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Old Oct 18, 2009 | 02:21 PM
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Default et fronts street driven

I've searched and can't find any opinions on street driving these tires. The weight savings over a standard 165r tire is what I want, but I don't see a lot of people running them on their street setups.

Is this a cost issue, or are there some real drawbacks to running these tires up front other than the obviously softer sidewall?
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Old Oct 18, 2009 | 02:30 PM
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They are designed for the straight line of the track only...reduced tread, and not being designed for the lateral forces placed on the tire for street use in the corners are a few drawbacks...A good compromise for the street is the Sportsman fronts in the 4 ply design...I've run the ET fronts before on the street and while it did ride ok I felt uncomfortable driving on them...

--Alan
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Old Oct 18, 2009 | 02:37 PM
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Exactly what Alan said...

The front radials offer much more stability.
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Old Oct 18, 2009 | 07:59 PM
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I HATE how the sportsman's look, bubble way out and look huge to me so that's not an option. I've seen a lot of people are running the nexen radial's, but being they weigh about 15lbs each I'd be leaving about 10lbs of rotational mass up front on a primarily drag wheel/tire setup.
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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 08:57 AM
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I asked this exact question a month or so ago. Most that responded said regular street driving will wear them out fast. I plan on getting some for my pretty much drag only setup in the spring, but do plan on running them from time to time on the street.

If you do drive them on the street just remember they aren't a regular street tire so you need to be more careful while taking corners and such.
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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by VincesSS
I HATE how the sportsman's look, bubble way out and look huge to me so that's not an option. I've seen a lot of people are running the nexen radial's, but being they weigh about 15lbs each I'd be leaving about 10lbs of rotational mass up front on a primarily drag wheel/tire setup.

I'm the other way around. My sportsmans looked good on my 15x3.5s but my 26x4.5-15 ET Fronts looked like balloons on the rim.

Sportsmans:



ET Fronts:

Hard to tell in this picture, but it's the only one I had with the ET Fronts on. The sidewalls stick way out.




But I did drive my ET Fronts on the street just about every weekend. But had to replace them at the end of the summer.
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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 11:12 AM
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Camaro396
I know I asked b4, but size are your rears? is that close to a 28x10.5x15 M/T ET street?
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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 11:18 AM
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I run my M/T ET fronts all over. Just be careful on cornering and keep you distance, just in case you need to stop sudden, they to not help at all on sudden stops. I drive to the track which is about 35 miles, 30 miles highway. I just cruise, keep my distance and stay around 65mph. 75+ mph they start to feel a little to loose for the street. Make sure your alignment is right on, cause they can wear fast. I have about 3000 miles on mine with a little thread left, maybe 1000 miles more.
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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 4U2NV-SS
Camaro396
I know I asked b4, but size are your rears? is that close to a 28x10.5x15 M/T ET street?
I believe he is running a 325/50R15 which is closer to a 28x13.50R15.
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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 08:59 PM
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Yes, they are 325/50r-15s and I believe they are a bit bigger than 28x10.5-15s. We just put a set of 28x10.5s on my brothaaas Formula, and they don't look as big as my radials.
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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 09:18 PM
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Thank you for the responses guys.

Camaro396:
Wow, I can see what you're talking about and agree. Maybe I'm seeing people with the wrong size sportsmans.

P.S. If I knew where you lived your car would be on blocks.. lol!!! jk

4U2NV-SS:
Good info. Even though I probably won't put 4k on it this coming year. Paying $300~ for tires that wear out extremely quick and are sketchy on the street just doesn't seem like it's for me.

Guess I'll need to settle on sportsman's or another 165 street radial.
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Old Oct 20, 2009 | 12:50 PM
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like everyone else said turning feels very uncomfortable, like your about to tip over or lose traction. i switched to a 165r and the car handled considerably better and im not afraid to take curves on the highway anymore
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Old Oct 20, 2009 | 04:44 PM
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That tire weighs what, maybe 12 lbs? I personally would not try to use it as a street tire. I run the Moroso Drag Special on my 3.5" fronts; it's a 2-ply and weighs 10 lbs. I don't even consider using it on the street at all, I just put the skinnies on at the track.
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