But RA-1s are R-compounds. They are not drag radials and are not good for launching due to the stiffer sidewall. Are you using R-compounds on purpose? It's a great auto-x tire, but I don't think it will work better than Advans at the drag strip.

Thoughts?

 

Shep used to run the ra1 tires instead of drag radials a few years ago when he was going mid 9's. around 2002 I belive. At the time they were excelent for dragracing compared to the nitto 555 DR. I don't think the RA1 work as poorly as most autox R compound tires do.

but, I concur, doubtfull that they are significantly better than the stock advans.

 

NICE TIMES! THats what im trying to run in the next 2 weeks or so...
Congrats on them times man!

 

I do remember reading several other posts on DSM forums about the RA-1s being pretty good at lower pressure. I am really looking for something that can do double duty AutoX and drag. The most extreme all around tire. I would definitely rather sacrifice a little time on my 60' though as handling is of the upmost importance. The RA-1's seem like they could bump it up a notch over the Advans in both areas.

 

I agree, I run 255/40-17 ao32r Yoko's for auto-x and sometimes I'll try
launching hard and I just get wheel-hop. They're just way to sticky!

 

Wheel hop would be bad. Anyone else tried R compounds and got wheel hop? Could the stiff sidewall contribute to the possiblity of wheel hop?

 

Forgot to mention I run 47 in front and 42 in rear.

 

I autocross and hillclimb so these tires are great all around. They work very good at the track. Just lower the tire pressure. I plan on running 25f20r when I have the clutch installed.

 

On my Camaro, my 60 foots were about 0.2 better on the RA1s than on straight street tires and about .15 worse than a real drag tire..

 

I'm confused as to why you would want to run more pressure up front when weight transfer and the power split causes the fronts to break loose first. Wouldn't it be best to run the 20F and 25R? Could you please explain why you run the tire pressure that way?

 

weight transfers to the back when you launch. It dont really matter as much if the front spin. Also less drag while pushing the car down the track.

 

The better the fronts hook up the faster your 60's should be since the power split is a fixed ratio on the EVO. It would definitely be different if the power split transferred to the rear more than 50/50 when the front lost traction. I do agree that there is a diminishing return if you lower the tires to much and you will really start to lose some MPH. That point on my car seems to be about 24-25lbs. Up to that point I don't see my MPH drop much but do get better 60's. On my Eclipse I dropped about a tenth by getting Koni adjustable shocks and putting them to the stiffest setting in the rear although I still basically crushed them on the launch. They did help prevent the weight transfer and kept the fronts from spinning. I installed a rear strut bar in the Eclipse and had a 5pt cage too which also helps. I am thinking about doing the strut bar on the EVO and seeing if it also makes a difference. Even half a tenth or a quarter of one would be worth it and it would be better for AutoX too.

 

Who's the one cutting good 60fts. here, oh wait thats me. It works I dont know why.

 

No need to get defensive. I have also cut a few 1.6's and usually cut low 1.7's which I would also consider good and sounds like those are pretty close to what you are doing. I would say we both are cutting good 60's although you have more horsepower based on your trap speed so you should be cutting better 60's then me. The other variable here is the starting line at the tracks we are at. You might cut even better 60's by dropping your fronts down to around 24-25psi also, but I certainly wouldn't want to try to help you.

 

Sorry it was my b-day yesterday and my friends took me out and got me tore down. I was a little drunk when I was talking. Ill try your way and see if it helps me.