I am in need of some summer/strip tires. I have all seasons on now and well... they suck and spin all over the place. I am launching at 6500 and am making 455whp and more soon. I dont think any dd tire will support this but I dont have money to beef up drivetrain until next year.

I was looking into the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. From what I have read they are a great tire. Any chance these will grab good on the track for my setup? If anyone has other good tires let me know. My car is on Tein lowering springs so I am not sure on what size tire I can run. I was thinking a 255/40/17 If that will fit. I am on the stock Evo 8 rims. If thoes will not fit what would be the best fitment, and will I be needing any spacers or anything like that?

Thanks

 

I would get something with a softer sidewall and stick to OE sizing. Softer sidewall will help with getting traction off the line and OE sizing will: 1. lighter, 2. better for gearing -- 255/40s are shorter and will decrease the MPH you can achieve in 4th gear.

 

bf goodrich kdw2.....i got the on some 5zigen fnor1c 17x8 rims 245/40/17 and the hotter they get the better they stick to me

 

So I would be better off with a 235/45/17? I am also looking at the bridgestone potenza RE-11's but after searching did not see anything about them. How do you find out sidewall stiffness (flame suit). Im not looking to break the bank. Is the dunlop good for its price or are there better around that same price.

 

The RE11 is the same as the Z1, NT05, etc -- really more of a road race tire than drag.

Generally, an Extreme Summer tire is going to be stiffer than say an All-Season tire. Also, the lower the sidewall the stiffer it will be. So a 235/40 will be stiffer than a 235/45.

Some like to use the load index -- higher the number = stiffer sidewall.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=35

Rim width, tire ratings (load/height), type of tire -- all go into stiffness.

ALSO -- I missed the bit on the Tein springs. Those also hurt your launching. Very soft rates and very low - you might have too much weight transfer to the rear. Pulling your front up and causing those tires to get less traction. And there is not very much travel at all for the weight to transfer to in the rear.

Check out these: Nitto NT555R Extreme -- my brothers friends (Z28/Firebird guys) run them as a DOT drag tire.

 

Thanks SmikeEvo for helping out.

 

I'd also look at the Z1 or new RE-11's for summer/track use. KDW2's if you were looking for a tad more longevity, but you'll sacrifice some handling. Sumitomo HTR Z-III's would be a pretty good dd as well.

 

Truth be told..... wider tires don't really help drag racing much unless you are on an uneven surface, sand, or spin the crap out of them to make them sticky. In fact they may even shave MPH off the trap speed.

I would stick with a stock width tire that provides alot of grip. I've heard very good things about drag radials but if I was serious about drag racing I would put a set of 7" motorcycle slicks on an extra set of factory rims. The added stick, soft sidewall, and taller gearing tends to provide quicker short times, less drivetrain shock, and a better MPH.