Which tires to buy for the track? (FWD)

[domenico_169]

Well im a damn fwd, and i think im just about ready to bring my car to the track... but i need some sort of slicks or radials. i dont even know where to start! do i need 2 just for the front? or all the way around? i just need something really cheap because im barely ever gonna be running at the track. i dont need these tires for the street, they will be strictly track tires. can you guys help me out? thanks.

 

[mhockeyjock]

Whats up man?

Were in the same boat, but get yourself some Falken tires and run them with less air pressure in the front. By the way, you only need Drag radials or slicks on the drive wheels.... FWD= Front only, AWD= All four ( If you had some kind of traction problems of course) : ). Anyway good luck with that traction... Also, look into Prothane motor mount inserts they help out ALOT during launching... Good Luck


Mark

 

[DSMNightmare]

Be careful running prothane motor mounts with slicks. That seems like a lot of shock to the driveline. If your rarely going to go to the track I would see if you could find someone to let you borrow a set of slicks.

 

[domenico_169]

im hoping that someone would borrow me a pair, but i doubt that, ive tried allready. what is my best bet for some decent cheap ones?

 

[greenmachine97]

*Nitto 555r
*BF Goodrich Drag Radials

The azenis, a032r's, v700's, and a3s03's have a sidewall that is based on handling and streering stability, so they would not be great for drag racing. however they would be much better than all weather tires. On a drag racing/launching tire you want to have a soft tall side wall. I have not used any of the drag tires, but i have heard good things. i plan on running some 225/50/15 BFG's next season after i upgrade my diff. and maybe axles.

but if you are just curious, i have a set of 4 hoosier a3s03 205/40/16 racing tires for sale. 80 bucks for all 4 plus shipping. go to www.tirerack.com and read the reviews on them. they are rated as the best racing tire available.

 

[midnght]

after i upgrade my diff. and maybe axles.

Do the diff, but leave the axles alone til you need too. The FWD axles are 24% stonger than the AWD and those guys are fine most of the time. Unless you are putting over 550-600whp down you "should" be ok.



If the tires are track ONLY go with a hoosier or similiar type tire. If you want atleast SOME streetability go with the BFG Drag radial. They are a good tire.

 

[DSMNightmare]

*Nitto 555r
*BF Goodrich Drag Radials

The azenis, a032r's, v700's, and a3s03's have a sidewall that is based on handling and streering stability, so they would not be great for drag racing. however they would be much better than all weather tires. On a drag racing/launching tire you want to have a soft tall side wall. I have not used any of the drag tires, but i have heard good things. i plan on running some 225/50/15 BFG's next season after i upgrade my diff. and maybe axles.

but if you are just curious, i have a set of 4 hoosier a3s03 205/40/16 racing tires for sale. 80 bucks for all 4 plus shipping. go to www.tirerack.com and read the reviews on them. they are rated as the best racing tire available.

Kyle, I run the Azenis and they are a great drag racing tire. All you need to do is heat them up once and they stick real well.

 

[DSMSpyder99]

the azenis sports have great traction but they have a stiff sidewall too. Simple solution: drop the psi to 20 this will make the sidewall softer which leads to better traction off the line.

Personally i plan on getting some 225/45/17 BFG G-Force drag radials later in the future...much later in the future (poor college student)

 

[domenico_169]

on average what would a pair of drags or slicks cost?

 

[hybridshooter]

what about some green dot retreads? I think that is the way I'm going to go when I finally decide to get some track tires.

 

[Generation1JeY]

ok noob question: what is the purpose of prothrane motor mounts as far as improved traction?

and what is wrong with having slicks and prothane mounts?

thx

 

[greenmachine97]

prothane mounts help to eliminate wheel hop, which is a common cause of blown apart differentials. many AWD dont have to worry about it, but they keep the motor from flexxing in its mounts, and aids in power delivery i believe. but i got ES inserts because wheel hop sucks and is scary when you have a stock diff. the F&R inserts helped alot to reduce wheel hop. i am definately thinking about getting a set of full prothane mounts. i still need to make up my mind.

 

[xaosgst]

I wouldn't worry about getting slicks on your first trip to the track. There are alot of other things you need to worry about before making that leap. Launching on slicks is a whole different world and you risk breaking your tranny if you don't pay attention.

Motor mount inserts are a MUST on a FWD. I'm sure almost every FWD'er out there has had wheel hop bad enough to turn the wipers on. THat bouncing will wreak your tranny in a hurry. If you ever get wheel hop GET OFF THE GAS. If your wheels aren't hopping then you are putting power to the road.

When you get to the track pull over and reduce the tire pressure in the front to around 18-21 psi. This will allow for a little more flex, reduce wheel hop, and increase your grip just a bit. If you have adjustable shocks then lower the front and raise the rear (weight transfer to the front)

If you are on street tires STAY OUT OF THE WATER BOX. Only slicks should go in the water box. The water on street radials will just make things worse. You'll trap water in the treads and drag it down the track. If anything just chirp the tires to clean the surface on the blacktop prior to staging.

I personally had the Quaiffe FWD LSD installed in my GST and I have to say it was a HUGE increase in FWD drivability. It virtually eliminates the 1 wheel peelers that are an every day occurance with us FWD'ers. I say virtually becuase nothing is 100% true. If the road is slick enough you will still get it.

Practice practice practice launching the FWD. Everything you know about luanching on the street is gone when you get to the track. The temp is different, there are definitive traction groves in the road, and they spray it with stickum

There is definately a right and wrong way to launch a FWD. But if you havn't been to the track on street tires yet then i'd stay away from slicks. You'll waste your day trying to figure out how to launch it as you bog just about every launch or roast your clutch trying.

 

[midnght]

Practice practice practice launching the FWD. Everything you know about luanching on the street is gone when you get to the track. The temp is different, there are definitive traction groves in the road, and they spray it with stickum

There is definately a right and wrong way to launch a FWD. But if you havn't been to the track on street tires yet then i'd stay away from slicks. You'll waste your day trying to figure out how to launch it as you bog just about every launch or roast your clutch trying.

That's it.
Awesome post.


Traction is key and slicks are great way to help it out for us. BUT....

The street and the Track are COMPLETELY different monsters. Practice at the track alot then once you think you have the handle go further in the steps to help with traction. Everything I learned on my stock setup is going to help me with my new setup.

Go with a good set of drag radials and you will be set.


Have fun and stay safe.