Some good Drag Tires

If your gonna drive on the street a lot get the nittos.

ArangeAstang said:

Well I've been looking at possibly getting some decent drag-street tires. Something that I can toss on when its gonna be nice out for a few days, or when I wanna go to the track. Anyone ever had any experience with any of these tires.

Nitto 555 Drag Radials
Mickey Thompson ET street radials
or the g-fprce t/a drag radial

It'd be nice to get something thats pretty decent on the track, but can withstand a little bit of rain from time to time.

Any input or past experience would be great. Thank you.

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not gonna happen.

The whole idea of semi slicks or DR's is minimal tread with maximum contact area, using a higher grade compound.

This compound is stickier and operates in higher temps. Downside is it wears quickly and doesn't work very well when wet or cold.

Some foolish people will look at the tread pattern and think it will work well in the rain. THIS IS NOT USUALLY THE CASE.

Nitto 555 R:


BFG Drag Radial:


As the Nitto has more of a chevron tread pattern people automatically assume it is better in the wet. It may be but just by looking you can not tell at all. Independant tests will be the best bet.

If you live anywhere it gets cold or you have a lot of rain you may be better off buying some ET streets and a bottle jack. Then just swap them over at the track.

I use these on my car, they are a semi slick racing tyre. Very similar to a DR but more aimed at cornering ability with a stronger sidewall. They do use a similar compound though so grip levels are much better. I used these all winter, and you DO have to respect them. If its wet or even damp out you drive carefully.

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup:




Any of the well know brands will provide good tyres, its just a preferance. I've seen each make be rated as the "best" one. But usually its by people who have only ever used one of them.

As an alternative, if you are wanting them for street use so cornering is also important it may be worth considering these: Nitto NT-555RII

Nittos work pretty well in the rain, although you still need to be cautious. But you can use them in the rain no problem. All the other tires you mentioned can NOT be used on wet roads. You will lose control of your vehicle. Ask me how I know .

if you can drive any tire can be used i have ran a full slick on the street in the rain and as long as you dont get stupid they are fine just like any thing else you have to know your limits and the limits of your car but as far as a good tire i use M/T ET Streets and if you have a posi it is a little easyer but i run a full spool and if it is damp or wet it is like running on ICE so you have to look out but just my 2c

smokey905.0 said:

if you can drive any tire can be used i have ran a full slick on the street in the rain and as long as you dont get stupid they are fine just like any thing else you have to know your limits and the limits of your car but as far as a good tire i use M/T ET Streets and if you have a posi it is a little easyer but i run a full spool and if it is damp or wet it is like running on ICE so you have to look out but just my 2c

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Sorry but that is pretty dumn, no actually its one of the dumnest things I've seen posted on this site.

Not only is it illegal but highley dangerous and it has nothing to do with your own ability. Even if your going along at 30mph and a child ran out in front of you. With slicks on a wet road it would easily double your stopping distance.


Come guys, use your brains, have fun but keep it safe. DR's used carefully will be fine, but they do have limits.

Just my 2 pennies worth

I had Nitto 555R's on my L they were fine in the rain. The ET streets on my `91LX were in no way safe in the rain. I hear the new ET street radials are not too bad. What size Nitto or M/T can be mounted on our stock 17's?

How are M/T ET streets radials, i was planning on buying them tomorrow but i need some opinions, are they decent in the rain?

87stangdiddle said:

How are M/T ET streets radials, i was planning on buying them tomorrow but i need some opinions, are they decent in the rain?

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The only drag type tire that I've ever heard to be decent in the rain is the nittos. I have driven the bfg's in the rain and I didn't have any problems though. The M/T's are probably the best hooking of the radial tires out.