More drag radials questions

[XH29N0G]

I am planning on buying drag radials and would like any information I can get about choosing sizes and possibly brands. 

This is for the street rather than the strip and to get traction in 1st gear that I do not have with BFG TAs (275/60R15 I have on now). 

I am looking at the MT Street Radials (http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/strip.php?item=ETStreetRadial) and the Nitto 555 Extreme Drag radials and it looks like I could use a similar size to what is on there now in a drag radial 275/6/15. 

I also see that the MT Street Radials come in a 255/60 15 size.  This is a 27 inch rather than a 28 inch tire.  How different would these slightly smaller tires be for hooking up.  I don't know if I want to run a taller or wider tire than a 275/60R15.

I will appreciate any thoughts on any of this.  And also any thought on other brands I might consider (M&H?  I think I have ruled out the BFG drag radials for now).

Thank you

[Ghoste]

A buddy of mine runs the MT's and he really likes them and another friend ran the Nitto's and liked those.  So at least brand wise I think you are on the right track.

[charge69]

Nitto 555's here and I am very happy with them. Great traction and a great ride. Be advised that MT's and Nitto Drag Radials are recommended for DRY streets only! My car ain't getting wet anyway. At least, not on purpose!

[XH29N0G]

Thank you.  I appreciate the responses.  Your car and tires looks excellent.

[471_Magnum]

Nittos are much better suited for street use than the Mickey T's. They have a stiffer side wall, better treadwear and are V speed rated.  The Mickey T's will hook better at the strip, but really aren't suited for extended highway use.

Drove an entire Power Tour on a set of Nittos through some torrential rain with no excitement. Had a bunch of gear in the trunk and full tread depth at the time though.

[XH29N0G]

Nittos are much better suited for street use than the Mickey T's. They have a stiffer side wall, better treadwear and are V speed rated.  The Mickey T's will hook better at the strip, but really aren't suited for extended highway use.

Drove an entire Power Tour on a set of Nittos through some torrential rain with no excitement. Had a bunch of gear in the trunk and full tread depth at the time though.

This is the impression I get.  I also get the impression that the MTs have a better traction, but don't have any idea whatsoever about what is needed to keep my tires planted.  All I know is that the BFG TAs don't hold at all in 1st. 

[471_Magnum]

I don't know what the rest of your combination is, but sticky drag radials will push the limits of a stock suspension. Once you get them to hook, your next challenge will be axle wrap and wheel hop.

[XH29N0G]

Thanks, I have been warned that the suspension is most likely going to have to change.  Right now it is stock.  I have a list of things I need to do before changing tires (like a driveshaft loop).  I am slowly learning and hopefully won't do something stupid in the process.

[c00nhunterjoe]

My suspension is stock. Frame is not tied. Mt et street radial 275/60/15 with 4.30's and a 4 speed. Side stepped at 6,000 and broke my windshield and ripped the door striker off the pillar on the driver side...... they hook.

[XH29N0G]

My suspension is stock. Frame is not tied. Mt et street radial 275/60/15 with 4.30's and a 4 speed. Side stepped at 6,000 and broke my windshield and ripped the door striker off the pillar on the driver side...... they hook.

.... I am slowly learning and hopefully won't do something stupid in the process.... OK so I might be headed down that road.  Thank you for the heads up.  I will keep researching.

[Mick70RR]

I've used both the MT ET Street Radials and the Nitto 555's, both 275/60R15. The MT's are a better tyre on the strip but are scary on even damp roads, no grip whatsoever. The Nitto's are a good street tyre and work in the wet but they don't grip so well at the track. Both sets of tyres lasted just 2000 miles on the street with a few trips to the track. I don't bother with drag radials these days, too expensive for the miles you get out of them.

[RECHRGD]

You can get the Nitto's from Diamondback Classics in a redline version.......

[471_Magnum]

Mick, You must have really hammered those Nittos. I made several trips to the track and drove 3000 miles on the Power Tour and mine were still in great shape when I sold the car I think I may have put 5000 miles on them. New owner drove it half way across the country and then some before they were retired. Probably a lot more highway miles (versus track days) than most users would even try to log.

I 100% agree with your assessment that their grip is marginal at the track. Better than regular radials for sure, but I could still over power them and had to pedal the launch. They are definitely stickier when brand new too. Seems like they actually lost grip as they wore. They would kick up sand and gravel when new. As they wore, that became less of a problem.

I think they are a very good choice if you are going to log a lot of highway miles, and are less concerned with ultimate grip.

[XH29N0G]

Thanks for all of this information.  It helps me understand.

What I get is that the Nittos are much better than the BFG TAs, and will not hook as well as the MTs.  I will not know until I try them on the car.  The MTs also have the potential to dead hook - which could be an issue with the suspension and elsewhere.  The Nittos will be much better than the MTs on the street and especially if there is any rain.  I don't drive in the rain with this car and I avoid days it might rain.  I also plan on making modifications with this swap (drive loop, possibly caltracs).  I have not yet thought about torque boxes or additional frame ties. 

Has anyone tried the 255/60 15 MT?  In terms of traction, would they be similar to, worse than, or better than the 27560/15 Nittos?

Thanks for the comments up to this point and any responses to this.

PS. I did another test with the BFG today, skipped first and went right to second, started slowly to make sure there was no spinning and then put the pedal down.  Once the engine settled in, car lost traction about 25 MPH and spun the rest of the way up to about 50. 

[charger_fan_4ever]

The taller tire will put more power to the ground. Aslong as you have enough power so the big tire does not kill it on the big end of the track.