 A few wheel and tire questions about drag radials, 1985 Mustang GT
In a few weeks the economic stimulus check should be coming, and I intend to do the patriotic thing and spend it on some wheels and tires, instead of saving it or paying bills with it. I consider it my duty.
My car is an '85 Mustang GT with a mild 393 and a T5.
I'm researching what I need, and could use some help answering a few questions. If you can answer any or all these, it would be a big help:
1 - Are Hoosier drag radials made in the USA? What about MT's?
2 - Will a 275/60-15 DR on a nine inch wheel fit my car? I'm assuming I'd need a 5.5 inch backspace, is that right? I have tailpipes and quad shocks. I don't mind flipping the quads, but want to keep them on.
3 - I read that the Hoosier tires are for track use only in the DOT classes, but are not street legal. Does this mean they are stickier than the Mickeys? I will not run them on the street anyway, so if they are stickier that's the way I want to go.
4 - Pros and cons between a 275-60 and a 275/50 tire. The 50's are listed as 25.6 inches tall, which is the same as the 225/60 street tires that are on the car now. The 60's are listed as 28 inches tall, so being taller than the tires I have now they should effectively raise the final drive ratio by about 9% by my calculation.
This might be a good thing since I'm going through the traps @ 6k right now, with the car spinning the tires till half track. I'm thinking that with tires that will hook, I'll be into 4th gear earlier and turn more rpms at the end. I don't know if I want to turn the motor too much higher, and since there is plenty of torque off the line, the higher effective gear ratio shouldn't hurt me. Does this make any sense, or am I off base here?
As always, your input is appreciated.
__________________ OFR - old fart racing
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