New to the drag strip...actually haven't been yet , but next year I plan on many trips. Hoping you guys will help me with tire choice.
I Plan on going with 15 X 10 Draglites on my 94 Z. The car is almost ready and should put down 550- 600 HP on Nitrous. don't want to spin it past 6200 RPM's , 2700 stall ,373 gears in a 12 bolt, near stock weight.
What do you guys think for tire choice and size? Looking at ET streets, QTP, or slicks. 28" or 26", what would be the maximum width I can get under the wheel wells? These would be primarily track tires but may have to drive to the track on the same tires 30 miles each way. Not worried about the law.
Thanks for any input....

 

Id reccomend the 15X10 draglite with 7.5 bs. Go with a 28X9.0 ET drag or if you arent afraid to beat in the inner fenders a little go with the 28X10.5. If you want et street go with the 28X11.5 or 12.5 (or equivalent in another brand)

 

What diameter up front on 15 X 3.5's?

BTW I called Weld and they now make a 15 X 3.5 with 2.25 BS for F-body cars. This is supposed to eliminate the need for a spacer

 

I've launched with a 125-shot (about 635flywheelHP) on the 28x11.5 QTP's, 3.73 and a converter that only stalls to about 3K on a NA launch - so the nitrous (3.5K activate) doesn't hit until the car is already rolling. The QTP's hook like glue.

With the 300-shot off the line (approx 800fwHP), 4.10's, and the converter flashing to 5K on launch, I am upgrading to ET Drag 28x10.5-15W's/ That will add almost another inch of tread, with a stickier compound. I'm hoping they will hook... .

You should be fine with the 28x11.5 QTP's. But if you are looking for some really big QTP's, I have a pair of 28x14.5 QTP's that still have at least 1/2 the tread left. George Baxter used them for some events that allowed 12" tread width. I know for a fact that they will require a lot of work with a 3# hammer to fit in the wheel wells, but they will fit. He wants $125 + shipping for the pair.

Curious about the comment regarding the 2.25" BS on the front wheels. The interferences with the 1.75" BS are 1) the spring clip on the spokes of the wheel, and 2) the big horizontal bar on the steering knuckle against the bend where the center disc rolls over to form the rim. Not sure how increasing the back spacing would change those interference points. To my thinking, that will still require the 5/16" spacer. It would seem that the main advantage of the 2.25" BS would be to put the wheel/tire further into the wheel well, and that would be a good idea. My 1.75" with spacer are definitely to far toward the outside of the fender line. I guess the best aerodynamic solution would be to have the outer edge of the tire exactly even with the fender lip to limit air flow disturbances, but the Pro Stock cars run the skinnies pretty deep in the wells??????

I run 26x4.5-15 Moroso DS2's in the front. That would be the closest to the stock 25.65" diameter and keep the front at stock ride height. But I also have the HAL's to adjust the front height, so tire diameter isn't really an issue, I guess.

 

the tire clearance problem will surface on the backside of the wheelwell had to trim mine so did Ted

 

Thanks guys I was in error on the Draglite it's a 15 X 4 ( not 15 X 3.5 as I stated ) with a 2.25 BS that I ordered. The guy I talked to at Weld did tell me I wouldn't need a spacer ( we will see ) but if I do I already have a pair.

Keith what exactly are you talking about on the wheel well ? Is it hammer work or is it more involved ?

 

you may have to trim the forward edge of the rear quater panel (which is palstic) easly done with shears and a file neatness counts. You may get lucky at not have a problem.

 

FWIW: I wouldn't bother with skinnies at first.

Rich Krause

 

Rich,
Are you refering to the tires or the 15 X 4s I ordered? What are you recommending? Thanks

Thanks to everyone for the help

 

I was speaking of "skinnies" in general. The potential improvement in ET will be less than 0.1sec in heavy cars like ours. So it seems unnecessary for most people. It won't hurt, but it just doesn't seem very cost effective to me.

Rich Krause

 

now that i had time to check the garage I ran 26x10.50 with no fit problems if you go to 28's you will need to trim the
rear qtrs of course true tire circumfrence also effects things. I am currentl running 29x11's that required trimming the rear of the wheelwells and rolling the lip on the entire well.

 

Pardon my ignorance ... What are QTP's ?

 

I have no information as to how good these are,but I will probably try them.http://www.intercotire.com/html/radial_racing.htm