Drag radial question...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
Drag radial question...
I have a 93 vette with the 285's out back and i get very little traction launching. Would going to 16x8 BFG drag radials, size 255/50/16, help me out or would the thinner tire actually be the same/worse???
thanks,
dave
thanks,
dave
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 question... (BlackRoseLT1)
Does a '93 have 16" rims on it???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
Re: Drag radial question... (mackeyred96)
i was planning on getting a second set of rims to just put on when i go to the track (about 15 miles from my house). a fellow member has a set of 99 ta rims with the drag radials up for sale and i figure since they fit, they may be worth a try. i have the factory 17 inch sawblades
edit - basically will the 16'' 255's be better than my 17 '' street 285's?
[Modified by BlackRoseLT1, 1:43 PM 6/1/2004]
edit - basically will the 16'' 255's be better than my 17 '' street 285's?
[Modified by BlackRoseLT1, 1:43 PM 6/1/2004]
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 question... (BlackRoseLT1)
I'd use a set of 17" rim and the 315 BFG's.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
Re: Drag radial question... (mackeyred96)
so the 255 dr's won't be much of an improvement over stock 285's?
the only reson i'm considering the 255's is because its a wheel/tire package for only $250...dr would be $325ish plus wheels..i only go to the track once in a blue moon just want something that will help me hook up
the only reson i'm considering the 255's is because its a wheel/tire package for only $250...dr would be $325ish plus wheels..i only go to the track once in a blue moon just want something that will help me hook up
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Re: Drag radial question... (BlackRoseLT1)
Yes, a 255 drag radial will be an improvement over your 285 street tires. I run 285 tires on the street and for a time my track rims were a pair of 16x8 F-body wheels with 245/50/16 Nitto drags. The drag radials hooked much better. That being said I later went to a set of 275/40/17 BFG drtag radials on Vette rims and they hook up much better than the smaller drag radials 
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
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
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Drag radial question... (BlackRoseLT1)
The tire compound will help greatly. The difference between 285 and 255 is barely an inch in section width, tread width may be less different between the two.
Mr Mackey has always recommended the narrowest tire that doesn't spin.
Ask if you can test the setup before you buy, if you hook, buy them, if not than start saving for a 9.5-11" rim and tires to go with it.
Mr Mackey has always recommended the narrowest tire that doesn't spin.
Ask if you can test the setup before you buy, if you hook, buy them, if not than start saving for a 9.5-11" rim and tires to go with it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
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
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Drag radial question... (BlackRoseLT1)
The other concern is track width, the T/A rims have a different offset and backspacing, you will find that the will be more inbound than a vette wheel. Not sure how much that will affect anything, but something to think about.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
Re: Drag radial question... (Mr Mojo)
thansk for the ideas/tips/opinions
ta - thats exactly what i was hoping to here
mojo - good idea about the backspacing, i will test fit these to see how they look/fit
i'll let you guys know what happens and i hope to see you down at englishtown sometime
dave
ta - thats exactly what i was hoping to here
mojo - good idea about the backspacing, i will test fit these to see how they look/fit
i'll let you guys know what happens and i hope to see you down at englishtown sometime
dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 820
Likes: 1
From: Jupiter Fl.
Re: Drag radial question... (BlackRoseLT1)
You didn't say what tires you're running now. If they're old, original, hard, GSC's, you should think about replacing them with more modern true street tires, like the Goodyear F1's. in stock size. They hook up surprisingly well, and it's an all around tire. You can leave them on, and you won't be skating in the wet.
IMO, you don't really need Drag Radials to get that "Ferocious" stock LT1 to hook.
IMO, you don't really need Drag Radials to get that "Ferocious" stock LT1 to hook.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
Re: Drag radial question... (Greybeard ZR1)
well i got the wheels and the tires and after i get them mounted i will let you guys know the outcome...
couple more questions...(may be stupid - sorry in advance)
1- should i have the drag radials balanced?
2- how much psi on the street? 25?
3- how much psi on the track? 18?
4- go through bleach box?
4- how long of a burnout?
5- what rpm should i launch at?
thanks guy
couple more questions...(may be stupid - sorry in advance)
1- should i have the drag radials balanced?
2- how much psi on the street? 25?
3- how much psi on the track? 18?
4- go through bleach box?
4- how long of a burnout?
5- what rpm should i launch at?
thanks guy
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 428
From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Drag radial question... (BlackRoseLT1)
Hey Dave...unless I missed it, you didn't mention whether you have a Dana 36 or 44 differential...if you are going to run DR's out back and have a Dana 36 be very careful...one good hook is all it takes to break it...spinning some at launch is actually a good thing if you have a 36...it saves your diff...good luck...
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: memphis tn
Re: Drag radial question... (BlackRoseLT1)
1-yes
2-30-32
3-15-18
4-yes
5-until you see both of your tires smoking in your mirrors
6-youll have to play with that and see what rpm gets you your best 60 ft
2-30-32
3-15-18
4-yes
5-until you see both of your tires smoking in your mirrors
6-youll have to play with that and see what rpm gets you your best 60 ft
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 question... (11sec76)
brake torque until the car feels like its about to move, when the light tuns green, release the brake and hammer it.
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 question... (BlackRoseLT1)
its an auto with a d36 and 2.59's