Ok, so who's broken something with DRs?

[DaveB]

Whats up guys, Ive been seriously thinking about getting another set of 03 Cobra rims (either real 17*9s or knockoff 17*10.5s) and either some 275/40 or 315/35 BFG DRs. Now what Im really worried about it breaking something with them. Now my car isnt making a lot of power, all it has are bolt ons right now, with 4.10s and a Performer intake within the next couple of months. What Im really worried about is breaking my T-5. An axle isnt too bad, some stronger ones are less than $300 but a new trans is a lot, so thats whats holding me back. Am I worrying too much? Should I just go for it?

Also, what size would be better? These wont be my daily driven tires, just to and from the track and maybe some street action. Thanks.

 

[HazMat404]

dont scare me man. i just wrecked one of my 98 cobra wheels so i put some stock 99 gt wheels on in the mean time and i was debating on putting my nitto 555r's just to play around for awhile cause ive always been to scared of them. well im definatley gonna do it tomorrow but i dunno how hard im gonna push her

 

[stangbanger94]

Don't worry

I wouldn't worry about the stock t-5 to much. They are pretty good as long as you don't grind any gears.DR's hook, but in my opinion, they don't hook like a set of slicks will hook. You'd have more to worry about if you run slicks, thats when you can start breaking stuff. Slicks at the track, with a good burn out, can grab pretty good, and cause crap to start breaking.17" DR's still "give a little".

 

[DaveB]

Ya I definitely wont be using slicks for some time.

 

[Rootus]

Depends on the DR's -- get a set of 15x8's with 26x10 BFG DR's and they might as well be slicks... gonna break something .

Dave

 

[89MustangGX]

I don't think you'll hook well enough with 17" DR's to break anything you wouldn't with street tires.

 

[DaveB]

Depends on the DR's -- get a set of 15x8's with 26x10 BFG DR's and they might as well be slicks... gonna break something .

Dave

Ya Im looking at either 275/40 or 315/35-17s.

 

[DaveB]

ttt

Anyone?

 

[Joe 5.0]

I run 315/35/17 Nitto dr's on the street and have started running 255/50/16 BFG dr's at the track on the stock wheels and have had zero problems. You wont get that killer slick tire traction, but I wouldnt worry about breaking your tranny. Supposedly powershifting and worn syncros is what usually kills T-5's.

 

[hillie16]

I broke the rear UCAs on street tires.

 

[Killercanary]

What's all this talk about not being able to hook on 17" DR's??? I run both 315-35-17 nitto DR's and 26X10.5X16ET streets. My BEST 60' on ET streets is a 1.65, my best on the nitto.... 1.66. That is hooking pretty hard there folks. I ran a 12.31 at 111.15mph (in better weather) on the ET streets, and a 12.33 at 110mph on nitto DR's. My suspension is stock except for GW LCA's and subframe connectors. The drag radials require more of a finese to get to hook, but once you learn it, they are a great tire. I was pulling 1.70-1.72 on my good days on 245-50-16 nitto DR's.

Shameless DR launch pic...

Shameless ET street launch pic... (on my ghetto wheels!)

As for breaking stuff... anything can happen. BUT, I wouldn't worry about running them. More than likely you'll sheer an exle before your T5 lets go, unless you are powershifting it. Put them on and don't look back.

 

[94TURBO5 O]

I run the 315's and everything has stayed intact.

 

[SorsCode]

I got 275/50s nothing broke for a while but once things started breakin everything did.... first an axle then diff (knew I should of upgraded the first time).... but I launch at 5500 and the track i run at hoooookkkkkkksssss

 

[mackey]

I would just get a driveshaft loop just in case

 

[revhead347]

The first thing to go is the axles. Sometimes they crack, sometimes they don't. Just keep in mind that if it does brake, the axle can slide right out of the car.

Kurt

 

[blackEagle]

I run 275/50/15 BFG's. The first time I ran them, I bent the stock 28 spline axle on the driver's side. I have since upgraded to 31 spline Superiors and a Eaton posi. No problems yet.

I also have a D/S loop just in case.

 

[Killercanary]

Kurt, the axles will not come out unless you manage to snap the rear rotor too, which is very unlikely to happen.

Absolutely put a DS loop on, EVERYONE should have one whether you race or not.

 

[DaveB]

Wow, lots of replies, thanks guys. I was contemplating swapping in 31 spline axle and a 31 spline limited slip when I get 4.10s, now it looks like I may do that. Also, I've never powershifted my trans, and dont ever plan on it. Heard too many breakage stories as a result. So it seems like DRs should be a go? What size would be better?

 

[Killercanary]

The more sidewall you have, the better the tire will cushion the "hit" in a 5 speed car when the clutch is let out. I like the 275-15 tire, but watch which one you buy as there is a ~26" high on and a 28" high one. I doubt you'd want the 28" high tire.

 

[stangboy]

I snapped an axle the Wednesday before this past Christmas on my 275/40/17 Nitto DRs. The axle was probably on the way out, but the track was hooking really good that night. on my first run I launched at about 2500-3000rpms and it bogged really bad off the line so I launched....well, I TRIED to launch at about 4000 the next run and I never mad it off the line because the axle snapped like a twig. I haven't been able to get back to the track since but now I have a fresh motor with all the goodies so I'll see how the replacement axles hold up(they're stock out of 95 GT) after I break in the fresh motor.