drag radials vs slicks

[DOTracer]

I've had several people tell me my car would run quicker on bias ply slicks compared to the current 325/50-15 M/T ET Radial DOT tires.

The car is a '79 Malibu, N/A 461 bbc, 3400 lbs w/driver, th400, 8" ATI 6000 rpm flash, 4.10 gear, footbrake launch at 2500 rpm.

Car runs mid 9's at 138-140 mph, best 60' of 1.297, typical being in the 1.32 to 1.34 range.

With the data logger on board, there is no sign of tire slippage on launch, only two very small driveshaft rpm shikes at each shift.

Given the car is dead hooking now, how could the car possibly go quicker on a bias ply slick of comparable size?

I've run radials for several years now and have no immediate plans to go back to true slicks. I'd only consider slicks if I felt they were needed for running on marginal tracks on a regular basis, or for say bracket racing, etc. The size I'd likely go with is the M/T ET Drag in the 10.5 x 28 stiff sidewall (3055s).

I could easily be wrong, just don't know how the car could run quicker with slicks.

Any thoughts?

thanks
Todd

[Jim Monson]

Sounds like you have it dialed in pretty good. The only way I know to test this would be to bolt on some radials and see what happens.

[HemiChallenger]

I do know the slicks will expand more. Depending on application that may hurt or help.

[N/A 4V]

I've always been told by the faster guys that if you can hook with a radial your mph will always be higher due to a bias ply absorbs more energy and doesn't put it to the ground. 1.32-1.34's on radials sounds like the suspension is dialed in pretty good. I'd stay with the radials. -Mark

[R@mon]

the bias plys will also be alot lighter than the radial and like mentioned before they will grow down the track which might help you out also. i say just find someone with a similar size and borrow em

[Mobydidit]

I know that when the Super Stock guys go for a record they will put on radial slicks. I have also seen them do it going up against someone in their class. The bias plys are used for cosistency.

[DOTracer]

I know that when the Super Stock guys go for a record they will put on radial slicks. I have also seen them do it going up against someone in their class. The bias plys are used for cosistency.

That's kinda the way I was thinking too. I just don't see how a bias ply could be quicker assuming it's dead hooking with the radial.

[Gary Kubisch]

That's kinda the way I was thinking too. I just don't see how a bias ply could be quicker assuming it's dead hooking with the radial.


Exactly.....

[Scott McMullen]

Example.... Now my Brothers car is Slow 12.0's but with M/T Et Street (bias) 1.73 sixty 12.20's with same size M/T et drag radials 1.62 Sixties 12.0's so I say the Radials are Faster as long as you can get them to hook!

[Jeff Griffin]

Example.... Now my Brothers car is Slow 12.0's but with M/T Et Street (bias) 1.73 sixty 12.20's with same size M/T et drag radials 1.62 Sixties 12.0's so I say the Radials are Faster as long as you can get them to hook!

like your car is a rocket..

[Scott McMullen]

like your car is a rocket..
Never Said Mine Was Fast 11.40's @3600lbs is no Rocket in my book either just making a Statement. Fast Cars Are for RICH People :)

[68Bird]

Never Said Mine Was Fast 11.40's @3600lbs is no Rocket in my book either just making a Statement. Fast Cars Are for RICH People :)

Fast cars will quickly make 'rich' people POOR!

[Jeff Griffin]

Never Said Mine Was Fast 11.40's @3600lbs is no Rocket in my book either just making a Statement. Fast Cars Are for RICH People :)

LOL!!!!

[85Camaro]

Never Said Mine Was Fast 11.40's @3600lbs is no Rocket in my book either just making a Statement. Fast Cars Are for RICH People :)

I think he's calling you out scott!!:smt065 2 nova's both 355ci on 275 D/R!!

[Suicidal Racing]

sounds like u got it dialed in on the radials..u could always just mount a set and see if u do pick up anything..but i would doubt it..some cars hook better on radials then slicks just due to the setups

[Scott McMullen]

I think he's calling you out scott!!:smt065 2 nova's both 355ci on 275 D/R!!I still ain't got nothing for him He's Lighter and he Has NOS:D

[Jeff Griffin]

I still ain't got nothing for him He's Lighter and he Has NOS:D

wait how does scott know whats going on with my car ?? i can't keep up with the uractcho power.damn that car weighs 3600??mine is 3450 with me in it last year,but i've put on some winter pounds(damn donut shops).

[Scott McMullen]

wait how does scott know whats going on with my car ?? i can't keep up with the uractcho power.damn that car weighs 3600??mine is 3450 with me in it last year,but i've put on some winter pounds(damn donut shops).
Yep Last Year At Milan H/U Race with me 3625 I was Quite Upset :( oh well she a Pig and I am Not to light myself 245lbs :smt103 You should Get a Little Lighter this year and it Gonna Pick up Good With the 85 Camaro Tune on the N2O:cool:

[Scott McMullen]

Horsepower:
The common measurement of an engine's output. By pure definition, one horsepower is the power needed to lift 550 foot-pounds one foot off the ground in exactly one second. In simpler terms, horsepower is one figure to consider for mid- and upper-range engine response. There's no magic number for ideal horsepower, as other variables like engine torque, vehicle weight, aerodynamics, and gearing all play supporting roles in the car's overall performance

[85Camaro]

Yep Last Year At Milan H/U Race with me 3625 I was Quite Upset :( oh well she a Pig and I am Not to light myself 245lbs :smt103 You should Get a Little Lighter this year and it Gonna Pick up Good With the 85 Camaro Tune on the N2O:cool:

Motor to Motor! But we ain't liftin the hood! :-D Jeff I need a hand pulling your motor this weekend! ;)

[DOTracer]

What was this thread originally about? :confused:

[Mike Thompson]

When you put nitrous on your Malibu then you will need that stiff side wall M/T 28-10.5-15s.

[DOTracer]

When you put nitrous on your Malibu then you will need that stiff side wall M/T 28-10.5-15s.

Gotcha! ;) :)

[nos81bu]

Gotcha! ;) :)

no u wont just put a 295/65/15 on it...those 325s are way short...they looked silly on my car i sent them back lol
i used to use 28 by 10.5s tire i will never again either

[DOTracer]

no u wont just put a 295/65/15 on it...those 325s are way short...they looked silly on my car i sent them back lol
i used to use 28 by 10.5s tire i will never again either

Nope, your all wrong. The 295's looked dumb as shyt on mine jacking the back end up too high. I couldn't lower the back end more with the spring without throwing off the instant center and anti-squat values.

The back end jacked up look went out in the 70's.

I'be had 29.5 to 30" tall tires on the car several times, even stretched the wheel wells to make them fit (bias ply growth). Every time I took them off shortly there after. The taller tire never hooked any better than a 28" tall and the stance just plain sucked.

LOW is where it's at! :p :cool:

[nos81bu]

ok u tell me heres my car with the 295s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/nos81bu/IMG_1496.jpg

and here it is with the short 325s yuk!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/nos81bu/IMG_2009.jpg

[DOTracer]

ok u tell me heres my car with the 295s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/nos81bu/IMG_1496.jpg

and here it is with the short 325s yuk!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/nos81bu/IMG_2009.jpg

To each his own. Lower the back end down and close up the gap between the top of the tire and the wheel well and they look fine.

[DOTracer]

Like this!

http://drchop.smugmug.com/photos/140037633-M-1.jpg

[nos81bu]

io couldnt lower the car any more cause the tire was really close to the lip of the quater...
the 295s fit my car perfect and we mini tubbed it for them also

todd how are u running your exaust???

[DOTracer]

io couldnt lower the car any more cause the tire was really close to the lip of the quater...
the 295s fit my car perfect and we mini tubbed it for them also

todd how are u running your exaust???

Custom mods to the floor pans behind the seats add a ton of exhaust clearance.

How much did you notch the frame? How far from the frame is the tire?

Both the 325's and 295's fit completely under the car. With the wheel lips trimmed off, the tires cannot touch the body at all unless it bumps REAL hard which has never happened.

My frame is notched 1" deep, tire sidewall is about 3/8" from the frame.

[ssomustang50]

so whats the better tire for a mid to low 7sec car on 10.5in? If radilas are so good y dont the sso or outlaw 10.5 guys run them? or even the pro stock guys that run 6.70-80's?

[gryphon68]

Arguably (this is YB), the 325 and 315 Drag Radials have the 28 & 29.5 True 10.5 tires covered. The Limited Street 1/8th mile record is only a couple hundreths faster than the D/R record and the L/S cars have the benefit of more exotic suspension and lighter weight.

As soon as you start talking about 10.5W tires, especially 31 or 33" tall, these tires give a huge advantage over the D/R.

[quickwrench]

Todd,

My G-Body (Grand National) wasn't quite as fast as your car (10.42 best), but I went through the whole DR vs. slick thing a few times with it. Granted, we're talking ~10 years ago, but it would always go about half a tenth quicker and 1 MPH faster on the DR's (BFG 275/50/15). When I would go to slicks (M/T 10"x26"), the 60's were always .02-.04 quicker and a LOT more consistent, but the car always slowed down on the tall end. The rollout on them was within 1/2". Whether it was the rolling resistance of the bias ply, or tire growth, I don't know. But if I was testing and going for a new best with the car, I'd put the DRs on. Eliminations/grudge stuff...slicks.

I wish M/T had their DRs out back then, the BFGs were the most unhappy tire to try and hook.

[jackstand]

Do you think it would pick up any for the less rotional weight??? those mt radial are heavy!!!

Nope, your all wrong. The 295's looked dumb as shyt on mine jacking the back end up too high. I couldn't lower the back end more with the spring without throwing off the instant center and anti-squat values.

The back end jacked up look went out in the 70's.

I'be had 29.5 to 30" tall tires on the car several times, even stretched the wheel wells to make them fit (bias ply growth). Every time I took them off shortly there after. The taller tire never hooked any better than a 28" tall and the stance just plain sucked.

LOW is where it's at! :p :cool:

completely agree...