Tires: Drag Radials vs Stiff Wall Slicks

[dazwelding]

I have done my research and I am down to my final decision between radials and stiff slicks. I have no class restrictions where I race, I will only be running in bracket classes. My car is NA with minor power adders. I will be purchasing skinnies for the front also.

My only question is this: would anyone actually recommend the radials over the stiff slicks for the Boss 302? If so, why? For example, any driveline parts that cannot handle the slicks?
I cannot seem to find anyone discouraging the use of stiff slicks on the Boss 302.

 

[el jefe 302]

If anything the slicks are easier on parts. The sidewall absorbs some of the shock from launching and shifting.

 

[svt1111]

I'd just go with a 26-11.50-16 ET Stree Bias Ply. My car went 1.63's with these and skinnies.

Bone stock suspension. And it was consistent and easy to drive.

 

[Carbd86GT]

I would personally use drag radials because I like to drive to the track and back home without swapping tires. The slicks will most likely get you the faster ET, but I wouldn't try driving with them on the street as even the stiff sidewall slicks can be a little hairy on the street. Also as stated, the slicks do absorb some of the shock when launching a manual trans car hard. Just be aware that either tire can be hard on the stock clutch if you are doing a lot of hard launches.

 

[BSG Boss]

I have the ET Street radials on my car but if I could do it all over I would do the ET Street bias ply and call it a day. My buddy has a 2013 GHIG with tt's on it and the slicks hooked so well he bent an axle!! The rear ends are strong but not bullet proof, plus look at getting an aluminum drive shaft as well, Shaftmasters has the only direct bolt on application right now and they run around 600. All the others require changing of the yokes and u-joints!!

 

[dazwelding]

Thanks for all the good information!
I first considered getting M&H drag radials without skinnies and driving them to the track, but i have since decided against that plan. I always get to the track early, so I have plenty of time to swap out the wheels!
As soon as I get my income tax I am going to get the slicks and skinnies.

 

[mtrsprt]

Really depends on how tall of a sidewall you go with. With a manual car, the bigger, the better. My track tires are Hoosier 275/60/15's mounted on Dragstars. When I do go to the strip, I will be driving there on them.

 

[IamRacerX]

I run Drag Radials.... 17" 295/40-17 ET streets... I am 100% stock and best 60ft so far is a 1.70. The stock tires got me a best of 1.83, but they spin like crazy on the 1-2 shift. Even some on the 2-3.
Also I saw a stock Boss on 19" Drag Radials break his driveshaft at the line during a launch.... So there is always a chance of that with the stock 2 piece driveshaft.

 

[May93]

If anything the slicks are easier on parts. The sidewall absorbs some of the shock from launching and shifting.

Drag Radials still have hard side walls. The above statement makes a good point. If your going to change them out then a set of ET streets on a steel rim would work fine.

 

[BSG Boss]

On 285-40-18 NT555R's the best 60ft I got on them was 1.82 running a 12.12@120!!! look up blk5genss on youtube!!

 

[Riptide]

If anything the slicks are easier on parts. The sidewall absorbs some of the shock from launching and shifting.

I have had people tell me they broke more parts on slicks than radials because they can launch harder on them vs. the radials. So the shock "protection" factor gets negated by the better traction that allows a harder launch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatwat

 

[Unrealford]

On 285-40-18 NT555R's the best 60ft I got on them was 1.82 running a 12.12@120!!! look up blk5genss on youtube!!

I'm running MT ET street drag radials.

1.65 60ft is best

11.92 1/4 stock on Drag Radials is my best..

YouTube username MustangNthusiest

 

[mtrsprt]

I'm running MT ET street drag radials.

1.65 60ft is best

11.92 1/4 stock on Drag Radials is my best..

YouTube username MustangNthusiest

What size?

The taller the tire in a drag radial, the better they will do on a manual car.

 

[Unrealford]

I'm running 276/60/15 on Darkstars (RaceStar)

 

[Unrealford]

275 I meant, lol

 

[mtrsprt]

I'm running 275/60/15 on Darkstars (RaceStar)

Fixed.

Yeah. A 275/60/15 will hook up far harder to a 285/40/18. Two totally different foot prints and energy release.

I have that same Dark star setup in my bedroom. Waited to be mounted up. I had the matching 17" fronts, and sold them. Now I wish I had them again.

 

[dazwelding]

Unrealford & mtrsprt, are you guys running the 15 x 10 w/ sway bar relocation or 15 x 8 w/o relocation?

 

[mtrsprt]

15X8 without anti-sway bar relocation.

 

[Unrealford]

I'm running 15x10s.
Also using relocation brackets with mild modding, They don't fit the Boss because the sway bar is much larger in diameter. I had to grind the sway bar.

 

[Unrealford]

They cause sway bar to JUST touch the shock mount. With just. 030 or 1/32 flat ground on side of sway bar it clears fine.