 60' with the 17" 11" wide GS rim & 315 BFG..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 0
From: Stamford CT.
Re: Drag Radial Sizes? (Swimmer)
I have been useing the BFG 315's on 9 1/2" Z06 fronts. I will be mounting a second set of BFG 315's on 11"GS rims just to see for my self what I have been trading off in traction. I shure hope the fourm guru's are right and I pick up big from the "right" combo. Freshly ground track(june 16) has to be better than the way it's been, and wider wheels with 315's, what should I run with this new combination of better track and wheels? Ric
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 25
From: Orlando FL
Re: Drag Radial Sizes? (Swimmer)
Scott, I also recommend the BFG 315x35 17" DR but you should mount them on a GS 11" rim. A 9.5" rim is too small for these tires (IMHO) and you run the risk of breaking the bead. Don't know if a ZR-1 rim would give you clearance problems due to their offset. Have fun!
Your Z06 Convert is looking great! Still having fun with her? Mine is taking *forever* to complete but its finally shaping up as we're getting ready for paint in the next couple of weeks.
[Modified by Hutch, 2:09 PM 6/22/2002]
Your Z06 Convert is looking great! Still having fun with her? Mine is taking *forever* to complete but its finally shaping up as we're getting ready for paint in the next couple of weeks.
[Modified by Hutch, 2:09 PM 6/22/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
Re: Drag Radial Sizes? (Swimmer)
Have tried all different combinations and sizes of drag radial's. If you have a six speed my recommendation would be the BFG's. My 315 Nitto's take a
John Force burnout and still are hard to get into the 1.8's. Its too bad the 15" BFG will not fit in back on a Z06. Used my 275/50/15 BFG's last week end and they really hook up. Did a mild burnout and they hooked great. My clutch didn't agree though. Launching at 2500 RPM's with 22PSI seemed best.
John Force burnout and still are hard to get into the 1.8's. Its too bad the 15" BFG will not fit in back on a Z06. Used my 275/50/15 BFG's last week end and they really hook up. Did a mild burnout and they hooked great. My clutch didn't agree though. Launching at 2500 RPM's with 22PSI seemed best.
