Drag Radials: Get 'em hot? or just dust 'em off??

[acatlover13]

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I've searched through about 5 pages of search categories and can't really find what I'm looking for, so.....


Those of you running DRs....do you go through the waterbox and do a good burnout to get them hot, or do you just do enough to get the dirt off?

I've tried both ways, but still seem to have traction issues. I don't have any wheel hop anymore....just a nice long wheel spin. LOL

Perhaps I'm just launching wrong, but I've tried everything I can think of, so any suggestions along those lines would be appreciated too.

[mikepage0007]

i have read many posts on this...there was a good article i posted back on this from super chevy or something like this where they compared the nt05 to the mt dr....the mt is softer and hooks easier with approx 18lbs air..the nt05 was more difficult to dial in but worked as well or better than mt on same car , same runs...both required a nice approx 5 second burnout with good solid smoke from tires, without over doing it..so imagine sitting in car starting burnout, counting 1-1000, 2-1000 and so on...you prob are not getting tires hot enough...also the nt05 needed approx 16lbs of air to hook properly.. i will post article.. hope this helps,,http://superchevy.automotive.com/134...est/index.html

[ROD1]

Yes heat em up. On a v6, if your running an auto trani, you want to to get on and off the gas 3 or 4 times and roll forward a bit as you do the burnout in an effort to make sure you get both tires heated due to our differential. Hit the gas, then roll forward get off the gas....repeat.

[acatlover13]

Thanks Mike! Guess I should mention that I'm running Nitto 555Rs, They didn't have the nt05 available in the 20" rims when I ordered

[JZM2ss]

I spin tires over in the water box then pull up and do a good burnout. I only run about 22psi in the tires and they hook up everytime.

[jrpxxii]

I ran the Nitto 555 and ran them at 18lbs and yes definitely heat them. I ran them til I saw smoke rolling and rolled out and they will hook.

[acatlover13]

Gonna give the big smoky burn out a try this weekend. There must be a very fine line between "just enough" and "too much" burnout, because I've tried it many different ways. Sometimes I hook, and then on the next pass....doing exactly the same thing...I spin. Go figure.

[GRSCAMARO]

It is my first time with DR's. I also have Nitto 555R's. I will be looking for the fine line Saturday too!

[RickyTheStorm]

I run the NT555Rs and let me tell you it is complicated sometimes, especially on track conditions.

What I have found works best for me is on your first run or any cold run, let them rip! Get the smoke rolling and once done spin through the box and then stage up. You may over do it the first time, but the consecutive runs will require less warm up (tires are already warm).

Also - the best way to determine if you warmed them up right is when you let out if you hear loud screeching you have warmed them up pretty much perfect. That is when the tire is grabbing as you are spinning to get up to the staging area. You will also feel them bite hard when they do hook, so be prepared for that, don't run over the techs!

If I had to put time on it, I would say the first time I warm up cold tires I spin for probably 5 or 6 seconds after first signs of smoke. All consecutive times I spin around 2-3 seconds after seeing smoke from my side mirrors. It is all just by feel and what you see though - track conditions are always different, same with tire conditions.

I run 18 PSI in mine where I get my best 60's. Do not run too much lower, I was spinning on the rim at 14 PSI and my 60's were horrible. I can't remember how I did when I was up in the 20 PSI range, I may have to try that again lol.

BTW though, I typically run 1.87-1.91 60'. Only one day did I ever run 1.7x 60's. So my procedure may be wrong, but when asking experienced racers they always say to listen for that nice loud screeching when you are pushing through your burn out (not during).

Also - get a Line Lock! I love mine. Flip the switch, burn and just flip it off when I am ready, then I burn through and then stage up. No I do not use the line lock on the line, I have seen no gains in doing that.

[FloMoCamaro]

I am running MT 305/45/18 DR's - I usually heat the tire up for 5 to 6 seconds before each run. Here is a video from inside the car - hope it helps:

[nuptualnemesis]

Smokm. Power brake at different rpms and roll into it, don't stomp the gas. Lower rpm and/or roll in slower until they hook.

[GQ4Life]

Well Drag radials arent the answer to everything. They still can spin if you pop the clutch and gun it..
I usually run 20psi for a 1.8 but launching too hard but doesnt spin..
I been meaning to launch harder and trying to lower psi if I spin. I have been told by people 16 to 18psi in a drag radial is a good starting psi. But Im a little worried about going too low because remember this camaro is a very heavy car. I think 18 to 20psi should be good.. but I am no pro.. not even close..
Find guy in 1/4 mile list running drag radials getting 1.70 or faster 60ft

[mikepage0007]

started with 20, ran a 11.7 @ 123....dropped to 18 and ran 11.7 @ 117...still practicing and learning to get them hot..

[Gbusy06]

Drive around the waterbox then back in. Heat them good. I cut 1.66s on my 60fts. I run 18lbs of air. I am consistently in the 1.66-1.70 range. I do have a converter.