Traction

[CJ500GT]

Hello All,

 

Decided to run my new 08 Gt500 Shelby at the track today. Very disappointed with the traction, and I was wondering if anyone knows of a drag radial that fit the rear 285 40 18" ? .........or if someone has a solution to the traction problem?

 

 

Thanks

 

CJ

[Mustang5]

Along those same lines, I was wondering if any one has experimented with tire pressure on the stock tires. I've heard that you generally want to run a pressure lower then the stock 35 psi. The problem is if you go to low then you give up high speed stability. Any drag racers out there?

[CJ500GT]

Along those same lines, I was wondering if any one has experimented with tire pressure on the stock tires. I've heard that you generally want to run a pressure lower then the stock 35 psi. The problem is if you go to low then you give up high speed stability. Any drag racers out there?

 

 

Incidentaly I droped my pressure to 28 from 38 and noticed no difference in the top end handling.

[CJ500GT]

Incidentaly I droped my pressure to 28 from 38 and noticed no difference in the top end handling.

 

 

still lacks the traction

[1FSTHRSE]

i'm running the Nitto 305/45/18 drag radials. looks great runs much better traction wise. I dropped 0.5 sec just with the DR's.

[VNMOUS1]

Hello All,

 

Decided to run my new 08 Gt500 Shelby at the track today. Very disappointed with the traction, and I was wondering if anyone knows of a drag radial that fit the rear 285 40 18" ? .........or if someone has a solution to the traction problem?

 

 

Thanks

 

CJ

 

 

 

BFG KDW Drag Radial

 

P295/35R18/LL rim 10 - 12 tread width11.7 on 10"rim height 26.2

 

 

bj

[Charles Stunkard]

I just ordered a set of M&H’s Drag Radials, size 325/45R17

I plan on putting them on a set of American Racing/Shelby Torque Thrust wheels which are in the garage waitng for the tires to arrive.

I have heard the M&H hook pretty hard so I am hoping for some good runs.

[wickedGT500]

dont run 20" razors with street tire nitto's and a stage 3 tvs.......you burn out the entire 1/4 mile....lol........ :happy feet:

[mobeydick]

For best results at the track with stock tires you have to drop the psi to about 20. you can get 1.79/1.81s 60' times with them. The best street psi is about 28. anything higher then that the center of the tire wears out first.

[CJ500GT]

Hello All,

 

Decided to run my new 08 Gt500 Shelby at the track today. Very disappointed with the traction, and I was wondering if anyone knows of a drag radial that fit the rear 285 40 18" ? .........or if someone has a solution to the traction problem?

 

 

Thanks guys trying 265 40 18 Mickey thompsons this weekend. Im a beginner but I have to say I realy love it. I should have went with something wider like 295 but I want to try something as close to the 10.5" width as I can... we ahll soon see..... Thanks again!

 

Thanks

 

CJ

[iceman]

I just ordered a set of M&H’s Drag Radials, size 325/45R17

I plan on putting them on a set of American Racing/Shelby Torque Thrust wheels which are in the garage waitng for the tires to arrive.

I have heard the M&H hook pretty hard so I am hoping for some good runs.

 

 

Please post or IM results. Pics would be good too as I am looking at these. I've come to the conclusion I need to have a set up with radials and with slicks but the radials are cheaper and thus likely will happen first

[Charles Stunkard]

Please post or IM results. Pics would be good too as I am looking at these. I've come to the conclusion I need to have a set up with radials and with slicks but the radials are cheaper and thus likely will happen first

 

I will be happy to once I get them mounted. Unfortunately with my work schedule it may be a week or two before I can get them to the shop. Will keep you posted.

[Mustang5]

For best results at the track with stock tires you have to drop the psi to about 20. you can get 1.79/1.81s 60' times with them. The best street psi is about 28. anything higher then that the center of the tire wears out first.

Hi MobeyDick,

 

I just realized that the center of my tires were wearing out faster as well. You have to think that someone at Ford would have realized this. The 35 psi recommended might be best for handling, but at this rate my rear tires will be worn out by 12000 miles.

 

I appreciate the info by the way. I'll admit I would love to run a 60 ' time under 2.00 let alone a 1.80. Is it safe to run the rears as low as 20 psi. Any problems with high speed stability? What kind of burn out do you do?

 

Thanks for the help,

 

Rob

[Charles Stunkard]

I will be happy to once I get them mounted. Unfortunately with my work schedule it may be a week or two before I can get them to the shop. Will keep you posted.

 

Ok I have some pics of them mounted.

325/45R17 M&H Drag Radials on 17x9 Shelby Torque Thrust Wheels

I have not had them to the strip yet, but on the street with 28lbs they aren’t bad. Yea I can get them to go up in smoke, but that’s on the street with 28 lbs in them. I think I am gonna like these.

 

They look a lot better than the 315/35R17’s I was running that were only 26 inches tall.

The M&H’s are 28 inches tall. These have to be the narrowest 325’s I have ever seen. (They are barley as wide as the stock 285's) There is still lots of room there should be no rubbing, not even close. Then again I have not lowered my car it is still stock height.

 

For those that are interested in these tires you should note that these tires are so soft M&H recommends that you do not dyno your car with these tires.

 

It took me a long time to figure out which wheels and tires I wanted to use for racing this season and I think these are going to work great.

 

OK enough rambling here are the pics. Also for those of you that want even more pictures PM me and I will give you a link to my website with very hi resolution pictures.

 

 

[frydguy79]

Ok I have some pics of them mounted.

325/45R17 M&H Drag Radials on 17x9 Shelby Torque Thrust Wheels

I have not had them to the strip yet, but on the street with 28lbs they aren't bad. Yea I can get them to go up in smoke, but that's on the street with 28 lbs in them. I think I am gonna like these.

 

They look a lot better than the 315/35R17's I was running that were only 26 inches tall.

The M&H's are 28 inches tall. These have to be the narrowest 325's I have ever seen. (They are barley as wide as the stock 285's) There is still lots of room there should be no rubbing, not even close. Then again I have not lowered my car it is still stock height.

 

For those that are interested in these tires you should note that these tires are so soft M&H recommends that you do not dyno your car with these tires.

 

It took me a long time to figure out which wheels and tires I wanted to use for racing this season and I think these are going to work great.

 

OK enough rambling here are the pics. Also for those of you that want even more pictures PM me and I will give you a link to my website with very hi resolution pictures.

 

 

 

 

i like the look of these wheels, kinda inconito!!

[BoneDoc]

i'm running the Nitto 305/45/18 drag radials. looks great runs much better traction wise. I dropped 0.5 sec just with the DR's.

 

+1

 

I am running the same tire.

 

The Nitto's are a bit bigger than stock, but hook up reasonably well. shaved about 1/2 sec off of ET with these.

 

has anyone tried the Mickey Thompson's?

[Charles Stunkard]

As of a week or two ago a lot of the sizes of the new Mickey Thompson drag radials weren't available yet. I was told they were on back order, which I think really means they are still awaiting DOT approval.

[06ragtopGT]

+1

 

I am running the same tire.

 

The Nitto's are a bit bigger than stock, but hook up reasonably well. shaved about 1/2 sec off of ET with these.

 

has anyone tried the Mickey Thompson's?

 

 

265/45/18 Mickey T ET Street radials fit the stock rim too good and hook much better than the Nitto 555Rs. I wish they were bigger,taller and wider but if your car is lowered they look ok. The biggest issue is they look narrow from the rear. Dropped from high 1.8 to low 1.6 60ft times from 305/45/18 Nitto 555Rs.

 

I drive on them every day its not raining and they hook and feel great on the street. They wont last too long but they will get me through the spring and fall drag season. By next year a perfect size 27" tall drag radial will exist for the stock rim. Maybe?

 

Nice to not have to swap rims and just drive straight to my local crappy track on my way home from work, lower to about 15psi and hook decent.

[iceman]

Ok I have some pics of them mounted.

325/45R17 M&H Drag Radials on 17x9 Shelby Torque Thrust Wheels

I have not had them to the strip yet, but on the street with 28lbs they aren’t bad. Yea I can get them to go up in smoke, but that’s on the street with 28 lbs in them. I think I am gonna like these.

 

They look a lot better than the 315/35R17’s I was running that were only 26 inches tall.

The M&H’s are 28 inches tall. These have to be the narrowest 325’s I have ever seen. (They are barley as wide as the stock 285's) There is still lots of room there should be no rubbing, not even close. Then again I have not lowered my car it is still stock height.

 

For those that are interested in these tires you should note that these tires are so soft M&H recommends that you do not dyno your car with these tires.

 

It took me a long time to figure out which wheels and tires I wanted to use for racing this season and I think these are going to work great.

 

OK enough rambling here are the pics. Also for those of you that want even more pictures PM me and I will give you a link to my website with very hi resolution pictures.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Chuck!

 

I like the look of those. May be the option I go woth too. I have a few ideas that may be good I'm hoping to get a DR that is tall enough to keep me from running into the rev limiter but short enough I don't have to change springs to go to the track as I am lowered with the pro-kit springs. These may work.