A Question About Tires for the Strip

[Richy]

At present ,I'm running BFG drags,315/30-18.
With the stock rear(3.42),I have to shift into 4th at the top end.I was looking at 2 different Hoosier tires so I could just run out 3rd gear & improve my ET.From my data,I need a 13% increase in diameter.The 315/40-19 would be the exact fit.Are there any problems running this size?Height?Weight?
Another possibilty(which enables me to keep my 18" wheels) is
345/35-18.Only gives ~ 8.5% increase in diameter.Will these fit or is tubbing
needed?

[carboman]

At present ,I'm running BFG drags,315/30-18.
With the stock rear(3.42),I have to shift into 4th at the top end.I was looking at 2 different Hoosier tires so I could just run out 3rd gear & improve my ET.From my data,I need a 13% increase in diameter.The 315/40-19 would be the exact fit.Are there any problems running this size?Height?Weight?
Another possibilty(which enables me to keep my 18" wheels) is
345/35-18.Only gives ~ 8.5% increase in diameter.Will these fit or is tubbing
needed?

Richy,
What's the difference if you have to shift or not? You are bracket racing not racing anyone heads up. From looking at everything I can find on-line the 315/40-19 may fit, but it will be pretty tight. The wheel offset will be key.

[Tony B.96LT4]

Bite the bullet and get 4.10's or get a line lock so you can get a good burnout and stick. You already have a DTE brace don't you? I had the same problem with my 96. Went with the 4.11's and now I'm in fourth before the 1000' mark. Or you can buy a automatic and forget about it.:D

[YO-EL]

Richy...

I agree w/ Tony on the line lock...
But I think you should be running slicks & skinnies, OR, move DOWN to a 17" tire.. 275/40/17 or a 315/35/17 drag radial

No way I'd be running a 19" tire w/ your set up..

In any event, running dr's is useless unless you heat em up..
You will see a .2 quicker in ET if you do a burnout I am confident of that.

[alwaysinboost]

Richy...

I agree w/ Tony on the line lock...
But I think you should be running slicks & skinnies, OR, move DOWN to a 17" tire.. 275/40/17 or a 315/35/17 drag radial

No way I'd be running a 19" tire w/ your set up..


Ditto.

Richy, I wouldn't go up in rim diameter, I would go down and then get a taller tire w/softer sidewall like the ET streets. You would need a bias ply tire up front though if you runs those. IMO the CCW drag pack would be your best bet. The taller sidewall decreases the chance of damage to the driveline when you launch, plus they are lighter then stock wheels. I really love them ;bl

I have my drag pack sitting in the garage, you're welcome to try them out if you like.

If you're not going to add more power to your setup then a gearing change like 4.10s may be the right choice. A smaller ring gear should eliminate the need to shift to 4th at the end of the 1/4 but it would also increase your tq on the launch which would be taking a step backwards if you still don't have a tire that can take the power.

[DSSA]

Richy,
What's the difference if you have to shift or not? You are bracket racing not racing anyone heads up. From looking at everything I can find on-line the 315/40-19 may fit, but it will be pretty tight. The wheel offset will be key.

Not to be a hardcase in the least, but *especially* in bracket racing you're better off eliminating a shift point. That much less "driver error" possible.

[carboman]

Not to be a hardcase in the least, but *especially* in bracket racing you're better off eliminating a shift point. That much less "driver error" possible.

I would agree but in Richy's case he's never using the potential of his car anyway. He might was well short shift into 4th early and concentrate on running his number. Changing tire sizes and running the car to redline in 3rd won't help much.

I do agree that less shifting is better. Way back when I used to drag race a bit the best car I ever drive drove had a big block and a 2 speed powerglide. With that setup you could run your number all day long.

Richy, Want to have the only C5 Z06 with a Powerglide? Now that would be an odd setup.