Drag Radials and 500+ RWHP and Street Driving

[MI2QWK4U]

This discussion began in the middle of another thread, and in all fairness should have its own thread.

Uh....lets start out with the Drag Radial discussion. I have been using my Nittos since the blower went on. They perform wonderfully. I do not drive in snow or at all during the winter, has nothing to do with the Nittos, hell, I wouldn't drive the Marauder or Mach at wintertime, with or without stock tires! They work fine at high speeds and when it rains, even at high speeds when it rains! These tires are DOT approved for street use and a permitted as such.

From the Nitto website....

-Slanted groove and lateral slit pattern offers water drainage for safety on wet surfaces.

-Improved dry traction due to high block rigidity, ultra-high grip compound, and large surface area contact with the road.

-Unique tread design provides excellent handling capabilities for daily driving.

-Two wide steel tread belts and two nylon tread cap plies for superior handling characteristics.

-The Nitto NT-555R Extreme Drag Radial Tire is an exciting addition to the specialty performance radial tire segment of the Nitto Tire Product Line. With the NT-555R Nitto engineers succeeded in designing a DOT approved, drag racing radial tire. Nitto Tire demanded a tire that would outperform all drag racing radial tires, provide impressive control and handling, and still deliver up to 15,000 miles of tread life of normal street-driving use. NT-555R's are manufactured with the original tread depth of 6/32nd's of an inch and are constructed with a specially formulated soft racing tread compound to provide maximum traction. However, this soft and flexible tread will wear much quicker than tread compounds formulated for regular passenger cars.


Next...500+ horsepower and daily street driving.
My Marauder puts down a healty 500+ at the rear wheel. This is how my car faces the day. I am happy to say that my tune and setup absolutely maintains identical drivability characteristics as a bone stock car. My wife knows how to drive the car, what it is capable of, how to read the boost gauge, etc. She loves the fact that if you dont get on it, you have no idea its blown. My car is completely streetable. Up here, you find 600 HP Mustangs all over the place! As for being a garage queen...thats a good one. I drive the Marauder every chance I get, except winter. Just not safe to drive in Michigan in the winter and get rear ended or smashed up. I have a ton of fun with my car on the street...every day. The number of bruised egos grows every day! I'm not one to run up to 140 MPH on the street..that is dangerous and unsafe. I prefer to the light to light runs, buy the time I hit 45-50 mph....its over. My 500+hp and insane torque, along with the Drag radials have come thru again...another bruised ego. Some supercharger setups affect daily drivability, I have never experienced anything like this. It has never so much as stalled out, like some have.

Safe to say that with a knowledgeable person driving, a 500+ HP Marauder and Nittos can exhist very well in the everyday driving jungle.

Mike, anything to add?

[BillyGman]

I concur......I use the P305/45/18 Nitto Drag radials on both the street and the track just like Dave does, and my car is a daily driver.The Nittos are fine even in the rain, however, they do waer quickly just like any soft compound rubber tire does (such as many of the Pirelli tires do) and when they begin to wear down to the point that there's barely any tread left on them, they're very treacherous in the rain on the highway IF you rive over speeds of 60 MPH. But you can say the same for any tire that gets to the point of being almost bald.


The only difference with the Nitto drag radials when it comes to wet pavement, is that it doesn't take them very long to get to the point of being almost bald since the treads they come with from the factory are very shallow in the first place. but overall, I really like them, and I'll continue to buy them for my Marauder as long as I can afford them.

[MI2QWK4U]

I have almost 9,000 miles on my Nittos.

[MikesMerc]

Wow...between the two of you guys, I really don't have anything to add :up:

Its just a shame that all the negative banter about drag radials in "the other thread" was just off the mark, inaccurate, and misleading to those considering running drag radials. As long as the driver knows the limitations of the drag radials, they make a fine choice for the street. Of course, as usual, I was crucified for telling it how it is:)

[MI2QWK4U]

Wow...between the two of you guys, I really don't have anything to add :up:

Its just a shame that all the negative banter about drag radials in "the other thread" was just off the mark, inaccurate, and misleading to those considering running drag radials. As long as the driver knows the limitations of the drag radials, they make a fine choice for the street. Of course, as usual, I was crucified for telling it how it is:)


JEEEZ Mike...
Only place you are going to be crucified is at the drag strip when I smoke you but good! See....Trilogy cars and owners are the canibals too! We will even eat our own when given the chance, doesn't even have to be another brand of supercharger!!! Bunch of savage animals!!

[MikesMerc]

Guy's-n-gals that put big hp to the ground, what other choice do they have?OEM size tires don't seem to offer nearly enough traction.

Well, some folks would have you beleive that the answer is to limit the power being made or to otherwise "pull up short" of the cars potential. I disagree.

Run responsibly, the drag radial is indeed a good answer to the question. Tons of folks a running them daily now with great results. Now, remember, these tires are NOT the bais ply DOT approved drag tires that are indeed barely safe for the street...such as the Mickey Thompson ET Streets (a tire designed by MT soley for True Street drag competition). Those tires are indeed a bit spooky on the street day after day. Drag radials, on the other hand ARE true radial tires meant for daily street use. Yes, they need to be used responsibly (just like a supercharged car), but they can indeed provide safe and effective traction for high horsepowered street cars.

So, if you have a high powered car you have a choice. De-tune it and pull up short, or get drag radials and use them responsibly like thousands of others already are. If you don't have the luxury of avoiding bad weather then you may indeed be forced to compromise. But, make no mistake, 600hp can indeed be handled on the street with these tires. It happens every day.

[MikesMerc]

Bunch of savage animals!!

Hey! I resemble that comment:D

LOL...Dave, don't make me bust out the blue bottle on your AZZ!

[MI2QWK4U]

Hey! I resemble that comment:D

LOL...Dave, don't make me bust out the blue bottle on your AZZ!


You are going Down Zavislak...You and your sissy girly man Drag Radials. You have been ragging on people long enough...time to meet your match. Blue bottle...better make it a double!

[mpearce]

If no one minds, I would like to add my two cents, and then some.

I am not a supercharged car, I am 100% N/A. I chose the wheel widening, and the Nittos as a mod that I absolutely wanted like you wouldn't believe. In fact, I let people know I wanted this mod so bad, I actually got them as a christmas present. What a surprise!

From the moment I first saw this wheel, and tire combo in person, I wanted it for my car. Looking at pictures of my car before I put this combo on the back, it makes it seem like the car was lacking something...and this mod fixed it. For all I know this mod might actually even slow me down a bit at the track, but I could care less because of how good it looks. IMO, it completes the cars look.

For me, the look is absolutely perfect, and I LOVE IT! I have only a few hundred miles on them, and I think they perform wonderfully. People have actually pulled up next to me on the street and asked me what the deal was with those wheels and tires. People have stopped me in parking lots, gas stations, etc.

I could care less about what anyone on this site says about this wheel and tire combo. The only thing that matters here is that I LOVE the way they look. So what if I don't have enough power to "need" them? That dosen't matter to me. What matters is what I want.

-Mat

[MI2QWK4U]

What matters is what I want.

-Mat



That is a novel idea, well said!

[BillyGman]

Bunch of savage animals!!Just like our forced induction Marauders are at the track....."Savage"!!!! Look at my car on drag radials......400 HP to the rear wheels, and consistent 1.6 second sixty foot times, and 4.9 second 330 foot times. You'll never do that on standard radial tires. especially not with a 4,200 LB car. ;)

[BillyGman]

You are going Down Zavislak...!LOL....that's what Dave said about me concerning the Trilogy burnout contest.... :rofl: :whistle: :burnout: :banana2:

[MikesMerc]

Yep, those are some sick 60 foots there Billy :up:

Dave, Dave, Dave....don't make me show you my license plate...again;)

[MikesMerc]

I could care less about what anyone on this site says about this wheel and tire combo. The only thing that matters here is that I LOVE the way they look. So what if I don't have enough power to "need" them? That dosen't matter to me. What matters is what I want.

-Mat

Well said, my man, well said :beer:

[MI2QWK4U]

LOL....that's what Dave said about me concerning the Trilogy burnout contest.... :rofl: :whistle: :burnout: :banana2:


Hell no Billy, no way I was going to even try against you in the burnout contest!

[MI2QWK4U]

Yep, those are some sick 60 foots there Billy :up:

Dave, Dave, Dave....don't make me show you my license plate...again;)


That does it...Showdown in Motown is on....Then again...if you get out and push you might be able to keep up.

[MI2QWK4U]

Mike, ever see the movie Better of Dead? comedy john cusack booger paperboy....

[BillyGman]

Hell no Billy, no way I was going to even try against you in the burnout contest!LOL....I'll take that as quite a compliment from someone who owns such a torque monster of a Marauder like you do. :D

[MikesMerc]

Mike, ever see the movie Better of Dead? comedy john cusack booger paperboy....

Not that I recall. And I'm afraid to ask :confused:

But remember, having the power is only half the battle. And the more power you have, the better you gotta be in handling it. I may be short 35hp or so, but I still have a chance:)

[Bradley G]

Come on!,... What's a mere 35 horsepower amongst friends!:D Side bets anyone?:P
Bradley G

[BillyGman]

. I may be short 35hp or so, but I still have a chance:) I'm not neccessarily taking sides here, but Mike, just remember our posted conversation about GEAR RATIO. It can be the great equalizer;)

[SergntMac]

I knew that if I didn't check in here, I'd be some kind of wussy. Okay, here goes...

This discussion began in the middle of another thread, and in all fairness should have its own thread.
I thought so too, a few days before you. BTW, there are some useful links inside, take a peek?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=17413

Okay, let's get to the heart of the matter, being responsible adults.

First, let me point out that there are over 2500 members signed up here, with over 500 of them taking the time to post something, somewhere. We know this from polls, but there is a smaller group who post something daily. By and large, most of us know what we are talking about, but our perspectives do collide, as they have over this topic. Secondly, some of us are considered "senior" members, due to the length of time we have been posting here, as well as some of the mods and performance stats we have collected as owners.

IMHO, I conclude that a certain level of trust is invested in us as senior and experienced voices, because of our investment in a Marauder, and folks tend to take our opinions as trustworthy. All of you, Dave, Mike and Billy, at one time, or, another here, have earned such compliments. Folks trust you, and I trust you to be honest when mentoring those less informed. This is my chief concern, how others see us as trustworthy in our advice, and how they will immitate our actions, or, replicate our behavior, without giving things a second thought.

Dave, you did well in posting all the 411 from the Nitto website, and I do not dispute one word. Of course, I never did to begin with. What's missing from Nitto's website, is the customary warning of driving on drag radials in the rain. Almost all drag radial manfacturers will say that you can use drag radials on wet surfaces, in fact the Pirelli site describes the Corsa as an excellent tire for wet surfaces, because Auto X folks race rain or shine. No disagreement here, but rain on the highway, mixed with oil and stuff, and left hiding in the ruts of a well used highway, isn't a controlled race on a closed track in the rain.

My point is, is that just because a warning is not posted at Nitto's website, does not make the Nitto a better tire, or, somehow different from all other drag radials available today. Many tire manfacturers produce drag radials, and most of them include appropriate warning at their web sites. While searching for 411, I found warnings at Micky Thompson, Hoosier, Toyo, Pirelli and more. I also found articles in polular and respected magazines that echo a concern for caution in wet weather, and all the links are present in my original drag radial thread.

Ignoring these warning because Nitto has, is being irresponsible about it. It's the truth, you guys know it, and to watch you treat this topic as you have is disappointing. Here's two pages of argument on the subject, and these guys are making the same points I am make here, with the same questions and comments I expect to see here.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1927666&postid=20130973

I think it was real good thing that guy did, fessin up like that. He took some slapping around, but his message is clear, and it serves us well to give it some respect.

In the main, it doesn't have anything to do with compound, it's a matter of standing water sufficient to raise the tire off the ground, a factor that increases as tread depth decreases. Speed, or course has something to do with it, the faster you go, the quicker you will hydroplane. Take a lesson from the OTR motorcycle community. They don't pull over to stay dry, the need to stay away from the oil and grease mixed with rain, lurking in the ruts worn into any highway will see them parked until conditions change. maybe some of our members are bikers too, maybe one or two will chime in.

If I haven't changed anyone's mind on this, (shrug) so be it. I've had my say, but I suggest Dave, Mike and Billy have a talk with someone they trust, as others trust us. Lidio. Last December, Zack and I were up his way for dyno tunes, and we discussed drag radials specifically. Ask him what he said?

Oh, and that other crap, about 500 RWHP on the street, I had my say on that too. But, keep something in mind as you slap me around? There are wives and adult family members attached to most of our members here. They also drive these cars. Maybe your spouses have grown up in Gasoline Alley, and they are blessed with experience, but many others could be clueless. I'd like to believe that we can, when necessary, show some restraint in what we discuss, and how we discuss it. Someone's kid may grab the keys and give it a try.

I will add some simple logic from my tour in Major Accident Investigation. 500+ RWHP with likewise torque moves 4400 pounds very quickly, and speed is achieved in much shorter distance. As hard as we all work to launch our MMs as quickly as we can, we should be spending likewise attention on stopping them. Any tire, drag radial or not, with half it's tread gone for any reason, loses braking and control power in the rain, maybe as much as 50 percent. Once the weight of the car is lifted from the rear tires in hard braking, the possibility of hydroplaining on the rear tires doubles. It doesn't really have much to do with drag radial, compound, or, not. You will be seriously out of control in a 4400 pound unguided missile.

Any other Major Accident guys out here? Anyone want to take on explaining co-efficient of friction?

Okay, slap away.

[BillyGman]

I stand somewhere in the middle of Dave's and MAC's theories on these drag radials. BTW, MAC mentioned TOYO tire company, but what that brought to my mind is that Nitto is actually a part of the Toyo company. Anyway, according to my experience so far with two sets of the P305/45/18 Nitto drag radials on my supercharged Marauder, my opinion is as follows:

I like them so much, that I'm about to purchase a third pair, and they will be used for my daily commute just as the last two pair have been without incident. But while I haven't found any wet traction issues with them at all during the first 5,000 miles, I have found that once that tread depth gets low enough where the tire begins to closely resemble a slick, then they do get treacherous on the wet pavement, and you have to slow your big boat down considerably on the highway, and around turns. Infact, there are wear blocks on them towards the center treads, and once the treads get to be even depth with those wear blocks, then watch out in the rain. I've never spun out or anything (like "JET" has with them), but I have found that I have to stay at 60 MPH tops on the highway to avoid hydroplaning once the treads reach those wear blocks.

These tires definately wear quick, but how many miles you get out of them before the tread depth gets to those wear blocks I'm talking about obviouisly will depend on how abusive you are on these tires. If you like doing burnouts as much as I do, then you'll ofcourse go through these tires real quick.

But because this P305/45/18 tire size looks so cool on the back mag wheels of the Marauder, and because they offer much better dry pavement traction than the standard radials do both on the street and on the track, I luv them. But you definately have to keep a close eye on that tread depth, especially if you and your spouse will be driving your Marauder in the rain.

[tmac1337]

Sorry, more appropriately goes in another thread

[MikesMerc]

I stand somewhere in the middle of Dave's and MAC's theories on these drag radials. BTW, MAC mentioned TOYO tire company, but what that brought to my mind is that Nitto is actually a part of the Toyo company. Anyway, according to my experience so far with two sets of the P305/45/18 Nitto drag radials on my supercharged Marauder, my opinion is as follows:

I like them so much, that I'm about to purchase a third pair, and they will be used for my daily commute just as the last two pair have been without incident. But while I haven't found any wet traction issues with them at all during the first 5,000 miles, I have found that once that tread depth gets low enough where the tire begins to closely resemble a slick, then they do get treacherous on the wet pavement, and you have to slow your big boat down considerably on the highway, and around turns. Infact, there are wear blocks on them towards the center treads, and once the treads get to be even depth with those wear blocks, then watch out in the rain. I've never spun out or anything (like "JET" has with them), but I have found that I have to stay at 60 MPH tops on the highway to avoid hydroplaning once the treads reach those wear blocks.

These tires definately wear quick, but how many miles you get out of them before the tread depth gets to those wear blocks I'm talking about obviouisly will depend on how abusive you are on these tires. If you like doing burnouts as much as I do, then you'll ofcourse go through these tires real quick.

But because this P305/45/18 tire size looks so cool on the back mag wheels of the Marauder, and because they offer much better dry pavement traction than the standard radials do both on the street and on the track, I luv them. But you definately have to keep a close eye on that tread depth, especially if you and your spouse will be driving your Marauder in the rain.

This is good analysis Billy. I concur.


As far as Mac's post, well I guess I must respect his concern for everyone's safety. However, I don't think I need to be reminded of my "responsibility" to the readers here. I quote my own post with some important highlights:


Run responsibly, the drag radial is indeed a good answer to the question. Tons of folks a running them daily now with great results. Now, remember, these tires are NOT the bais ply DOT approved drag tires that are indeed barely safe for the street...such as the Mickey Thompson ET Streets (a tire designed by MT soley for True Street drag competition). Those tires are indeed a bit spooky on the street day after day. Drag radials, on the other hand ARE true radial tires meant for daily street use. Yes, they need to be used responsibly (just like a supercharged car), but they can indeed provide safe and effective traction for high horsepowered street cars.

So, if you have a high powered car you have a choice. De-tune it and pull up short, or get drag radials and use them responsibly like thousands of others already are. If you don't have the luxury of avoiding bad weather then you may indeed be forced to compromise. But, make no mistake, 600hp can indeed be handled on the street with these tires. It happens every day.

The message about being responsible with tire choice doesn't get any clearer than that. And, quite frankly, anyone driving a car that has enough power to need these tires is already under a huge responsibility anyway. Putting a blower on the car for street use isn't much different than using drag radials. Both can be very dangerous if used irresponsibly.

Oh and BTW, Lidio runs the drag radials exclusively on his marauder. What you heard Mac was Lidio being responsible about tire choice. He knows the limitations of the drag radials and uses them with the caution they deserve. Same goes for the tires on his famous street driven 9 second yellow BFG Drag Radial Mustang.

That said, your concern for safety is well received Mac.

[BillyGman]

I don't know of a better cap to this thread than Mike just put^so I think that about sums this topic up in the best and most balanced way that it can be, and I think that after all the opinions and viewpoints have been listed here, we should all just let our readers decide for themselves since we've given them all the info they can possibly need, and then some.

[MI2QWK4U]

I agree with everyone...this is how a thread should go...respect opinions while expressing your own differeing one... Maybe not so different after all?

[Glenn]

Great information on the drag radials from everyone. That is the reason I bought the Nitto 295s. I drive 100 miles each day at 80 mph - 80% of the time. I just cannot use drag radials at these speeds on wet pavement. I really wanted the 305s, but made a choice based on my driving and safety needs. Yes, I can easily smoke the 295s (60' on both sides) with my modest mods and HP.

Glenn

[MikesMerc]

I agree with everyone...this is how a thread should go...respect opinions while expressing your own differeing one... Maybe not so different after all?

Amen brotha

[SergntMac]

I agree with everyone...this is how a thread should go...respect opinions while expressing your own differeing one... Maybe not so different after all?
Works for me, gentlemen, and thank you all.

Let's call it a "win against war", meaning the war that get things closed down without any resolution at all.

I'm tired of getting a cork stuffed in my mouth just when things start to get down to the nuts of it all. I'm honored to hear your side of things, and pleased to be heard myself. If we can keep this kind of talk going, all of us will benefit.

To the moderators...Go fish! Y'all think we cannot work things out without you, and y'all have been too button happy lately anyway. It's been said a dozen times a week now, that this board is different that the rest. When will you believe that?

What's next, guys? Okay, I have one...

Just how the Hell do y'all get 500+ SAFE rear wheel horsepower from a bone stock 4.6 engine? Please?

[bigslim]

Just how the Hell do y'all get 500+ SAFE rear wheel horsepower from a bone stock 4.6 engine? Please?[/QUOTE]
Special Detroit gas.

[MI2QWK4U]

Special Detroit gas.

We got lots of that....

[Joe Walsh]

Great information on the drag radials from everyone. That is the reason I bought the Nitto 295s. I drive 100 miles each day at 80 mph - 80% of the time. I just cannot use drag radials at these speeds on wet pavement. I really wanted the 305s, but made a choice based on my driving and safety needs. Yes, I can easily smoke the 295s (60' on both sides) with my modest mods and HP.

Glenn

My dilemma as well....I'd love to get the Nitto 305Rs (drag radials) but I'm leaning towards the P295 street radials for longer wear and higher speeds on rain drenched highways.
Can you guys who have used both compare the increase in traction when you go from the OEM KDW 245s to the Nitto P295s and ultimately to the Nitto 305Rs??
Example: If the OEM 245s are a '4', and true drag tires are a '10', then how high would you rate the P295s and the 305Rs?

[SergntMac]

We got lots of that.... Heard that!

So...What's a gallon of 93 going for today in your neck...I just paid 2.75 this afternoon, and no one (locally) seems to be complaining. WTF?

[STLR FN]

Around me Mac, it's 2.4x-2.5x
Heard that!

So...What's a gallon of 93 going for today in your neck...I just paid 2.75 this afternoon, and no one (locally) seems to be complaining. WTF?

[MikesMerc]

Holy Thread Resurrection Batman!

[DEFYANT]

I agree with most of what I read here. I also run the Nitto DR's - as long as it is over 50*. I noticed they are crappy in the cold air.

[John F. Russo]

Wow...between the two of you guys, I really don't have anything to add :up:

Its just a shame that all the negative banter about drag radials in "the other thread" was just off the mark, inaccurate, and misleading to those considering running drag radials. As long as the driver knows the limitations of the drag radials, they make a fine choice for the street. Of course, as usual, I was crucified for telling it how it is:)

Please give me the name of the other thread.

[Smokie]

Over 90% of my driving is pleasure highway driving at above average speeds, drag radials do not meet my personal level of safety. Florida has lots of heavy rains year 'round.

I am not here to question the superior performance of drag radials at the track, hopefully no one will question the superior performance of street radials at highway speeds in the rain.

Has anyone used widened wheels with hi-performance street radials???

[Rick-n-Miami]

Yeap. They work quite well, I find. I too fear our rainy season and drag radials, so I went with the Nitto 555 295's and all is good.





Over 90% of my driving is pleasure highway driving at above average speeds, drag radials do not meet my personal level of safety. Florida has lots of heavy rains year 'round.

I am not here to question the superior performance of drag radials at the track, hopefully no one will question the superior performance of street radials at highway speeds in the rain.

Has anyone used widened wheels with hi-performance street radials???

[Smokie]

The NT 555 ZR is a great looking tire, have you been to the track with those tires??? Wondering what kind of 60' times you can get out of them.

[SergntMac]

Has anyone used widened wheels with hi-performance street radials??? Yes.

Lidio prepared 9.5 wide MM wheels, with Pirelli P-Zero Assymetricos in 285/45-18. 11.25" of rubber on the pavement at the back corners, got to love it OTR. Like driving on glue.

However...The Pirellis are prolly the stickest street tire available, which means...(okay, all together now, class) they wear like *****.

I got less than 10K miles on my last set before I retired them, but what fun it was.

[John F. Russo]

Yes.

Lidio prepared 9.5 wide MM wheels, with Pirelli P-Zero Assymetricos in 285/45-18. 11.25" of rubber on the pavement at the back corners, got to love it OTR. Like driving on glue.

However...The Pirellis are prolly the stickest street tire available, which means...(okay, all together now, class) they wear like *****.

I got less than 10K miles on my last set before I retired them, but what fun it was.


I got 30,000 miles from my front Pirelli's.

(P.S. Don't ask me anymore.)


______________________________ _____________________
2003 Dark Blue Pearl 300B (Canadian) w/Light Flint (reversed traction control, mini spare, trunked 6 disc CD changer, clock-in-the-radio, heated front seats/mirrors, hood light), Born 12/10/02; converted new then used 2/28/03
ENGINE: Kenny Brown: 6th “Signature Series” conversion (450 hp), Vortech supercharger (5 to 7 psig boost; pulley), 377 RWTQ, Dennis Reinhart Cobra engine cooling kit TRANSMISSION: Stock transmission upgraded with Performance Automatic "Super Streeter" transmission version, stub shaft (defective metal) failed at 30k miles; upgraded internals (except for torque converter) to Dennis Reinhart's design; Precision, triple disc, P/N469018-3, later upgraded to 3500 rpm stall speed); Ford Racing transmission aluminum pan SUSPENSION: Metco control arms (black powdered coated), coil from each front stock spring removed to produce the “same” effect as an Eibach spring DRIVETRAIN 4.10 gears, MMX Driveshaft, Ford Racing Stud and Girdle BRAKES:14 in. BaerClaw front, (two piston, slotted rotors), TIRES: Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico (front 255/45ZR18 99Y, rear 255/50ZR18 102Y), ACCESSORIES: Wheel locks (Ford), godshead valve stem caps, Dead pedal, Badgeless front grille by “Zack”; Zaino waxing; RainX; Autobhanded, FordChip, Ground clearance: 5 in.; 36,000 miles MISCELLANEOUS 18.5 mpg at a steady speed of 80 mph, one tank of gas
______________________________ ___________________________
1961 Ford Galaxie, 2 dr. Club Victoria, 390CID, 375hp, 4 barrel (gone)

[martyo]

I got less than 10K miles on my last set before I retired them, but what fun it was.

Mac retired his tires. Hee hee. That's funny. :D

[BillyGman]

Over 90% of my driving is pleasure highway driving at above average speeds, drag radials do not meet my personal level of safety. Florida has lots of heavy rains year 'round.

"Pleasure" driving in a 12 second car like a Supercharged Marauder usually means driving with a heavy foot (at least it does for me), but when the roads are wet, I take it real easy no matter what type of tires I have on my car, and I hope that you do too. I always get these ricer boys that want to race me when it's raining out just to prove that their wrong-wheel-drive cars can out-do my car on wet pavement. But who cares? Because that's the only time they could get by me. When the pavement is dry, they will only see my tail lights if I choose to mess with them. So I just let them go by when the roads are wet.

My point is, that we need to be taking it real easy on the streets when the pavement is wet anyway. With the drag radials on the back during a rainstorm I keep my speed at 60 MPH, and I'm fine.And I'm on my third set with my Marauder. So I don't see any big problem with drag radials in the rain, unless you let them wear down to the point that they're looking a lot like slicks. And then you'll have big problems on the wet roads. But that's a matter of neglect rather than a question of the use of drag radials on the street. If you tend to neglect things on your cars, (particularly the tires) then you shouldn't be using drag radials on the street. But if you don't, then running them on the street doesn't present any problem. I've taken 12 and 13 hour interstate drives as well as my daily commute to work with drag radials on my Marauder, and I've never had any problems even in the rain. if you don't leave them on your car uintil the treads are practically gone, then you'll be fine. Unless you like to get heavy with your foot while driving in the rain. And in that case, you probably shouldn't even be driving in the rain period.

[sailsmen]

You can't beat the drags for traction.

I prefer the KDW2 for everyday driving.