Organized Drag Racing and Autocross Drag racing and autocross discussions and questions. Techniques, tips, suggestions, and "what will I run?" questions.

Help Me Choose Slicks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-29-2003, 12:34 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
88 IROC BOB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Essex, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Help Me Choose Slicks

I am ready to buy a pair of slicks to have mounted on another set of wheels for strip use only.
I want a 26" tall and probably in a 15". Not sure how wide to go, don't wnat to have "too much" tire. I'm thinking around 9" wide will work.

Preferences between ET Streets and ET Drags?

Bob
Old 04-29-2003, 01:12 PM
  #2  
Member
 
92camaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Greer, SC
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would go with a 26x10 Mickey Thompson ET drag. The only problem with the true slick is you will have to change the tires at the track. If you want to be able to drive the car down to the track and not have to change tires then go with a 26x11.5 ET Street.
Old 04-29-2003, 02:03 PM
  #3  
Moderator

iTrader: (14)
 
five7kid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Littleton, CO USA
Posts: 43,169
Likes: 0
Received 36 Likes on 34 Posts
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
I haven't had slicks on the Camaro, but I do know that the difference in the way the '57 handles between the Drag Radials and ET Drags is night & day. Most likely that is because I have radial tires on the front.

ET Drags and ET Streets are also tube-type tires, although I know guys who mount them tubeless.

If you ever have to run in a DOT-required class, then don't go with pure slicks. I know a lot of guys who run ET Streets on strip-only, 11-sec cars, even though they don't regularly run in DOT classes.
Old 04-29-2003, 08:15 PM
  #4  
Moderator
TGO - 10 Year Member
 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,167
Likes: 0
Received 136 Likes on 114 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
ET Drag and ET Street are 2 different tires when comparing size.

26" tall is good for a typical street car. If you don't have the deep gears then a taller tire isn't really needed however a taller tire will give a bigger contact patch on the ground from front to rear.

15" is your best choice. They make a few slicks for 16" rims but 15" has a huge selection of sizes.

Width depends on a few things. Size of the rim, backspacing etc. A 9" ET Drag is wider than a 9" ET Street. The ET street is a DOT tire and the width is measured across the section of the tire. The ET drag is measured across the tread. A 26 x 10.5 ET Street actually has about 8.5" wide tread.

A 26 x 9 slick will fit with no problems. I currently use 29 x 9 Hoosier slicks. When I burn these off I'm switching to 29 x 10.

As mentioned above, if you're racing in a DOT tire class then go with the ET Street. If you're just racing in ET bracket races then go with the ET Drag slicks. The tire compound is the same. The only reason they make DOT slicks is for the classes that say you have to run a DOT tire. They're not designed to be used on the streets.
Old 04-30-2003, 12:01 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
88 IROC BOB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Essex, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks guys, I currently run with drag radials but am not hooking very well.
I'm not concerned about it being DOT either. I don't race on a regular basis, I'm just looking for something that will absolutely let me hook when I do go.
I'm leaning towards the ET Drags.

Bob
Old 05-10-2003, 01:20 PM
  #6  
Member
 
black85camaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Marion, Indiana, USA
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 85 Camaro
Engine: 350 Carbed
Transmission: Stock 700r4
I get goodyear slicks brand new for $10 each. They are circle track slicks but they are a soft compound. Only problem is you have to look through the truck to get the good ones w/o the weather cracking. I can get 26"x9.5", 25.5"x10" and like 28"x14.5". I run the 25.5x10" and so far I have hooked ok. That was b4 the 4.10s got put in though.


Oh well.... I am basically saying if anyone is around my area sometime I can get them good deals.


-Terry-
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Linson
Auto Detailing and Appearance
25
09-25-2021 07:55 PM
bjpotter
History / Originality
17
10-04-2015 07:48 PM
fasteddi
Exterior Parts for Sale
2
09-29-2015 04:30 PM
Vincent135
Transmissions and Drivetrain
9
09-28-2015 10:50 PM
Skwisgaar
Mid-West Region
0
09-23-2015 09:55 AM



Quick Reply: Help Me Choose Slicks



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:55 AM.