I already have a Hoosier D.O.T. DR 275/40/17 on 17x9 wheels. Specs are: Tread Width: 9.8" Section Width: 11.3" Diameter: 25.7 Circumference: 81.0" Rim Sizes: 9.0" - 11.0" I want to experiment with another setup on a 17x10 wheel. Which of these would you recommend? What are the pros and cons of the larger tire diameter (taller sidewalls)? Looking for E/T improvment more than Trap Speed. Here is what I am looking at: 1. M&H Racemaster DR 325/45/17 TW: 10.3" SW: 12.1" Dia: 28.0" Cir: 88.0 Sizes: 9.0" - 11.0" 2. M/T ET Street DR 295/45/17 TW: 10.6" SW: 11.6" Dia: 27.2" Cir: 85.0" Sizes: 9.5" - 11.0" 3. M/T ET Street DR 275/40/17 TW: 10.0" SW: 11.0" Dia: 26.0" Cir: 82.0" Sizes: 9.0" - 11.0" Do you think that Options 1 and 2 would fit using a 17x10 wheel and no spacer? Option 3 is so close to what I already have that basically the brand of tire is the only difference. Any concerns about using a spacer while racing? Any help would be appreciated.
I have been using a 1/4 spacer for the past 6 months and so far no issues. I use it becuase I have the 305/235/20 Nitto 555r on my stock 20s I am going to keep them on for since I am looking at getting the 17X9 rims and the widest DR I can place on it.
Thanks! I may have to use a 1/4" spacer as well. Any opinon on 26", 27" or 28" diameter tires? Which would you choose and why?
I've used 2 different sets, the NITTO 555R size 305/34R18 and the Hoosiers 275/40R17. I kept having traction problems with the Nitto 555R, so now I'm using the Hoosiers and my traction problems are history. The one thing that I don't like about the Hoosiers is that my car sifts to 4th gear about 20 feet before the end of the track and I don't know if this is actually hurting my ETs. I think I might be able to get lower ETs if I went with a tire a little bit larger in diameter that would allow me to cross the end of the track at the top of 3rd gear. I just got a set of Mickey Thompson DRs size 305/35R18. Hopefully I'll be able to lower my ETs with those tires. This vid is from 2 days ago, with the Hoosier tires. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr3Xzflw2UA
Well the tire you have is probably giving you the best gearing, going to a 28 in tall tire would make your gearing close to what the stock tires give it.
Well everyone wants better gearing so sticking with your Hoosiers gives you that gearing More sidewall will give better traction but a taller tire will take away the gearing Are your Hoosiers not giving you traction ??
I am not going to blame it on the tires. I may be overheating them. I am geting better 60' times than with the F1s but still not getting good 60' times. Best is 1.86 but generally they are in the low 1.9's or high 1.8's. I have the wheels so I thought that I would put together one more set to experiment with. I have a couple of track rentals coming in October so I will practice some more there and maybe take a different set of DRs to one of those (if I have them in time) to see what happens.
What's the furthest you guys have driven on the DR's and 17's? I have a track about 45 minutes away from me and am wondering if it would be safe to drive there. Usually a couple of us will go and race so I leary about leaving my stockers lying around after the swap. That, and it's a pain. When I'm done racing, I like to get outta there.
Don't do that. 45 minutes is WAAAAAY too long on those tires. I drove home from the track once, and although it was fine, I wouldn't want to wear out the tires that way - and I only live 3 miles from the track.
I kept my 17's and et streets on for almost a month after my track day. tey would be a litle sketchy on the free way at any spee above 80 but other than that not a problem. O yea dont try to get sideways on a turn with them on. Its a bad idea
Guys, went to the track this week and ran with both the Mickey Thompson 305/35R18 and the Hoosiers 275/40R17. Check the vids.... Mickey Thompson 305/35R18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqWJODSNVwA ET 12.675 Hoosier 275/40R18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLbLyb5enOY ET 12.492 The car was .183 faster with the Hoosier than with the MT. The passes were on the same night with about an hour in between to let the car cool down. In both runs, the engine temp was around 150 degrees at the light and the DA did not change much from one run to the next. The grip was incredible with both tires. The MT felt heavier because of the size, I think it was too much tire for the car. It would have been great if I could have compared both tires, the MT and the Hoosiers, using the same tire size and rim size.
Great information, great comparison!! I agree for the power that we are making with our level of mods, the larger tires might be too much for the car. Add another 50-100 hp and they probably are not too much. Am I thinking right?
