Hooking up with 18 inch drag radials on a fbody
 

Went to track tonight with the new tires and lost about three tenths.New wheels are 18 from 17s.Tires are 305/35/18 from 315/35/18. 60 foot also slipped 2 to three tenths.Tire pressure suggestions anyone.My TA is also lowered but has all the bolt on rear suspention items and sub frames.I also added long tubes and 3 inch ypipe since last outting so maybe a bit more power and a shorter sidewall is to blame??Looking for some imput!

I've also had no luck hooking up with 18" tires. i'm running the NT-05r's.

My 16" MT's did alot better.

The side walls are just to short.IMOP They hook better then a street tire. I was also trying them in the colder weather. I haven't run them this summer yet. (went back to slicks)

I had to walk it out then hammer it. They would do ok that way but not from a dead stop flashing the convertor. I have a built suspension also. I'llgive it another try and report back.

Getting traction with 18 unch drag radials??!!
 

I never did check the tire pressure which turned out to be way to high.Also the fronts were way to low.Seems the problem is the short sidewall.Any tios would be appreciated.May have to get a set of wheels for the drag days only.They goal is to have a balanced car all around in a straight line and in the twisties.Looks like it wont be easy.

Tire pressure should be 16-20 PSI. Fronts 40-50.

I've been building a triple threat machine for the last 5 years. It is difficult.

You will need a second set of wheels maybe two. I found a set of 16" take off wheels years ago. The Race Star wheels are nice for the price they make a nice 15" drag wheel. Then keep the 18" s for the street etc.

You also will have to adjust the suspension. Like the rear arm postion , unbolt sway bars , change shock settings etc.

I'm still running the stock brake system for this reason. It's been upgraded but is still using the heavy rotors.

I need to make some major changes to my combo. The 4.11's have to go $$$ expensive to change. The 60E has to go also. Really thinking of going with a Turbo 350. It would really pick up in the 1/4 mile.

Set some goals and build it toward them. Mine are street driven 9 sec,in the 1/4 with a top speed in the 180's and being able to do laps on a road course.

Do you mean you went lost 3 tenths from a 315/35/17, since you said you had 17's before? Might want to try a 28'' tire on the 18'' rim. There's a few good DR's that are 28'' tall for 18'' wheels.I dont think you lost too much sidewall since your new tire is about 26.6'' and the old was 25.6''.

my car is a m6 but on 18 in drag radials i could never find the "sweet" spot to launch either the car was about to pull the tires off the ground or the car would blow the tires off...and my car has FULL suspension, they are great on the street though

what tires were you running chef?

i cut 1.39-142 pretty often on 18inch 305/35/18 mts with full basic suspension minus shocks and subfram connectors so it can be done but i guess u would have to be at a pretty dencent track also