Rec'd drag radial size and type

[knoo]

Hey guys,

This is my first post on this forum. So far I am very impressed with the info on this one.

I have a 2001 silver cobra coupe. So far it is stock except for Eibach pro-kit springs, Bilstein '00 Cobra spec shocks, MM caster/camber plates and MM full-length subframe connectors. My first runs in Columbus, OH were not all that impressive. My best - 14.20 @ 101mph.

My goals are to eventually be competitive in the Summit ET series and eventually possibly Stock car drag racing. I have begun to compile a list of good mods for this car to help it "hook" up with the stock IRS. I've found lots of info on web i.e. - subframe bushings, differential brace, etc.

Where I come up short is reco'd drag slick sizes and rims. So many sizes to choose from. If I do stock car racing I believe I'm limited to 9" wide slicks and not being able to do a live axle swap without disqualification. However, I figure I do want a taller tire profile. Also, for next year's summit ET series I do want to be able to drive to the track and not have to trailer it. I do want to purchase an additional set of rims/tires to put on for race day.

Thanks for any suggestions anybody has. Also, if anybody has had any experience in bracket racing with a '99 or '01 with an IRS I would like to hear of your experiences.

Regards,
Dan Knaus

 

[Quadcammer]

any serious tire/launch will break the irs. however, if you want a tire that hooks very well, but you don't need it to last long, id go with a set of BFG 275/50/15s on a set of

wheels are 85 for the set, and the tires are 270 for the set.

shit, forgot that you have IRS.

maybe get the 255/16s instead.

 

[knoo]

Quadcammer,

Thanks for the reply. I hear ya' about the breaking the IRS. I do plan to upgrade the axles as well knowing I still could easily break the next weak point. Do you know what interferes using the 275/50/15s with the IRS?

-knoo

 

[Quadcammer]

boy its been a while since i had the IRS, but I believe its the tie rod knuckle

 

[99cobrablack]

you can do some grinding to make 15's fit, there is alot of meat on that tie-rod knuckle if you feel comfortable doing so.

 

[knoo]

I'll check it today. This afternoon I'm installing the diff brace I got from Billetflow. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[Double"O"]

If you want to be competive in the summit ET series that IRS has to go. No if ands or buts

I raced factory stock a few times and was clearly faster on the big end but i was never able to make up the ground that i gave up in the first 60 feet. Those solid rear end cars came flying out the hole where as i couldn't without wheel hop

 

[knoo]

Double "O",

Did swapping to a solid rear disqualify you from racing stock? This is my only hold-up to switching to a solid rear. :shrug:

-knoo

 

[Double"O"]

Double "O",

Did swapping to a solid rear disqualify you from racing stock? This is my only hold-up to switching to a solid rear. :shrug:

-knoo

no you can have a solid rear in factory stock. I still have my IRS, i want a solid rear though

my blower DQd me from running Factory stock, So this year i plan on running modular classes. at FFW Orlando and NMRA Bradenton

 

[knoo]

Thanks Double "O"

 

[sonic_4.6]

Quadcammer,

Thanks for the reply. I hear ya' about the breaking the IRS. I do plan to upgrade the axles as well knowing I still could easily break the next weak point. Do you know what interferes using the 275/50/15s with the IRS?

-knoo

Your axles isn't exactly the weak point as long as you don't wheel hop. I recieve NO wheel hop with gears, DRs, and subframe connectors. You WILL come across another weak spot tho: The pumpkin. Mega traction will cause it to flex and break like mine did:

Just be sure to pick up a diff brace, and you should be good to go with the right tire/gear/driver setup.

 

[knoo]

Sonic 4.6 - Holy sh&*. That sucks. I put a diff brace on last weekend for that reason. Lots of pics on the web just like that. Looks like the whole rear end just "grenaded"

Before I do the swap to the solid rear end I am going to give the IRS a shot using your input as well as numerous other posts on the net. Looks like the worst that could happen is I break something / inconsistent ETs. Their seems to be a "ton" of debate as to the usefullness of the IRS in drag racing. To bad I didn't consider I would get hooked to drag racing when I bought my cobra.

For all of those solid rear guys - what setup do you reco when converting? As I mentioned before my goals are to be competitive in the Summit ET series / stock car racing. I would want to take the strengh up a few steps from factory to ensure long life.

 

[sonic_4.6]

Oh man, don’t even get me started on solid swaps. There are SO many people that swap the IRS out for no damn reason. I really don’t see ANY point unless you are putting down a great amount of power. I have ZERO wheelhop on my current setup, and I haven’t even touched my IRS. Even with 400rwhp, I still don’t see why you would want to give up your great handling/ride for a solid axle, when you can make IRS do the same thing for little money. I will be spraying my car and going for 11s next season, and I stillI will not do anything different except for prothane IRS bushings..

That is just the way I see it I guess. You already have a brace, so now get some gears, tires, subframe connectors, and prothanes. Your car will be hard to beat with that setup, and shouldn’t have ANY problems breaking shit unless you are a n00b at driving.