Optimal Tire Size for 18" Drag Rims - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

RamAir02 · 03-11-2010, 12:44 PM

I just picked up a pair of black 18x9.5 C6 Z06 rims for track duty. Now I need to figure out what drag radials I'm going with. I've narrowed it down to a few options (which obviously result in different diameters) and don't know which I should go with. I know there is some sort of calculator to see what my final drive ratio is with the tires, but I haven't seen it in a while.

Here's my options:

BFGoodrich g-Force T/A Drag Radial
-275/35R18 DIAMETER: 25.6
-295/35R18 DIAMETER: 26.2
-315/30R18 DIAMETER: 25.6

M&H Racemaster Drag Radials
-275/45R18 DIAMETER: 28.0
-325/40R18 DIAMETER: 28.0

Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial II
-265/40R18 DIAMETER: 26.5
-305/35R18 DIAMETER: 26.4
-305/45R18 DIAMETER: 28.8

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

Supercharged SS · 03-11-2010, 12:53 PM

I went with the M and H 275 and it's great. Closest to stock height as I could get.

RamAir02 · 03-11-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supercharged SS

I went with the M and H 275 and it's great. Closest to stock height as I could get.

But the whole reason I'm getting 18" wheels is so that I can run a smaller overall diameter tire. This will raise my final drive ratio (numerically) and give me better 60' times, effectively. I just don't know how short to go. I'm leaning towards the Mickey Thompson 305/35. What will that make my final drive ratio?

RamAir02 · 03-11-2010, 02:27 PM

I found that Nitto makes a 305/40R18 size in their NT555R Drag Radial. DIAMETER:27.72

That may be a good choice too. I just don't know what's best for drag racing or why, and how to calculate it.

BLWN SS · 03-11-2010, 08:18 PM

I would think a shorter sidewall would be stiffer and less desirable. I'm kind of stuck with that going with stock 20" rims. On our race car the MT ET Streets have a lot of sidewall to wrinkle, helps reduce the shock and plants the treads nice (1.23 60's).

mrray13 · 03-11-2010, 08:35 PM

Will those 18" wheels even fit over your Brembos? I thought that's why all SS cars came with 20" wheels? Just curious.

Nitto NT555R is on my friend's 486whp WRX, and he loves them. Will probably be the tire I go with if I need to go to a DR.

RamAir02 · 03-12-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrray13

Will those 18" wheels even fit over your Brembos? I thought that's why all SS cars came with 20" wheels? Just curious.

Nitto NT555R is on my friend's 486whp WRX, and he loves them. Will probably be the tire I go with if I need to go to a DR.

The 18x9.5 C6 Z06 wheels are the only wheel that fits without a spacer. C5 Z06 and regular C6 wheels work, but with a small spacer.

mrray13 · 03-13-2010, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamAir02

The 18x9.5 C6 Z06 wheels are the only wheel that fits without a spacer. C5 Z06 and regular C6 wheels work, but with a small spacer.

Aww..learn something everyday.

OrangeChevyII · 03-13-2010, 04:19 PM

I ran the 305/35 MT radial, thats your ticket. You need gear in that car, dont buy the same size tire height you have now. I've been 11.50's on the stock p zero tires......You wont regret the MT radials.

RamAir02 · 03-15-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeChevyII

I ran the 305/35 MT radial, thats your ticket. You need gear in that car, dont buy the same size tire height you have now. I've been 11.50's on the stock p zero tires......You wont regret the MT radials.

Thanks. Yeah I definitely want a shorter tire than stock. I'll go with the MT 305/35R18. Now I just need to find the best price. Those pups are f*ckin pricey!

tom692010 · 03-17-2010, 04:39 PM

I have 18" rims for my snow tires,but not all 18's will fit.

azburk · 03-22-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamAir02

I just picked up a pair of black 18x9.5 C6 Z06 rims for track duty. Now I need to figure out what drag radials I'm going with. I've narrowed it down to a few options (which obviously result in different diameters) and don't know which I should go with. I know there is some sort of calculator to see what my final drive ratio is with the tires, but I haven't seen it in a while.

Here's my options:

BFGoodrich g-Force T/A Drag Radial
-275/35R18 DIAMETER: 25.6
-295/35R18 DIAMETER: 26.2
-315/30R18 DIAMETER: 25.6

M&H Racemaster Drag Radials
-275/45R18 DIAMETER: 28.0
-325/40R18 DIAMETER: 28.0

Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial II
-265/40R18 DIAMETER: 26.5
-305/35R18 DIAMETER: 26.4
-305/45R18 DIAMETER: 28.8

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

What tire did you go with? Any pictures?

Thanks

nuptualnemesis · 03-23-2010, 12:21 PM

I went with a 295/45/17 Mickey Thompson ET Street. I had to grind a little off of the top of the caliper to fit the two piece SSR 17" rim. I think a one piece rim would have fit no problem but the two piece had a step in it.

The tire was 27' tall but my trap speed, 119.5 mph, remained the same as with 20" Nitto 555R same height as stock. The RPMs went from approximately 5100 rpm in fourth to 5500 rpm in fourth but had to accelerate longer in fourth and had to rev higher for same trap. I think the 25.+ inch height might increase trap speed but 27" tire may not. It might be different with gears, but I think these cars really need 4.30 or 4.50 to get a decent rpm in fourth in the 1/4. But a taller shoulder also helps to hook. Still waiting on some one to publish new quarter mile comparison with 4.10's.

The MT's did average .15 better sixty foot and .2 better ET on my only trip to the strip so far. The 11.79 that I posted was only a 116mph trap but I was working on the 60 foot and not shifting on the rev limiter. They do have a one inch taller shoulder than the Nitto 555R even though 1 1/2" shorter.

You might want to consider the new Nitto NT05R drag radial. Zero tread rating and super soft rubber. They have a 315/40/18 with 28" height and 285/40/18 with 27" height. M&FF article comparison compared old to new Nitto's .2 sec faster in 60'. Mustang ran 1.59 60'. Recent SuperChevy article they barely out performed same size MT.

I am trying to get Nitto to work with me on a back to back comparison test.

RamAir02 · 03-24-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azburk

What tire did you go with? Any pictures?

Thanks

I ended up ordering Nitto NT05R Drag Radials in 285/40R18. They're a little bit of a taller tire than I wanted to run, but is still 1.7 inches shorter than stock. Reviews on the NT05R seem to be great, which is why I chose them.

No matter what route you go, 18 inch drag radials are all $250+ a piece. :(

03-11-2010, 12:44 PM	#1
RamAir02 Shadow Gray '19 ZLE M6 Drives: '19 ZL1 1LE M6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 1,458 View My Garage	Optimal Tire Size for 18" Drag Rims I just picked up a pair of black 18x9.5 C6 Z06 rims for track duty. Now I need to figure out what drag radials I'm going with. I've narrowed it down to a few options (which obviously result in different diameters) and don't know which I should go with. I know there is some sort of calculator to see what my final drive ratio is with the tires, but I haven't seen it in a while. Here's my options: BFGoodrich g-Force T/A Drag Radial -275/35R18 DIAMETER: 25.6 -295/35R18 DIAMETER: 26.2 -315/30R18 DIAMETER: 25.6 M&H Racemaster Drag Radials -275/45R18 DIAMETER: 28.0 -325/40R18 DIAMETER: 28.0 Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial II -265/40R18 DIAMETER: 26.5 -305/35R18 DIAMETER: 26.4 -305/45R18 DIAMETER: 28.8 Any help is much appreciated. Thanks! __________________ 2019 ZL1 1LE \| M6 \| SGM \| PDR \| CF Dash \| Nav \| Wheel Locks PPF \| Paint Correction \| ZL1 Addons Rock Guards \| ZL1 Addons Lift Pads \| ZL1 Addons Feather Lite Tow Hook \| JWM Smoked Sidemarkers \| Wildhammer Smoked Rear Reflectors \| JWM License Plate LEDs \| RotoFab CAI \| ADM IC Reservoir v2 \| BC Forged RZ05 \| SPL Toe Arms \| BW Brake Deflectors \| CMS Roll Bar \| Schroth Profi II ASM Harnesses . Sold: '99 Trans Am (bolt-ons & cam) \| '00 WS6 (bolt-ons, heads, cam, 12 bolt) \| '05 CTS-V (bolt-ons, short throw) \| '10 SS/RS M6 (short throw, CAI, coilovers, LTs, catback, JRE tune) \| '01 WS6 YouTube Last edited by RamAir02; 03-11-2010 at 02:00 PM.

03-11-2010, 02:27 PM	#4
RamAir02 Shadow Gray '19 ZLE M6 Drives: '19 ZL1 1LE M6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 1,458 View My Garage	I found that Nitto makes a 305/40R18 size in their NT555R Drag Radial. DIAMETER:27.72 That may be a good choice too. I just don't know what's best for drag racing or why, and how to calculate it. __________________ 2019 ZL1 1LE \| M6 \| SGM \| PDR \| CF Dash \| Nav \| Wheel Locks PPF \| Paint Correction \| ZL1 Addons Rock Guards \| ZL1 Addons Lift Pads \| ZL1 Addons Feather Lite Tow Hook \| JWM Smoked Sidemarkers \| Wildhammer Smoked Rear Reflectors \| JWM License Plate LEDs \| RotoFab CAI \| ADM IC Reservoir v2 \| BC Forged RZ05 \| SPL Toe Arms \| BW Brake Deflectors \| CMS Roll Bar \| Schroth Profi II ASM Harnesses . Sold: '99 Trans Am (bolt-ons & cam) \| '00 WS6 (bolt-ons, heads, cam, 12 bolt) \| '05 CTS-V (bolt-ons, short throw) \| '10 SS/RS M6 (short throw, CAI, coilovers, LTs, catback, JRE tune) \| '01 WS6 YouTube

03-13-2010, 04:19 PM	#9
OrangeChevyII Drives: 2010 RS/SS2 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Forney Posts: 724	I ran the 305/35 MT radial, thats your ticket. You need gear in that car, dont buy the same size tire height you have now. I've been 11.50's on the stock p zero tires......You wont regret the MT radials. __________________ 2010 SS/RS SIM First to run 11's (11.83)on a stock long block. First to run 11's cam only First to run 11's all motor First to run 10's (10.96) and did it with a 100% bonestock long block and a power adder (nitrous) First to run 10's (10.55) on motor in 2010 Camaro First to break into the 5's (5.97) 1/8th mile First to cut a 1.5X sixty foot First to cut a 1.4x sixty foot First to car to cut a 1.3x 60ft

03-23-2010, 12:21 PM	#13
nuptualnemesis NuptualNemesis Drives: Silver 1SS M6 - 480hp 11.57/120.79 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, LA www.Divorcefor399.com Posts: 310 View My Garage	I went with a 295/45/17 Mickey Thompson ET Street. I had to grind a little off of the top of the caliper to fit the two piece SSR 17" rim. I think a one piece rim would have fit no problem but the two piece had a step in it. The tire was 27' tall but my trap speed, 119.5 mph, remained the same as with 20" Nitto 555R same height as stock. The RPMs went from approximately 5100 rpm in fourth to 5500 rpm in fourth but had to accelerate longer in fourth and had to rev higher for same trap. I think the 25.+ inch height might increase trap speed but 27" tire may not. It might be different with gears, but I think these cars really need 4.30 or 4.50 to get a decent rpm in fourth in the 1/4. But a taller shoulder also helps to hook. Still waiting on some one to publish new quarter mile comparison with 4.10's. The MT's did average .15 better sixty foot and .2 better ET on my only trip to the strip so far. The 11.79 that I posted was only a 116mph trap but I was working on the 60 foot and not shifting on the rev limiter. They do have a one inch taller shoulder than the Nitto 555R even though 1 1/2" shorter. You might want to consider the new Nitto NT05R drag radial. Zero tread rating and super soft rubber. They have a 315/40/18 with 28" height and 285/40/18 with 27" height. M&FF article comparison compared old to new Nitto's .2 sec faster in 60'. Mustang ran 1.59 60'. Recent SuperChevy article they barely out performed same size MT. I am trying to get Nitto to work with me on a back to back comparison test. Last edited by nuptualnemesis; 03-25-2010 at 11:17 AM.

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03-11-2010, 12:53 PM	#2
Supercharged SS Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 11,926	I went with the M and H 275 and it's great. Closest to stock height as I could get.

03-11-2010, 08:18 PM	#5
BLWN SS Drives: Orange SS/RS W/ White Stripes Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 252	I would think a shorter sidewall would be stiffer and less desirable. I'm kind of stuck with that going with stock 20" rims. On our race car the MT ET Streets have a lot of sidewall to wrinkle, helps reduce the shock and plants the treads nice (1.23 60's).

03-11-2010, 08:35 PM	#6
mrray13 Drives: 2010 1LT RS Rally Yellow Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: southern Illinois Posts: 2,973	Will those 18" wheels even fit over your Brembos? I thought that's why all SS cars came with 20" wheels? Just curious. Nitto NT555R is on my friend's 486whp WRX, and he loves them. Will probably be the tire I go with if I need to go to a DR.

03-17-2010, 04:39 PM	#11
tom692010 Account Suspended Drives: 4 wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Here Posts: 1,402	I have 18" rims for my snow tires,but not all 18's will fit.