28-30" tire change?
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Melbourne, FL
28-30" tire change? I'm considering a chnage to a 30" tire sometime next year. I've checked out a couple of 30" tired 4th gens at the races, and know what has to be done to make them fit. Any competent body shop should be able to do the work...
Anyway, what I hope to accomplish is to take away any inconsistentcy in my 60' times by swapping tires. My 28x10.5's work pretty well most of the time, but can still be a little finicky from time to time. I would hope the extra contact patch of a 30" tire would benefit traction a great deal.
So, am I crazy or not? For about the same money, I could probably do a tubular k-member/a-arms and a lightweight hood, which would shed roughly 75lbs. off the front of the car. Traction would be better with the lighter front end, and I would expect to see an improvement in all around et/mph figures from the weight reduction.
I just figure that if traction is sometimes marginal now, it will only get worse if/when I decide to go electronics and launch off a t-brake...
I'd also have to regear the car a little (probably to a 4.56) to keep the same overall gear ratio I have now. Would the switch to a monster truck 30" tire be worthwhile?
Anyway, what I hope to accomplish is to take away any inconsistentcy in my 60' times by swapping tires. My 28x10.5's work pretty well most of the time, but can still be a little finicky from time to time. I would hope the extra contact patch of a 30" tire would benefit traction a great deal.
So, am I crazy or not? For about the same money, I could probably do a tubular k-member/a-arms and a lightweight hood, which would shed roughly 75lbs. off the front of the car. Traction would be better with the lighter front end, and I would expect to see an improvement in all around et/mph figures from the weight reduction.
I just figure that if traction is sometimes marginal now, it will only get worse if/when I decide to go electronics and launch off a t-brake...
I'd also have to regear the car a little (probably to a 4.56) to keep the same overall gear ratio I have now. Would the switch to a monster truck 30" tire be worthwhile?
Re: 28-30" tire change? 30", wow!!! What was done to make the 28" fit? I'm converting to a 28" in the spring and would like to know if its hard to do. What body work is involved?
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TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Melbourne, FL
Re: 28-30" tire change? 28" tires weren't much of a problem... I loosened the little plastic "push pins" that hold the rear bumper cover (hard to describe) and pulled the bumper cover away from the tire, and secured it with zip ties (really high tech stuff). I didn't really have to do anything along the front edge of the tire, except roll the lip of the fenderwell back just a tad. They don't rub anyhwhere.
Colonel has 29" tires on his car, and according to him didn't require major surgery to make them work. Maybe he'll pop in here and explain...
I can't think of everyone right off hand, but I know there are a few other 28" tired cars around here... If memory serves me correctly, Fireball runs a 28" Hoosier, and PSJ played around with a "skinny" 28" tire for awhile.
Colonel has 29" tires on his car, and according to him didn't require major surgery to make them work. Maybe he'll pop in here and explain...
I can't think of everyone right off hand, but I know there are a few other 28" tired cars around here... If memory serves me correctly, Fireball runs a 28" Hoosier, and PSJ played around with a "skinny" 28" tire for awhile.
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From: houston
Re: 28-30" tire change? howdy george..
long time no hear.
i am also going to the 30 inch tire.
maybe step it down to one of the 29.5's but ewither way, i think the car would react better with the taller tire.
ive got the glide going in tomorrow with the trans brake. so i think i am going to need the tire.
i have just put some 28x10.5s on a buds car, its gonna need some masage work on the front side of the fender. gonna take care of that this week.
will have to do some repainting on the fenders but oh well.
steve frank
long time no hear.
i am also going to the 30 inch tire.
maybe step it down to one of the 29.5's but ewither way, i think the car would react better with the taller tire.
ive got the glide going in tomorrow with the trans brake. so i think i am going to need the tire.
i have just put some 28x10.5s on a buds car, its gonna need some masage work on the front side of the fender. gonna take care of that this week.
will have to do some repainting on the fenders but oh well.
steve frank
TECH Senior Member
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From: Troy, AL
Re: 28-30" tire change? As to what needs to be done when going to taller tires, it depends alot on how your rear axle sits. Oftentimes this varies between cars and between rearends. Some sit further forward, backwards, in or out on either or both sides.
I didn't have to do much to make the 28s work. Think I trimmed a little plastic with my pocket knife behind the rear tires.
The 29s required some cutting and rolling of the metal in front of the tires as well as more trimming of the plastic behind the tires. A little touch up paint and no one has ever noticed. <img src="images/icons/cool.gif" border="0"> I still need to make one minor sledgehammer adjustment to the wheel well to the inside of the right tire. It rubs around corners a little bit and is starting to rub the inside "Hoosier" off.
George, have you relocated your battery to the rear? Combine that with some other weight savings up front and you might be surprised what you can do with a 28-29" tire.
I didn't have to do much to make the 28s work. Think I trimmed a little plastic with my pocket knife behind the rear tires.
The 29s required some cutting and rolling of the metal in front of the tires as well as more trimming of the plastic behind the tires. A little touch up paint and no one has ever noticed. <img src="images/icons/cool.gif" border="0"> I still need to make one minor sledgehammer adjustment to the wheel well to the inside of the right tire. It rubs around corners a little bit and is starting to rub the inside "Hoosier" off.
George, have you relocated your battery to the rear? Combine that with some other weight savings up front and you might be surprised what you can do with a 28-29" tire.
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Melbourne, FL
Re: 28-30" tire change? Battery has been in the rear for some time now... I'm not complaining about my 28" tires, my 60's are usually in the 1.45-1.46 range. Occasionally though, the burnout will be a little off for whatever reason, or there will be some moisture on the track, etc, and my 60' will fall to 1.49 or 1.51 or worse... Doesn't help when you're trying to dial in a car, and don't know exactly what to expect on the starting line.
A 30" tire should be more "goof-proof" and provide a sort of cushion when the starting line isn't quite 100%.
Colonel, any chance you could send me some detailed pics of your fender modifications? A good bit of material has to be removed, reshaped to do the 30" tire. Just like to see how much you had to do for the 29's.
A 30" tire should be more "goof-proof" and provide a sort of cushion when the starting line isn't quite 100%.
Colonel, any chance you could send me some detailed pics of your fender modifications? A good bit of material has to be removed, reshaped to do the 30" tire. Just like to see how much you had to do for the 29's.
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Re: 28-30" tire change? Hey, can I have some of those 29" tire pics also. I am looking into going with 29" tires this winter for my Mod feast. I am going with a 250 shot this winter so I will need all the tire I can get
Re: 28-30" tire change? [quote]Originally posted by Colonel:
<strong>I'll post them here when I get them. <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0"></strong><hr></blockquote>
Did a search regarding 28+" slicks...
If you got any of the pics now, please post them for all of us. Thanks and take care.
<strong>I'll post them here when I get them. <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0"></strong><hr></blockquote>
Did a search regarding 28+" slicks...
If you got any of the pics now, please post them for all of us. Thanks and take care.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Chi-Town
Re: 28-30" tire change? Just a FYI, i know a few thirdgen guys who run 30" x 9" radial slicks and they dont require as much massaging as some might think because they DONT GROW.
one car is a 427 n/a that pulls 60' foots in the mid 1.3s and goes 9.80s with a 4.56 gear and the other is a 406 n/a that pulls 60' foots in the mid 1.4s on a MANUAL with a 3.90 gear
one car is a 427 n/a that pulls 60' foots in the mid 1.3s and goes 9.80s with a 4.56 gear and the other is a 406 n/a that pulls 60' foots in the mid 1.4s on a MANUAL with a 3.90 gear
Re: 28-30" tire change? Perhaps talk to www.billingsleyracing.biz and ask Jay what he needed to clearance when he ran 29x13.5 Hoosiers.
Re: 28-30" tire change? Here's pics of 28x12.5/15s:
Pretty much the same alterations as everyone else. Cut the plastic part behind the tire a little and pounded the metal just ahead of the tires a little.
Pretty much the same alterations as everyone else. Cut the plastic part behind the tire a little and pounded the metal just ahead of the tires a little.
Re: 28-30" tire change? IMO a 4th gen should be able to do a lot with a 29x10.5 non W tire.
30" tires require some clearance, and cutting of the top of the inner fenders, so in effect some minitubbing would be required.
I can give examples of cars that have cut like 1.29-1.32's with 29's.
30" tires require some clearance, and cutting of the top of the inner fenders, so in effect some minitubbing would be required.
I can give examples of cars that have cut like 1.29-1.32's with 29's.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Cecil County Raceway!!!
Re: 28-30" tire change? All I did was shorten the control arms ~1/2" and they centered in fine in the wheel wheel (no cutting/trimming required)
28x11.5x15 Hoosier QTPs
28x11.5x15 Hoosier QTPs