Much Difference in traction?
 

Hey guys my rear tires are shot right now and I'm going to order a set of Drag Radials for the rear and I cannot decide between these 2 choices:

Nitto 275/40/17
Nitto 315/35/17

Does anyone know what/if there is a difference in straightline traction between these 2? Are the 315's worth the extra $? Any input is :bow:

unless you have 11" wide rims, you want the 275/40/17 DRs. The 315s will not lay flat when mounted on a 9" rim and you will actually lose traction. There is only 1.22" differences in the tread width between the two sizes http://www.nittotire.com/popup_555r_sizes.asp

Even if both do fit, I'd take the 275 since it has a tad bit more sidewall.

the sidewalls are almost exactly the same...
275*.4 = 110mm
315*.35 = 110.25mm

and the 315 has a tad bit more..
;)

So you guys don't think there is much of a traction difference between the 2? I don't really care much about the minimum rim width for the 315 because there are many people out there running them on 9" rims still. But if the traction difference is that minimal then I'll stick to the 275.

Do what I do, buy some rims from somewhere you can get cheap, I got the 5 star stock lt1 rims for $40 bucks each. Then, mount some ET STREETS.:cool:

Yea I would but considering that the closest track to me is 2 hours away and I'm on my stock 10 bolt that kind of traction isn't needed for me. All I was is a good daily driver tire that hooks better than street tires.

It isn't the tire that causes rear end probkems, it is the traction. You are looking for a tire that hooks at the track? If you find a tire and it hoks well, the shock to the rear will be the same regardless of the tire technology involved.

A set of ET Streets mounted on a second set of rims that you can use at the track is an easy solution. Mickey Thompson, BF Goodrich, and Nitto all have drag radials.

My guess is if your goal is to drive to the track, drop the tire pressure, race, put some air back in and drive home, then you want a tire that actually fits your rim within design parameters. Normal allowance is +/- one inch between the tire and rim widths for best traction and best wear.

No all I'm looking for is a tire and will give me maximum traction on the street that will fit my 17" rims and last more than 1000 miles. I have never been to the track before so ET streets or anything like that is out of the question. All I really want to know is if the 315 nitto will hook that much better than the 275 to buy them. Anyone use both that has an opinion?

When you put a 315 on a 9" rim it causes the tread to bow in the center causing a loss of traction and mileage. It doesn't matter if thr tread is slightly wider if it doesn't lay flat. A 275 fits the rim and lays flat and will give you much better traction. Go to your local tire store and talk to them...they will tell you the same thing.

I have had them both (275s and 315s BFG versions...) and I cut nearly identical 60's...with all being equal I vote for lighter and cheaper...;)

Besides, most 1/4 mile traction is based on the amount of tread on the ground from "front to back", not so much "side to side"...

Just the answer I was looking for :) Thanx!