Jachin99

Can anyone reccomend a set of drag radials that will last for more than a year of daily driving? I have aftermarket rims with KDW2s, they're
245/40z R 18 33Y and they rub my lower bumper a little bit. Id like to get a drag radial that is more around 245/35 if this is possible. Thanx.

whitdog54

255 50 16 nitto 555R mounted on a 16" stock wheel. you can easily put over 15k on them, I have, and that was absolutely beating the crap out of them too.

Orr89rocz

Yep had the 555R's. Not the best radial for traction but good compromise for soft street tire and racing. I could only get low 1.8 60's on those tires with my bolt on 99 TA. Just couldnt get them to hook with a full stall launch. Put on NT05R's and has hit 1.66 60's so far. They should have around 6K miles on them now after daily driving and still wearing well. I should beable to get few K more miles I think but they kinda suck in the rain. Be very careful on wet roads and especially standing water on highways going 60+ mph. Damp roads/mild rain isnt as much of a problem at 60 + mph but dont make sudden transitions or go WOT

Jachin99

I have 18" rims, so ill need a low profile tire. I dont have the stock wheels, and the size on em right now rubs the bumper on the right side. The tire is actually bald on the outside from rubbing.

96 Z 28

I run 275/35/18 KDWIIs and I have ZERO Issues with rubbing.

I believe 245/40s are just a slightly larger diameter, try running the 275/35 sizing and it may help.

rpmatredline

I used to run the NITTTO 555r too. You can't find a better comprimise between traction and wear. They hook good and last awhile for a drag radial, but they cost alot for a 18" tire. Your tire rub may be a different issue, I ran 275 40 18 and never rubbed.Or did I missunderstand something here. I dont know why you would be rubbin with a 245 40 ??????

Jachin99

I dont get it either, only the front right side does it, it looks like if you moved the caster back a little it would be fine. It actually sheared off the body clip that holds the lower bumper molding on. I might get KDW2s for the front in a 275/35 18 and the nittos in the rear in the size your sugguesting, I gotta look up the size difference but it might be about an inch. I know i would be able to see the difference, but im not sure how much it would bug me. Trial and error until i get right i guess. What do you think?

Injuneer

What is the width and offset of the wheels? That can also cause the tires to rub if not correct. The 245/40-18 is just as narrow and the same diameter (25.7") as many stock tires. The only reason it would rub on anything is if the wheel offset is incorrect.

A 245/35-18 (24.7") drag radial is too small a diameter for your car.

Jachin99

I dont know the offset, i would have to measure it. I would only run the smaller tire on the front, on the back i have room to run a bigger tire. the front one only rubs when i make a left turn. How would a 275 40 (or 45) 18 work pretty good?

whitdog54

car lowerred? might need an adjustable PHB

Jachin99

its not lowered, but i have an adjustable phb if i ever need it.

Injuneer

275/40-18???? What width are the wheels? You can't just slap any width tire on any width wheel. You have to match the tire size and the tire manufacturer's wheel width recommendations to the width wheels you have.

Putting a small diameter tire on the front, 1" smaller than stock, really doesn't make any sense. If the tires are rubbing, you have an incorrect wheel offset, that can affect handling. Solve the problem, don't make it worse by putting an undersize tire on the car. And putting a drag radial on the front makes even less sense.

Jachin99

Ill measure the wheel offset, and size tomorow when i have it in the shop anyway. I want to run the kdw2s on the front (they're cheaper and i dont need a drag radial on the front-is this a good idea?) and the nitto 555Rs on the back. This thing where it only rubs on one side makes me think the current wheel and tire size CAN fit, but something is off, and doesnt for some reason. Should i take to an alignment place and have it checked/possibly fixed? It think you misunderstood me, i never wanted the drag radial in the front. Thanx for the help

Injuneer

You have to measure the width first. Measure the overall width of the wheel from back outside edge to front outside edge. Subtract 1". That is the width of the wheel. Then measure the backspace. Put a straight edge across the rear edges of the wheel, and measure the perpendicular distand from the straight edge to the face of the disc that bolts to the axle hub. That is the backspace.

It's very hard to measure offset directly, but with the above numbers - width and backspace, we can tell what it is.

Jachin99

I finally got to around to doing this. Before i give you the numbers, take into consideration that i took all of the measurements with the tires on the wheels using 2 old bent up tape measures, but i did the best i could with what i had. The rims came out to 8" wide and the backspace came out to about
5.5" I only measured the front 2 wheels and they were both the same. Are these measurements compatible with the car? Is it time to get the aligment checked? Thanx.