This is obviously a stupid idea and really Ghetto, but has anyone ever tried running 2 spare tires up front for a couple 1/4 mile runs? They weigh about half as much as our regular tires up front and would definitely cut down on drag, but dont cost nearly as much as drag lites… then again I think they are only rated up to 55mph

Just wanted to know if anyone has tried this before I get too curious and do it (if track will even allow it)

Thanks

 

Do a search, i remember this being discussed for several pages a few months ago.

 

It will work, i've seen it done on 13 sec cars but dude it's soo ghetto looking Just get some pro stars man

 

That's the big problem 55mph is stamped right into the tire. The rim would probably pass but not that tire, no tech inspector is going to allow that. Well, some backwoods track tech inpector might, but not at any reputable track at least. If you have the 15" spare you could install the $25 165R15 VW beetle tires on them. I looked into this idea but ended up just getting a set of 15x4 Telstars and used the VW tires on them. Total cost around $260.00. I mounted my spare up front and even painted the rim silver to see how it would look....
It was just too ghetto looking for me

 

Ya, I posted about this, when I saw it in a MM&FF magazine...If you read closely, the speed is specified --mph, on the rear of the car..Doesn't say anything about them bein' on the front of the car...If your leary about them, just get different tires and use those rims...

 

The rims with the 165R15 VW tires will pass a tech inspection but the space saver tire is a no-no.

Although the space saver rim is a cheap way to run a front skinny, they look terrible. You could always paint them with some silver paint so they won't look so bad.

 

You wouldn't gain anything from running spare's up front. I weighed them. 42 lbs for a spare, 44 pounds for a 16x8 salad shooter. Both with tires on them.

Save the $$$ and get skinnies and M/T Sportman Fronts.

 

WHAT??? Are you serious?? Dayum that's crazy I didn't know they were that heavy.. $hit my chrome ZR1's with 275/40/17 weighed in at 49lbs and my front pro star's 15x4 with the 165's weighed in at 27lbs... I can't believe that those spares actually weighed that much :blah:

 

The spare looks getto but it will hold up. Motor trend did a test on the donut spares awhile back one of the vehicles was a vette they took it up to 150mph, 1/4 and track tested it. It held up fine. But you don't want to be "That Guy" at the track

 

No, they are not that heavy. Kain needs to have his scale checked Total weight for the spare, jack and the rest of the hardware is 39 lbs. The spare by itself is 28 lbs. A Weld Draglite with a Kumho 165 tire is 27 lbs. Yeah, big difference! If all you want to do is get a few passes with less weight and rolling resistance for a new best and don't plan on racing on the track all the time, just go with a couple of spares on the front, or borrow someones skinnies for the day.

 

I have done it. Board memebers have seen me run that way. Yes, I have been "that guy."

Don't try to pass an official tech inspection that way. But if your track is "lenient" on grudge night they might let you run like that.

Expect no miracles. What you gain in light weight and low rolling resistance you pretty much lose by having the nose closer to the deck and screwing up weight transfrer on the launch. If traction off the line isn't a problem for you (stock car with 2.73 rear gears and DRs) you'll pick up a small faction of a MPH (maybe 1/2 a MPH) and the slightest fraction of ET.

 

Hey guys, my spare tire says not to go over 45mph, so uuummmm, ya i wouldnt use them.

 

Yea I think were talking about running spare WHEELS with BEETLE TIRES now WHich would work! Ghetto solution but it would work

 

Hey thanks guys,

Maybe ill give it a go this spring with the VW tires on my spare tire rims... But by the sounds of it, most of you dont think I will gain anything. Do you think there is a chance i could shave .1 sec off? maybe pick up 1-mph... I have very little drag experience but i thought that cutting down on rolling resistance (and dropping almost 50 lbs) was one of the best things to do to pick up some speed (power adders excluded) for a few 1/4 mile passes.

Let me know what ya think... im kinda curious

Thanks

 

I've heard .10 to .15 reduction in the 1/4 from front skinny tires and wheels. But i've heard .05 to .10 reduction just by jacking up the pressure to max in the front tires.