Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners?

TheJeanyus · 12-09-2005, 12:53 PM

I need two tires pretty bad, and since I'm not driving the car nearly as much lately I'm considering a pair of 315 Nitto 555Rs. I've only put about 2500 miles on the car since May, and that includes a Dragon run that was almost 1000 miles and a trip to Panama City, so I'm not all that concerned about tire life. My main concern is how the tires will perform in the turns. I know they'll stick, but I'm worried that the sidewalls are too soft. The RIIs have a stiffer sidewall, but they don't come in a 315 (biggest in a 17" is 275). So, those of you who have drag radials, tell me what you think.

93Cobra#2771 · 12-09-2005, 01:10 PM

I have heard of people actually autocrossing with them. If you had been looking last week, you could have scored a sweet deal on ebay - 301 bux for a brand new set, in the size you are looking for.

How wide is the rim they are going on?

TheJeanyus · 12-09-2005, 01:13 PM

10th Anniversary wheel - 17" X 9".

I want to say Discount Tire Direct has them for like $153 each.

93Cobra#2771 · 12-09-2005, 01:17 PM

I thought they were right at $200 each. Hmm, let me check:

$173 each, actually. My size I just got are $144 each.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...03&rd=17&ar=35

TheJeanyus · 12-09-2005, 01:25 PM

$173 isn't too bad. I paid nearly that for these Kuhmo Ecsta MXs. They're a lot stickier than the stock F1s, but they've worn out in less than 10,000 miles. And they don't hook nearly like a drag radial. Nitto 555 street tires will be replacing them on the front (275/40-17) eventually, but for now I want to move the rears to the front and put something else in the back.

QWKSNKE · 12-09-2005, 03:42 PM

well with the high ass air pressure you like to run, the sidewalls probably won't give.

Seriously, in a 17" application, I don't think you will any more sidewall flex then you would in a normal street tire.

TheJeanyus · 12-09-2005, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QWKSNKE

Seriously, in a 17" application, I don't think you will any more sidewall flex then you would in a normal street tire.

That's what I'm hoping. It's not like it's a 15" ET street or something.

As for air pressure, I currently run 40 psi, but will probably run more along the lines of 27 - 30 in a drag radial on the street.

QWKSNKE · 12-09-2005, 03:49 PM

I jack mine up to about 25 on the dragon run and run 20-22 normally

TheJeanyus · 12-09-2005, 04:12 PM

Maybe I need to try a little less pressure. Maybe that's why I can't 60' better than 2.1 - 2.0.

Wicked · 12-09-2005, 05:20 PM

I have 275 DR"s on an 8" wheel and feel as though there is a little sidewall flex. But of course that due to having an oversized tire for my wheel size.

Regardless, the DR's hook like mad around corners when warm.

Are you sure you want a 315 on a 9 inch wheel?

12-09-2005, 12:53 PM	#1
TheJeanyus Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 14,774	Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners? I need two tires pretty bad, and since I'm not driving the car nearly as much lately I'm considering a pair of 315 Nitto 555Rs. I've only put about 2500 miles on the car since May, and that includes a Dragon run that was almost 1000 miles and a trip to Panama City, so I'm not all that concerned about tire life. My main concern is how the tires will perform in the turns. I know they'll stick, but I'm worried that the sidewalls are too soft. The RIIs have a stiffer sidewall, but they don't come in a 315 (biggest in a 17" is 275). So, those of you who have drag radials, tell me what you think. __________________ 1998 Mustang GT Coupe - World's Slowest Racecar 2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI

12-09-2005, 01:13 PM	#3
TheJeanyus Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 14,774	Re: Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners? 10th Anniversary wheel - 17" X 9". I want to say Discount Tire Direct has them for like $153 each. __________________ 1998 Mustang GT Coupe - World's Slowest Racecar 2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI

12-09-2005, 01:17 PM	#4
93Cobra#2771 The Kocky One Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Yeah, but those cutters won't bust any walnuts.â„¢ Posts: 1,948	Re: Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners? I thought they were right at $200 each. Hmm, let me check: $173 each, actually. My size I just got are $144 each. http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...03&rd=17&ar=35 __________________ *For Sale: Reproduction Window Stickers, 87+ Mustangs, Cobras, Lightnings, and HD F150!* Richard White 93 Cobra Kocky will be back!

12-09-2005, 01:25 PM	#5
TheJeanyus Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 14,774	Re: Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners? $173 isn't too bad. I paid nearly that for these Kuhmo Ecsta MXs. They're a lot stickier than the stock F1s, but they've worn out in less than 10,000 miles. And they don't hook nearly like a drag radial. Nitto 555 street tires will be replacing them on the front (275/40-17) eventually, but for now I want to move the rears to the front and put something else in the back. __________________ 1998 Mustang GT Coupe - World's Slowest Racecar 2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI

12-09-2005, 03:42 PM	#6
QWKSNKE 3v's are slow Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Here and There Posts: 17,152	Re: Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners? well with the high ass air pressure you like to run, the sidewalls probably won't give. Seriously, in a 17" application, I don't think you will any more sidewall flex then you would in a normal street tire. __________________ 2009 Porsche Carrera S 2008 ///AMG C63.. Eurocharge Tune. RIP 2019 AMG GLC43..wife's 03 F250 SD.. Edge Evo, AFE Stage 1 CAI 08 GT. JBA axle back, FRPP springs, FRPP swaybars.. daughter's 01 Cobra vert... wife's I need a new toy

12-09-2005, 01:10 PM	#2
93Cobra#2771 The Kocky One Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Yeah, but those cutters won't bust any walnuts.â„¢ Posts: 1,948	Re: Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners? I have heard of people actually autocrossing with them. If you had been looking last week, you could have scored a sweet deal on ebay - 301 bux for a brand new set, in the size you are looking for. How wide is the rim they are going on? __________________ *For Sale: Reproduction Window Stickers, 87+ Mustangs, Cobras, Lightnings, and HD F150!* Richard White 93 Cobra Kocky will be back!

12-09-2005, 03:49 PM	#8
QWKSNKE 3v's are slow Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Here and There Posts: 17,152	Re: Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners? I jack mine up to about 25 on the dragon run and run 20-22 normally __________________ 2009 Porsche Carrera S 2008 ///AMG C63.. Eurocharge Tune. RIP 2019 AMG GLC43..wife's 03 F250 SD.. Edge Evo, AFE Stage 1 CAI 08 GT. JBA axle back, FRPP springs, FRPP swaybars.. daughter's 01 Cobra vert... wife's I need a new toy

12-09-2005, 04:12 PM	#9
TheJeanyus Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 14,774	Re: Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners? Maybe I need to try a little less pressure. Maybe that's why I can't 60' better than 2.1 - 2.0. __________________ 1998 Mustang GT Coupe - World's Slowest Racecar 2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI

12-09-2005, 05:20 PM	#10
Wicked Friends Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pell City, AL Posts: 1,371	Re: Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners? I have 275 DR"s on an 8" wheel and feel as though there is a little sidewall flex. But of course that due to having an oversized tire for my wheel size. Regardless, the DR's hook like mad around corners when warm. Are you sure you want a 315 on a 9 inch wheel? __________________ 2001 Cobra 'Vert Procharged and Intercooled 455rwhp/441rwtq Work Car: 2005 Honda Odyssey 400 whp Turbo V6, 6-speed, full cage, H&R Suspension, Brembo Brakes