[JetBlack]

I will be getting drag slicks on a set of dedicated wheels.

What are you using at the track that works well?

How short/wide are your wheels?

I don't expect to ever be making more than ~400 to the wheels but should I get a DS loop because of the faster 60' times?

[don_w]

Probably the most common way to go is to get a set of 17x8 take-offs, and run the 275/40-17 Mickey Thompson drag radials (#3743R) or the ET Streets (#3743). They are both in the 26" dia range, which will help on the launch. I ran the 3743Rs for a while way back when.

If you want/need a taller tire, look at the M&H 275/50-17 drag radial (28" dia x 8.8" tread). It should fit on a 17x8. If you have 17x9 wheels, I'd suggest the M&H 325/45-17 (28" dia x 10.3" tread). I currently run the M&H 325/45-17 on 17x9's as my street tire.

Note that none of these are technically "slicks". If you insist on going with a true slick, I'd recommend going with 15" Bogart or Holeshot wheels (cha-ching). Running a 15" wheel gives you many more choices of slick.

Also, if you run a true slick, a DS loop is mandatory. But, I strongly recommend getting one anyway.

[Stoenr]

Yup, I listened to don and went with the most common way. Take off 17x8's mounted with 275/40/17 Goodyear Drag radials.
I will only see the strip a handful of times a year so I thought this was the most economical way of doing it. Plus I already had the set of take off rims for snow tires.
Anything wider may not fit in the trunk opening in the back to slide thru the seat opening so you can fit both in the back when going to the strip.

[JetBlack]

I caught myself rubbing my hands together when reading these posts.

I will get the DS loops and I would really like to get the smallest size wheel that is reasonable for my budget. I'll look around at 15" wheels and see if I can afford it. A slightly shorter/wider tire would be a big advantage, on the track, as well, as it should be sorta like getting shorter gears, right? The poor man's 3.73's?

I'd like to be crossing the line in fourth gear.

With the 275 width, on DOT "cheater slicks", where can I launch? Close to redline? I am launching at about 2500 now, with significant spin. Riding the clutch is only helping so much.

Any tips on tire pressure on race tires? I want them to last. Am I going to eat a differential soon with this kind of additional traction?

[Stoenr]

Stock 3.55's in manual trans with the 275/40/17's I was crossing the line at about 6300 rpms in 3rd gear, give or take.

[don_w]

I will get the DS loops and I would really like to get the smallest size wheel that is reasonable for my budget. I'll look around at 15" wheels and see if I can afford it.

Be careful. The design of the rear rotor and caliper prevents most standard 15" wheels from fitting. The only ones I know of for sure are the Bogarts and Holeshots. And the discontinued Weld XPs (you'll have to find a used pair of those... good luck on that). Standard Welds won't fit as far as I know. And there is a possibility of having to use a swaybar relocation bracket for some of the 15s too.

A slightly shorter/wider tire would be a big advantage, on the track, as well, as it should be sorta like getting shorter gears, right? The poor man's 3.73's?

Unless someone is making big torque, I'm agree that shorter is better. I ran the 275/40-17 M/T DRs (26") for a long time before the KB supercharger went on.

With the 275 width, on DOT "cheater slicks", where can I launch? Close to redline? I am launching at about 2500 now, with significant spin. Riding the clutch is only helping so much.

That's going to be dependent on track conditions, gearing, tires, pressure, etc. Trial and error is the only way to find the sweet spot.

Any tips on tire pressure on race tires? I want them to last.

Again, tire pressure is a trial and error thing. I suggest you start high and work down. You want to run with as much pressure as possible and still hook. For example, with the DRs, I started at 20 psi and worked down to 17psi. With my 28" slicks I usually run 11-12psi. I spin at more than that, and the car is pretty loose on the top end with less than that.

I used to get about 100 runs out of the DRs, and I get about 200-220 on the slicks.

Am I going to eat a differential soon with this kind of additional traction?

Unlikely with an N/A car, but never say never.

[JetBlack]

Ah! Good info, D-Dubya, thanks.

Why am I not finding DRs on TireRack or Discount Tire's websites? Are they only available through actual tire stores?

[DONTLIKEYOU]

I have 15X3 and 15x10's on my 07 gt

[don_w]

Originally Posted by JetBlack

Ah! Good info, D-Dubya, thanks.

Why am I not finding DRs on TireRack or Discount Tire's websites? Are they only available through actual tire stores?

I get my track tires from Summit... their prices are good, and the tires always arrive in 1 or 2 days. One exception was my M&H DRs... I bought them directly from M&H.

[blue72mustang]

I am also looking to fit 15 inch rims and drag tires to my 2005 Mustang.

I just found out the hard way that Weld Draglites do not fit my 05.
They hit the Brake calipers.

Can any one tell me the brand, the backspacing, rim size and offset of their 15 inch tires that just bolt up to and 05-07?

[DONTLIKEYOU]

as far as bolt on 15's go Bogarts are about it

[smilinjack]

15X10 should have 7 1/4" backspace. Bogart makes a 5 spoke for the mustang called the GT.

[blue72mustang]

Yes, I tried to make a set of Weld Draglites fit, but you would have to replace and relocate the rear brake caliper and put spacers on the front, So I bought a set of Bogarts. They have 7-8 different styles and they look great!