Right now I've got a set of M&H 275/50/17 tires on backorder. I plan on running them on a set of stock 17" wheels. Problem is I'm wondering If I should get their 325's and a set of 17x9 aftermarket rims. Price difference between both setups is $100 at most. Question is do I really need the 325's since I'm N/A. Even with all my mods I'm probably just over 300hp.

Other thing going around in my head is do I want a 26" tire or a 28" tire? From what I've read going with the 26 will make my 4.10's more like 4.30's and if I go with the 28" tire it's like running 3.90's. So what effect does this have on ET's?

Questions
Should I go with M&H 275's, M&H 325's, or MT ET 26x11.5x17?
Which would benefit me the most on a 1/8 mile track?
I currently have spacers on the rear wheels should I take those off for drag racing?
What are pro's and con's of running with 26" and 28"?
Anyone with similar mods and slicks pleas post your ET's.
Those of you with M&H drag radials or MT ET's gimme your 2cents.

Sorry for the novel. Thanks in advance.

 

Watching with interest. I also am looking at 275/50/17s for my stock 17" premium rims. www.summitracing.com as a seller. 1/8 mile track also. ET streets is my thought.

I figure might as well burn up a set first before I go with larger rims and more expensive tires.
Anyone have an idea how many passes a MT ET street gets?

 

Leo what is the overall height of the tires that you're running now? You could compare that to the size of tire that you're looking to buy, as far as how your gearing would be effected.

Also I think you run mostly at 1/8 mile tracks right? If so, I would think that the 275 tire would be optimal.

 

The height of my current tire is 27. something. So either way I'm only adding or taking away an inch. Just want to know which is the right way to go.

 

What are you current future performance mods? If you are looking at staying around 300 NA I would just go with the 275s.

 

Current mods are in my sig. Yes I plan on staying N/A.

 

Of all the things I posed originally this is the question I want answered the most.
What are pro's and con's of running with 26" and 28"?

 

Leo, your alter ego just posted a comment.

 

I didn't even realize I typed that.

 

With 4.10's, I say go with the 28". You have the gears to support it and they'll allow you to hook up more. I'm running the with 3.31's! I only got to run a couple of times, but I noticed a slight (1-2mph) lowering of my trap speed, yet same ET. (again, haven't got much practice in).

 

Actually, I'd say that the shorter effective gearing you'll see with the 26" tire would help your acceleration. Also, a smaller tire weighs less so the rotational mass savings - while small - are still a benefit to you. As the car is N/A, a 275 width is plenty if properly warmed in the burnout box.

 

+1..... I agree.

 

Can you fit 275's on the stock 17" wheel? I thought 255 was as wide as would fit safely.

 

So Leo... goin with the 26" MT Tire ??

 

+2 Since you plan on staying N/A and your trap speeds probably want ever exceed 110-112, going with a 26in tall tire with 4.10's will give you more gear(4.30) and you will cross the traps in fourth but at a higher rpm which is what you want since fourth gear is your 1:1 gear and makes the most power in this gear. When i was going through the 1/4 mile traps in third gear with 3.55 gears, i was crossing the line at 6300 rpms which helped my trap speeds. Now with the 4.10's i go through the traps in fourth but at a much lower rpm (5100-5300). I need more rear gear so i can increase my rpms when I go through the traps.

 

Modular81 - I've been trying to figure out the "effective gear" ratio and want to make sure I'm reading your comment correctly. Right now I have a 26" DR and am going through the traps in 4th at 4,500 RPM with my 3.73 gears. That has been very consistent. If I understand what you are saying correctly, if I had a 28" tire I should see higher RPM and trap speed?

 

Actually, you'd be at a lower RPM as a taller tire rotates fewer times to cover the same distance. In fact, your RPM's would drop about 7%, which is the equivalent of keeping the 26" tall DR's, but changing out your 3.73 gears to 3.55's (approximately).

Sounds like you could almost hold 3rd through the traps with your 3.73's - especially if you went with a slightly taller tire. Or, a change to 4.10's or 4.30's would maximize your use of 4th gear through the traps.

 

I have run 275's on a few different 17x 8 rims, but only drag radials and only for straight line drag strip duty. They are too wide for safe high speed cornering, IMO, but they work well at the drag strip.

Having said that, I just had my 275/40/17 BFG D/R's swapped off a pair of chrome Saleen 17x9's and mounted on a pair of factory 06 gray Bullitt 17x8's yesterday. Saved 6 lbs per wheel (rear). Keeping the skinny 225/55/17 Pirellis on the fronts for track duty (saved 5 lbs per wheel versus my factory 18's). The 275's flatten out on this 17x8 wheel and are only 24.5" tall. That is 9% shorter than my factory 18 inch fanblades, so my effective gearing (with the 4.10 gears) is now halfway between 4.30's and 4.56's. 6,500 rpm's in 4th gear (drive in my automatic) would be 115 mph, so I have some room to play with while still naturally aspirated. However, once the blower goes on, I may have to find a taller tire.

 

Thanks, guess I was reading your comment in reverse - I do know that with my current set up I can't hold 3rd without hitting the rev limiter through the traps (tried it once, didn't sound good at all!). But maybe with a taller tire I could do so.

 

Thanks guys for all the responses. I've decided to go with the 275/40/17 MT ET Street Radials. The consesus seems to be here and on another forum that a 26" tire would work best with my current setup.

Now I just need a set of 17x8's. Anyone that's got some to get rid of shoot me a pm.

http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...ETStreetRadial