Slicks & Drag Radials

[Mahonroy]

Hello, had been searching around a little bit and wasn't entirely sure what kind of wheels/slicks/drag radials I should go with so thought I would ask.

Basically I need more traction at the 1/4 mile track. I would like to get 2 wheels to replace the front with and get as much better traction as possible.

I was thinking that I would need 15" or 14" (will 14" wheels fit around the brake calipers?) and at least 7" wide wheels (will 7.5" fit?).

Once I find the rim I have no clue on what kind of tires to get. Would like some that I don't necissarily have to do a burn out to heat them up, but if I want a little better traction then have the ability to heat them up.

Was thinking of somekind of a tire that has at least 1 groove going down the center so its at least streat legal (but may suck to drive in weather, which I'm fine with).

I found these rims on ebay, seemed like a good price, though only problem is they are 17's which might be a bad choice?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rota-Slipstream-17-4x114-3-accord-prelude-240sx_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43957QQihZ002QQit emZ120263551187QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Found these which seemed good other than the fact that they are only 6.5" wide, but maybe they would still be a good choice?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-NEW-15x6-5-4x100-4x114-3-MBMotoring-Five-X-Wheel-Rim_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43955QQihZ024QQitem Z370051846267QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I found these which seemed good, but the offset is 38, and I thought for 7" wide rims the offset should be between 40 and 45?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-NEW-15x7-4x100-4x114-3-MBMotoring-Drifter-Wheels-Rims_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43955QQihZ024QQite mZ370051846208QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Also these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15-x7-1-New-MB-Drifter-Wheel-Rim-4x100-4x114-3-15x7_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el126 2QQcategoryZ43955QQihZ017QQitemZ270234869628QQtcZp hoto

SO when it comes to buying tires, do I just want to go to a big'o'tires or something and buy the tires through them, or buy some off ebay? I was a little confused on the numbers, for example 195/50, is the first number the diameter and the second number the width? Or is the first number the width, and the second number the ratio? How do you know what ratio to go with?What would be a good choice for a 15" wheel that is 6.5" or 7" wide? To get the best traction that is, because I will run them at very low psi.
I found these for example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Two-15-BF-Goodrich-Drag-Radials_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66473QQihZ020QQ itemZ300225599978QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Also found these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-225-45-17-BFGoodrich-Drag-Radial-Tires-Heat-Cycled_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66475QQihZ023QQi temZ360053296251QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

So anyways yeah if anyone can give me some advice I'd greatly appreaciate it!

[KeWLKaT]

First number is the width in millimeters, and the second one is the ratio of the first one that constitutes the height of the sidewall.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

For a drag radial, you want a lot of sidewall. The softer sidewall will flex, absorbing the shock off the line. The fat, wide slick area with the really sticky compounds will bite and off you go. A 17" wheel/DR is a bad idea IMO. Stick with a 14 or 15.

To elaborate on felix's 195mm width and 50 is 50% of the width is the sidewall.

[KeWLKaT]

And very minimal tire pressure aswell so you can have even more flex ;)

[Mahonroy]

So for example lets say I have a 7" wide rim which is 178mm wide. And lets say I have a tire thats 200/50. Does that meen that 50mm is the thickness of the sidewall and the tire would only be 100mm wide? (because 50+50+100 = 200) So for a tire to fit on a 178mm wide rim properly with a 50%, I would need a 356/50 (because 89 + 89 + 178 = 365, and the 178 matches the 178mm wide tire?

[KeWLKaT]

No, 200/50 would mean the tire is 200mm thick, and the sidewall is 100mm tall.

[Mahonroy]

Ok so how about this combination for example, will this work and is this decent price or is it on the expensive side?

Rim (2 of them for a total of $196):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15-x7-1-New-MB-Drifter-Wheel-Rim-4x100-4x114-3-15x7_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el126 2QQcategoryZ43955QQihZ017QQitemZ270234869628QQtcZp hoto

Rim spacer (5mm) to get the offset from 38 to 43 ($49 shipped):
http://www.fighters-garage.com/spacer.html

Tire ($257 shipped for both tires):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/205-50-15-2-BF-Goodrich-g-Force-T-A-Drag-Radial-Tires_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el12 47QQcategoryZ66473QQihZ018QQitemZ280223289608QQrdZ 1QQsspagenameZWD1V

So the grand total would be $502 for a set of new drag radials. Does this sound like a good price, and is this a good setup? How expensive is it to get the tires put onto the rim and be done? Thanks again!

[BobMs_wht2k2]

OK, first off rim spacers will take a 38mm offset wheel and make it a 33mm offset.

A 205/50 tire on a 15" wheel isn't going to rub, most likely it'll never come close. You're not auto-x'ing it so turning is not an issue./ Add in front end lift when you launch and you're only going to get MORE clearance.

I would think you'd want to fing a 225 width tire personally. If you really have enough power to require a DR, get the biggest tire. All your weight is on your drive wheels so take advantage of it.

[Mahonroy]

I found this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BFGoodrich-54003-Tire-G-Force-T-A-Drag-235-60R15_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el12 47QQcategoryZ66473QQihZ011QQitemZ320247300871QQrdZ 1QQsspagenameZWD1V

What about that? Only downside is it would add 100 bucks to the grand total

[Cypher]

get some 225/50 r15 bfg drag radials.

[Mahonroy]

Ok so how about this combination:

Rims ($75 each, total $150:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15x7-Sacchi-212-Wheel-Rim-s-4-114-3-4x114-3-4x4-5-15_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247Q QcategoryZ43955QQihZ005QQitemZ150193898407QQrdZ1QQ sspagenameZWD1V

Tires: ($132 each, total $264)
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BFG%2D49256&N=700+4294793325+115&autoview=sku

So this would be a 15x7 wheel, 40mm offset which is good right? Also the 225/50 BFGoodrich drag radial all totalling $414. Does this work? How much does it cost to get the tires mounted and ready to use? Thanks again for all the advice!

[Gomez]

Ok so how about this combination:

Rims ($75 each, total $150:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15x7-Sacchi-212-Wheel-Rim-s-4-114-3-4x114-3-4x4-5-15_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247Q QcategoryZ43955QQihZ005QQitemZ150193898407QQrdZ1QQ sspagenameZWD1V

Tires: ($132 each, total $264)
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BFG%2D49256&N=700+4294793325+115&autoview=sku

So this would be a 15x7 wheel, 40mm offset which is good right? Also the 225/50 BFGoodrich drag radial all totalling $414. Does this work? How much does it cost to get the tires mounted and ready to use? Thanks again for all the advice!

I've had it done for $25 a rim/tire. Some places probably do it cheaper.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Remember weight matters in drag racing almost more than any other racing. You are going to want to find the lightest wheel you can. Something like a 9-10lb 15" wheel.

[slow 2K2GT]

get some 225/50 r15 bfg drag radials.

couldnt agree more. You can find some Mickey Thompsons that are legal DOT for a little cheaper though.

[Mahonroy]

I basically just picked the cheapest rim I could find that meat the requirements of 15" and 7" wide. Plus its aluminum so it can't weigh all that much. I sent the seller a question asking him how much each rim weighs.

He said those rims weigh 16lbs each, so that should do.

So with those rims and tire size, I shouldn't have any fitment issues or rubbing, etc. right? I should be good to go?

(sorry this automerge thing duplicated a post)

[Silentwolf]

Ya unless ur spending mad money for a rim its hard to get lightweight.
I personally was just gonna use the stock steelies with a 205/50 15 So i'll be undersized to help gearing for acceleration.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Here's a very good option: http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=CD565411440BSATML&wheelMake=Sport+Edition&wheelModel=CD&wheelFinish=Bright+Satin+w%2FMachined+Lip&showRear=no&autoMake=Hyundai&autoModel=Elantra+GT+Sedan&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=&filterSize=15&filterFinish=All&filterSpecial=false&filterBrand=All&filterNew=All&sort=Brand

$85 each 15lbs and another $12/ wheel shipping.

[Ugzz]

i was gonna say 16lb for a 15 seemed heavy for aftermarket lighter weight. i mean my enkei 16s are just over 16lb. so i would think a 15 would/could be less weight in a fair price range.

[Cypher]

My 15s weigh in at 12lbs a piece. :cool:

[evan938]

nippon type c are 12lb for 15's, and at 6.5" wide, you could probably fit a 225 on them...15-16 pounds for a 15" wheel is way too heavy

as for the guy who pays 25$ per wheel/tire to get mounted/balanced, youre nuts. ive said it before...find a local car forum, and theres always guys at shops who will do that **** on their breaks for cheap. i got one guy who does it for 5$ per wheel/tire (remove one tire, mount new one), and another guy who switched tires from one set of wheels to another and vice versa for 20$...i just had to drive a bit further to him...saved 20$ though

[Cypher]

aside from your set, I haven't been able to find a set of nippons in our bolt pattern. Maybe I just never looked hard enough.

[evan938]

gotta email the ebay sellers. they only list the 4x100 for some gay reason

[Silentwolf]

Why not just use the stock steelies??

[Mahonroy]

The stock wheels aren't very wide at all, and I don't have 2 spares. Would probably cost about the same to get my hands on some used stock wheels compared to new wheels that are much wider

[Silentwolf]

Gotcha.

Aren't the steelies 6.5?

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Steelies are 5.5, aluminum are 6.

[silet]

Here's a very good option: http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=CD565411440BSATML&wheelMake=Sport+Edition&wheelModel=CD&wheelFinish=Bright+Satin+w%2FMachined+Lip&showRear=no&autoMake=Hyundai&autoModel=Elantra+GT+Sedan&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=&filterSize=15&filterFinish=All&filterSpecial=false&filterBrand=All&filterNew=All&sort=Brand

$85 each 15lbs and another $12/ wheel shipping.

Bob, I just got those for the Integra, with BFG g-sports 215/50/15. The rims are backordered to the 16th of June.

For drag racing you'll want as small diameter as possible for the drive wheels. Stay below the stock 24" diameter.

[Mahonroy]

The really low tire pressure should make for a smaller diameter tire

[BobMs_wht2k2]

No, the diameter stays the same, just more of it touches the pavement at once.

[Mahonroy]

The circumference stays the same, but the diameter is deffinetly reduced

[BobMs_wht2k2]

OK, say a tire is 30 inches in circumfirence. The tire has to roll 30" for one revolution. Whether it had 5 lbs of air or 40. It's still 30" around. The point of low tire pressure is to allow the sidewall to flex and the tread contact patch to cover as much area as possible. Gearing is NOT affected by air pressure.

[Silentwolf]

Steelies are 6-6.5 inches wide based on rough measurement.