Deciding on a pair of slicks?

[Tom N]

Trying to decide on a pair of slicks to put on the S14. I have run AWD`s for the last 15+ years.
The car is on a stock turbo. Currently traps 109 in the 1/4 with a crappy 60ft. Going to have it rom tuned one of these days but I dont expect a whole lot more power than it makes now. Really dont think the car needs a 26 x 10 like most people seem to use. Anyone have any experience with a 24.5 x 8.5 x 15 M&H slick?
Any opinions on a good slick for a 2800lb car making 320-330hp is appreciated.
Thanks

[jr_ss]

I told you you're welcome to try my radials if you like. I'll be home tonight if you want to try them at the strip Thursday.

[Tom N]

I told you you're welcome to try my radials if you like. I'll be home tonight if you want to try them at the strip Thursday.

I would love to try them but would feel really bad if I made one pass and didn't like them.

[ultimateirving]

Are u getting wheel hop or spin off the line? whats your goals?

[Tom N]

Are u getting wheel hop or spin off the line? whats your goals?

The car has 275/30/19's. They are useless at the track. The goal is for the car to hook. But I also want to use the "right" size tire for the car. A tire that will give me the traction I need while still crossing the line at the preferred rpm for the power band. I know I can get some 26 x 10.5 slicks and hook. But on a car that is on the factory turbo do I need that much tire?

[ultimateirving]

im thinking 26xx10 is a little over kill. The 24.5x8(check on size)
Should be plenty, get some 15 or 16 rims to put them on... Now remember if u run slicks there is a good chance ur Trap speed could go down due to the flimsy sidewalls.
i ran 24.5x8 on my SRT-4 with about 300whp and snapped an axle it hooked so good. But i also lost speed off my trap. Who cares when your cutting 1.6 second 60' tho

Radials will be a great choice because of the stiffer sidewalls trap speed wont suffer.

[Tom N]

Im sure this is obvious but to be clear the 275`s are just regular street radials.

[Tom N]

im thinking 26xx10 is a little over kill. The 24.5x8(check on size)
Should be plenty, get some 15 or 16 rims to put them on... Now remember if u run slicks there is a good chance ur Trap speed could go down due to the flimsy sidewalls.
i ran 24.5x8 on my SRT-4 with about 300whp and snapped an axle it hooked so good. But i also lost speed off my trap. Who cares when your cutting 1.6 second 60' tho

Radials will be a great choice because of the stiffer sidewalls trap speed wont suffer.


I fully expect to loose a little trap speed with a slick. You will typically loose a little trap speed just with a much better 60ft. Slicks are a lot lighter than DR`s though.
I agree that the 26in tire may be a bit to tall.
I am going to try some 255/50/16 MT DR.s and see how they work first.

[ultimateirving]

I fully expect to loose a little trap speed with a slick. You will typically loose a little trap speed just with a much better 60ft. Slicks are a lot lighter than DR`s though.
I agree that the 26in tire may be a bit to tall.
I am going to try some 255/50/16 MT DR.s and see how they work first.

This would be my recommendation. I never got to try the radials on my srt - 4
I had purchased a set and on the first run to use them, after the burnout. My shift selector broke. So not even one pass with them... At that point the SRT4 had to go.

Ive only made a few passes in my s13, barely broke 13seconds, but that was a stock motor, t28, and at about 12psi. I was spinning and suck at launching this s13.

[Tom N]

This would be my recommendation. I never got to try the radials on my srt - 4
I had purchased a set and on the first run to use them, after the burnout. My shift selector broke. So not even one pass with them... At that point the SRT4 had to go.

Ive only made a few passes in my s13, barely broke 13seconds, but that was a stock motor, t28, and at about 12psi. I was spinning and suck at launching this s13.

I have only taken this one down the track maybe a half dozen times. I`ve gone anywhere form 13.3-13.9 108-109mph. I also have a stock motor, turbo, injectors, ecu, etc. Just a fmic, walbro and exhaust.
I am used to launching higher hp AWD`s.
Need more seat time to get used to RWD, but 19in street tires just spin at the track and are a waste of time.

[jr_ss]

Tom they are Bfgoodrich T/A drag radial 2's, not MT's. A 26" tire with the factory rear gear wouldn't help you. You'd need more power or switch to a 4.3 or 4.6 rear end ratio.

[Flicktitty]

The car has 275/30/19's. They are useless at the track. The goal is for the car to hook. But I also want to use the "right" size tire for the car. A tire that will give me the traction I need while still crossing the line at the preferred rpm for the power band. I know I can get some 26 x 10.5 slicks and hook. But on a car that is on the factory turbo do I need that much tire?

Pretty sure i put your problem in the bold. I would Think even stepping down to a 17" wheel would be a HUGE help.

For straight dragging look at the Mickey Thompson Drag Radials. if you want something you can drive more often look at the BFG Drag Radials.

[Tom N]

Pretty sure i put your problem in the bold. I would Think even stepping down to a 17" wheel would be a HUGE help.

For straight dragging look at the Mickey Thompson Drag Radials. if you want something you can drive more often look at the BFG Drag Radials.


Really you put the problem in bold. You're a genius.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious. Of coarse the part in bold is the problem. The everyday wheels and tires are not good for drag racing. Hence the whole point of the thread asking about slicks for track use.