slicks vs drag radials

RPM427 · 07-17-2002, 08:57 AM

If I was to run a 12.6 @108 on slicks, What can I expect to run with Nitto 555R drag radials? Everything the same except for the tires.

USMC302 · 07-17-2002, 11:43 AM

Most poeple tell me slicks give 4 to 5 tenths over street tires. My BFG Drag radials gave me 4 tenths over street tires. I can only imagine that slick would give a 2 to 3 more tenth advantage over the drag radials. In my opinion. I raced a 93 cobra with the same bolt on as me basically but he was on slicks and me on drag radials. He won because he got me out of the hole, he didn't pull after that, but i still couldn't close the gap he made at the beginning although it was closing fast. Rumor has it he is running 12.6's and higher on slicks. I run a 12.3 on drag radials, but this was done on the street not on the track so traction was still an issue for me.

RPM427 · 07-17-2002, 11:47 AM

What kind of trap speeds are you getting with your 12.3 E.T.?

USMC302 · 07-17-2002, 11:56 AM

111mph.

USMC302 · 07-17-2002, 12:01 PM

Whatcha runn'n with yours?

HORSEMEN RACING · 07-17-2002, 12:14 PM

I agree with both of you as far as times,but remember this also,say you run a 8 inch slick that is pretty much equal to a 2456015 which as we know is not very wide,but a 2755015 drag radial is the same size as a 10inch slick so a lot has to do with contact patch.

Air pressure has a lot to do with it,in other words how hard you can hit the tires without just totally blowing them off.

I will say a Drag Radial is pretty much on par with a slick,remember the photo of Dwayne"Big Daddy"Guthridge in MM&FF Feb 2000 issue doing a 4-in-the-air-bumper-shot those were drag radials although they were 3255015 but a radial none the less.

Good thing about drag radials,you do not need the extra safety equipment(driveshaft loop,scattershield) but when you are going that fast I would have it,and you do not need to screw drag radials to the rim or need a tube.

It's all a toss-up and a personal taste thing.

RPM427 · 07-17-2002, 01:29 PM

The best I can pull off is a 13.4 @108, Thats with a ~2-2.2 60 ft, and on nitto 275/40ZR17 555's. I need to get the 555R's to help with my 60 ft times. I should be in the mid 12's if I had the traction.

USMC302 · 07-17-2002, 01:32 PM

I had a 1.9 60ft time with the radials and 15lbs of air. next time I am going with a higher launch and lower air pressure.

07-17-2002, 08:57 AM	#1
RPM427 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Huntington NY Posts: 573	slicks vs drag radials If I was to run a 12.6 @108 on slicks, What can I expect to run with Nitto 555R drag radials? Everything the same except for the tires. __________________ -1993 Mustang, 900rwhp 03-04 cobra based 4v swap, full Griggs setup, project underway -1994 Ranger w/ 427cid windsor (daily beater) check it out!

07-17-2002, 11:43 AM	#2
USMC302 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Gallatin, Tn Posts: 1,326	Most poeple tell me slicks give 4 to 5 tenths over street tires. My BFG Drag radials gave me 4 tenths over street tires. I can only imagine that slick would give a 2 to 3 more tenth advantage over the drag radials. In my opinion. I raced a 93 cobra with the same bolt on as me basically but he was on slicks and me on drag radials. He won because he got me out of the hole, he didn't pull after that, but i still couldn't close the gap he made at the beginning although it was closing fast. Rumor has it he is running 12.6's and higher on slicks. I run a 12.3 on drag radials, but this was done on the street not on the track so traction was still an issue for me. __________________

07-17-2002, 11:47 AM	#3
RPM427 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Huntington NY Posts: 573	What kind of trap speeds are you getting with your 12.3 E.T.? __________________ -1993 Mustang, 900rwhp 03-04 cobra based 4v swap, full Griggs setup, project underway -1994 Ranger w/ 427cid windsor (daily beater) check it out!

07-17-2002, 11:56 AM	#4
USMC302 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Gallatin, Tn Posts: 1,326	111mph. __________________

07-17-2002, 12:01 PM	#5
USMC302 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Gallatin, Tn Posts: 1,326	Whatcha runn'n with yours? __________________

07-17-2002, 12:14 PM	#6
HORSEMEN RACING Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Camp Pendleton,Cali Posts: 95	Air Pressure and size I agree with both of you as far as times,but remember this also,say you run a 8 inch slick that is pretty much equal to a 2456015 which as we know is not very wide,but a 2755015 drag radial is the same size as a 10inch slick so a lot has to do with contact patch. Air pressure has a lot to do with it,in other words how hard you can hit the tires without just totally blowing them off. I will say a Drag Radial is pretty much on par with a slick,remember the photo of Dwayne"Big Daddy"Guthridge in MM&FF Feb 2000 issue doing a 4-in-the-air-bumper-shot those were drag radials although they were 3255015 but a radial none the less. Good thing about drag radials,you do not need the extra safety equipment(driveshaft loop,scattershield) but when you are going that fast I would have it,and you do not need to screw drag radials to the rim or need a tube. It's all a toss-up and a personal taste thing. __________________ OC "there are 5,000 Army troops sitting on their butts doing nothing,while 2 companies of Marines are securing this island" spoken by a Army General on the Isle of Grenada in 1983

07-17-2002, 01:29 PM	#7
RPM427 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Huntington NY Posts: 573	The best I can pull off is a 13.4 @108, Thats with a ~2-2.2 60 ft, and on nitto 275/40ZR17 555's. I need to get the 555R's to help with my 60 ft times. I should be in the mid 12's if I had the traction. __________________ -1993 Mustang, 900rwhp 03-04 cobra based 4v swap, full Griggs setup, project underway -1994 Ranger w/ 427cid windsor (daily beater) check it out!

07-17-2002, 01:32 PM	#8
USMC302 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Gallatin, Tn Posts: 1,326	I had a 1.9 60ft time with the radials and 15lbs of air. next time I am going with a higher launch and lower air pressure. __________________

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