Drag wheel & tire setup?

[saleenssc1989]

i have a 03 Cobra with very few mods;
Steig. stage 5 port
K&N CAI
2.9 upper
SCT tuned by Brendspeed

Most of the modifications come with suspension and the solid rear end built by DTS.

Brenspeed in North Webster, IN tuned the car with 470whp saying my mass air was pegged and needed to 4lb lower pulley, upgrade injectors, mass air and a boost a pump to get over the 500whp mark.
I was able to get to a 12.4 in the 1/4 mile with my current setup & first track appearence. My 60' time is horrible and i need to practice better launching (i admit im not the best driver). However i would like to help that by purchasing a few rear wheels and possibly a set of rear slicks or drag radials.

So here are a few questions;
What would the best wheel size (backspace also) be for my built solid rear set up? It is a solid 8.8 with GT rotor/caliper setup.
What about tire size for that wheel size? I already run a set of mickey 315/30/18 drag radials. I am thinking about trying a set of slicks?

Any thoughts, past experiences or advice you guys have would be greatly appriciated.

 

[BaznastyDave]

Rear, 15x10 with 5.5" of BS.

Front if you have Cobra brakes then a skinny 17, if it's GT front brakes you can run 15's or larger

 

[Jmurrz]

Slicks are the way to go. Trust me, it is an awesome feeling launching the first time.

 

[saleenssc1989]

Bought some Racestar Darkstars from Lethal Performance on their 20% off sale.
I got the 15x10 rears only.
Now I need some help with tires.

What size are you guys running??
What brand have you had the best experience with at the track?

I have never had slicks, I hear they are a huge help with 60' times.

Thanks guys

 

[saleenssc1989]

i think have it narrowed down to a few different Mickey Thompson tires.

Mickey Thompson et street radial 275/50/15 or
Mickey Thompson et street radial pro 275/60/15

anyone have any luck with one or the other?

i realize i do not have a high horsepower car, however i would like to at least get some better launchs and 60' times. Since i have built solid rear, i feel as if it would be safe to launch at a higher RPM and stick with some good rubber.

 

[lowflyn]

Neither of those are slicks. If you want a dr go with the 275/50 unless you have tall gears.

You need to look for a 26x10.5 if going bias ply.

 

[Jmurrz]

i think have it narrowed down to a few different Mickey Thompson tires.

Mickey Thompson et street radial 275/50/15 or
Mickey Thompson et street radial pro 275/60/15

anyone have any luck with one or the other?

i realize i do not have a high horsepower car, however i would like to at least get some better launchs and 60' times. Since i have built solid rear, i feel as if it would be safe to launch at a higher RPM and stick with some good rubber.

Typically manual cars like bias ply material, I would leave the et street pro's and et street radials to the auto cars. I have had good luck with MT ET Street bias ply's. I would run a 26x10.5(or bigger). I drove them to the track and back. with 600+ hp launching at 4500 RPM on the IRS I cut a 1.8. With less HP and with the solid axle I would think that they would hook you pretty good!

 

[saleenssc1989]

Typically manual cars like bias ply material, I would leave the et street pro's and et street radials to the auto cars. I have had good luck with MT ET Street bias ply's. I would run a 26x10.5(or bigger). I drove them to the track and back. with 600+ hp launching at 4500 RPM on the IRS I cut a 1.8. With less HP and with the solid axle I would think that they would hook you pretty good!

Copy that Jmurrz, i appreciate the advice and information. Im def. looking forward to getting my car back to the local drag strip. Practice makes perfect and i definetly need more practice as im not the best driver.

 

[wile e coyote]

15x10 with 6.5 BS, Mickey Thompson Radial SS's in 295/55/15

 

[ctgreddy]

If you want a 26" tire go with a 26/10/15 et drag. If you want something a little taller get mt's 28/9/15 part number 3054ST. It's only about 27" tall and is designed for stick shift cars. A bias ply slick will yield way better results than a radial on our cars. I've tried both mickey's radials, 295/55/15 et street and a 275/60/15 pro, both left a lot to be desired at my power level/driving style but the pro was way better than the regular et street.

 

[Jmurrz]

Copy that Jmurrz, i appreciate the advice and information. Im def. looking forward to getting my car back to the local drag strip. Practice makes perfect and i definetly need more practice as im not the best driver.

No problem, keep practicing and you will get better, tires make a world of difference.

If you want a 26" tire go with a 26/10/15 et drag. If you want something a little taller get mt's 28/9/15 part number 3054ST. It's only about 27" tall and is designed for stick shift cars. A bias ply slick will yield way better results than a radial on our cars. I've tried both mickey's radials, 295/55/15 et street and a 275/60/15 pro, both left a lot to be desired at my power level/driving style but the pro was way better than the regular et street.

Yup, good info here too. If you can swap tires at the track or trailer it a MT Et Drag will be the best of the bunch but it is only designed for the strip. The bias ply Et strees have a DOT sticker so you can drive them to and from, but if you don't need to drive it there and back on those, an ET Drag would be great. The only thing I disagree with is the 27" or 28" tire. I would not run anything over a 26" tire under 600 hp unless you have steep gearing. IMO that will hurt you more than they will help with 500WHP and stock 3.55's. I vote 26x10.5 ET Drag if you don't have to drive there and back on them. Otherwise if you have to drive to and from with them, a 26x11.5 or 26x12.5 (They run much narrower than a true slick) Et Street or Hoosier QTP.

I also just got my new setup, and I love it. They are Hoosier QTP's, they have much less sway than the ET streets and they are hooking really hard on the street. Cant comment about track usage, but I am extremely happy with them so far. And they have a DOT stamp so I can drive them anywhere.

 

[furious465]

15x10 with 6.5 BS, Mickey Thompson Radial SS's in 295/55/15

Did you have to do any modifying to make those 15x10 with 6.5 bs fit?

 

[saleenssc1989]

Thanks for all the info and advice guys.
I ended up going with 15x10 Racestar Darkstars and 275/50/15 Mickey Thompson ETstreet radials.
I hope to post some track times here in the next few months.