Bought Racestars from Beefcake? What tires are you running?

[Paul.]

Since quite a few forum members (including me) bought a set of shiny new Racestars from Beefcake, I figured this might be a helpful thread. I've never owned dedicated drag wheels before, and I'm still a little up in the air on what tires I should run.

I bought 17x4.5" fronts, and 17x10s out back. I'll probably change my wheels at home, and drive to/from the track on my race wheels. My car is lowered 1" in front and 1.25" in back with Steeda Ultralite Springs and Koni STR.T shocks/struts.

The selection of tires for the front is pretty straightforward, I plan on using the 185/55/17 M&H Racemasters.

However, the backs are more complicated. I'm not sure whether I should use drag radials or bias ply slicks. I want to run a 27-28" tall tire out back because I have 3.73 gears and with my 27" tall Brembo wheels, the car is right around the limiter as I run through the traps at 110 mph. I want avoid having to shift into 5th while still running the stock tune/limiter.

M&H makes a 325/45/17, which is about 28.5" tall. Would these even fit on a 10" rim, and inside the fenderwell? Anyone have any experience with them?

http://www.americanmuscle.com/mh-radial-325-45-17.html

Hoosier makes a 28x10x17 bias ply slick that looks like it would work.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hoo-18157/overview/

The Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial II comes in 295/24/17, which is about 27.5" tall and would work.

http://www.americanmuscle.com/mickey-thompson-street-radial-295r17.html


I could use some advice or experience with any of these tires, or another one I've not mentioned.

Paul.

 

[Morris]

I have some of same questions mostly on that 325 but I can tell you your gonna want a 28" to avoid the shift and probably a tune. With a tune I was still at red line just before trapping at 115 to 116 this was on a 285/35/19 tire.

 

[Grabber Blue 5.0]

Paul, in order for someone to help you they need to know a little more about your car. What year? Auto or manual? What gears? This is where a signature would be very helpful.

 

[Morris]

His post stated 3.73's, but your right I was making assumptions. I guessed he had a manual based on those gears. I also assumed his car was rather new based on the wheels and bs he selected.

 

[Paul.]

Sorry. 2011 GT manual.

 

[Paul.]

Bump. Anyone?

 

[Grabber Blue 5.0]

Any way you can send the 17" rears back? Lots of better choices in 15". And a 15" will hook much better.

 

[46Tbird]

Stock, untuned, I went 114.5 on a 28.5" tall 305/35-20 drag radial in fourth gear without hitting the limiter. Close, but didn't hit.

Definitely get something in a 28" height; even with a tune you will want to avoid shifting to fifth in the quarter if you can avoid it.

 

[Paul.]

Any way you can send the 17" rears back? Lots of better choices in 15". And a 15" will hook much better.

Do you have anything useful to add other than to tell me to add a signature and send my wheels back?

 

[Paul.]

Stock, untuned, I went 114.5 on a 28.5" tall 305/35-20 drag radial in fourth gear without hitting the limiter. Close, but didn't hit.

Definitely get something in a 28" height; even with a tune you will want to avoid shifting to fifth in the quarter if you can avoid it.

Okay thanks. I'll definitely be getting a taller tire. What kind of drag radials were you running, and what kind of 60' times were you getting?

Paul.

 

[Grabber Blue 5.0]

Well when you have a question and the only provided info you give is your screen name is Paul yes a signature is helpful. And I've run many 17" drag radials over the years and they didn't hook for shit thus my suggestion on going with a more common 15".

 

[Paul.]

Go away dude. I provided far more than my name, and I'm not into huge long gay signatures with all kinds of pictures so everyone can see my car 685403107401 times a day.

If you've ran 17" drag radials for years, you'd think you would provide a little more information. I'm sure no one on the planet has ever hooked using a 17" drag radial or a 17" slick. Jesus Christ.



Paul.

 

[HellsBells]

OP is a .


Sent from my SCT X3

 

[BMR Tech]

I am running the 185 MH Fronts / MT 295/55/15 Rears.

I would never buy a set of light-weight wheels, for track use, in a 17" diameter for the back.

If I had to run the 17" rear, I would run the 295 MT that you mentioned....as its going to look the best with he front wheel/tire combo you have chosen, and the MT will probably the be the better overall tire out of the ones you are considering.

 

[46Tbird]

Okay thanks. I'll definitely be getting a taller tire. What kind of drag radials were you running, and what kind of 60' times were you getting?

Paul.

305/35-20 Nitto 555Rs

The 60s were pretty bad. It's my daily, so I wasn't trying to launch hard. I really don't expect much out of a 20" tire to begin with.

 

[schuhanks5.0]

im more then sure a 17 inch slick/drag radial will hook.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqsHhZuoxZY&feature=youtu.be

here is a link of a car cutting a 1.3 on a 19in tire. its a auto but you get the point, go with the m/t dr and you will be fine.

 

[Paul.]

OP is a .

Go fuck yourself.

 

[Paul.]

I am running the 185 MH Fronts / MT 295/55/15 Rears.

I would never buy a set of light-weight wheels, for track use, in a 17" diameter for the back.

If I had to run the 17" rear, I would run the 295 MT that you mentioned....as its going to look the best with he front wheel/tire combo you have chosen, and the MT will probably the be the better overall tire out of the ones you are considering.

Thanks. I would have gotten 15" rears, but I plan on putting the 14" rear brakes from the '13 GT500, or perhaps the two-piece setup from Baer. The car is 99% boulevard cruiser, so getting every last ounce of track performance is not the primary objective. I just enjoy periodic trips to the track.

I've heard conflicting stories on which tires - bias ply vs drag radial - is harder on the drivetrain. To me, the wrinkle of the bias ply would shock the drivetrain less, and perhaps reduce the risk of breakage. I plan on having the axle tubes welded for good measure. At stock power levels, do I really have any other breakage to worry about? On either tire?

Paul.