Drag Radial Dilemma

[acobra03]

I searched this forum and didn't see anything that answers my question. I've got an 09 GT500 with stock gears, 2.6 pulley, CIA, uca/lca...thank you Posi, and C&R H/E...thank you Revan. I want to to purchase drag radials to have mounted on a set of 17x10.5 rims I have that are not being used. My question is am I better off with 275/50r17 with a 28 inch diameter or a 295/45r17 with a 27.2 inch diameter? The 275 has a 9.5 inch tread width and the 295 has a 10.6 inch tread width. The 275 has more sidewall but less tread width. The diameter of the stock 18 inch F1 is 27 inches so both choices will increase my stock tire diameter. I'm hoping some of you on here with experience can give me some advice. The 17inch rim would be for track use only so I can run my F1's for "regular" driving.

 

[rdsnk46]

Stock gears need a shorter tire, 3.73/4.10 use 28 in. tall tires for best traction that I have found in my Drag knowledge.

 

[BOD89LX]

I have the 295/45-17's and they are a .5" taller then my stock 285/35-19's and work great on the street, I will be trying them at the track next weekend.

 

[stkjock]

Stock gears need a shorter tire, 3.73/4.10 use 28 in. tall tires for best traction that I have found in my Drag knowledge.

:thumbsup:

 

[acobra03]

I finally settled on Mickey Thompson 315 35 17's ET II drag radials. They hooked very well. My quickest run was 12.01 at 118mph after missing 3rd gear...doh! My fastest run was 12.11 @120.9 mph but my 60 foot was a 1.9. The run I missed 3rd gear my 60 was a 1.78. I think I can get that 60 foot time down alot if I can just get some practice launching. It's going to suck putting back on the 18 inch rims with the Goodyear F1's...I really like the traction of the drag radial!

 

[cdog1157]

I'm not knocking the GT-500 by any means as I plan to swap my 2011 5.0 for a Shelby in 2014, but my best run was a 12.69 with the only mod being Borla ATAK catbacks. That doesn't seem like much of a difference for the horsepower and cost differences between them. Am I wrong? Again, I'm not trying to start an argument as to which one is better because I am new to drag racing and I will get a Shelby no matter what.

 

[acobra03]

I'm not knocking the GT-500 by any means as I plan to swap my 2011 5.0 for a Shelby in 2014, but my best run was a 12.69 with the only mod being Borla ATAK catbacks. That doesn't seem like much of a difference for the horsepower and cost differences between them. Am I wrong? Again, I'm not trying to start an argument as to which one is better because I am new to drag racing and I will get a Shelby no matter what.

I hear you, no offense taken. The GT500 is a much heavier car then the 5.0 so the power to weight ratio is a lot closer then you think. Also, I'm not a consistent driver and don't have much track experience. Like I said, I missed 3rd gear and still ran a 12.01. With a clean 3rd gear shift I should have trapped at 120 or 121 mph with a 11.80-90 ET. The 5.0 motor is a bad ass machine for sure. There is a buddy of mine running low 11's with his 5.0 but he's got 15k into it to get there. I've got maybe 3k into mine with a decent driver should run mid 11's. In the end, a worked 5.0 is still a 5.0 but the gt500 will always be a Shelby. Good luck my friend.