I'm getting some BFG drag radials for my big block 420 hp 500 tq '70. It has 3.42 rear posi with all new suspension, Moog springs, KYB shocks, bigger roll bars, polygraphite bushings, new body mounts, boxed rears, air bags.... I was thinking of the 50 series to lower the rear ratio a little and give it more jump from a roll. I know the 60 series is taller and will hook better all things equal. Is it worth it for what I'll gain down low with the 50's? Does anyone have a picture of 275/50-15's on their car? I'm thinking 235/60-14's on the front any opinions on this? Thanks........Ward
I have 275/60's on my wagon, and on my cousin's 72 stage 1. They really fill out the wheel well nice on the 70 - 72. 50's just don't look right in my opinion. They had a tire chart in the summit catalog once that gave actual measurements in tire hidth and width for different sizes and series. It was very helpful. Tony
Ward, Depending on what you're running now, the 275-50's may be about the same diameter as your current tire. So you won't really be going lower by going to the 50's. Instead, you'll be going higher by going with the 60's.
Ward: I'm with Tony on the 275/50 tires. They just don't look right. Too much open wheelwell in my opinion. The 60 series fill it up better. A friend up here put some 295/50's on his 71 GS455 but had to have the backspacing reduced by 1/2" to 3/4" if I remember. That filled the wheelwells up nice and left a good footprint.
I have 275/60-15's on back now and it does look good. I'm just wanting a little more gear so I was thinking of the 50's. The 60's are 28" in diameter and the 50's are 26" in diameter. I bought it with 205/70-14's all the way around which are 25.6" diameter. OK I convinced myself 275/60-15's on the back and 245/60-14's (25.6" diameter 235/60-14's are 25.1" diameter) on the front. What do you think?.......Ward
Ward, You should find someone with some 26" tall drag radials (or other race tires) and go to the track. You may find that the difference in 60 foot and ET aren't that siginificant between the two. The 245-60-14's ought to fill up the front wheel well nicely. I've ran the same size on a 15" rim before and liked it on the front.
change the gears. try 3.73's or 3.90's. then you will launch hard. my friend has 3.55's in his ford 9" in his 71 lark with a nice t/a equipped 455 with 265 50 15's. too short of a tire. we tried my 275 60 15 and it looked better and was better on the highway. although the 265's weren't all that bad on the highway. good luck.
60s I Have 275/60/15 on the rear and 195/75/14 0n the front (Cragar SST Wheels) :3gears: :3gears: :3gears: :3gears: :3gears: with 2.93 posi and it seems great on my 67 lesabre hardtop coupe just enough room to fit my fingers between the fender and tire its about an inch or so great look from behind there about 27 in. dia.
275/50R-15 are 26.1" tall. The G60-15 is 26.4" tall. So the 50's series tire is the better match. I have a set of 275/50R -15 MT Drag Radials. IMHO, they look great, and fill the wheelwells out just fine. They hook great too. The 275/60R-15 is 28" tall, almost 2" taller. I originally used a set of 275/60R-15 BFG Drag Radials last year. With my 3.42 rear, I found my car going through the traps at about 4200 RPM. Use the shorter tire, your RPM will be higher, and your trap speed should be better, mine was. Just my .02
275/50 We started last season with the BFG dragradial 275/50/15 tire and we noticed for our combo with 3.73 gears that these tires were to "low". Because 40 meters or so for the traps we were at max rpm and out of gears. When we changed to a 28/10.5/15 tire this problem wenth away. We have a new set of BFG 275/60/15 still laying around, I will try them this season and see how they will perform with our combo.
i have 275-60-15 on my 73 century in back and i had 225-60-15 in the front.something just looked alittle funny in the front.tires looked real small.i switched to a 225-70-15 in front and it gave the car a whole new look.rides better and picked up a 1/2 inch in height inthe front of car.oh and these tires are on 7 inch rims.see yah Ray ________ Patrick tambay
I use the tire combo... I use the tire wheel combo as follows... Car: 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1 w/ 3.64's Rear Tire's are...BF Goodrich Radial TA's 295/50-15's which according to their chart in front of me shows 26.7 overall diameter Rear wheels 15x8 Buick ralleys from Specialty Wheel in Troutdale,Oregon I did not have to do any cutting whatsoever on the rear fenders or trim. This combo on the rear fits tight but it never ever rubs. On the front of the car I use 15x7 Buick ralleys with 245/60-15 BF Goodrich The 245's are 26.6" diameter. The 295's on the rear look definently serious. As you can see the diameter on the front and rear tires are a perfect match. The BF Goodrich chart shows that the diameter of the 265/50-15's that some of the other fellows use is 25.5" diameter and ... the 275/50-15's are 25.9" F.Y.I. GSX Eric :3gears:
