Racing with 17s

[Billdogg]

I've noticed that the TRs out there with 17 inch wheels have the 275/40/17 out back. I can't remember how tall this tire was, but I remember it wasn't that tall. A lot of people say that a 28" tire is good so you don't run out of RPMs at the traps. So what do you do if you're running 17's?

 

[Snorman]

A 275-40/17 is just under 26" tall. I don't think there is a 28" tire for a 17" wheel.
S.

 

[brunos50]

Nitto makes a drag radial in 335/35/17 that would be a little taller!!! I've seen them on a Mustang and they look great!

 

[matt87]

17" dragradials suck. no sidewall. race with 15"s and cruise on 17"s

 

[TurboDave]

If you're serious about drag racing, then the ONLY way to go is to invest in a set of 15" wheels, and a good set of slicks.

16" wheels and the Drag radials, or ET Streets that are made for them, while OK, are abissmal for cutting GOOD 60' times.

17" has to be even worse!!!

You need the tall, flexing sidewall to get the kind of bite you'll need to get the 60's down into the 1.5 territory. Plain and simple, been that way forever!

I've tried the 16" ET Street route 26x11.50x16. The best I could 60' was in the mid/high 1.6's

17's are only going to be worse.

Borrowed an old worn out set of slicks from a fried 26x8.5x15 and had no trouble getting the 60's down into the high 1.5's on a so-so track.

 

[azgn]

if ya wanna race get some 15" wheels and appropriate tire

 

[tim87tr]

Yea, what they said . My experience with the 245 16" Nittos on my GN was a 1.87 60'. With 235 15" BFGs on the T, it netted a 1.71 60'. Both my cars are mostly stock. And yes, the 28" slick will help with the rpms though the traps and with a bigger footprint/traction for a higher boost launch. I just bought some used 28x9s.

 

[Sinful6]

My experience with 16in. wheels(chrome) and Nittos = 1/8mi. burnout with white smoke(announcer made fun of me ). ran a 13.4x@84mph in the 1/8mi.!!

 

[Billdogg]

Guess when I get a GN, I'll just get 17's for show or cruising.

 

[ONLYA6]

I've got 17" Nitto Drag Radials and they're absolutely worthless when it comes to traction. 17's are definitely good for cruising, for the track they're terrible.

Jacob

 

[Audiowizard]

Originally posted by ONLYA6
I've got 17" Nitto Drag Radials and they're absolutely worthless when it comes to traction. 17's are definitely good for cruising, for the track they're terrible.

Jacob

Your car is absolutely beautiful!! I never thought that I would like a 2 tone car but yours is the creme of the crop! Now that I see yours lowered with 17s I have a few questions for you before I drop my front end:

1) What width front wheel are you running and B/S?
2) What size front tire are you running?
3) Lowered with what size spring or spindle?

I am currently running 17" X 8" Centerlines with 0 offset (4" B/S) and 225/45/17s up front and it looks like I might be rubbing slightly if I go with 2" drop spindles verses the Eibach 1.5 springs, thanks for any info on your GN.

 

[Billdogg]

ONLYA6, do you switch to a set of 15's at the track then?

 

[Red Regal T]

MANY COMPANIES, NITTO FOR ONE, MAKE A 255 50 17 WHICH IS 27" TALL AND ALSO YOU CAN GET 275 50 17s WHICH ARE JUST ABOUT 28" TALL. PERSONALLY, I LIKE THE 27" HEIGHT IN THE REAR. I DON'T CARE FOR THOSE LITTLE, SQUATTY, 40 SERIES TIRES 'CAUSE I'M NOT INFLUENCED BY RICERS. I DRIVE AN AMERICAN MUSCLECAR.

 

[ONLYA6]

Originally posted by Audiowizard
Your car is absolutely beautiful!! I never thought that I would like a 2 tone car but yours is the creme of the crop! Now that I see yours lowered with 17s I have a few questions for you before I drop my front end:

1) What width front wheel are you running and B/S?
2) What size front tire are you running?
3) Lowered with what size spring or spindle?

I am currently running 17" X 8" Centerlines with 0 offset (4" B/S) and 225/45/17s up front and it looks like I might be rubbing slightly if I go with 2" drop spindles verses the Eibach 1.5 springs, thanks for any info on your GN.

Thanks for the compliments! The front wheels are 17x8 with factory backspacing. The tires are Nitto Extreme ZR's, 255/40/ZR17. My suspension combo is: Eibach Pro-Kit springs, QA1 12-way adjustable shocks, Hotchkis front and rear sway bars, Hotchkis upper adjustable trailing arms, and Hotchkis lower trailing arms.

When I ordered my wheels from Boyd Coddington I explained what I was looking to do with the car and what the suspension set up was going to be. They told me I could do exactly what I wanted with a 17x8 wheel on all four corners. They also said that I could use the 255/40/17 tire up front without any serious rubbing. Needless to say, I wasn't sure about it. But, much to my surprise the tires only rub a tiny bit on a full turn to either side. The 17x8 also allows me to run the 275/40/17 Nitto Drags out back without any problems.

Jacob

 

[ONLYA6]

Originally posted by Billdogg
ONLYA6, do you switch to a set of 15's at the track then?

I sure do! I have a set of Drag Lites with 26x10.5x15 ET Drags on them. I used to have skinnies for the front too, but now with the BAER brakes in the front I can't use them anymore.

Jacob

 

[Red Regal T]

JACOB....YOUR CAR LOOKS GREAT. I LIKE THE STANCE AND HOW THE FRONT BRAKES LOOK. GOOD JOB!

 

[ONLYA6]

Thanks again John! I'm planning on doing a BAER rear brake conversion over the winter. It's a pretty big project but I've got a couple of months to pull it off.

Jacob