Tire conumdrum

[Five9Dak]

Hi guys

I am looking to compete in a street car challenge with my psu car club. Thing is, we are not allowed tire changes. There is a drag and autox section, amoungst others. Some of you may allready know but heres what I have

17x8 Boyds with
F: 255/50/17 riken raptops ~2k miles on them
R: 275/50/17 falkens ~ uknown mileage, barely passed inspection

I also have 15x8s for the rear with 26x10.5 ET streets, but they won't do so hot in the autox.

My roomate has a pair of sub 1k mile sumitomo HTR ZII 245/45/17 (http://www.americanmuscle.com/sumitomo-htrzii-245-45-17.html) That I could buy cheap. I am thinking of changing the bigger, worn rear tires out for these. Then running the mustang tires on the front, and the 27" rikens on the back (good for some gear at the strip too). This would lower the truck another .5" from its current position on 27/28's. This would lower the center of gravity. Drawbacks are it will prolly look funny (anyone have pics of R/Ts with std hotchkis drop on 26/27s?) and I'm concerned the 245 wide contact patch in the front wont be enough for the nose heavy R/T in autox.

Will the staggered patchs and similar performing tires make the truck push? Am I better to skate on the worn tires at drag, so it's more neutral at the autox?

How do the rikens perform in the rear at drag racing?

[bad360rt]

The Rikens would probably do pretty good at the track, they grip really well for a street tire. I'm Hotchkis'd and run 27's, they look good, imo. 26's are a lil short, but since they'll be up front it might not be too bad, it'll give you a lil rake.

[hskr]

IMO, anything will be better in both situations than the Falkens, especially if they are worn as bad as you say. They are what I had on the front of my '99 When i totaled it. I'd say get another set of the Raptors for the rear. They worked pretty good for my at the 1/8 mile strips I went to while I was in FL. Got a couple 2.0 60' times on them at 25psi.

[6speedrt]

Since you are not allowed to change tires, you might consider Nitto DR's for the rear and Kumho Victoracers (275/40/17) for the front. I and Grady (I think) have run this combo and it works real well. That way you also have something for the strip, not ideal but better than any street tire. If you don't have too much power you shouldn't blow them off either.

This setup isn't perfect for one or the other, but it should do you well for what you want to do.

[uwntsumrtII]

i think Mike Thomas runs BFG drag radials on R/T wheels on all four corners. they are 26" to give you a better gear and stick pretty good.

[Five9Dak]

Thanks for the info guys, but I'm cheap, I'll keep those recommendations in mind in the future. Right now I just want a set up to be competitive. Does any have pictures of 26s on the front of a hotchkised R/T?

[Turbo47]

Thanks for the info guys, but I'm cheap, I'll keep those recommendations in mind in the future. Right now I just want a set up to be competitive. Does any have pictures of 26s on the front of a hotchkised R/T?

See sigpic. Kumho V700 275/40/17''s all around and Hotchkis stuff all around as well.

[QwikKota]

i think Mike Thomas runs BFG drag radials on R/T wheels on all four corners. they are 26" to give you a better gear and stick pretty good.

He just runs their top of the line max perf tire, the KD's or whatever. He does amazingly well for street tires. I had decent luck with the V700's up front and the Nitto DR's out back but nothing compared to true autox slicks. They have a long life for what they are. 10k miles of hard driving and racing. Damn your shit looks sweet Jason. It looks a lot lower than the factory Hotchkis. These pics are with the stiff CC springs up front trimmed so its prob a tad lower. 275/40's.
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i13/qwikkota/autocross1.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i13/qwikkota/cone3.jpg

[Five9Dak]

Thanks for the input grady. I found out the 245/45/17s were a 220 treadwear, so they should make up for their narrowness in grip. I'm going to run them, I'll let everyone know how the truck does in the challenge.

[hskr]

Thanks for the input grady. I found out the 245/45/17s were a 220 treadwear, so they should make up for their narrowness in grip. I'm going to run them, I'll let everyone know how the truck does in the challenge.

Not necessarily. That's a lot of weight over the front of our trucks that those tires have to deal with. I think you will find yourself locking up the fronts and sliding through corners a lot with them on.

[QwikKota]

Thanks for the input grady. I found out the 245/45/17s were a 220 treadwear, so they should make up for their narrowness in grip. I'm going to run them, I'll let everyone know how the truck does in the challenge.

I had their H rated tires before on a car and they were pretty bad but the ratings on the Z rated are a lot better. Its hard to tell until you get them on but as long as you don't over heat them that is key.

[Five9Dak]

Not necessarily. That's a lot of weight over the front of our trucks that those tires have to deal with. I think you will find yourself locking up the fronts and sliding through corners a lot with them on.

For free, I guess we'll see. The situation is not ideal, but I need to run the same tires all weekend or I'll be DQ'd

[Five9Dak]

I had their H rated tires before on a car and they were pretty bad but the ratings on the Z rated are a lot better. Its hard to tell until you get them on but as long as you don't over heat them that is key.

We have a tire sprayer, so the tires shouldn't see more than 45 seconds of abuse at a time between sprayings.

[QwikKota]

We have a tire sprayer, so the tires shouldn't see more than 45 seconds of abuse at a time between sprayings.

If the tire and air is hot enough to dry them off fast that is fine but if not don't get them wet. I let mine cool then roll the truck forward after a minute or two to expose the side touching the ground. Not sure if it needs it but its easy.

[WickedQwikRT]

any of you guys ever run the azenis rt615? I got a set for dirt cheap that I plan on using at willow springs this Sunday.

[rattler360]

im running yokohama advan st tires

[WickedQwikRT]

i saw a guy running those on sunday, nice tires. the falken faarrr exceeding my expectations, i was actually blown away how good of grip they have.

[QwikKota]

any of you guys ever run the azenis rt615? I got a set for dirt cheap that I plan on using at willow springs this Sunday.

Azenis are very popular with the street tire classes. Nice tread and good grip for the money but I won't waste my clutch on anything but slicks at this point. :drive:

What suspension are you running? Looks very low. I will be putting in lowering shackle mounts soon and trimming the front coils. Hotchkis club cabs up front.

[WickedQwikRT]

Yea I just used the azenis cause I got the set for next to nothing. R compounds are in effect now.
I have a set of sportline springs from eibach up front, apparently the only set known to man. dual adjust qa1's all around. Poly bushings everywhere. 2" over limiting straps front and rear. With some good ole Lakewood traction bars with a 3" block and I think I'm going to get into that group buy for the x brace.

[rattler360]

i want to get some bridgestones once i do my brakes ans get a lighter set of rims

[Five9Dak]

Yea I just used the azenis cause I got the set for next to nothing. R compounds are in effect now.
I have a set of sportline springs from eibach up front, apparently the only set known to man. dual adjust qa1's all around. Poly bushings everywhere. 2" over limiting straps front and rear. With some good ole Lakewood traction bars with a 3" block and I think I'm going to get into that group buy for the x brace.

Can you elaborate more in the straps? Do they limit your rebound to 2" more than your static hieght?