What tires should I buy tomorrow?

[Motorhead350]

I want something that I can drive to the track and back. Nothing for everyday use. I have also decided to buy cheap 16x8 rims. Here are the tires I'm deciding on:

1. BF Goodrich G-Force T/A Drag Radials
2. Hooser Drag Radials (probably not streetable, but it does have thread)
3. Micky Thompson Drag Radials, 4. ET Street Tires, 5. ET Street Radial Tires (heard those are junk)

Right now I am leaning toward M/T ET Streets or The Drag Radial.

Alright so what do you guys and girls reccomend?

[Breadfan]

Drag radials will be the best option if you plan to drive to the track on them.

Drag radials are also a good choice on the track as they are more stable than bias ply slicks. Yes many may come back and say "that's no big deal" but for someone learning their way around the track and with a a new power-adder to boot it may be best to ease into things.

There are no 16" drag radials i'm aware of (atleast last year) that were 28" tall. Mine are 26"-27".

This will affect your drive to the track, as well as your runs. Your rear gear will be affected. If going 26" expect your rear gear to become effectively 4.51ish with a 4.10 gear. Trans schedules may be slightly off due to this but many have run ok. A race tune for those tires *may* net minor improvements in ET.

I got a 1.88 60 ft on MT drag radials. I did not drive them to the track, the MM has a large trunk it easily fits my toolbox, tires, and jack. I'm fairly certain they can do better than 1.88, but I will admit I too am still learning at the track. (Aren't we all?)

YMMV.

[sabtaj1]

I heard many like the MT ones. That is what I would get. And if you are useing an xcal 2 you will have to change the tire size or height to make the trans shift the right way otherwise everything will be off.

[Pops]

Use the MT dom. they hook up pretty good.

[sailsmen]

I highly recc u get in 40 runs w/ the stock tires.

If u go w/ the MT ET streets w/out 40 runs u will prob wreck the car. Keep in mind insurance excludes racing.

Driving the MT ET streets to/from the track and you will wreck the car.

What I and others have is 11.5x28x16 MT ET streets. Use 16" Mustang wheel, u can get remanf on Ebay. Go w/ 25psi, lower use a MT Tube $30 each and screw tire to the wheel. Have it balanced.

They will fit in the trunk w/ aluminum jack from Harbor Freight and jack stand. Use a cable lock to secure your OEM tires and jack in the pitts.

Nittos will not stick in cool weather.

Please wear a helmet and have someone take pics.

Good Luck.

[VAmarauder03]

from personal experience and the word of a few quite racers, including a NMRA Pure Street driver stickey mickey's are the way to go, hard to beat

[VAmarauder03]

I highly recc u get in 40 runs w/ the stock tires.

If u go w/ the MT ET streets w/out 40 runs u will prob wreck the car. Keep in mind insurance excludes racing.

Driving the MT ET streets to/from the track and you will wreck the car.

What I and others have is 11.5x28x16 MT ET streets. Use 16" Mustang wheel, u can get remanf on Ebay. Go w/ 25psi, lower use a MT Tube $30 each and screw tire to the wheel. Have it balanced.

They will fit in the trunk w/ aluminum jack from Harbor Freight and jack stand. Use a cable lock to secure your OEM tires and jack in the pitts.

Nittos will not stick in cool weather.

Please wear a helmet and have someone take pics.

Good Luck.

why will he wreck his car if he doesnt have 40 passes under his belt?

[merc]

why will he wreck his car if he doesnt have 40 passes under his belt?

That’s because 2 ton cars shakes and wobbles real bad at the 1000 ft mark. You will want to have some experience on the track before adding complications.

[sailsmen]

A novice racing a big car w/ over 500CHP w/ bias ply slicks on the back and radials on the front w/ 109+ trap speed is a recipe for disaster.

He just got the S/C on the car.

I have seen a number of wrecks.

[Jon01]

IMO he's more likely to lose it with slippery radials than with DR's.
Slicks will do the wobble but I've yet to have any DR's give that behavior.
If it's just for the track and back get the MT's. If there's even a chance of getting stuck in the rain then get something else.

[Joe Walsh]

I've got BFG Drag Radials and they do 'dance around' a little at the top end...

Maybe it's the lowered pressures in the DRs?

[Jon01]

Dropping the pressure is what causes them to do the dance. Run them aired up and see if it does it.

[sailsmen]

MT ET Streets are slicks and should not be driven on the street.

I am close to 2 hours from the track. I guarrantee it would result in a wreck.

Running drag radials w/ 18 psi on a slick track will result in a "wobble" in a 4,200lb car going 110+mph. I am not the only one that has reported it.

[VAmarauder03]

ok, sorry ive never really had that big of a car at those speeds on the track, ive always had mustangs. I would definately agree about the rain comments, MT's make for one scary ride in the rain...

[magindat]

I can tell you this from ricers (FWD), 4 wheelers and MM's, low pressure means getting all 'floaty' at speed. If you've ever seen a dragster launch, you'll understand that the low pressure allows the tire to 'stand-up' due to the centrifugal force being allowed to act on an un-reinforced tire. You are basically riding on centrifugal force, not the tire as speed increase. To get a feel for what is happening, hold a bicycle by the axle one side in each hand. Have a friend spin the wheel. Try to turn it. Now imagine 100x the speed and 40x the weight and understand the the car is gonna start 'dancing'.

The inexperienced WILL wreck.

It may no be soooo bad if DOM starts with higher pressure and drops it a lb or two each race session until he gets the 'feel' for it.

Also, with more grip comes more broke stuff. The tires are the reliever of built up forces in the drive train. Same is true out in the mud. You want a little slip, not ultimate grip to keep from breaking something. If your tires are hooked up and the engine is making power, something in the middle is bound to break. Something has always gotta give. I'd rather it be tires, than say, a drive shaft!!!!