Lets Talk Tires!

[Addicted_2_II]

Ok first off here is my engine installed (But not finished by any means)!

Now lets talk about Tires!

I have Cooper Cobra Radial GT's on the front and I am looking at BFGoodrich Radial T/A's for the back...

Here are my rims 14" X 9" (BTW They look exactly like the stock rims but ven though they are larger weigh about 1/2 as much!):

So what do you guys think about the BFG P265/50R14's for those rims? Will they shoot me off the line?

Looks like I may have to do a few mods to make them fit but it will be close!

Chad

 

[Gael]

I have my doubts that that wheel will fit the car without significant work. What's the backspacing of the wheel?

 

[jeffnoel]

By the rule on the wheel it looks like 4.25 - 4.5 backspacing.

 

[Power Surge]

Heh, that rim would stick out of the wheel well a few inches .

 

[Addicted_2_II]

By the rule on the wheel it looks like 4.25 - 4.5

4.25 - 4.5 what? The rule shows 9"???
Chad

 

[Addicted_2_II]

Heh, that rim would stick out of the wheel well a few inches .

Well yea

They are just my Drag tires! I have Cooper Cobra's for the daily driving on the rear!
Chad

 

[Gael]

~4.5 backspace, not width.

 

[Addicted_2_II]

Here is the wheel on the car...

It fits fine except for the Studs will need to be about 1/2" longer!

Here is the clearance and how far it sticks away from the car:

And the total tire height of the BFG should be about 22 1/2 - 23, the rule in the pic stops at 24" so you can see I have about 25 1/2"

I think I am going to get adjustable shackles so I can raise the height of the rearend when I run it but we will see.

I do not disagree that some mods may be needed but I doubt they will be too costly!
Chad

 

[Johan]

And the total tire height of the BFG should be about 22 1/2 - 23, the rule in the pic stops at 24" so you can see I have about 25 1/2"

A 265/50-14 is more like 24.5" tall. I've always liked the look of the T/A, and I think this will look great. It would be better with a little more backspacing to get it tucked up a bit more. I've always liked the idea of using them for the street, 245/50-14 in the front and 265/50-14 in the rear, on 7" and 8" wide rims. But I've always had nightmares that if I actually invest in this setup, when it came time to replace the tires, they'd be out of production.

As far as performance, it's a very hard compound tire and doesn't have much grip. They look good and have decent handling, but I wouldn't consider them a drag tire. Unfortunately, it may be the only choice in the size you're looking for - and who knows for how long.

 

[Addicted_2_II]

As far as performance, it's a very hard compound tire and doesn't have much grip. They look good and have decent handling, but I wouldn't consider them a drag tire. Unfortunately, it may be the only choice in the size you're looking for - and who knows for how long.

Yea I know about the "Average" grip issue. But I got the Wheels for $40 and it looks like I am going to get the tires for about $89 each. So for just over $200 bucks I think I am going to use these instead of "True" drag tires at this time. And to be honest, I am not sure how much tracktion I really want with all the transmission horror stories I have been reading Right now I am stuck with the RAD4, so not sure I will be able to do much of anything. I completely rebuilt it but with around 345RWHP it does not sound like it will hold up very well!

Thanks for your feedback on the tires!
Chad

 

[Addicted_2_II]

If you're going to be running them at the track only, get a set of 15" steel wheels (cheap) and run 255 or 265 drag radials.
You'll definitely have a lot more tire choices.
Nice engine by the way.

I could not find any 4 lug 15" wheels??? And new 5 lug rear drums are not cheap at all! I would love to go with 15's if I could find some wheels that would go with my setup???

Chad

 

[Gael]

There are plenty of 4 lug 15" wheels.

Weld Draglites are rather popular ones, that's what I'm running. 15x8 with 4.5 BS for the rear. You can fit a 255/60/15 in there.

 

[Eos]

I could not find any 4 lug 15" wheels??? And new 5 lug rear drums are not cheap at all! I would love to go with 15's if I could find some wheels that would go with my setup???

Chad

Centerline convo pro's? They come in a lot of different sizes and 4 lug. sexy to boot.

 

[Power Surge]

I completely rebuilt it but with around 345RWHP it does not sound like it will hold up very well!

Where did you come up with 345 rear wheel hp?

 

[Addicted_2_II]

Where did you come up with 345 rear wheel hp?

So far it is just a guesstimation (or a dream)... I will not know for sure until I get it to the Dyno! This is what the Speed shop told me that they guessed my setup would run when I was buying the parts... But we all know they will just tell us what we want to hear to sell merchandise.

345 is what I want but I will settle for anything over 300! If it dyno's less than 300, I will be heading back to the speed shop with my checkbook again

Chad

 

[Eos]

My guess/dream was 200 hp.... I got 140 "runs off crying"

 

[Power Surge]

So far it is just a guesstimation (or a dream)... I will not know for sure until I get it to the Dyno! This is what the Speed shop told me that they guessed my setup would run when I was buying the parts... But we all know they will just tell us what we want to hear to sell merchandise.

345 is what I want but I will settle for anything over 300! If it dyno's less than 300, I will be heading back to the speed shop with my checkbook again

Chad

Tell me your motor combo and I'll give you a good idea of your RWHP. You'd be surprised at how many people come to my shop to have their cars dynoed with what they "think" their car should make, and they are usually quite far from it .

 

[1badII]

345 rwhp is a lot to ask for out of a 302. Looking at your combo, I think you will make in the upper 200's.

 

[Addicted_2_II]

Tell me your motor combo and I'll give you a good idea of your RWHP.

Ohhh I knew it would be lower than 345 but I was still hoping for around 300...

Here is what I have:
- 66 289 Block .030 over (~10.8 to 1) 306 CID
- 78 302 crank
- 66 Hypo 289 Heads 54cc (Stage 2 ported, polished HD springs, etc...)
- Competition Roller Rockers
- 1405 600 cfm Edelbrock Carb
- Edelbrock RPM Dual plane Intake
- Headman Headers
- Competition Cam (FS XE268H-10) "Extreme Energy" .512 L, 280 D
- Forged TRW Pistons
- Professionaly Blueprinted & ballanced
- RAD4 (for now)
- Stock 3.00 gears
- Stage 2 Centerforce clutch & pressure plate
- Cooper Cobra Radial GT's X 4 205X60R13 (~5400 RPM @ 100MPH)
- Spintech Pro-Street Mufflers
- Custom 2 1/2" Exhaust

We are going to go Dyno my friends 02 Mustang GT on Friday... I just really hope I can out run him!!!!!!

Chad

 

[Blue Thunder]

Those heads are your weakest link. You might get 345hp at the flywheel, but that's probably pushing it. I'd say closer to 300-320, if you have it in a perfect state of tune,(both fuel and spark) which translates into about 240-250hp at the tires.
I'm going to take a guess and say that motor will pull 220-240rwhp.

P.S. when giving cam specs, you have to go by duration @.050" lift, not by the advertised duration, because those cam company dirtbags love to exaggerate figures when they advertise. I think the .512 Xtreme energy cam is about 224deg @.050".