Does anybody have any recommendations for Drag Radials for a 2011 Mustang GT California Special? The wheels are 19 x 8.5 inch factory California Special wheels. Currently I have stock Pirellis P245/45/ZR19 P Zero Neros.
I would suggest find a wheel that fits first. I have 20's so it seems my wheels are rather limited. my wheels are 9" wide so I have to find a wheel that literally is no wider than a 295 I would say...therefor you would be similar or even less like a 285.
I have Nitto fronts, so I would want to match with Nitto rears. I would think all brands of DR's would be sufficient.
I have the Brembos on my stang, and I was looking at the Nitto Nt05's in 275/35 19 or the bridgestone RE-11s in 285/35 19. they are not drag radials but will do VERY well on the drag strip, esspecially the NT05. The RE-11s dont have a size that would work great on the front for a staggered fit, but the NT05s can run 275s all around.
That would look terrible. I have 275's in my rear, and they stick out a hair on each side...not a good look for the front - granted I am running an older version of car, but I would imagine it would be the same for you guys.
A 255 in the front is PERFECT, in my own opinion of course, and in the rear...a 275 looks great, unless your going DR then I would got like a 285. No higher than that on an 8.5" wheel width.
I think once a person goes to the Drag Radial, they are going for more performance than look. BUT me, I would go with a 285 or maybe a 275 DR from Nitto, because it WILL look good, and I wont be swapping wheels for the track. Heck, I don't even go to the track, I am setting my car up for the mere fact of knowing that I COULD go...but more-or-less will never do it...im to much of a sally. It will look like a track car, thats all I care about.
I am not professional on the subject, this info is no basis or reliable than my own meandering experience.
You can keep the same wheels, and yes you can only put drag radials on the rear if you find ones that fit. It is called a staggered setup.
I got 9" wide wheels on the front and the back of my car, but, on the front I have 255/35/20's with the 255 meaning the tires width. 35 the primarily the sidewall height, and 20 is the rim size. - On the rear I am running a 275/35/20 tire.
Same rims all around, just different tire sizes. Thus meaning you can never rotate them.
Like I said, if you can find a drag radial that is like a 275/40/19(going off top of my head for these numbers) or something similar, that would work for the rear.
For a 8.5" wide rim, you wont want to go any wider than a 275, maaaaaybe a 285 tire.