Need help with drag radial size
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 1
From: Sandwich, IL
Need help with drag radial size I admit that I am lost when it comes to tire and rim sizes so I could really use some help. I recently bought a 2007 Mustang GT off a dealership lot (I know it's not an f-body but tires and rims are universal).
The previous owner swapped out the stock rims for cool looking black rims. The tires on there are 255/35/20
I have always had great success running Mickey Thompson Street Radials on my 99 Formula so I want to stick with what works. But mickey thompson doesn't make a 255/35/20. So I basically have two questions.
1). Is there a MT street radial size that might fit on my rims?
2). Are these rims going to hurt me in a drag racing application?
If I have to I will sell the rims and buy smaller ones if that will work better. Thanks in advance!
The previous owner swapped out the stock rims for cool looking black rims. The tires on there are 255/35/20
I have always had great success running Mickey Thompson Street Radials on my 99 Formula so I want to stick with what works. But mickey thompson doesn't make a 255/35/20. So I basically have two questions.
1). Is there a MT street radial size that might fit on my rims?
2). Are these rims going to hurt me in a drag racing application?
If I have to I will sell the rims and buy smaller ones if that will work better. Thanks in advance!
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Larger diameter wheels and a shorter sidewall are not optimal. For a street tire, we run 305/35R19 MT DRs. They are exceptional on the street. We have made a few soft launches and have been in the low 1.6s. Granted, there is more left in there but harder launches could easily produce wheelhop. For real launches we prefer our 16s. The sidewall has greater flex and lower 60's are more easily reproducible.
Do you have a stick or an auto? An auto can handle larger diameter wheels better.
What type of power is the car making and do you plan on adding mods?
Do you have a stick or an auto? An auto can handle larger diameter wheels better.
What type of power is the car making and do you plan on adding mods?
it says m5 in his sig so it must be a manual.
hooking a manual with 20 inch wheels with rubber bands for tires sounds like an uphill battle , buy another pair of stock wheels and paint/plasti dip them black so they don't stick out and put your preferred MT's on them - you know it will work don't fight it !!
hooking a manual with 20 inch wheels with rubber bands for tires sounds like an uphill battle , buy another pair of stock wheels and paint/plasti dip them black so they don't stick out and put your preferred MT's on them - you know it will work don't fight it !!
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 1
From: Sandwich, IL
Yeah, I have a manual. I did the stalled auto thing for a lot of years and now I'm taking a turn with a manual transmission. Yes I do plan to mod the car. I have about 300 rwhp now but I intend to do cams, LT's, CAI and spray a 100 shot. Looking for 11.5 ET's when it's all said and done.
The irony of all this is that when I had my formula I learned the T56 manual transmissions are strong right from the factory but the 4L60E will break left and right. I went through three 4L60E's myself and one was 'supposed" to be rated for 800 rwhp capable.
After I bought this car I learned that fords t3650 manual transmissions are weak and people burn through them while the automatics are strong and can take a beating.
DOH!
Thanks for the info guys. I used to hook great on my 255/50r16 MT street radials so I guess I'll be shopping for smaller rims to be better suited for drag racing. I also found out that these cars have issues with the axle tubes twisting from hard launches at the track so people recommend having them welded beofore you go to the track.
I guess these 280 rwhp monsters have so much torque they twist the chassis coming off the line
The irony of all this is that when I had my formula I learned the T56 manual transmissions are strong right from the factory but the 4L60E will break left and right. I went through three 4L60E's myself and one was 'supposed" to be rated for 800 rwhp capable.
After I bought this car I learned that fords t3650 manual transmissions are weak and people burn through them while the automatics are strong and can take a beating.
DOH!
Thanks for the info guys. I used to hook great on my 255/50r16 MT street radials so I guess I'll be shopping for smaller rims to be better suited for drag racing. I also found out that these cars have issues with the axle tubes twisting from hard launches at the track so people recommend having them welded beofore you go to the track.
I guess these 280 rwhp monsters have so much torque they twist the chassis coming off the line
Last edited by darrensls1; Sep 25, 2014 at 06:43 PM.
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
The Hoosier 255/50R16s are great DRs. (I know you like MTs, but the Hoosier is lighter and has more grip. The downside is that they are unsafe in the rain.) The C6Z has been a 1.45 on them. Since you have a manual trans, a bias ply slick or DOT slick would be a better option provided you use a skinny up front. Your 60's will be better and more consistent. The tires will recover after spinning. The chance of wheelhop is greatly reduced.
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 1
From: Sandwich, IL
Thanks for the advice! I think what I'm going to do is keep my rims and tires I have for driving on the street and then pick up a couple of rims to put drag radials on for days I go run at the track.
I've used Nitto 555's and M/T street radials. It's about time I have Hossiers a try. They are only one of the top names if not the top name in racing tires.
Thanks again!
I've used Nitto 555's and M/T street radials. It's about time I have Hossiers a try. They are only one of the top names if not the top name in racing tires.
Thanks again!
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Need to know the width of the rims you have to give you an accurate idea of what will safely fit. However for optimal traction drag radials with a stick shift are a no-no. You want a full slick or bias ply tire like the ET Street or Hoosier QTP for manual trans mission vehicles with stockish suspension.
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Need to know the width of the rims you have to give you an accurate idea of what will safely fit. However for optimal traction drag radials with a stick shift are a no-no. You want a full slick or bias ply tire like the ET Street or Hoosier QTP for manual trans mission vehicles with stockish suspension.