Those with slicks, come and help me out for a sec.

[GSntncT]

What's the best "slicks" set up? i don't really have much knowledge about this subject. But after all that I have done, it's either a AWD-RWD conversion or slicks. And for now slicks are the cheapest way to go.

For all intensive purposes, Stages I and II are complete.

 

[AJs'97GS-T]

I have the BFGoodrich gForce T/A Drag Radials 225/50/15's only problem for u is to get 15" 5-lug rims. Get them off a RS if u don't wanna buy new rims. These things are insane!! I have 425+ whp and I don't even peel. Tread wear goes fast so use them for racing purposes only not driving around town looking for races. Put them on just before and take them off right after. Should be good for the whole summer and next depending on how many races you get.

 

[GSntncT]

Aren't these the same ones on the new SRT-4s? If so, those look really good and have gotten awesome reviews. I have 2 RS rims from a 99. However, I thought they were 14s...maybe I'm mistaken.

 

[AJs'97GS-T]

Originally posted by GSntncT
Aren't these the same ones on the new SRT-4s? If so, those look really good and have gotten awesome reviews. I have 2 RS rims from a 99. However, I thought they were 14s...maybe I'm mistaken.

Personally i don't know what the SRT 4's come with, but not these. These are Street Drag Radials for drag racing only but streetable until the tread wears out. As far as the RS thing i got mine from a 98 RS and they were 15" might have been a factory option. I highly recommend these tires and they are only $117 Tire Rack--- Oops just found out ur right mine must have been aftermarket but the kid said they were OE's oh well sowee looks like you gotta buy new rims or steel rims.

 

[hostile]

I have never heard of drag radials sticking on a 400whp car.

IF you want to compete with rwd cars you will need a true slick. Also expect to pay for stuff like solid motor mounts, axle, front differential... ect.

 

[AJs'97GS-T]

Originally posted by hostile
I have never heard of drag radials sticking on a 400whp car.

IF you want to compete with rwd cars you will need a true slick. Also expect to pay for stuff like solid motor mounts, axle, front differential... ect.

Then obviously u never tried the BFGoodrich gForce Drag Radials which have a Dry Traction rating of 9.8 out of 10. I have known 700whp Supra's getting awesome traction with these (Titan Motorsports Supra) So before u say it can't be done try a little research. These tires can probably handle upwards of any horsepower number A DSM can throw at it but unlike true slicks these will wear out EXTREMELY fast. I have NO traction problems except for the launch where i have very little. 2nd Gear on up NO Problems!!!!!

 

[eclipseT4]

Just a little FYI for you AJ. The Supra's are rear wheel drive where you are front wheel drive. Yes, Supras can go fast on drag radials because of their weight transfer. All their weight transfers to the rear tires, putting more downforce on the tires, enabling them to stick. Now, you are FWD, as I am. Same thing happens to you, weight transfer to the rear (unless you have wheelie bars) causing the front of your car to raise up about 2 inches if not more. I have not ever seen anyone yet go low 11's on drag radials. They would lift too much causing wheelhop or your tires to spin. Technically they could handle alot, BUT on a FWD with that kind of HP, you need slicks.

I am running mid 11's on slicks with 430 plus wheel HP. I still spin the slicks a little sometimes too. It's better than breaking transmissions. I have been through 6 or 7 transmissions now.

Your ET's DIRECTLY relate to your 60' times. The lower your 60' times the lower your ET will be. If you just pull 2.0 60' times all day you would probably just be in the low 12's depending on your HP. My 60' times are consistent 1.7's and should be lower this year. The fastest time I ran on 2.0 60' times was a 11.9 I believe. Then I put slicks on and dropped the time by 4 tenths of a second just from slicks.

I would say, ditch the drag radials and get slicks if you want to run fast times because that is the only way you are going to be able to go any faster.

Again, YOUR LAUNCH AND 60' TIMES make your ET and are VITAL to fast times.

 

[AJs'97GS-T]

Yes i know pure slicks can outperform a drag radial for TRACK performance . I was in reference to STREET performance where Street Drag Radials outperform pure slicks. I would like to see if you can run your times with your TRACK set-up on the street and then see what you can run with Street Radials. I am only interested in MAX Street Performance and Street Radials are the very best in that aspect. Yes i know if i was hitting low12's i could've hit 11's with pure slicks but oh well. I like knowing whatever i ran at the track and then go home i am running the same. Not hit 11's with slicks then take them off and go home and be beat by a 12 second Street car. You are right in the image of traction you illustrated by your words but then pure slicks can not outperform Street Radials in STREET performance. I am only giving my 2 cents in which i thought this person was asking for slicks in reference to gertting max traction for STREET not Track. So in reality this person never stated what the purpose of his post was for Track or Street???

 

[eclipseT4]

True, he did not specify, but since he was talking about slicks he must have meant drag strip racing. Obviously slicks would not do you a bit of good on the streets. I know that I could pull 11's on drag radials, I did my 11.9 pass on nitto's. I don't think I would be beat by a Street car, although I would have to relearn how to launch on street tires. You just have to find the fine line between traction and too much power. As for street driving, I have stock tires so we all know what happens to those when any amount of power hits those tires.

 

[GSntncT]

Yes I was primarily talking about slicks for drag racing, but ALL the info that has been put out is very helpful. Thanks alot to the both of you.

 

[AJs'97GS-T]

Hey T4 what are using for tuning, DSMLink???

 

[eclipseT4]

Yep, you got it. I am going to have to hack the MAF this year. I did not touch it last year but think I am going to have to this year. We'll see though.

 

[AJs'97GS-T]

Originally posted by eclipseT4
Yep, you got it. I am going to have to hack the MAF this year. I did not touch it last year but think I am going to have to this year. We'll see though.

u got the GM MAF 3" or 3.5"

 

[GSntncT]

I just put my maf-t on the other day. 3" blow through set up. Sweet! No rough idle, and as soon as I fix a few issues, tuning is going to be so much easier.

 

[Groomz]

Drag slicks > drag radials. I don't know what the point is about radials being better on the street or being able to put faster times on the street. Why is anyone trying to put down fast times on the street? Take it to the track and use slicks. And as for RWD, the weight transfer rear does not inherently mean that the tires will stick better. It just means that the contact patch will have a higher pressure on the ground. The tires make all the difference.

 

[AJs'97GS-T]

Originally posted by Groomz
Drag slicks > drag radials. I don't know what the point is about radials being better on the street or being able to put faster times on the street. Why is anyone trying to put down fast times on the street? Take it to the track and use slicks. And as for RWD, the weight transfer rear does not inherently mean that the tires will stick better. It just means that the contact patch will have a higher pressure on the ground. The tires make all the difference.

INCORRECT assumption, AND as far as Slicks being better and all, is for track. i stated best possible traction for Street is Radials. so you say what's the difference exactly that Radials give best traction for the street, Slicks give best traction for the track. and as for Street that's what 80-90% of us build and tune are car for so don't lecture me about taking it to the track ONE WILL DO WHAT THEY WANT. Spend all your hard earn money and go to the track only.

 

[eclipseT4]

I just have the stock MAF.

As far as street "racing" goes I do not mess with that stuff. It is not worth getting my car taken from me and too many variables. People bring guns, and drink way too much now and not worth getting shot for 100 bux or what not.
Street racing is not good. Take it to the drag strip where it is legal and if something happens at least there is an ambulance there to help you fast.

I agree, people are going to race where they want to regardless of what you tell them. Just my opinion about street racing. I am not invincible.

And as for RWD, the weight transfer rear does not inherently mean that the tires will stick better. It just means that the contact patch will have a higher pressure on the ground.

You are incorrect here. If you did not have that extra weight transfer, you would not have the added pressure on the rear tires. Weight transfer directly effects traction.

 

[AJs'97GS-T]

I am not a reckless street thug who goes out racing all the time my street races are mostly with the older crowd who have Vette's and shit like that, That wanna mess/push the car a little to have fun. I am older than the silly street races shit. I like to see what my car can do here and there but i make sure the area is suitable. I

 

[eclipseT4]

I am not a reckless street thug who goes out racing all the time my street races are mostly with the older crowd who have Vette's and shit like that, That wanna mess/push the car a little to have fun. I am older than the silly street races shit. I like to see what my car can do here and there but i make sure the area is suitable.

I am not saying that you are a street racer I was just making a general statment. I would just let them push me personally because I know that I could beat them. It is a waste of fuel.

AJ's do you go to the NOPI events out your ways? Heading to VA? Anyone heading to VA for the NOPI events for that matter?? I can't wait. Never been there before.

 

[hybridshooter]

Just out of curiosity, would your axles be in danger of breaking if you went for slicks as opposed to drag radials? OR would it be pretty much the same for them with both slicks and drag radials? I'm just curious because this spring/summer I'm going to be buying one or the other. Thanks

 

[eclipseT4]

Yes, you will need to get some stouter axels. I had mind done at a local shop here in Chicago, but there is a place on the net that you can get some. They are kinda $$ though from what I remember. I have busted a few and sheared the shaft of one in half. It is unreal how I sheared it!

 

[hostile]

Also the supra running thoose times with the drag radials has on 325 series tires.

That makes a huge difference.

 

[AJs'97GS-T]

Originally posted by hostile
Also the supra running thoose times with the drag radials has on 325 series tires.

That makes a huge difference.

Tire size is proportionate to the car. And what the car can fit into it's wheelwells. I can go as huge as 245's if i wanted to but then i'd be rubbing, can't turn etc. I 'm sure the Supra is going as large as he can and remeber your talking about pure set-up race car, that is their living. He may even have custom wheelwells or whatever. Still for more than 700whp it doesn't make any difference about tire size- yes it helps a little. Tire size is only a small part of the whole concept needed for awesome traction. Remember these guys are going as fast as 9's on a street tire- Street Radials-Street Class.

 

[fireredGST]

Originally posted by AJs'97GS-T
I have the BFGoodrich gForce T/A Drag Radials 225/50/15's only problem for u is to get 15" 5-lug rims. Get them off a RS if u don't wanna buy new rims. These things are insane!! I have 425+ whp and I don't even peel. Tread wear goes fast so use them for racing purposes only not driving around town looking for races. Put them on just before and take them off right after. Should be good for the whole summer and next depending on how many races you get.

I was planning on a set of Gforce T/A's for this summer to give me a little more traction. That along with a LSD should help my wheelspin problems.

 

[AJs'97GS-T]

Originally posted by fireredGST
I was planning on a set of Gforce T/A's for this summer to give me a little more traction. That along with a LSD should help my wheelspin problems.

That will do the very best possible for you, Good Luck