I was wondering what the prefered rear tire is for a 69 454ci, 4 speed Chevelle. I can fit a 325 x 50 x 15 on my 10" wheels with 5.75"BS. I'm trying to chose between the M/T Street (poly) and the M/T Radial. I doubt that I'll ever use them on a highway. Thanks for your replys! Happy New Year!! Pat

I guess you've ruled BFG's out :confused:

Robert, I mistakenly typed M/T. Thanks for pointing that out to me! I meant to say choosing between a Poly tire and a Radial DOT approved tire for the drag strip. Please feel free to advise on a brand also. Thanks.

The new M/T ET Street radial as a first choice, the BFG drag radial as a second choice. I run the 325/50-15 BFG on a 9.5" wide rim and have had pretty good luck with them on my previous combination. Best 60' to date is a 1.433 on a 10.62 ET launching off the footbrake at 2000 rpm, 3600 lb car. Will definately look at the M/T's when these BFG's are worn out.

I think radial tires handle much better and if the start line is prepared propely, the radial should also give better 60' and ET.

For marginal track surfaces, a bias ply tire is probably a better choice like the ET Street or the Hoosier QTP.

The only DOT tire I've run is the BFG drag radials, had my best ever 60ft with them at 1.64, ran a pair of Hoosier 28x9 slicks a couple years ago they worked pretty good had 1.66 with them,then the 28x10.5 M/T ET drags I used last year,couldnt get them to hook for anything,they were either too hard or too old(bought new),I think the best I got out of them was 1.69.

Weird some people hook great with BFG while others don't... like wise with the M/T........ Wonder if it's in how each person heats each up?

Don't know TT, I tried everything with the M/T's, raised pressure,lowered pressure,long burnout,short burnout,they seemed to work best with 19psi and a just get em smokin burnout.

I've been leaning towards the M/T based on tread patterns and similar car setups.... but I'd hate to buy them and be dissapointed, only to buy another brand!

I've never run them at the track but I absolutely love the M/T ET Street radial as a street tire!
Sure do smell funky, though. :(
BFG, M/T, Nitto...I've tried them all.
My second favorite would be the Nitto 555R. The only drag tire with a tread wear rating.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I think I'm gonna try a set of Radials first and I'll post my findings when I get some 60' times at Irwindale this spring. Regards, Pat

http://www.americanracetires.com/DOTStreet.htm

I just got the 285/60/15's for $50 each +$10 each S&H. Cheap to try out? These are the ol' McCrearys now called American Racers.

How do ET Streets or Hoosier QT Pro's compare to the BFG Drag Radials as far as hooking at the track goes?

Is there any one DOT/Drag Street tire that is better than another when trying to hook a stick car?

Anyone have any experience or thought on the
M&H Racemaster DOT drag radials?
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/mnh-rod-03r.jpg

How much do those run Tony? They look good graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I like the look of the M&H drag radials (http://www.intercotire.com/html/radial_racing.htm) more than any of the other drag radials I have seen.
Summit sells them. The 275/60R-15 size is $170 Ea. Only $20 more than The BF goodrich Comp T/A

I have ran both the BFG drag radials in 295/65/15 and now the Hoosier QTP in 29 x 11.50 x 15.00. My best 60ft on the BFGs was a 1.63 and it happened when I had the front needle and seat stick open on my carb, usually overpowered the tires and averaged around 1.70. I changed over to the Hoosiers and ran 7 1.50s in a row at the last race. All these passes where footbraking leaving from an idle.

I ran the M&H Muscle car tire 305-40-16 on my vette. The best 60' was 1.61 and they were decent in the rain. But we tried them out on a friends 94 camaro that runs 10.60 and the MT ET street did 60' better.


Mike

I just got off the phone with Tom the tech guy at intercotire. In January of 2001 they acquired the assets of M&H Racemaster of Gardner, Massachusetts.

The M&H Racemaster (http://www.intercotire.com/html/m-h-racemaster.htm) Drag radials use Kevlar belting which make them lighter than the B.F.Goodrich drag T/A's and the Mickey Thompson drag radials which use steel belts.

If you're not going to use them on the street why are you considering a DOT tire and not a drag tire. Most of the tire co. make radial slicks which would be a better choice for strip only.

Originally posted by mfsr:
If you're not going to use them on the street why are you considering a DOT tire and not a drag tire. Most of the tire co. make radial slicks which would be a better choice for strip only. In my case I have 9" Hoosier drag slicks for the track. I currently have 235 60R-15 BF Goodrich Comp T/A drag radials for the street. I am looking for a larger DOT type radial drag tire for my street use. With a regular radial I spin through all three gears.. While only rolling 40 feet. ;) :D

I like the BFGoodrich DOT tires that have radial on the sides, and its slick in the center, not sure of the name, Dwayne Gutridge ran a 7 second pass on time trials or else it would have been a record, but they work awesome, grip great.
I also think that they are R compound, they prolly last 5500 miles on abuse, but I am not crediable saying this.

I want a DOT tire so I can get the benefit of sticky tires at the track, but don't have to lug slicks or trailers around.

They are DOT useable, but if you mean one you can use easy... I would switch to stock tires on junk wheels and once you get to the track simply put on the good tires, its worth the time for those kick butt launches...