Drag Racing Tech - Radial or Bias?

I am getting DOT Slicks on Monday. I am curious what you guys think. I am either getting MT ET Streets(bias), or the ET Street Radial II(radial). They are the same size and work out to be the same weight putting a tube in the bias. I get tubes for free from work so the ET Street is a little bit less expensive for me. I just don't know witch one to go with. These tires will only be ran at the track and maybe once or twice a month on the road.

Just some info on the truck right now only running 13s next time to the track and maybe 12 on nitrous. I am hoping to be stroking the motor this winter and making some real power for next year.

Thanks for your info in advanced.

I am getting DOT Slicks on Monday. I am curious what you guys think. I am either getting MT ET Streets(bias), or the ET Street Radial II(radial). They are the same size and work out to be the same weight putting a tube in the bias. I get tubes for free from work so the ET Street is a little bit less expensive for me. I just don't know witch one to go with. These tires will only be ran at the track and maybe once or twice a month on the road.

Just some info on the truck right now only running 13s next time to the track and maybe 12 on nitrous. I am hoping to be stroking the motor this winter and making some real power for next year.

Thanks for your info in advanced.

unless u really need a slick i would stay with drag radial.

Well they are both street tires. I normaly don't have traction issues but this wed. it was cold and I couldn't hook for shit. Next year if things go right I will need some help with traction since I will be building my 408. So I am kinda getting more tire then I need right now(to make sure I hook with nitrous) but am planning for the future of next year.

I see you are from SE Michigan Do you go to Milan?

what kind of trans you running ? if your an auto go with the radial ......6spd stay with the bias ply

It is a 4l80E auto. Why would the trans make a differance? Just curious.

It is a 4l80E auto. Why would the trans make a differance? Just curious.

the manual doesn't absorb any of the shock that the auto does. When you launch a stick at 5000, all the power goes straight to the tires and its harder to hook, thats why people go with slicks for the extra traction.

An auto doesnt shock the tires as much and is easier to hook so radials would work a little easier with a auto.

So bias is to help soak up some of the shock on launch? I kinda don't want the street radial II because it doesn't look like a real drag radial. It is more of a real street tire tread. I know that isn't a good reason but I am big on looks. If the radial is the right tire for the job then that is what I will go with.

You're supposed to run a driveshaft loop if your running a slick so if the the track you go to is picky they may bust you for it.

I will be installing a loop before I go back. I have all the stuff.

What size rim are you putting these on?

16 inch. Can't fit 15s on my truck because of the brakes.

Hmm. Is there any way to get the brakes converted over to F body brakes or drag brakes, because your tire options would go up 10 fold.

Nice part, being a truck you have enough room to put pretty much anything which is nice.

If you have to stick with the 16 inch rim, I'd put a bias ply on it.

Why do you say bias? I kinda want the bias but so far everyone has said radial. If it helps I have a 2800 stall and when I build the motor will run juice off the line.

juice off the line with a transbrake bias ply all day.

n/a footbrake the radial will probably be o.k., but I can tell you, if your track prep isn't great, suspension isn't right, the radial won't be as forgiving as a bias ply tire will.

End of the day, you "can" go faster on a radial, if the prep is there and the suspension is tuned right, but in my experiences, the bias ply always works, radials can be a hit/miss.

I don't think I will ever get a trans brake. But when the motor is rebuilt I will leave on the spray for sure. I used a set of hoosier 26" tall radials and they worked fine but I didn't spray and am basicaly stock with a converter running a best of 14.2.

I think I will go with the bias because because on test and tune nights prep is usualy good but not always great.

It is a 9.5" ring 14 bolt axle so I don't know if there is a downsized brake.

I will be ordering these tires in a few hours. Wanted to see if there were any last minute opinons.

I went with bias. I called Mickey Thompson and they reccomended the bias. Because of being a truck mostly. Since traction is more of an issue the bias will offer the most traction in the most situations.