Best Drag Radial and wheel size/style combo...Let the debate begin

[TonyKarter]

I've searched and read virtually every G8GT tread containing the words "drag" and "radial" on this forum and am no closer to knowing what would be excellent choices in wheel and DR tires. 275's not enough? 9 in. wheel? Will a 9.5 in. wheel hold a 295 sufficiently when they call for a 10" as ideal? 17 in. or 18 in. rims?
I'm currently installing a P1SC Procharger. Adding that to ARH long tubes, will have Patrick G work his magic on it when I'm done. Most probably will eventually add TC/differential bushings/axles and that is it. Keeping the 2.92 stock rearend.


If that is the setup you had to work with what wheels and DR's would you buy to make sure you stayed hooked up at the track? Thanks everyone in advance! This is the best site going.

[G8GT721]

I think 17 in 275 is ideal, 295 is taller I believe and cause you to "bog" out of the hole with stock gear.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[laserred]

Depends on how much suspension work you're willing to do or have done. The better the suspension plants the tires, the less contact patch you'll effectively need. Realistically, 275 is plenty for anything with the right suspension work, David Wolfe just went 4.36@like 191mph in the 8th mile on a 275 drag radial @3200 lbs. The worse the suspension action is, the more rubber you need to band aid it.

[Tweaky]

I am planning on changing to a 295/45-17 MT DR when the currently installed 275/40-17 ones wear out...more for the height than width. Thanks to the TC and 3.29 gearing, I get slip even in mountain air when I spray over 100 (other mods are Vararam, VMS tune, ARH 1.75s and Yank 3200). Suspension does need work, but only so much you can do with a IRS setup that hauls the wife and kid around...but cradle and diff bushings and toe/trailing arms are a must, so I am saving my pennies.

Edit: my DRs are on 17x9.5 replica C5Z06 rims, and are Mickey Thompsons...love the tread compound, just want taller.

[gr8lover]

GO with 17" or 16"... 9.5" wide works well.

I have 295 mickeytompsons on mine and they do a good job.... best 60' is 1.52.....

also make sure you have cradle bushings and trailing arms..... and I found the axles help with the hop... but that is a bit more expensive...

if you can do the 16" that would be best but that is a bit trickier... I think some trailing arms will have issues with 16"'s...... but that is the best for the track...... and some brakes might not clear.... 17" is easier fit and not much to worry about there... 16' is harder to do but guys have done it with some thought.....

good luck!!!!

[locrzn#92]

I've run the 265-40-18's on my g8 and they hooked very well. Best et was 11.86@115 w/1.74 60ft (1.63 best). I've switched to the 285-40-18 nitto nt05r's, I had those on my vet last year and they hooked like crazy on that car. I now have those on my g8, but have yet to get back to the track because of the shitty weather we've had here in Missouri over the last month or so. Either one will probably work for you.

[TCorzett]

Perfect timing for a thread like this! Which tire would be best on an 18x9.5" wheel? I'm limited by what I can fit over my brakes... while I'd love to run a 295/45-17 MT, I doubt there is any way to fit the 17" wheels. Right now I'm trying to decide between a 265/40-18 MT and a 285/40-18 Nitto NT05R... leaning towards the Micky Thompsons, but the added width from the NT05R sounds nice.


I've run the 265-40-18's on my g8 and they hooked very well. Best et was 11.86@115 w/1.74 60ft (1.63 best). I've switched to the 285-40-18 nitto nt05r's, I had those on my vet last year and they hooked like crazy on that car. I now have those on my g8, but have yet to get back to the track
I can't wait to hear how you like the NT05R compared to the MTs!

-Todd...

[Rawyzf]

also make sure you have cradle bushings and trailing arms..... and I found the axles help with the hop... but that is a bit more expensive...



Trailing arms the first suspension upgrade for the rear (after bushings are done)? (for Drag Racing purposes)

[2QUIK4U]

Im going to go with Mickey Thompson 265/40/18s. I have had Nitto and BFG drag radials in the past and they dont hook nearly as good as the Mickeys.

[WickedMom]

What's the best option for 17" GTO wheels?


Sent from my amazing and awesome iPhone4

[desertg8]

hoosier 275 40 17 drag radials. only 21 pounds apiece. hook like glue. do not run them on the street. very soft.

[WickedMom]

275s fit on the gto wheel ok?


Sent from my amazing and awesome iPhone4

[desertg8]

maybe not. remember the wheels that you were going to bid on. but i got them. they are corvette knock offs. they are 9.5 inches wide. if yours are not as wide i believe hoosier makes a narrower drag radial in the 17 inch size. go to their website and there will be one size smaller in the 17 inch variety.

[desertg8]

245 45 17. sounds perfect. they actually make one smaller than that. a 225 45 17 drag radial. too small. but the 245 would be perfect on a narrower rim.

[WickedMom]

So, the MT streets I got from Brandon are 275/40.17s. Will they fit on the gto wheels? I thought they would, but now idk!


Sent from my amazing and awesome iPhone4

[1meand]

So, the MT streets I got from Brandon are 275/40.17s. Will they fit on the gto wheels? I thought they would, but now idk!


Sent from my amazing and awesome iPhone4

Yes, that's what size most people with the 17" GTO rims are using, including me.

[20lbbooster]

I run the 295/45/17 Mickey Thompson et street radial II like some others. My wheels are 10 spoke camaro ss wheels 17x9. It's a little more tire than I need right now but soon I'll be making significantly more power and the added sidewall will be a good thing. I chose te 10 spoke ss wheel because at a glance they look very much like the stock GXP wheel.

[Daniel Linnett]

Hoosier slicks
What's the best option for 17" GTO wheels?


Sent from my amazing and awesome iPhone4

[Daniel Linnett]

yes they do. I ran that size hoosier slick on my gto wheels. 1.56 60'
275s fit on the gto wheel ok?


Sent from my amazing and awesome iPhone4

[Daniel Linnett]

So, the MT streets I got from Brandon are 275/40.17s. Will they fit on the gto wheels? I thought they would, but now idk!


Sent from my amazing and awesome iPhone4

they work fine.....that is what all the GTO boys run before they go to drag wheels

[desertg8]

Hoosiers stick more than Mickeys.

[Tweaky]

How do the Hoosiers hold up on the street? I have a long drive to the track and do not always have time to swap before/after. I am getting surprisingly good wear from the Mickeys.

Also, has anyone tried the 28x10-17 Hoosier slick? Obviously a track only deal, but if it hooks enough better, it might be worth it. Hoosier only makes the 275/40-17 DR that will fit for us, and I am hoping to go taller than the MT's I have in that size now.

Looking at cost and weight, the Hoosiers are a sure thing ... $17 / 6lbs 275 DR vs. 275 DR, and $27 / 10lbs for the 28" slick vs. 295 DR.

[WickedMom]

I believe if I run full on slicks at my track it changes the safety requirements to the next level.


Sent from my amazing and awesome iPhone4

[grandprixrollsout]

real question is.. anyone brake axles by using slicks? On stock 2.92 rear end and also on the upgraded camero 3.45?

[1meand]

I don't think it matters if it's a slick or drag radial. If you have a lot of power and grip, you risk breaking the stock axles. I think I read that when you launch and back of the car squats, the axles move outward enough that the groves on the ends get sheared off. I don't recall anyone (with a G8) breaking axles with the camero rear.

[GeorgeInNePa]

I believe if I run full on slicks at my track it changes the safety requirements to the next level.


Sent from my amazing and awesome iPhone4

Slicks require a drive shaft safety loop, in ALL classes. Regardless of ET & MPH.

[grandprixrollsout]

how do tracks check for this? do they go under the vehicle?