I'm presently running 26 X 10 X 15 ET Drags on my 15 X 8 Centerline rims. I'd like to buy a set of ET Streets. What's the closest size ET Street (I understand sizes differ between the Drags and the Streets)?

 

Here is the chart: http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/strip_et_street.html

 

Thanks for the chart; I'd already looked there as well as spoke with the MT Tech Line. The tech recommended the 26X11.5X15 as the closest match. It looks like these should be used with 10" rims...I'm running 8" rims. Of couse my existing ET Drags state that the rims should be 10". I was hoping some real world input from users out there could help me out.

 

General rule of thumb is to achieve maximum traction the trim width matches the tire footprint. I went with 10" rims when I had 26 x 11.5 x 15 Et Streets. Now I have the 28x12.5x15 size and the 10" rim is still good. MT recommends a 10" rim with the 11.5 size. I know people who have stuffed those onto 8" rims and it has worked, but I'm a by the book kind of guy when it is my butt flying at 100+ mph. I also use tubes.

Why are you moving to the ET Streets from the drags?

 

I know people that have used both and didn't think the drags offered a traction improvement. I know they're made from 2 different compounds. I live 2 miles from the Carlsbad track here in San Diego. I'd much rather mount the wheels at home and drive over. I agree with you that at speed, I don't want to be thinking about a tire coming off the rim. I both the rims and tires used from a friend and never checked on the specs until now.

 

I believe the ET Drag and ET Street use the same compound. MT's web site lists compounds L5 and M4 for the 26x11.5x15" for the slicks while ET Streets in that size are the M5 "medium" compound. However, the L5 is a very soft compound that would not be suitable for a vehicle with the weight of a 4th gen.

MT recommends a rim width that is within 1" of the tread width. This year I am going to try the 27x11.5x15" Hoosier QTP. Interestingly, this tire has 10" tread width but Hoosier recommends 8-10" rims. My rims are 8.5", so I think they will work fine.

Rich Krause

 

Rich,

You have any idea how the Hoosier QTP "grip" will be compared to the ET Streets? I realize the 27" size is appealing as fitting 28" tires is a challenge, but the ET Streets have a good reputation for traction. Checking the Hoosier site does show that they 26X11.5X15 (10" TW) will mount on my 8 inch rims. I wonder if that's a comprise though in that the shape of the tire on the small rim might affect optimum traction?

 

Hoosiers have a good rep. About as many of the fast street/strip type cars around here use them as do the MT's. I don't know of anyone reliable with back to back experience though. My assumption is that they are very similar. I haven't tried them yet, but I bought them so I am thinking they will work well.

As far as rim width, I used a the MT ET Street 26x11.5x16" on an 8" rim last year with good results: 1.53sec 60' on my heavy (~4,000lb) car. That's one reason I got an 8 1/2 rim for this year. I don't want to tear up my car to fit a wider rim, and I am sure this combo will fit. The last couple of hundreths of a second aren't the point of my combo.

Rich Krause

 

Rich, I agree with your approach, I'm not looking to cut out my rear wheel wells either! Which rims did you go with and what was the back spacing? I've got a Moser 9" rear and Eibachs (not the best for drag racing but I like my corners too!). What's your guess about 27" tires fitting my setup?

Thanks,
Tod

 

Wow, glad I checked that link. MT now offers 27" and 28" tires for 16" rims. Something good for me to know, since I run 16x9.5" Centerlines........

 

My setup last year had Eibachs and I think a 27" would fit. The only mod needed will be trimming off the inner part of the fender lip at the rear. This is needed for clearance when the tire "grows" at high speed. Some people don't do this, but it seems unnecessarily risky to me and it is essentially invisible. I did go to a taller spring this year, to allow a little more weight transfer.

Rich Krause