[sneezingfox]

I know most of the hardcore enthusiasts in here run slicks, but my question is about drag radials. I have found three that compare... M.T., BFG, and Nitto. Are all drag radials created equally, or are some better than others. The size I am talking about is a 275/35/18 and a 245/45/17. Looking for traction (straight line), tire life (normal street driving) and handling the curves...

[HMUSN]

M.T's will hook the best imo but for street driving I would use BFG's

they hook pretty good and have a half decent life as well

[baine21225]

my vote goes to M.T.

[nolife]

Just my opinion but 18 inch rims and tires with such a small sidewall (35's), will not hook up well regardless of the tire compound. I guess a 18in drag radial will be better than a non drag radial 18 inch tire but neither will provide much traction compared to tires with larger sidewalls. If straight line traction is really your concern, you will need a tire with a larger sidewall.

[Speedstang302]

^ +1.....and dont go nitto 555's..they suck...i've used them and got more traction with k-mart specials...but he's totally right if you're looking for traction you need to loose the flashy 18" rims...15/16 wheels with an 50/60 sidewall would hook great with drag radials..i just removed my m/t et streets on my 15" draglites (winter tires on now), and those hooked awesome...BFG isnt too bad...but between bfg and m/t is hooiser who makes rlly nice tires...

[sneezingfox]

I figured as much. I wanted a bigger wheel to keep rigid during cornering. But I know it has to suffer in a straight line because it;s so thin. I will get drag set up and street set up...

[Goblin]

18s and DRs? Blah.. thats a waste... as said above, they'll never hook as good as 17in DR, or 16... 15 and so on. Its not so much the "lack" of sidewall, its the sidewall stiffness, and ability to flex and compress. Most all 18in tires have fairly stiff sidewalls.. this includes all the DRs that are offered for that size wheel. The biggest wheel ive ever run a DR on, was a 17 (275/40/17 MT) And man, that was a bad ass tire! If your solemly looking for straight line performance, got with a 15" wheel, or even a 16", depending on your brake setup and clearance.

I would have to say that for the smaller wheels, the MT's take the cake. BFG's are surprisingly sticky for the 17" wheels, and offer good life provided you keep close check on tire pressure. I havent used nittos, but i know they work.. but dont offer AS much life as the BFG's with typical public road, and highway driving. I say MT's for max performance.

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by sneezingfox I know most of the hardcore enthusiasts in here run slicks, but my question is about drag radials. I have found three that compare... M.T., BFG, and Nitto. Are all drag radials created equally, or are some better than others. The size I am talking about is a 275/35/18 and a 245/45/17. Looking for traction (straight line), tire life (normal street driving) and handling the curves...

You can't have traction and long tire life. Pick one or the other. Nittos have a long life but don't hook any better than a regular radial. BFG and M/T hook good but have a short life expectancy. Don't waste your money on a drag radial bigger than a 15 inch or 16 inch. There is no sidewall on a 17+ inch tire so your tire ability is going to be limited.

[merk]

The 275/40/17 mt is amazing . My capri has gone 1.46 60`s with them consitantly at a 3450 race weight (street car).

[**Chris**]

Originally Posted by merk The 275/40/17 mt is amazing . My capri has gone 1.46 60`s with them consitantly at a 3450 race weight (street car).

Beautiful car man!!!

[Iownastang]

nice car man could ya please give us a little info about what it has in it.im curious!

[baine21225]

bad ass, whats in the thing?

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by merk The 275/40/17 mt is amazing . My capri has gone 1.46 60`s with them consitantly at a 3450 race weight (street car).

Being that heavy helps a bit. Either way that is impressive for a 17" drag radial.

[merk]

There is alot more left in it lol . Its a pump gas freindly 408w procomp heads , super victor , 750 holley(way to damn small but all i had ) ed curtis cam , bbk 5 speed headers lol , one of our merkl race shop full rollerized c-6 with transbrake, 3.89 gears . The only difference in that pic from how i drive it to work is i have a helmet on , rear tire pressure is dropped to 14 psi , and i do a front shock adjustment. Car has gone 10.87 @124 mph on 91 octane and 17" radials at 5000ft desinty altitude . Want to know more just ask . There a lil info on it

[merk]

Originally Posted by **Chris** Beautiful car man!!!

ps i just stole that lil picture of yours lol i love it
heres a pic when it not so dusty lol

[Speedstang302]

Originally Posted by merk The 275/40/17 mt is amazing . My capri has gone 1.46 60`s with them consitantly at a 3450 race weight (street car).

3450lbs...an stock 87-93 GT doesnt weight that out of the factory...how many concrete blocks in the back seat???

[sneezingfox]

Huh, looks like 17's with no sidewalls work after all...

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by Speedstang302 3450lbs...an stock 87-93 GT doesnt weight that out of the factory...how many concrete blocks in the back seat???

They are close to that with driver. He also has a roll cage and a C6 and a 9 inch.

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by sneezingfox Huh, looks like 17's with no sidewalls work after all...

Give it a try and see what happens. A good working suspension and a heavier car will help.

[Speedstang302]

Originally Posted by Darrell They are close to that with driver. He also has a roll cage and a C6 and a 9 inch.

yeah i started to think after thats w/ driver...also its an 351 over the 302..so a little bit heavier..