Best Tires for Drag Racing

03BullittClone · 12-20-2004, 12:39 PM

I have been using Nitto 555Rs for the drag strip, but I think now that the bite I get from them is just too inconsistent. I' m thinking of going with something different for the 2005 racing season. Anyone have experience with other brands of designed-for-drag-racing tires that you thought were really good?

TayWolf55 · 12-20-2004, 12:47 PM

Just go for slicks!

WaterDR · 12-20-2004, 05:56 PM

With you rear end, go with slicks. :iamwithst

Islander03GT · 12-21-2004, 05:43 PM

Real slicks are the best. Some Mickey Thompsons would be nice.

03BullittClone · 12-21-2004, 05:55 PM

:confused5 OK, guys, thanks for the advice so far. But I'm thinking I want to keep my tire diameter about the same, right? I don't want to artificially raise or lower my effective gearing by going smaller (effectively lowering the gear ratio, that is, raising it numerically) or vice versa. I like the way my car is geared with the 4:10s, so I gotta go with a 17" tire of roughly the same height as stock tires, or at least that is what I'm thinking now. Anyone have suggestions on a quality 17" racing slick? Or should I consider taller tires on a 15" wheel? HELP! Anyone out there have experience with racing slicks? I'd love to get more responses before I actually buy these wheels and tires in March or April of 2005.

Blue02GT · 12-21-2004, 08:11 PM

First off I agree with you about the Nitto's, I have the same issues.
I run a 15" weld wheel with a 275/50/15 and it's almost indentical in diameter to the stock tires. I wanted to keep my 4.30 gearing at the track. Take a look at the new Mickey Thompson drag radials, they hook almost like slicks but come in this size and can be driven to and from the track. A 26" slick would keep you close to 4.10 and fit a 15" tire. It also gives you a wider sidewall so you can run the pressure lower than a low profile tire and get some wrinkle in the sidewall.

WaterDR · 12-21-2004, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03BullittClone

:confused5 OK, guys, thanks for the advice so far. But I'm thinking I want to keep my tire diameter about the same, right? I don't want to artificially raise or lower my effective gearing by going smaller (effectively lowering the gear ratio, that is, raising it numerically) or vice versa. I like the way my car is geared with the 4:10s, so I gotta go with a 17" tire of roughly the same height as stock tires, or at least that is what I'm thinking now. Anyone have suggestions on a quality 17" racing slick? Or should I consider taller tires on a 15" wheel? HELP! Anyone out there have experience with racing slicks? I'd love to get more responses before I actually buy these wheels and tires in March or April of 2005.

I was gonna tell you to ask Dean, but I see he responded. He is one real pro when it comes to the strip, so take head to his advice.

03BullittClone · 12-22-2004, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue02GT

First off I agree with you about the Nitto's, I have the same issues.
I run a 15" weld wheel with a 275/50/15 and it's almost indentical in diameter to the stock tires. I wanted to keep my 4.30 gearing at the track. Take a look at the new Mickey Thompson drag radials, they hook almost like slicks but come in this size and can be driven to and from the track. A 26" slick would keep you close to 4.10 and fit a 15" tire. It also gives you a wider sidewall so you can run the pressure lower than a low profile tire and get some wrinkle in the sidewall.

If that is how you got that 12.89, I'M IN!

dilo2001gt · 12-22-2004, 04:33 PM

get some BF goodrich's... there is a night and day difference but they last about half as long as the Nittos but they grip 5 times better. they are a soft compond and don't have to spun before you race unlike the Nittos that are a hard compound that need to be heated before you race. They BF's are also like 40 dollars cheaper a tire than Nitto but expect a 8,000 mile life outta them.

JIMB0 · 12-22-2004, 10:19 PM

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...tp=Competition

gtnumber2 · 12-23-2004, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilo2001gt

get some BF goodrich's... there is a night and day difference but they last about half as long as the Nittos but they grip 5 times better. they are a soft compond and don't have to spun before you race unlike the Nittos that are a hard compound that need to be heated before you race. They BF's are also like 40 dollars cheaper a tire than Nitto but expect a 8,000 mile life outta them.

i agree, my brother-in-law has a550hp 383 stroker ta, and these tire make 1 revolution before they hook and the car just takes off. he started with the nittos and didnt hook as good.

03BullittClone · 01-05-2005, 11:01 AM

Anyone else want to weigh in with an answer to this question? Still a couple of months before I purchase.

xcler8 · 01-05-2005, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue02GT

First off I agree with you about the Nitto's, I have the same issues.
I run a 15" weld wheel with a 275/50/15 and it's almost indentical in diameter to the stock tires. I wanted to keep my 4.30 gearing at the track. Take a look at the new Mickey Thompson drag radials, they hook almost like slicks but come in this size and can be driven to and from the track. A 26" slick would keep you close to 4.10 and fit a 15" tire. It also gives you a wider sidewall so you can run the pressure lower than a low profile tire and get some wrinkle in the sidewall.

Will the 275/50/15 fit on a 15 x 7 in rim?

03BullittClone · 01-07-2005, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcler8

Will the 275/50/15 fit on a 15 x 7 in rim?

Up that by about 2" in width. :glasses10

Blue02GT · 01-07-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcler8

Will the 275/50/15 fit on a 15 x 7 in rim?

I'm not sure. My Weld's are 8.5" The Welds cost about 141.00 per wheel but weigh 12 lbs. each less than a Bullitt wheel. Unsprung weight is a big deal so if you can swing the 280 bucks for a set you won't regret it.
As far as the Goodrich's they a better tire than the Nitto at the track.
1. MT's new drag radial
2. BF Goodrich (old style, not the new ricer tires)
3. Nitto's

Make sure you make up your mind and buy them by June. Goodrich makes them early in the year and cuts off production. I could not find a set anywhere in the country last summer and had to settle for the Nitto's. The MT's had just come out a were not yet legal to run in MNRA events. This year I'm running slicks.

12-20-2004, 12:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
03BullittClone Switching Gears.... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Suburban Chicago Posts: 215	Best Tires for Drag Racing I have been using Nitto 555Rs for the drag strip, but I think now that the bite I get from them is just too inconsistent. I' m thinking of going with something different for the 2005 racing season. Anyone have experience with other brands of designed-for-drag-racing tires that you thought were really good? __________________ Looking REAL Hard at an '06 Shelby!!!

12-20-2004, 12:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
TayWolf55 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 597	Just go for slicks! __________________ 2004 Mustang GT 5 Speed Mac O/R H Pipe Mac Flowpath Catback JLT Ram Air Intake SCT XCal 2 Tuner FRPP 4.10 Gears 13.191 @ 103.78

12-20-2004, 05:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
WaterDR Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,374	With you rear end, go with slicks. :iamwithst __________________ Black 2000 GT Vert: Novi-2000 with Intercooler (375rwhp @ 9 psi); Tune by Kauffmans; Roush 380R Body kit; Steeda Subframes; Steeda Strut Tower Support; Deep Dish Bullets; FRPP 4:10's; SCT 4 Position Chip with four custom tunes; Steeda CAI; C&L Pleum; BBK 75 TB; SLP Loudmouth; SLP Catted X-Pipe; Bullitt Suspension; UPR Conrol Arms; Focus Fuel Pump My Car My Email

12-21-2004, 05:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Islander03GT Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Simi Valley, Ca Posts: 717	Real slicks are the best. Some Mickey Thompsons would be nice. __________________ John V 06 Honda Accord SE- Daily Driver 83 Jeep Cherokee W/T- Off Road Toy 02 Mineral Gray V6 Vert- Girlfriends No more: 03 GT- The Problem Child

12-21-2004, 05:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
03BullittClone Switching Gears.... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Suburban Chicago Posts: 215	Racing Slicks :confused5 OK, guys, thanks for the advice so far. But I'm thinking I want to keep my tire diameter about the same, right? I don't want to artificially raise or lower my effective gearing by going smaller (effectively lowering the gear ratio, that is, raising it numerically) or vice versa. I like the way my car is geared with the 4:10s, so I gotta go with a 17" tire of roughly the same height as stock tires, or at least that is what I'm thinking now. Anyone have suggestions on a quality 17" racing slick? Or should I consider taller tires on a 15" wheel? HELP! Anyone out there have experience with racing slicks? I'd love to get more responses before I actually buy these wheels and tires in March or April of 2005. __________________ Looking REAL Hard at an '06 Shelby!!!

12-21-2004, 08:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Blue02GT Ex Mini Smack King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St. Louis Posts: 868	First off I agree with you about the Nitto's, I have the same issues. I run a 15" weld wheel with a 275/50/15 and it's almost indentical in diameter to the stock tires. I wanted to keep my 4.30 gearing at the track. Take a look at the new Mickey Thompson drag radials, they hook almost like slicks but come in this size and can be driven to and from the track. A 26" slick would keep you close to 4.10 and fit a 15" tire. It also gives you a wider sidewall so you can run the pressure lower than a low profile tire and get some wrinkle in the sidewall. __________________ True Blue 2002 GT Premium 4r70W 1/8 8.205@ 84.780 1/4 12.874@ 107.20 Bolt on's n/a NMRA #7703 Dyno'd at Modular Depot 251 hp. 291 Tq. 4.30's, 3500 Stall converter, Steeda upper & Lowers, Tokico drag struts, M & M frame connectors, P & A valve body, C&L plenum, Accufab 75mm TB, Jet Hot Long tubes, Hooker O/R X, Steeda catback,SCT tune,Steeda pullies.

12-22-2004, 04:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
dilo2001gt Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 103	get some BF goodrich's... there is a night and day difference but they last about half as long as the Nittos but they grip 5 times better. they are a soft compond and don't have to spun before you race unlike the Nittos that are a hard compound that need to be heated before you race. They BF's are also like 40 dollars cheaper a tire than Nitto but expect a 8,000 mile life outta them.

12-22-2004, 10:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
JIMB0 MustangExhaust.Com Mod. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 11	http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...tp=Competition __________________ 2004 Dark Shadow Gray Mustang GT 5 Speed Mac Off Road H-Pipe Bassani Catback Densecharger CAI Motive Performance 3.90's DM Speedo Recal Soon to Come: Tri-Ax

01-05-2005, 11:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
03BullittClone Switching Gears.... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Suburban Chicago Posts: 215	Weighing in on the question at hand? Anyone else want to weigh in with an answer to this question? Still a couple of months before I purchase. __________________ Looking REAL Hard at an '06 Shelby!!!

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