Drag radials

[Hollow65]

65 c10, stock wheel tubs. It's lowered 6" in the rear. I'm looking to hit the track in the next few months and I will be driving the truck there and back if I don't break anything. What radials are you guys running and on what size wheel? I have 18'x8's in the rear now. Would I be better with a 15" and more sidewall like a slick, or are the 18" radials any good? Also what's a good burnout technique? Smoke show or a good 1-2-3 count?

Any info is appreciated. Thanks fellas.

[BR3W CITY]

Burnout length will depend on what tires you end up running (and how fast you get 'em hot).

IMO 18" isn't the best size for a drag radial. The majority of the sizes exist in either 15 or 17. 15 is the "typical" size from muscle cars, and the cheapest tires. 17" started becoming more popular as late-model cars are coming with larger-and-larger wheels to fit bigger disk brakes thay may not clear the 15" rim.

Are you fleet or stepside? the 6" drop will tighten your limits up a bit on width if your staying with the stock tubs. I'm over-tubbed, but I can fit a 15x12 w/ 325/50/15 out but, with enough room for a bit more bulge in the tire if I wanted. M/T DOT streets

[Hollow65]

I think I'll buy some 15" wheels then. I'm a fleet side. I've ran 285's before with no rubbing in the wheel tubs.

[urmyboyblue]

I run 295's with room for a 315 on a 15" rim with wheel tubs cut back to the frame rail.

As for the burnout- just enough to clean them off good. Smoke shows are required with a drag radial- at least with a Mickey Thompson ET Street.

[Hollow65]

Thanks for the info guys. Really appreciate it.

[Wasted Income]

I have 305/45/18 MT ET Street II on 18x9" wheels. They are a great all around setup for me. Hooks great on the street, and dead hooks at the track.

They are tight, but they fit my K/5. Barely.

[Kyle@FTP]

In my opinion it depends on your set up and the track. If you have 1500hp you will need a lot of tire. If you have 200hp you need a lot less. If you are going to run at a small track (Barona) you need a bit more tire because track prep isnt very good. But if you go to Fontana then you can get away with less tire.

[Hollow65]

It would be barona and maybe the racelegal track at qualcomm. I've walked qualcomm, looks like the surface of the moon for the first 100'. Truck made 642 @ 8#. I've recently gone to 12#. Never raced from a stand still, I'm sure I will be breaking and upgrading a lot of stuff.

[Kyle@FTP]

You will be fine with a 315 under it at both track and that power. You could probably go a little smaller. Come out on march 22nd. My trucks not done so having a truck represented would be cool.

We are also in the process of developing some parts you might be interested in. We can talk more on the 22nd if you go up to Barona.

[Hollow65]

I'll be there but it won't be in my chevy unfortunately. No seat belts yet, but it needs a new bench seat anyway. Maybe I'll fab in some buckets? I don't know... Kinda like the bench. Thanks for all the info guys, really diggin this site.

[BR3W CITY]

Is Barona the one that just drops off into a hill?

I went out with the magazine I was editing for and we had to do 'vette tests backwards because of that runoff.

[Hollow65]

how fast were the vettes? My buddy does 150 at barona, stops fine. It's only 1/8th. Carlsbad had a hill at both ends. A funny car wrecked there in the 70's my dad said.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by Hollow65

Carlsbad had a hill at both ends. A funny car wrecked there in the 70's my dad said.

It was a zr1 (and I wasn't allowed to drive )

[Hollow65]

I doubt it was barona. Sounds awesome though.

[RICKSRAT]

Have a 315/60/15 Goodyear drag radial on a 15x12 w/ 5.5bs. Truck has stock frame rails with a Moser Dana 60 @ 57 1/2 " flange/flange. Have only made a couple passes on them but was on a Friday night street night and track was crap. So put the slicks back on. Goodyear recommends slight haze on burnout and swap sides every 7-8 runs. Pulled them off recently And sent wheels to Champion to have double beadlocks put on .

[Super73]

Rick,

I have the same size tire on the same 12" wheel (different offset and a mt dr). 5 second burn out oin high gear and roll out. I found 12lbs puts the full patch down. Going to try for some mid 1.3x 60's this weekend.