: Drag Radials?
MalibuMike70 Oct 8th, 03, 10:34 AM I am looking for tire suggestions for my 70' chevelle. I went to the track for the first time in about ten years yesterday. The first stupid thing I did was to think that I would be able to control tire spin out of the hole, wrong. I have read the post by "10sec" about drag radials, do you find the same thing? I would like to stick with the factory look (height) and run WITH the hubcaps my 70 came with. I plan on running a 14"x 8" wide rims, what tire would you use? brand? size? again I am looking for the approx. height tire as orginal.
1 more question, would you think that using drag radials with the factory habcaps would cause the hubcaps not to stay on?
mr 4 speed Oct 8th, 03, 10:43 AM Mike,I don't think BFG makes a drag radial in a 14" size..M&H makes some DOT tires in a 14" rim size..and I don't think your hubcaps will be an issue smile.gif
FYI,I run 235/60/15 drag radials on my 70 SS454..they're 26" tall and look good IMHO..not a bad "street" tire,but they don't last too long ;)
MalibuMike70 Oct 8th, 03, 1:31 PM Chris,
your car graemlins/thumbsup.gif I have been been on your web-page more than a few times looking at your combo. The picture of your car launching speaks volumes. I do have a few more questions about your car. Those are aftermarket 15" SS wheels? since you car is besting mine by a 1/2 sec. in 60' times, how is traction? should I expect some traction loss even with drag radials? or are they compareable to slicks. your best guess how do you think they will work? are you still giving up some at the line without a slick? when you say they don't last long, is that because of your driving "habits" of they just don't wear well on the street?
Its cool to see that with a 2.73 rear gear, that you can pull the times you do. Its nice to see something different other than that the cookie cutter way of doing things.
thank you for your help graemlins/thumbsup.gif
mr 4 speed Oct 8th, 03, 2:43 PM Mike,thanks for the compliments-MUCH appreciated.
The rims are 15x7 from a Buick GS,with trim rings and an SS center cap.The drag radials aren't as good as a slick IMHO..but they do work ok for how I use my car(90% street/10% strip)The ride quality is excellent too,but as I stated,they do have a limitied tread life.I use them a little on the street,but mostly,they get bolted on at home and go for 270 mile round trip to the track to back.They do have more traction than my Futura Super Sport 225/70/14's :D
Big James 4XL Oct 8th, 03, 4:23 PM I put a pair of 2.95x15 BFG drag radials on my elky and they are taller than stock but the improvement in traction is tremendous. I haven't been to the strip with them yet so I can't give you a 60' time but the improvement is very obvious to the "seat of my pants" feel. As others have said I don't think you can get the BFGs in 14". Nitto has some sticky tires I hear but they are in the 16"- 20" wheel size.
A 15x8 Corvette rally wheel will be the widest stock wheel I believe. You could put a set of drag radials on them ok. My wheels are 15x9 with 5 1/2" backspacing. I had to peen the inner wheel housing on the frame side a bit but nothing serious.
cmt454 Oct 8th, 03, 5:25 PM I currently have Nitto Drag Radials on my Chevelle. I have been to the track with them and I managed a 1.85 best 60 ft. I am a novice driver, much more passes needed. I have Centerline 15x8.5's wheels on the back. With no slick experience myself, I cant compare. I drive the car on the street, the tires offer a nice ride. I used to to have Eagle ST's on there before and I could roast the tires ad infinitum :D They are much better traction wise than the Eagles.
Bob West Oct 8th, 03, 8:10 PM My best 60ft.times are as follows- BFG's drag radials-1.64...Hoosier slicks 28x9x15-1.66...M/T et Drags 28x10.5x15-1.69...now I don't know why my 60 ft. time werebest with drag radials,just lucky that day I guess...but slicks are far more consistent, bar none. I don't think your track will let you run with hubcaps,they tend to come off at inopportune times.
p.s. drag radials were 275/60/15's
jpextreme Oct 10th, 03, 12:47 AM I just put on 295/60/15 drag radials and they are awesome. I have 4:11 posi and the taller tire does wonders for me. I am a slight slower out of the hole but down track quicker. I have a bad time spinning but no more with the drag radials. When i hit 2nd gear they really bite and launches the car. Good Luck!!
Milan Oct 13th, 03, 3:18 PM Mike You can borrow my drag radials if you wanna make a pass on em. Ill be at dragway 42 this Wed. testing. e mail me if interested.
Milan
SS396 Convert Oct 13th, 03, 5:23 PM Just got back from Orlando......Fastest run I saw on Drag Radials was 8.29 @ 174 mph....the finals were rained out last night and were finished today.....we had a flight to catch so I didn't get a chance to see who won......
Ken
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