Drag radial info needed

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qkcuda

qkcuda

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I just installed a set of Nitto drag radials, and I am headed to the track this weekend. I always ran conventional slicks. Looking for info on where to start with the drag radials, tire pressure, burnout procedures, etc.
 
The car is an all steel 69 Cuda, probably 3400 lbs. Engine puts out about 575 HP at the flywheel and 610 lb/ft of torque. Best to date is 11.53 at 118.5 on the old 27X8.5 M&H's with 3.55 gears.
 
I have nowhere near that horsepower, but have been using drag radials for 15 years. 18 to 20 # is good to start. My Dart @ 2800 lbs liked 20#. Big smokey burnout is just wasting rubber.Others have also stated that too.I would just clean them off with a short burn.Now this was just me and my car,,,Your usage may vary. Also is the track prep good/bad where you attend ?
 
I run the m/t 275/60 15 drag radial on my '70 duster hooks best at 15 psi...
 
Thanks for the replies. I used to run my slicks at 17-18 lbs, so doesn't sound a lot different. I guess I'll start at 20 and experiment from there.
 
Update from the weekend. Started off at 20 lbs. First few runs just blew the tires away at the starting line, even after decent burnouts. talked to everyone at the track I could find running drag radials (but not Nittos). They all said they were running 15-16 lbs. Lowered them to 18 and then down to 15. I think what finally happened was that I burned through the outer layer and they started to get stickier. I also think lowering the air pressure that much was a mistake. I was getting weird wheel hop like movement out of the rear suspension (super stock springs) that I never had with the slicks. One other thing that worries me. I marked the tires at the valve stem, and by the end of the day the drivers side tire had rotated 180 degrees on the rim. The passenger side moved about 6 inches.
 
qkcuda said:
Update from the weekend. Started off at 20 lbs. First few runs just blew the tires away at the starting line, even after decent burnouts. talked to everyone at the track I could find running drag radials (but not Nittos). They all said they were running 15-16 lbs. Lowered them to 18 and then down to 15. I think what finally happened was that I burned through the outer layer and they started to get stickier. I also think lowering the air pressure that much was a mistake. I was getting weird wheel hop like movement out of the rear suspension (super stock springs) that I never had with the slicks. One other thing that worries me. I marked the tires at the valve stem, and by the end of the day the drivers side tire had rotated 180 degrees on the rim. The passenger side moved about 6 inches.
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You're assuming that the tire only rotated 180 degrees...:burnout:it could have rotated many revolution then stopped 180 degrees from where it started???

treblig
 
So how did it do? i don't think the nittos are best for that HP they last a lot longer than the M/T etc.. they are great on my demon with about 400 hp, on the street.
 
I got to the semis mostly through luck. Only on one run was my 60 foot and quarter mile time as good as with the slicks.
 
Treblig said:
You're assuming that the tire only rotated 180 degrees...:burnout:it could have rotated many revolution then stopped 180 degrees from where it started???

treblig
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Maybe, but I was watching it after every run and it seemed to move progressively. I think they used a fair bit of sealer/lubricant? when they mounted them. I may have them dismounted and cleaned up so they are dry. I am thinking more pressure will keep them seated better as well. The rims are already drilled for screws. Can you use screws with drag radials?
 
Automatic, 3.55 gears and a 3500 convertor. Leaving from idle and mashing the throttle.
 
The rims are already drilled for screws. Can you use screws with drag radials?
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Yes you can...on another note:my car runs quicker on drag radials then it ever did on slicks..
 
15-20 depending on car/set up. Naturally the lower the psi the wider footprint to the ground you will get and in turn get better traction, but have them too low and you risk spining the tire on the bead or ruining the tire. Have to find a happy balance in between. But 15-20 seems the average range
 
EL5DEMON340 said:
So how did it do? i don't think the nittos are best for that HP they last a lot longer than the M/T etc.. they are great on my demon with about 400 hp, on the street.
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Hey my demon has got 400 hp too and im running 275/60r15 bf goodrich radial t/a . Can you tell the difference on launch between the street tires and drag radials? I think i already know the answer but just curious
 
I run the Nitto's on my 69 fastback and run them at 16/17 psi depending on track prep.I had to put screws in mine also as they were spinning on the rim(my 60ft improved also)
 

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71DodgeDemon340 said:
Hey my demon has got 400 hp too and im running 275/60r15 bf goodrich radial t/a . Can you tell the difference on launch between the street tires and drag radials? I think i already know the answer but just curious
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Night and day, a /6 duster could pull a few car lengths on me if I nailed it to the floor! I do have a 4,400rpm dynamic converter in it.
 
Oh you got automatic i got 4 speed :burnout:

But if i do a 4,000 / 4,500 rpm launch she spins about 10-20 feet then she goes :)
 
Ok I usually will bring it up to 2,500 to 3k, then mash the pedal to the floor. I run a mechanical 6 pack with about 1,100 cfm. I get a few revolution of spin in the tire but it hooks hard with no bog and I'm gone!!!
 
I was looking at the nitto drag radials but i like to match brand tires front and rear, and nitto has a limited selection of front size 15's
 
moparclown said:
I run the Nitto's on my 69 fastback and run them at 16/17 psi depending on track prep.I had to put screws in mine also as they were spinning on the rim(my 60ft improved also)
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The more I think about it the more I think the tires were spinning on the rims, more than just 180 degrees. I am going to have them dismounted and clean the lubricant off the beads and put the screws back in. I am ever glad I didn't decide to weld all the screw holes up!
 
qkcuda said:
The more I think about it the more I think the tires were spinning on the rims, more than just 180 degrees. I am going to have them dismounted and clean the lubricant off the beads and put the screws back in. I am ever glad I didn't decide to weld all the screw holes up!
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Yeah that would be a pain to drill all those holes back in the wheels.
After bout a hour and a case of beer later lol
 
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