Let's see who can get the closest with their guess. How much improvement will I see in the 1/4 mile switching from standard TA Radials to Comp TA Drag Radials (not other changes)? Both sets of tires are dimensionally the same (275/60R15's). I've got a 455 and TH-350 with 3.42 posi. gears. My last run was: 60'--------->2.003 330'-------->5.311 660"/mph--->8.063/88.7 1320'/mph-->12.52/109.5 I have run as fast as 1.81 60' on a good track with less horsepower (12.57 run). After my test on Sunday I'll let you know who the winner is! I will then adjust the timing to optimize. :beer
The tires went on today, and the weather looks good for Sunday (high 73 and sunny). Almost the same wheather conditions as last run...
Ready to go! I tried it tonight, it definately hooks better on the street with these tires. I will need to re-learn my launch technique at the strip, but I don't think I'll be able to hit it full right off the line. My street tire launch (at the strip) consisted of driving around the water, heating the tires a few seconds (some smoke), power braking to 2000 rpm's and ease down on the throttle in a controlled manner. Tire pressure around 26 psi. or so. I did notice these tires are slightly taller than my street radials (maybe 0.25" diameter). Questions about launching at the strip with Drag Radials: What tire pressure should I start with? Should I heat these tires (wet or dry?) a little more than the street radial technique above? Thanks!
I've tried the drag radials. I would still drive around the water as they do have some tread. But back into the area that is wet. Then heat 'em up for @5 seconds or so. That will get them sticky. No need for a John Force burnout show. At the track, I would start with around 15 psi, warm. I've taken mine down to as low as 12 warm, but that's probably near the limit for them. If you have them at 13 psi cold, that would be just about right after doing your bunout.
O.K. I tried the scanner but it's not cooperating...anyway, the results are in! Gary, you are the man! (I did like Cheryl's optimistic vote of confidence however). Here are the details. Best 1/4 mile time slip: -----------Street Radials-----Drag Radials 60'--------->2.003-----------1.7529 (best of day 1.7379) 330'-------->5.311-----------5.0055 660"/mph--->8.063/88.7------7.7574/88.44 1320'/mph-->12.52/109.5-----12.2504/109.2 I'm don't think the tires alone will give you a 0.250 sec. (2.003 - 1.7529) improvement, I'd guess they gave me more like ~0.165 seconds. The track was a little better today than when I last ran the street radials (when I posted the 2.003 60'). I'm thinking a 0.1 second improvement in 60' times give you maybe 0.15 by the end of the 1/4 mile. I was turning 5000 rpm through the traps with my 3.42's and 27.4" diameter Drag Radials. Played with the timing but it dropped off by .02 seconds. I marked the rims and tires to monitor slip and once I adjusted down to 19-20 psi. range (hot) the tires slipped on the rims some (~1/8" to 1/4"). I decided not to lower the pressure any further. I've got tubes in these tires due to a slightly damaged bead from screws the previous owner had used. Hay I got them for $50 and they have good thread left. Raced several 12 second cars; (2) Z/28 SS's (one sprayed), a `97 and a`99 Corvette, and a`92 Mustang Cobra (had them all covered :TU: ). There was an Eagle Talon running high 11's, so I was not the fastest street car. Sad to say I was the only (street) Muscle car there , but I got more than my fair share of attention :beer
If it wasn't so much fun going down the track,I could have saved you the entry fee and gas money....... :grin: Congrat's on the new best!
I was able to speak with a BFG Engineer about the Drag Radials. Dont air them down to much 18-20lbs Just spin them enough to clean them off and get them warm. Before you use them the very first time, spin them hard and heat them up and then let them immediately cool fully, this releases the chemical that helps remove the rubber from the mold and heat cycles the rubber making them stick better.
Congrats on the new time :beer I've never been able to get a consistant good solid hook from my 275/60/15 BFG Drag radials. Never been able to bring the converter up to its 2500 RPM stall and whack it witout frying the tires..... ....in fact, I've run near identical 60' times (1.84 to a 1.89) on my street tires. Im actually more consistant on the street tires because I know what they'll do where Im clueless with the DR's Next year Im trying the M/T's uzzled:
Alan, on my first run my 60' was 1.88, street tires are typically 1.92. Then I realized I needed to launch differently. I stall it to 2000 rpms and easy down on the gas at a faster rate than I did with street tires. Doing this dropped my 60' to 1.75 on the very next run. Later, I did try hitting it harder but fried the tires... I know my DR's hook harder than my (new soft) street tires on the street or strip. I can feel a more aggressive surge off the line.
Try someones set of 26x10 slicks on a crisp day in November. I know this thing has an 11 in it! Cheryl
Well, while changing my rear end grease the other day I noticed the inside of the passenger tire had bulges. You may remember these tires were purchased used and I was running tubes due to the bead damage. The bead damage was due to the tire being screwed and it turned on the rim. Anyone seen this happen before? I received a new tire yesterday, it goes on today. Maybe another strip trip this weekend...
After the tire was removed from the rim it was confirmed the bulges were just up from the three damaged areas on the bead....lesson learned.
