tubes or not with ET drags
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From: mansfield ohio
tubes or not with ET drags I just ordered convo pro's and 28x10.5x15 MT drags. I ordered screws and tubes but do i really need the tubes??? I know if there tubed they have to be screwed. I plan using the screws but not sure about the tubes. What are the pro's and con's of running the tubes???? do the tires grow more or less with the tubes?? does the extra weight hurt that much? Will the tubes stiffen the sidwall??
Please any and all opinions and comments on your own setups are apreciated
Thanks!
Please any and all opinions and comments on your own setups are apreciated
Thanks!
same here i have convo pros and ET Drags and we have them screwed without tubes right now, only because there was a mix-up with the tubes a couple times and we didn't get them in time for the spring break shootout, but we have ran them without tubes, but I would be interested in knowing if there is really any true advantage to having the tubes in there also. We have them here, but they are still in their box.
I do not run tubes. I do have my slicks screwed to the rim. 
With tubes it helps with keeping air in the tires. It also helps you to be more stable at the top end of the track with low tire psi. If you don't screw your slicks to the rims with tubes and your tires spin on the rim. You will cut off the valve steams.
Without tubes you have less rotational weight. Tubes are about 8 lbs each. If you put dish washing soap on the inside of the sidewalls before mounting them. They will not leak air.
Coach
With tubes it helps with keeping air in the tires. It also helps you to be more stable at the top end of the track with low tire psi. If you don't screw your slicks to the rims with tubes and your tires spin on the rim. You will cut off the valve steams.
Without tubes you have less rotational weight. Tubes are about 8 lbs each. If you put dish washing soap on the inside of the sidewalls before mounting them. They will not leak air.
Coach
Pros to running tubes.
1. More stability on the big end.
2. Some say they launch better but I never noticed.
3. Air stays in the tires. I have had slicks leak at the rim seal and also the side walls from.
Cons.
1. Heavier with tubes.
I have a set on the car with NO tubes and rim screwed.
I have another set I put tubes in because they leaked through the side walls. They are rim screwed also.
Good luck
1. More stability on the big end.
2. Some say they launch better but I never noticed.
3. Air stays in the tires. I have had slicks leak at the rim seal and also the side walls from.
Cons.
1. Heavier with tubes.
I have a set on the car with NO tubes and rim screwed.
I have another set I put tubes in because they leaked through the side walls. They are rim screwed also.
Good luck
I've never had any problems with the tires spinning on the rims and have cut a best sixty foot time of 1.49, most in the low 1.50's. I run between 15-16 psi in the tires with no tubes and always mark the rim and tire to moniter slippage. They don't spin on the rim.
When mounting I always clean all the crap off the bead area of the rim with alcohol to make sure it's good and clean. I then use Yamaha rim lube on the bead of the tire and then mount. The Yamalube stuff works as a lube when mounting but after mounting it acts like a glue.
I had some motorcycle drag racers tell me about the stuff and it's worked great for me so far as I've had zero tire slippage on the rim.
I will keep using this method until I notice some slippage. I just couldn't bring myself to drill these high dollar drag rims and will not do so until I start having problems with slippage.
TJ
When mounting I always clean all the crap off the bead area of the rim with alcohol to make sure it's good and clean. I then use Yamaha rim lube on the bead of the tire and then mount. The Yamalube stuff works as a lube when mounting but after mounting it acts like a glue.
I had some motorcycle drag racers tell me about the stuff and it's worked great for me so far as I've had zero tire slippage on the rim.
I will keep using this method until I notice some slippage. I just couldn't bring myself to drill these high dollar drag rims and will not do so until I start having problems with slippage.
TJ
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Originally Posted by Coach 02 A3 Z/28
It also helps you to be more stable at the top end of the track with low tire psi.
Coach
Coach
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Originally Posted by Coach 02 A3 Z/28
Interesting.
I run my slicks at 10.5 or 11 psi and have no problems at the top end at all.
Coach
I run my slicks at 10.5 or 11 psi and have no problems at the top end at all.
Coach
I ruin the end of films...
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From: Taking back some video tapes
I'm running tubes and screws in my 10.5W tires. They will leak air through the sidewall w/o tubes.
My old ET Streets would walk a lot. Part of this is caused by having a radial tire (165/15) up front. I'm running an ET Front now and shouldn't have near the problems....or at least I hope not.
My old ET Streets would walk a lot. Part of this is caused by having a radial tire (165/15) up front. I'm running an ET Front now and shouldn't have near the problems....or at least I hope not.
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From: mansfield ohio
anybody try rubbing the inside of the tire with "SLIME" the green liquid tire sealer. Im thinking of rubbing the inside of the tire and the bead like you would with the dish soap. I would think it would work better than dish soap for sealing the sidewall and bead. I do like the idea of using the Yamaha rim lube. Now im having second thoughts about screwing the rims
I've had good luck with the Yamaha rim lube so far. I would have never thought it would have worked, but it has. Just don't get excessive with it, if you do it will sling out from between the bead and the tire and make a mess. I usually spray it on my hand and wipe it on the bead of the tire, and the bead surface of the rim.
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From: Lake Orion, MI
Hmmm, cutting 1.45-1.48s on Convo Pro 15x8.5 with the ET Drag 26x10x15 tires and a 3,850 pound car on 14-15PSI. This summer calls for 15x10 Prostars and 28x10.5x15 Drags and I'll be going without the tubes and screws again for now.
I think you'll be OK without the tubes and screws for a while. Just mark the tires and rims and check for movement.
Rick
I think you'll be OK without the tubes and screws for a while. Just mark the tires and rims and check for movement.
Rick
