1bad2k2ta

iTrader: (3)

I have been told that at high speeds bias rear tires, like ET Streets, and radial front tires are a dangerous combination. Can someone elaborate on this? I just got the car back today after some additional "adjustments" (new dyno numbers in sig) and I want to start putting it to the ground. I have some 26x11.5x17s I want to put on some 17x11 TTIIs to match my fronts (285x40 Goodyear GS D3s on 17x9.5 TTIIs). When I was at 552 rwhp my fastest speed was a little over 121, with the new numbers and ET Streets I expect to be pushing 130+. Am I asking for trouble mixing bias plys and radials?

Thanks

chpmnsws6

iTrader: (70)

TTT..... i wanna know the same thing

BigSteele

iTrader: (17)

ttttt

LC

that's more like a turning issue.. because bias dont have the same sidewall strenght as radials..

Villain281H

iTrader: (5)

this is the biggest bunch of BS. I've heard this before, but never had any actual "experts" tell me why. I've been running radials on the front of both the Formula and Nova ever since I've owned them, and never had any problems when swapping to Et Streets or Sportsman Pros.
As mentioned above, since the sidewalls on the ET Streets are softer, they will "wander" on the road compared to regular radial tires. I blow mine up to about 25 psi when driving on the road, and this helps them drive better.

Derek

1bad2k2ta

iTrader: (3)

Thanks, Derek.

What do you typically inflate the ETs to at the track?

Villain281H

iTrader: (5)

I've run varying pressures in 3 different ET Street tire sizes:

26 x 11.5 x 15 (actual tread width is 10.0") - 16 psi but burned out centers, so next set went with 15 psi and got about 175-185 runs from a set. Car ran low 12s to high 11s here.

28 x 11.5 x 15 (actual tread width is 8.7") - 15 psi but burned out centers, so next set went with 13.5-14 psi and got 179 runs from my last set. Current engine combo, best of 11.37 @ 117 mph with a 1.57 60 foot time.

My lastest set I've stepped up to 28 x 12.5 x 15 (actual tread width is 10.2") - 13 psi seems to work fine, car doesn't wander much and tracks straight. So far gotten a 1.542 60 foot best.

Derek

1bad2k2ta

iTrader: (3)

I will be running 26x11.5x17s. Do you know what the tread width is on these, and would start at 15psi and work down from there?

Villain281H

iTrader: (5)

26 diameter x 10" tread.

I'd start around 16 psi and makes a few laps at each pressure and see what see likes. Less sidewall with the 17" diameter might want more psi, but I'm guessing here...

Derek

John35thSS

Just to give you a heads up from my experience, I have run both et streets and drag radials ( bfg and nitto ). My car is a 96 ta t trim aftercooled 383 afr heads appox 600 rwhp.

With the et streets it gets really scary at the top (127- 131 mph) and thats with 16 pound in the tires, to be honest I dont want to drive the car that way and a corvette running bias and radial combo hit the wall last week.

With the radials its a nice ride, straight no side to side when you lift at 130.

John

BigSteele

iTrader: (17)

maybe people are talking about if you have firm sidewall front tires with soft back ones it probably feels real unstable on the top end because the rear end feels like it will float around.
Maybe when you use a softer type tire up front the whole car will float a little and it might feel more stable.

but, I use a tire up front thats directional (bias right?) and its still a pretty firm tire, so I dont see how bias bias is always good. maybe just make the fronts softer?

Im just guessing here.

Villain281H

iTrader: (5)

Mine doesn't "float" at the top end with the radial/et street combo at 124 mph. I think you have to be aware of the fact that the tires have a softer sidewall.

I've run my et streets now at 13 psi and they are straight at the end, but I guess every experience is different. The trade off with radials is not as much sidewall flex for hooking as a slick or dot slick.

Derek

1bad2k2ta

iTrader: (3)

Thanks guys, this is great info.
So how does it feel when you get on the brakes at the top? I always figured skinnies would pretty much suck at trying to stop at 130, and with the front end doing a little bit of a dive, I would think the low pressure rears would start to do strange things, too.

Black02SS

iTrader: (36)

I have the same issues as you. Up top the car want's to go all over the place. Talk about scaring the **** out of you. Did me at least. I am curious as to what the cure for this is myself. Would be nice to feel comfortable when taking it down the track.

26X10.5" on stock 16" Rims (ET Streets) PSI didn't matter