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15" or 17" Drag Radials...which size?

  • Thread starter Thread starter elite130
  • Start date Start date Nov 15, 2006

elite130

Member
Dec 7, 2005
149
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16
Denver, CO
Nov 15, 2006
#1
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #1
I'm going to be getting some Drag Radials here soon for next year's drag race season. I need your input on what size to get. I currently have 17x9 and 17x10.5 Black Bullitts for my street tires. The only time the Drag Radials will be on is driving to and from the track. So...which direction would you all suggest going?

Options:
1) 315/35/17 BFG DR's on 17x10.5" Black Bullitts

2) 275/40/17 Mickey Thompson DR's on 17x9 Black Bullitts

3) 275/50/15 Mickey Thompson DR's on 15x8 or 15x10 steel rims

4) Suggest something else

Thanks for your input :SNSign: !
 

BooWFO

New Member
May 10, 2005
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Louisville, KY
Nov 15, 2006
#2
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #2
I've had 275/40/17 bfg dr's they were ok but it was either they hooked or they blew off.
I'd suggest a 15" rim and tire for drag racing, gives you more sidewall to flex and help launch the car.
I run a 26x10.5/15 et street ( the bias plys) for drag racing, and driving around on sometimes. They are DOT approved, hook hard on the track and the street, and they flex alot. Allowing for a repeatable launch, and IMO a softer hit to the drivetrain.

BTW I was told by a total of 4 different tire reps. Manual cars Bias plys, auto cars Drag radials.
 

elite130

Member
Dec 7, 2005
149
0
16
Denver, CO
Nov 15, 2006
#3
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #3
BooWFO said:
I've had 275/40/17 bfg dr's they were ok but it was either they hooked or they blew off.
I'd suggest a 15" rim and tire for drag racing, gives you more sidewall to flex and help launch the car.
I run a 26x10.5/15 et street ( the bias plys) for drag racing, and driving around on sometimes. They are DOT approved, hook hard on the track and the street, and they flex alot. Allowing for a repeatable launch, and IMO a softer hit to the drivetrain.

BTW I was told by a total of 4 different tire reps. Manual cars Bias plys, auto cars Drag radials.
Click to expand...

I forgot about the ET Streets. Is the 26x10.5/15 the best size for the 2v? What size rim should those be mounted on, 15x8 or 15x10?

Seeing that I'm staying N/A for a while and I have 4.10's and a few other little mods, I want the best tire for the set-up that I have.
 

OV10stang

Member
Aug 7, 2005
48
0
16
Pembroke, NH
Nov 15, 2006
#4
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #4
I'm using P275/40R17 Mickey Thompson DR's now and my 60 ft's are in the 1.7's. I had P275/50R15 on 15X10 Weld wheels before and the extra sidewall didn't make a difference in my 60ft or ET, with me only having 251hp.
 

'01 Steed

Founding Member
Aug 2, 2002
482
0
16
Michigan
Nov 15, 2006
#5
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #5
BooWFO said:
...
I'd suggest a 15" rim and tire for drag racing, gives you more sidewall to flex and help launch the car.
....
Click to expand...

Bingo! More sidewall allows you to load them up.
 

blackink00

I missed a shift & stole Curt's money.
Mar 30, 2005
545
0
0
Tempe, AZ
Nov 15, 2006
#6
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #6
i use a 15x8 weld rim for my 275/50/15 DR. i love it. i get to much traction if that makes sence
 

stangGT97

New Member
Dec 22, 2004
1,299
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0
Boston area, MA
Nov 15, 2006
#7
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #7
I would think a stock GT with 4.10s wouldn't need any more than a 15x8 wheel, with 245 rubber on it. Otherwise you will just bog
 

BooWFO

New Member
May 10, 2005
991
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0
Louisville, KY
Nov 15, 2006
#8
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #8
15x8 works well.
IMO a 26" tire is good N/A with 4.10's and using stock rev limiter.
 

madmatt

Ellis Juan sympathizer
Founding Member
Dec 28, 2002
465
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16
Lexington, SC
Nov 15, 2006
#9
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #9
Go with the 15's since you wont be daily driving them anyway.
 

FoxRod87

Active Member
Feb 1, 2006
243
1
27
Carolina
Nov 15, 2006
#10
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #10
You need to get a 15x10 weld wheel with a 26x11.5 et street. My buddy has those and he drives it almost every day.
 

Jackie Chan

I didn't read this.
Founding Member
Oct 17, 2002
2,507
4
48
Orlando, FL
Nov 15, 2006
#11
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #11
i would go with a dedicated setup. for a mild bolton car at your elevation, i would suggest the mickey thompson dr on a 15 or 16 inch wheel. there are a lot of options out there, ranger wheels, crown vics, older stangs (5 lug of course) some jeep wheels. all kinds of stuff. i would stick to a stockish width.
a 15 inch dr will hook just fine at you power with 8 or so inches of contact patch. you probably dont need a bias ply tire and going with a radial will keep you from having to acclimate to top end sway.
 

Jackie Chan

I didn't read this.
Founding Member
Oct 17, 2002
2,507
4
48
Orlando, FL
Nov 15, 2006
#12
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #12
you can go with a 235/60/15. that should be fine on a 7-8inch wide wheel

edit. or you could be like me and go with the bias ply et streets on 17's. they are 26x11.5x17. with a bad susp setup, i am in the mid 1.6s
 

elite130

Member
Dec 7, 2005
149
0
16
Denver, CO
Nov 15, 2006
#13
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #13
Jackie Chan said:
you can go with a 235/60/15. that should be fine on a 7-8inch wide wheel

edit. or you could be like me and go with the bias ply et streets on 17's. they are 26x11.5x17. with a bad susp setup, i am in the mid 1.6s
Click to expand...

so are you saying the 275/50/15's are too much for my set-up?
 

Jackie Chan

I didn't read this.
Founding Member
Oct 17, 2002
2,507
4
48
Orlando, FL
Nov 15, 2006
#14
  • Nov 15, 2006
  • #14
no not at all, just not needed IMO
 

9musTang9er

New Member
Jun 8, 2005
20
0
0
MA
Nov 16, 2006
#15
  • Nov 16, 2006
  • #15
OV10stang said:
I'm using P275/40R17 Mickey Thompson DR's now and my 60 ft's are in the 1.7's. I had P275/50R15 on 15X10 Weld wheels before and the extra sidewall didn't make a difference in my 60ft or ET, with me only having 251hp.
Click to expand...
same thing i got!!! mine were daily driven (hard) for 4K miles and still have plenty of bite. and i've raced OV10stang at the track many of times
 
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