Best at the strip cheapo radials?
- John S.
- Posts: 735
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2007 10:37 pm
Best at the strip cheapo radials?
Back in the day guys would put on Kelly Springfields to try to get their mustangs into the 14's. I've had some good traction at the track on 205/60-15 Potenza's. Just curious on some combo's.
- John S.
- Posts: 735
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2007 10:37 pm
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
I know people usually shoot it down. But, I want to try winter tires. Their a softer compound than regular tires.
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- Posts: 17758
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
No studded tires please!
I haven't run on the track since the early 90's (low 14' in a SBF V8 Pinto with bad gearing, no posi and wrinkle walls) so I am sure things have changed.
Just for the heck of it I did a search on what you asked and found a couple of videos but I don't think they are what you are after (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=wi ... &FORM=VDRE) In a different search I did not find anything about using the winter compound tires but back in the 50's guys I knew did use snow tires for the wide foot print but then we didn't have steel radials just a couple of versions of nylon or the good Ol' conventional bias style of tires. The snow tires didn't last long for sure.
I am not sure the compounds are what you want assuming the basic construction is the same for all seasons.
I haven't run on the track since the early 90's (low 14' in a SBF V8 Pinto with bad gearing, no posi and wrinkle walls) so I am sure things have changed.
Just for the heck of it I did a search on what you asked and found a couple of videos but I don't think they are what you are after (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=wi ... &FORM=VDRE) In a different search I did not find anything about using the winter compound tires but back in the 50's guys I knew did use snow tires for the wide foot print but then we didn't have steel radials just a couple of versions of nylon or the good Ol' conventional bias style of tires. The snow tires didn't last long for sure.
I am not sure the compounds are what you want assuming the basic construction is the same for all seasons.
- John S.
- Posts: 735
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2007 10:37 pm
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
Well, when I search. It seems the argument is about sizes and contact patch. If I do it, I plan on getting the same size tire that I normally use. 195/65-15 or 20/65-15. If I find them on sale, I'll give it a try.
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- Posts: 17758
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
Add to that rim width. Since I haven't kept up with drag racing itself and tires I am not sure what the current thinking is but too narrow or two wide of a rear tire for the rim width can change the contact patch pattern (and tire pressure) and what the sidewalls do.
- John S.
- Posts: 735
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2007 10:37 pm
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
I'm not stranger to drag racing VW's, as I've had a few drag cars. I just want to cruise to the track and race. Slowly upgrading my bug as I go. All in fun. Just like all of us, I have multiple engine combos scattered around my garage and a brain that never sleeps.
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- Posts: 17758
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
Sorry, its hard when all the facts aren't there .
On my first stint at the track with the V8 Pinto I had I was shocked when a guy blew up his car then borrowed a friends car that had all the goodies (trans brake, auto line lock, and all the other good stuff) and got a 0.001 on the launch and was under his post by 0.01 to win. I was doing the whole thing manually and while my launch was OK I went over my post by the same amount as he was under. I didn't want to spend the extra several thousand so I tore the car apart but still have most of the running gear. Another thing in my garage to get rid of.
They used to have a fun thing which was a minute run. With all the electronics they were using you launched hard then tried to get a 60 second run. Over and under and you were out.
On my first stint at the track with the V8 Pinto I had I was shocked when a guy blew up his car then borrowed a friends car that had all the goodies (trans brake, auto line lock, and all the other good stuff) and got a 0.001 on the launch and was under his post by 0.01 to win. I was doing the whole thing manually and while my launch was OK I went over my post by the same amount as he was under. I didn't want to spend the extra several thousand so I tore the car apart but still have most of the running gear. Another thing in my garage to get rid of.
They used to have a fun thing which was a minute run. With all the electronics they were using you launched hard then tried to get a 60 second run. Over and under and you were out.
- Chip Birks
- Posts: 4006
- Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:59 pm
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
I've never run my car in its current setup on street tires at the track. The one time I drove the car to the track and raced it, I did it with slicks on the back seat, jack, tools and 2, 5 gallon gas cans, E85 for me and some 114 octane for my Dad's drag bug, all crammed inside the car. I drove out, ran 4 or 5 passes, got my desired 11 second run and then drove the pig home. This is my last year of drag racing the car, if I can get to my current goal on slicks, maybe I'll throw the street tires on and go for a ride. It'll be a good excuse to try out the traction control code.
- John S.
- Posts: 735
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2007 10:37 pm
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
I've seen people run 14's with a decent engine and regular street radials. It would just be neat to have a small traction edge, just by picking a specific tire over an other. Or maybe I want to be the guy getting it done on 100% street tires.
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- Posts: 17758
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
As long as you are working towards a goal and learning things, and having fun... that is what is important. Your goal is something that I think can be achieved and once you have met it you will come up with a new goal and go for it... and have fun . Once it becomes a business then things change dramatically and it becomes a different type of fun ... I guess.
Lee
- Chip Birks
- Posts: 4006
- Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:59 pm
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
My same car went 14.3 on cheap 195/60s back in the day, totally different drivetrain then. Spun hard in 1st and 2nd. I think I only ran 4 or 5 passes that way though.
- slowsixtyduece
- Posts: 676
- Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2002 12:01 am
Re: Best at the strip cheapo radials?
I have run the same radials at the the track for the past 10+ years, not on purpose, but just because I've only been to the track twice and dont put a ton of miles on the car. The tires are Kumho Ecsta 215/65's on a Flat-4 5.5" BRM. The tires have supported multiple mid-13 second passes. No burn out, just lowered the tire pressure to about 26 psi. I think I paid about $85 per tire back in the day. Next tire I buy is going to be M&H DOT tires. They arent cheap but they should hook well and hold up on the street.