Got some traction problems

[TRBON8R]

I'm trying to get my car ready for the Vegas race and I've got traction problems. When I get on it the car just blows my Nitto DRs away. I know I need slicks, but I can't afford to buy them along with spare wheels and all. Besides I don't have the longer studs I need for slicks. With less than two weeks before the race I just have to do with what I've got and use the Nittos. I could probably come up with the cash for an ATR sway bar, or possibly a set of boxed lower control arms. Would the ATR bar or new LCAs help me more? Also, how about some tips on how to make drag radials hook a little better?

 

[azgn]

if all you are doing is spinning the tires, you just need better tires!

look for UNGN's posts on drag radials....he seems to do much better than most with 'em

ASSume you have air bags? If not, that is #1 on your list...

 

[87gnand00ws6]

hmn,

are you letting the air out of ur DR's for track use. your not running them at like 30psi trying to launch are you??

 

[TRBON8R]

Re: hmn,

Originally posted by 87gnand00ws6
are you letting the air out of ur DR's for track use. your not running them at like 30psi trying to launch are you??

I guess I should have been more clear. Right now I'm running the car on the street with 25 psi in the tires, and they spin like crazy. Before anyone says it, yes I know there is a world of difference between street and track and I'll hook much better on a prepared track than on the street, but I mean these tires are spinning bad! Even if I was to hook twice as good at the track I think I would still have a problem. I will for sure let some air out of the tires at the track. I was planning on trying around 20 psi or maybe even 15. By the way, yes I have an airbag in the right rear spring.

 

[87gnand00ws6]

street

cars hook so much better on a prepaired sticky tracky. u can walk in the staging lanes and your feet stick to the ground when u walk though You should hook alot better at the track, and yes i would lower the psi. 25-30 is good for the street 12-18 is good for the track. just get the feal and see which psi is right for u. i like about 15psi. if i run 12 i hook better but i loose trap speed. dunno

 

[TurboDave]

Re: Re: hmn,

Originally posted by TRBON8R
I guess I should have been more clear. Right now I'm running the car on the street with 25 psi in the tires, and they spin like crazy. Before anyone says it, yes I know there is a world of difference between street and track and I'll hook much better on a prepared track than on the street, but I mean these tires are spinning bad! Even if I was to hook twice as good at the track I think I would still have a problem. I will for sure let some air out of the tires at the track. I was planning on trying around 20 psi or maybe even 15. By the way, yes I have an airbag in the right rear spring.

Careful, don't go down too far in pressure. Nothing under 22psi.
Remember these are drag radials not slicks. It doesn't do one bit of good to under inflate them, as a matter of fact, on ANY radial tire, you will be hurting traction by under inflating them. The lower in pressure you go, the worse it gets.
Keep saying to yourself, radials, radials.....

And trust me, sticky tires or not, traction on the street SUCKS!!
I never had a problem blowing my MT E/T Streets (11.5") away on the streets. There's just too much crud on the road surface to make any judgements. Make a trip to the track before trying to fix what is probably a non existant problem.

 

[UNGN]

Most traction issues with drag radials are caused by cleanliness. The tires need to be clean, the track needs to be clean. Stay out of dirt, crushed rock, gravel and grass. If the tires are clean and the track is prepped, they will hook.

The next biggest problem is proper contact patch. Tire pressure, wheel size and airbag pressure all play a part in this. You want the largest, most uniform and equal side to side contact patch possible.

With 275/50 DR's on 7" wheels, do not go below 18 psi of air pressure, they will cup in the middle. The ideal pressure for this combination will be somewhere in the 18-24 psi range. With Wider wheels you can go a little lower on the pressure, but I've cut 1.6 60 fts at 18 psi and 24 psi. Pressure isn't as important as cleanliness. And running them at really low pressure defeats the purpose of running radials (big mph and the handling like radials).

With 275/60 DR's on 7" wheels you can run slightly lower pressures than the 50's. And they will hook better.

I personally feel airbags are important when running DR's. Once a DR breaks loose, it's hard to make it stick again, so you want to keep them from breaking loose. Start off with 20 psi in the bag and do some test launchs on concrete. Check the contact patchs right at launch to see if they are even and the same size.

 

[jojo]

Hey TRBON8R not for nothing but i like that custom license plate in your sig

jojo

 

[TRBON8R]

Thanks for the help and all the info!

Thanks also for the complement jojo.

 

[SloNoMo]

ET Streets

Ben,

If you promise not to burn all the rubber off you can use my ET Streets for the Las Vegas meet next week!!!!! Don't think I'm taking my car.......Just will be part of the pit crew for you guys!!!]
Let me know

Later,
Mack

Originally posted by TRBON8R
Thanks for the help and all the info!

Thanks also for the complement jojo.