Tire recommendations for drag strip

[skingjack]

Hello,

Looking for feedback on potential high traction radial rear tire purchase for when I eventually take the Roadrunner to the track. Currently running p235-r60 T/As but they are not going to last long with the new 493” motor (and far too hard of a compound). Background car info: Runner is heavy (4150lbs), 4 spd auto (a518) with a soon to be 3:73 pumpkin. Subframe connectors, torque boxes installed, pinion snubber also installed. Car will be 100% street driven other than the occasional foray to the track; it also sees a significant amount of fwy/hwy driving.

What tires have you had success with both on the street and strip?
Thanks,

Ian

 

[bobtile]

Hello,

Looking for feedback on potential high traction radial rear tire purchase for when I eventually take the Roadrunner to the track. Currently running p235-r60 T/As but they are not going to last long with the new 493” motor (and far too hard of a compound). Background car info: Runner is heavy (4150lbs), 4 spd auto (a518) with a soon to be 3:73 pumpkin. Subframe connectors, torque boxes installed, pinion snubber also installed. Car will be 100% street driven other than the occasional foray to the track; it also sees a significant amount of fwy/hwy driving.

What tires have you had success with both on the street and strip?
Thanks,

Ian

Mickey Thompson 275 60 15
E.T. streets

 

[bobtile]

They work

 

[Dodge 330]

M/T ET Street Pro. 275/60/15.

I drive them everywhere the same way I race them and they pull double duty amazingly well.

1.36 60 ft. in my 3,600 lbs. car.

Make sure you have 1350 u-joints...

 

[LemonWedge]

ET Street Radials are the defacto go-to street strip tire.

I have a set of 255/60’s on 15x7 steelies I’d let go of cheap. Tires don’t have a ton left, but there’s still tread on them. They were what I used before I went to slicks.

 

[33 IMP]

My recomendation is to get real drag tires to put on when you race, and real street tires to drive on the street. Trying to do both, with anything, will be a compromise. I would suggest real radial slicks, for your weight.

 

[rumblefish360]

Radials or bias?
Which one does a 4spd perform better with?

(Edited, misworded)

 

[Budnicks]

If it's mostly going to be street driven
& unless you plan on playing a bunch between stoplights

I'd say get an extra set of wheels & tires "for the track"
I'd suggest getting a set of bias-ply slicks, for track days
the lighter wheels & tries, the better for track use
a good wrinkle wall helps

drag radials really aren't very good
for cornering or ideal for traction, not ideal for either
But;
some are far better than others for track use
some have gone really quick on them too
none are worth a **** for real street driving

none (drag Radials) type that has any soft compound for racing
will last very long at all

you can fit a lot more tire under the RR too
with the correct backspacing & wheels you can easily fit a
p295/50 or 55-60 15" or 315/50 or 55-60 x 15" tires
in the rear 28"-29" easily with room to spare
a little taller & wider "larger footprint" helps in many aspects
racing & driving on the street

I had decent luck with 315/60 x 15 MT's drag radials
but they aren't worth a **** in rain or cornering
I went 8.58 @ 156 on a set over a 5-7 year span on juice,
9.70's @ 135 N/A in a 3520# car my old silver & black 68 RR
But;
I only lived 12 miles from the track too (Sacramento raceway)
I did cruise it quite a bit too, 10k-12k miles worth
I kept the tire-smoking limited to the track, tires are expensive
especially racing tires

the p295/50/15's Radial T/A's do a great smoke show too
they handle way better than the drag radials do too, far better

 

[dvw]

M/T or Hoosier Bias will work better with a manual trans that doesnt have a good pair of drag shocks or slipper clutch. I agree with track only tires. Even if you drive to the track on them. The M/T radials are very good with an auto trans.
Doug

 

[33 IMP]

Op said "4 sp auto, 518" and 4150 lbs, and asked for a radial recommendation. If it were a stick, yes, a bias tire would be a better choice.

 

[dvw]

That's me. A partial reader. My wife calls it " boy read, or boy look". In this case the M/T radial would be my choice.
Doug

 

[33 IMP]

Radials or bias?
Which one does a 4spd perform better with?

(Edited, misworded)

Majority opinion is that a bias tire is much superior to a radial in a stick/drag race application. Reason is two fold. Bias slicks can still drive the car forward well with a little tire spin (wheel speed) where a radial just spins, and wont hook up till the throttle is cut. Second, as a result, the radials need to be dead hooked which can be certain death to a clutch car without the very best driveline parts.

 

[rumblefish360]

@33 IMP , thank you sir!

 

[skingjack]

Thank you all for your feedback; MT ET street s/s appears to be the favored tire for double duty with the pro version the choice for a dedicated drag tire.
Ian

ps. I wish it was a 4 (or 5) speed manual but the auto is supposedly easier on the driveline (and more consistent for a novice at the strip- it’s been 40yrs or so since I have been the down the track)

 

[66Satellite47]

My Satellite at 3770# with the 500" motor, 4.10 gear used BFG 325/50/15 Street/Drag radials. They were absolutely equal to a pair of M&H slicks at the track, real good on the street. The 325 is no longer available from BFG. I went to M&H for my street tires. Still use Phoenix drag tires for the track.