Are drag radials enough?

['Bu-Camino]

Hey Folks, quick question.

Just got my Malibu running and trying to decide between a slick and a drag radial. My question is a 255/60/15 MT drag radial "enough" to get my combo to hook or do I need a traditional slick. I'd really like to have a DR to give me some flexibility, but I'll go with a slick if it's the only way to hook up for sure.

We just started up the combo so I don't have any other track time with it but I'm thinking it should be a high to mid 7 second car in the 1/8th. Right now the car will smoke the tires in 3rd with regular 275/60 BFG Radials. The combo is:

406 SBC with AFR195's.
6" rod, 10:1 with a Lunati 60103 cam
Air Gap, 750 ultra DP
TH400, 10" converter
GN 8.5 with 3.73's, Eaton, Moser Axles.
UMI uppers/Lowers.

Front suspension has some S-10 springs and factory type shocks, big sway bar and manual steering.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Bill

 

[464elcamino]

I use a 275/60/15 MT drag radial at 14-16 psi and love em . Also if that big sway bar or any sway bar is in front ditch it before going to the track imo.

 

['Bu-Camino]

Thanks for the feedback. I'l definitely take your advice and ditch the swaybar for the track. Do you have any special springs or drag shocks for the font of yours?

I've got the stiffer S10 spring but was thinking of going to a 6 cylinder spring with adjustable front shocks as well.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[464elcamino]

Na I still have the stock springs and shocks, weight seems to transfer ok with em so i left em alone. Jimmy

 

['Bu-Camino]

Thanks Jimmy. I appreciate the feed back. What kind of 60' times are you running?

Bill

 

[464elcamino]

1.58-1.60's

 

[1sickboo]

I have a 295 drag radial at 13 psi leave on the foot break and spray 300 and it dead hooks 1.4p5-1.50 60s

 

[malicad]

If the suspension is set up correctly, I think there are cars running 7's in the quarter with drag radials now...

 

['Bu-Camino]

thanks for the input guys. Ended up running mid 1.6's my first shot out of the gate with 255/60 MT's.

 

[10secBu]

If the suspension is set up correctly, I think there are cars running 7's in the quarter with drag radials now...

6's actually in the 1/4 mile at over 200 mph.

My own car runs 5.20's in the 1/8 mile (low 8's 1/4) with a 60' of 1.15 on a 275/60 D/R.

Slower street/strip cars have a wider tuning window with drag radials than quicker higher HP cars do.

But with that said, if your track doesn't prep very well your gonna have a tough timing hooking consistently, especially during the summer months when the track is hot-n-greasy.

Either tire can be made to work with this setup, but the drag radials may require more effort in terms of chassis tuning and possibly replacing shocks to an adjustable type.

The bias tire is a safer bet for these deals, biggest difference seen is how the car handles down track. The bias ply will have a sway side to side somewhat where the radial tracks very well in comparison.