I want to make a couple passes with my car in the coming months or possibly next spring. Its a 69SS, rolling on original 14x7's, with BFG's currently mounted..215/70 R 14 front and 225/70R14 in rear. Trans is M22 Wide Ratio (M20 ratios), and 3.31 posi (replacement ring gear..I think true ratio is 3.36 or 3.38:1) I am figuring that traction is going to be an issue, just based on what i know from driving the car and reading about others with similar setups.

I would like to try a drag radial, but there doesnt appear to be too much of an offering in 14" sizes...so I may have to pick up a set of 15" rims for my 'track tires'..It seems like many of the 15" sizes I see are pretty low profile, like 50 series or below. Not sure whether I should put 15" rims all around, or just run with a 15"rim/tire combo on the back..a little concerned about handling problems. Also not sure what the strategy for a drag radial should be..go wider, or is same width as my current tires ok due to compound change?

Lastly, I am looking for a slightly shorter tire overall..I think the current BFGs are 26.5" tall..so if I could get a slightly lower gear ratio out of a shorter tire, that would probably be good (considering my buddy wants a grudge match, and he has M21/4.11 setup, rolling on 15's).

Any guidance or words of wisdom would be appreciated.

thanks,

John

John,I'd run a 235/60/15 drag radial would be perfect IMHO and experience.

and just leave the 14's on the front?

and just leave the 14's on the front?

yes
I run 15" Buick rims on the back of my car when I'm at the track..my normal tire size is 225/70/14 on the SS rims.
I leave the 14" rims on the front
a 225/70/14 and a 235/60/15 are close to the same height

gotcha..thanks for the tip. guess i gotta find some rims!..what kinda rim do you run the drag radials on? 15x7 ralley?

15x7 would work with a 235, but a 15x8 would be better. Wished they would make a drag radial between 235 and 275.

John,I use 15x7 Buick 5 spoke rims on the rear of my car at the track.
With a trim and SS center cap,it looks just like a SS rim

Thanks..figures I just about tripped over 50 of those buick rims at e-town last weekend...so much for my really complete list of things to buy! Mr. 4 speed..any comparison of what your car did with and without the drag radials? are they worth the hassle? I like the fact that I could throw em on and drive to the track.

Drag radials will help, hard enough to hook a 4 speed car, you need all the help you can get (softer tire) :thumbsup:

John,I picked up over a half second in ET at the time.I wouldn't even consider running my big block at the track without drag radials or some sort of DOT sticky tire.
Too much torque :D

Wow, thats pretty impressive...looks like I should just plan on getting set up to run this way now..that way if and when my little grudge match comes to be, I will be ready!! I've run a fast bike thru the quarter many times, but only a couple of slow auto cars..so this is going to be a challenge. I'd love to think I could get it into the 12's but thats a stretch goal, I'd be happy with 13's for now. I know there is a lot going through your head when you are up there on the line, even if its just fun on street night..its more difficult than you might think.

Is the BFG drag radial the consensus tire, or is the M/T better, or are there others that I should look at? I would think they would all make same sizes or similar sizes. I thought I read that drag radials really dont need a burnout..true/not true? Maybe just a test launch, then line it up?

One last stupid question..have any of you guys ever tried launching in 2nd gear running a 4 speed? Even with my current rear end, 1st gear seems really short with the M22W..

I've used 2nd gear in my 4 speed cars for burnouts,but not to launch.
3.31's with an M20 style gears isn't "short" so to speak.
Now if you had 4.10's and a ST10 2.88 1st,now that would be "short"
A mild burnout/clutch dump just to clean the tires off would be about all you need with them.

I was wondering about burnouts...havent tried doing one yet, but it seems that 2nd gear would probably provide the best results..any comments on technique??

I've used 2nd gear in my 4 speed cars for burnouts,but not to launch.
3.31's with an M20 style gears isn't "short" so to speak.
Now if you had 4.10's and a ST10 2.88 1st,now that would be "short"
A mild burnout/clutch dump just to clean the tires off would be about all you need with them. A local guy here used to run a mid 9 second Camaro with 5.38s and a five speed, now that was a short first gear. Let out the clutch and grab second gear as fast as possible.