Competition cheater slicks or slicks

[Todd T]

what's available in a range of sizes for our trucks by the way of cheaters or plain ol' slicks.



i'm doing new wheels and tires and wanted to be able to run some 18" or 20" rims and run cheaters but dont see any cheaters sized large enough for our diameter even in a 16".



what's out there for us?



its like pulling eye teeth to get these dad-gum tire places to show whats available in a tire selection anymore. all they want is your vehicle and match you up stock to stock.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

you're not going to find a slick or cheater for an 18-20" rim... the sidewall would be too short for popular tire diameters.



not sure what the truck guys are running, but I'd imagine you'd want a 30-32 tall tire if you can find one.



one cheap source we always used to use for street racing tires was dirt track tires... the Hoosier Dirt Bozz tires have a crazy soft rubber compound, and they're DOT legal... some of those outlaw cars run some pretty big tires. worth a look.



Forrest

 

[Tcolesanti]

Definatley check out sprint car tires. But Mickey Thompson makes E. T. Street's in a 16" rim and M&H also makes there "Cheater Slick" in a 16" rim. Hoosier makes a 35x22. 5-16 Quick Time Pro Drag if you want something that big. You can find all these tires @ www.jegs.com As for cheater slicks vs. full slicks is one is obviously D. O. T approved and the other is'nt, but I remember seeing a 60' times with a M/T ET drag and an ET street and they were almost identicle.

 

[Todd T]

OK, i've looked at the M&H and Hoosiers. both have a 16" and 17" that would work.



next question: what backspacing are you guys running to fit a 10"-12" rim under the trucks?



I would like to be able to buy one set of wheels and tires and be able to drive the truck in on them so that makes DOT markings a must in case i get pulled over on the street with them. the truck is not a daily driver just a play toy that i want to keep street legal (or the best i can).

 

[Todd T]

what kind of trap speeds and RPM's are you guys seeing. doing some crunching here, i'm coming up with needing in the range of a 23-25" tire for the ET's i'm shooting for (12's).



I have 3. 55's should i plan to run a larger tire and go with 4:10's? that would put me in the 27"-29" range.

 

[HOSS]

I run Mickey Thompson Street E/T tires in 32x16. 5 16 they just barely fit and my rims where custom made to put as much tire as possible under the truck. I do not know the backspacing on the rims but the inner fenderwells had to be cut out to accomodate the tire.

 

[Todd T]

I think i'll try Hoosier Quick Time Pros and see what they get me. a good friend can get them for a decent price. i have to start somewhere! Now for some 16x10 rims.



BTW; i did locate some 17" and 18" drag radials in a brand called Nitto. (N555R)



Man, i cant wait to get these twins on here and light the wick on this candle

 

[Forrest Nearing]

what kind of trap speeds and RPM's are you guys seeing. doing some crunching here, i'm coming up with needing in the range of a 23-25" tire for the ET's i'm shooting for (12's).



I have 3. 55's should i plan to run a larger tire and go with 4:10's? that would put me in the 27"-29" range.

two things... .



1. I don't know where you're getting the calculation for a 23-25" tire, but don't use it again... unless your'e talking 1/8 mile...



2. don't change to 4. 10's... they're for towing... maybe pulling, but I've never done that.



these engines make so much torque it's rediculous... keep the tires and gears tall...



Forrest

 

[Todd T]

Thanks Forrest, without knowing traps speeds and RPM's i was just guessing at them and coming in low. I pretty much knew that was too small so I'm shooting for a 28" tire right now. with that size i have about four brands i can choose from. I'm going to stay in the 16" wheel so i would have larger diameter tires i could go with if needed.



its all relative at this point until i get this thing built and run it a few times.

 

[MCummings]

M&H Nostalgia's are what I use. I ran a 1. 8 60' in 2wd without ANY Suspension work on my truck. Great tire,, but pricey.



You are looking for a 31"-32" tire and 3. 55 gears...



Merrick

 

[Hammer]

Todd. .

Easy way to remember this...

Short tire and a tall gear=Faster ET's and Lower Trap Speeds. Short times will be good but eventually you will nose it over which will kill trap mph.



Tall tire and short gear=Slower ET's and Higher Trap Speeds. Short times will be slower but trap MPH will increase.



When I was running for any ET records or heads up class wins I always ran the tall gear,short tire combo. If it was the MPH record we needed a short gear and taller tire was in order.



It will depend on how you desire to race. The best combo for less parts breakage always is the shorter gear taller tire combo. It keeps the motor from over revving and nosing over in the traps. Less chance of valve float,less chance of damage. Any questions you know how to reach me... ... ... Andy