Need HELP with traction...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Need HELP with traction...
See the mods in my sig...
I ended up going with an 18x12 inch Z06-style rim so that I could stuff on the 335/30 Michelin Pilot Sports (bought brand new). With my mods I absolutely can't keep the tires on the ground anywhere in 1st. I've tried to ease into the throttle but if I come anywhere near the floor, they start to roast. I didn't want to run a DR all the time which is why I went with this wide. The Pilots have always been regarded as excellent and very sticky tires (OE on the Viper).
So, what in the world should I do? I can't use the power I have in 1st and part of 2nd gear. What do you guys do that are running around this level or more (430rwhp plus)????? I'd lose to my old '00 Camaro SS with Nitto's and a stall!!
I ended up going with an 18x12 inch Z06-style rim so that I could stuff on the 335/30 Michelin Pilot Sports (bought brand new). With my mods I absolutely can't keep the tires on the ground anywhere in 1st. I've tried to ease into the throttle but if I come anywhere near the floor, they start to roast. I didn't want to run a DR all the time which is why I went with this wide. The Pilots have always been regarded as excellent and very sticky tires (OE on the Viper).
So, what in the world should I do? I can't use the power I have in 1st and part of 2nd gear. What do you guys do that are running around this level or more (430rwhp plus)????? I'd lose to my old '00 Camaro SS with Nitto's and a stall!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
From: over the water Cali
I run P-Zeros and have traction at the top of first and 1/4 in to 2nd and beyond. I loose it if i hit the throttle at 50-60mph for a second or two. Also you can reduce the pressure in the tires to increase the contact patch. It has more to due with torque thqn Hp. Hp allows you to pull higher gears but its the low end torque that shreeds the tires.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
If you are at the track I would say get them real hot during the burnout. Besides that I do not know what you could do with your present tires besides maybe lowering the air pressure down to around 20psi. With your horsepower and gearing you may need drag radials to hook up. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Thanks all, appreciate the help.
I tried heating them up at the track, didn't seem to help. I also lowered the pressure down to about 20psi, still didn't help.
I agree on the torque vs. HP issue. I went with a real torquey cam instead of a "peaky" cam so I could have the power all the time. What I didn't know is that now I have TOO much power in the mid range and can't even keep 335's on the ground!!
Makes me wonder if I should switch to a peaky cam, wonder if that would help. I can tell you my first tune would not shread the tires. Once we put the new, correct tune on it, the car woke up unbelievably. I need to hit the dyno again. I don't care too much about the numbers though, I just need to find a way to keep the tires on the ground!
I tried heating them up at the track, didn't seem to help. I also lowered the pressure down to about 20psi, still didn't help.
I agree on the torque vs. HP issue. I went with a real torquey cam instead of a "peaky" cam so I could have the power all the time. What I didn't know is that now I have TOO much power in the mid range and can't even keep 335's on the ground!!
Makes me wonder if I should switch to a peaky cam, wonder if that would help. I can tell you my first tune would not shread the tires. Once we put the new, correct tune on it, the car woke up unbelievably. I need to hit the dyno again. I don't care too much about the numbers though, I just need to find a way to keep the tires on the ground!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Same plan
I have a similar plan as you for tires, I really did not want drag radials. So I now have Pirrelli pzero corsa competition 315/30/18 on the rear. I do not have near the mods as you and they work for now. I am considering a cam next spring though and I was going to do the same thing you have done go with 335/30/18 in a pilot sport but now that I read your post I am going to stay tuned and see what happens with you. Maybe the best option may be an extra set of wheels with drag radials on them. good luck I will be standing by on this thread to see what you get worked out. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 51
From: New Milford CT
Those 335's are only 1 1/2" more rubber on the contact patch and that is with LESS pounds per sq. in. load on them now, compared to 295's!
So of course there is very little improvement with that little extra width.
You need to change the Rubber Compound to SOFT and STICKY.
After I got Nitto drag radials on an extra set of rear rims, I can finally feel how hard my car pulls in 1st and 2nd!
Much more fun to feel Pulling Hard not Sit and Spin.
You can also get the same sticky rubber in a Nitto 555 RII road race tire.
So of course there is very little improvement with that little extra width.
You need to change the Rubber Compound to SOFT and STICKY.
After I got Nitto drag radials on an extra set of rear rims, I can finally feel how hard my car pulls in 1st and 2nd!
Much more fun to feel Pulling Hard not Sit and Spin.You can also get the same sticky rubber in a Nitto 555 RII road race tire.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Originally Posted by CJS
Those 335's are only 1 1/2" more rubber on the contact patch and that is with LESS pounds per sq. in. load on them now, compared to 295's!
So of course there is very little improvement with that little extra width.
You need to change the Rubber Compound to SOFT and STICKY.
After I got Nitto drag radials on an extra set of rear rims, I can finally feel how hard my car pulls in 1st and 2nd! Much more fun to feel Pulling Hard not Sit and Spin.
You can also get the same sticky rubber in a Nitto 555 RII road race tire.
So of course there is very little improvement with that little extra width.
You need to change the Rubber Compound to SOFT and STICKY.
After I got Nitto drag radials on an extra set of rear rims, I can finally feel how hard my car pulls in 1st and 2nd!
Much more fun to feel Pulling Hard not Sit and Spin.You can also get the same sticky rubber in a Nitto 555 RII road race tire.
). And going from a 295 to a 335 is a HUUUUGE difference. Heck, I've gone from 225 to 235, same tire, on an old LX 5.0 and gone from slip to sticky, so I have to disagree 100% with your statement. Oh, and where did you get that I have less less lbs per sq in.? I'm running on the 18x12 rears. How could I possibly have LESS contact patch?????? I checked on this with one guy at Discount Tire Direct, and the manager of the local store. They both agreed I should have far superior stick with these (and I didn't buy the tires from them).
I really wanted to stay away from DR's as they're horribly sloppy in the turns. I had an extra set of rims with the new BFG G-force and they were garbage in the turns, on only ok in the straights. I'm thinking that at this point I'm SOL. I was hoping some "big power" guys would jump in with what they've done to tame the power.
Last edited by Weedo; Oct 31, 2004 at 09:55 AM.
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From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
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IMHO you should tub it and stuff it.......
Here is a thread with my set-up.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=935366
Because you have more tire sticking out vs a tub job and the tire closer to the center of the car.....you have less weight over the tires and that means less traction
Here is a thread with my set-up.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=935366
Because you have more tire sticking out vs a tub job and the tire closer to the center of the car.....you have less weight over the tires and that means less traction
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Originally Posted by Dr.Ron
Try applying the throttle in "moderation"....Outside of that, DR's is about it for the street...
Any other recommendations in a 345 (bigger or smaller) 18??? The Nitto 555R II only comes in a 305 as the largest size...
