Hey guys, with the combo below I managed to run a 13.3 at 104mph with a 1.9 60-foot witch was my best ever. I am having alot of problems with tractions so I am going to buy either Drag radials or Slicks. Now what I would liek to know is the advantage of haveing a 15 inch rim over a 16 inch with the radials. Also I would like to know if I woudl bebetter with a slick or with a radial cause they spin better up top. And Most importantly I would liek everyones opinion on wheater to get 26 inch or 28 inch tires, The radials i wunt are 275/60/15 witch comes to a 28 inch. thanks

 

Depends on your shift point. With the 3.73 gears, 26" tires will probably work best. If you want 28" you should have at least 4.10 gears. The key is to stick the tallest tire possible into the wheel wells then calculate the best gearing to use the tires depending on your shift point. You want to be at or just past your shift point in high gear, 1:1, as you cross the finish line.

A DOT slick is only really needed when you race in a class that demands a DOT tire. They were never intended to be used as a street tire. Stock Eliminators cars are all going to a radial slick (not DOT) but the only size available to them is 30 x 9 x 15. The radial uses more air pressure than a bias tire because of the stiffer sidewall and the radial is suppose to be more consistant.

 

I would say go for BFG or Nitto drag radials - in 15" or 16" size (whatever you have). You should be able to launch a lot more agressively with DR and still be able to drive it to and from the track without a tire change.

 

Right now I go through the trap in 4th gear at around 5600rpm, thats what I shift at so its perfect. So you guys are saying a Drag Radial is gona be a better deal for me right? Ok now this is my question to you, I have a set of 16x8 Formula rims in my garage. I was going to get some BF Goodrich DR's for them in a 255/50/16 witch makes them 26.1 inches.. Now Would it be worth is to get a set of cheap 15x8 inch rims and some 275/50/15 that also have a 26.1 inch dia.?? Now the money I am not worried about cause I just want to hook. So do you think that extra sidewall is gonna help cause its a 15 or no cause its a radial still?? thanks guys

 

a taller sidewall is better for dragracing, but with your hp output you probobly wont see much of a difference.

 

Providing you're shifting at the best shift point and you're crossing the finiah line at or just above your shift point then don't change the tire height. If your current tire is 26" tall then buy some 26" tall slicks. 26 x 9 or 26 x 10 on some cheap 15 x 8 rims will easily fit and give you the traction you're looking for providing the track is prepped properly. Get the rims with no more 5.5" backspace. Less backspace (smaller number) will just stick the tires outward more. A 26" tire shouldn't have any clearance problems.

As for rim size, there's a lot more tire choices if you use a 15" rim. A 16" street rim is very limited in sizes since there isn't a lot of demand for small (width/height) 16" rim tires. Prostock etc use a 16" rim but are also up to 16" wide. They also use tires 33" tall.