Drag Radials - opinions please
 

I'm about to get a set of drag radials, and I've heard that the BFG's are much cheaper than the Nitto's. I'm sure many of you run these tires, and I have some opinionated questions:
1. Are the Nitto's worth the extra money over the BFG's?
2. What kind of RPM's will I be launching at with the BFG's\Nitto's?
I was introduced to this site about two months ago and can't seem to keep my eyes off of it ever since. You people are awesome!! Any opinions would be appreciated.

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Dave & Robin 88 GT, T5
306, polished crank, TRW pistons, underdrive pulleys, cold air induction, 73mm MAF, Xtreme Energy Cam, 3.73's, 1 5/8 unequal length headers, Offroad H-pipe, 2 chamber flowmasters, turn-downs, King Cobra Clutch, Steeda adjustable clutch cable with firewall adjuster

Launch rpm will vary greatly on tire size, track conditions, air pressure, power level, and suspension. I have 275/60/15 BFG Drag Radials with drag springs and struts and can still blaze 'em off the line if I drop the clutch above 3 grand.

You have to slip the clutch with these tires to absorb the shock.

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1988 Mustang GT
12.0 @ 122
1992 BadAzz Wrangler
1993 Explorer

The tire size is going to be 245/50/16. I know that with practice, I'll figure out my own launch rpm's. My main question is, should I go with the BFG's for $$ reasons, or are the Nitto's THAT much better?

At www.discounttiredirect.com the Nitto's are cheaper than the BFG's. BFG 255/5016 are more expensive than the Nitto 245/50 16's by $7 a tire, they don't have 245/50's listed for the BFG's.

If it's on a daily driver I have nittos and my car is a LOT better in the rain than my friends similar car with BFGs... something to consider.

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92 AOD GT, K&N, ram air, pulleys, 2 ch. flowmasters, 4:10's, shift kit, 1 5/8 mac longtubes and offroad hpipe 14.249 @ 97.34 mph before the headers and hpipe

I have both the Nittos (245/50/16) on my daily driven pony rims & the BFG's (275/60/15) on my Welds (race only).

Both tires are excellent. The Nitto's have a better tread depth/pattern for rain & may last a little longer (again, deeper tread pattern).

The BFG's only come in 255/50/16, not 245 & vice versa for the Nitto's.

As exgm said, you might have to slip the clutch (I have to with both the NItto's & BFG's). Your launch technique will depend greatly on your car's set up & road or track conditions.

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91 coupe
3.73's,long tubes,2 1/2" exh,ported stock t-body,ProM-77mm
cobra intake,edelbrock heads,B303,1.72 rr's
36lb inj's,tremec, & a Paxton NOVI 2000!!!
11.020 @128.95 on BFG Drag Radials (275/60/15)

It is on a daily driver, and thanks to Red, I think I've been getting some price quotes from the wrong people. I'll go with the Nitto's since I definately drive it in the rain. Thanks gents, I appreciate it.

I have 275/50/15 bfg drag radials and I diven with them several times in the rain. I honestly think they are better (in the rain) than my 245/60/15 Cooper Cobras. The two things I don't like about them are (1) The tread is very shallow so milage will be very low on a daily driver and (2) The compound is soft enough that little rocks/stones will embed themselves into the rubber.

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1989 lx notch
89,000 miles
bolt-ons,stock heads/cam
60'- 2.07, 8.90@78, 13.93@99