Best 18" Drag Radial for "me"

Rob04Mach1

Rob04Mach1

Well-Known Member
#1
#1
Unfortunately due to the fact that my Cobra has 6 piston front and 4 piston rear calipers with 13" & 12" rotors I'm basically stuck with 18" rims.
So I have another set of 18x10 Chrome Saleens on the way and I want to get some REAL Drag Radials for the rear (which have to double as Track Tires should I decide to have some fun on the 1320).

I currently have Brand New 305/35/18 Nitto NT555R's but they suck monkey ass for traction so I'll probably sell them while they're new with my current 18x10 Chrome Saleens or just keep them as my winter tires & rims.

I've had luck with 15" Mickey Thompson ET Street Drag Radials before and will most likely go with them in 18" when I save a few more bucks. I know the 18" would be as good so going taller is a must for them to hook and of course wider. So here's the question...

I have a 8.8 SRA Rear (3.73 Gears, Eaton Posi, Moser 31 Spline Axles) that's 3/4" shorter on each side than the orig irc was. So they used 1" billet aluminum spacers behind the rear rims (for flush offset).

So that tells me I can go another 1-1/2" wider and remove the spacer providing I have enough room on the inside, which I think I do. (when the snow melts I'll get under and measure)

So do you think in my case I could fit 345/35/18 ???
They would be 1.1 " Taller and 1.57" Wider than what I have now.




I have my doubts about being able to go 1.1" taller but I guess when you cut that in half it should fit



All indications I have so far are there is plenty of room inside
Yes the inside of my rim is bent, I never knew it until I saw the pic's I took and it doesnt effect anything but it was another reason I bought a new set of rims





amof it actually looks like I can keep the spacer and let the rubber come out another 3/4" on each side. This pic is looking straight down the wheel well to the floor (you cant even see the tire as it is now)



Opinions, options, suggestions ???
 
Timspony

Timspony

Capital District Coordinator / Super Moderator
NYM Staff
#3
#3
Hard to judge a tire in this weather!! ... Those Nitto's will hook when we the some heat in the pavement!

... and from my experience the Nitto 555R is the best all-around street DR! :)
 
Rob04Mach1

Rob04Mach1

Well-Known Member
#4
#4
Thanks Glue Eyes thats exactly the info I need to hear BEFORE I decide and buy new tires :awesomework:

I actually thought about the Hoosiers (and I'm partial to them)


The problem is I ruled them out because they only have offer 315/30/18 & 335/30/18 and both are to short

The 315's are a full inch shorter than what I currently have and the 335's are a half inch shorter. Usually I would go to a smaller wheel taller tires but since I dont have that choice I at least want to go taller so I dont end up with a low profile slick with no give. If you dont have any side wall they cant do what they suppose to do and wont hook worth a shit. I clearly have enough power to go an 1-1/2" taller and a 1-1/2" wider, my current tires are 26.41 x 12.01

On my 9 sec L I used 30 x 13-1/2 tires on the street but this Cobra has a MUCH HIGHER Power To Weight Ratio and is 10 times worse for traction.
I dont think I can get way with 30" tall tires so I'm thinking 27-1/2" - 28" Tall is where I should go and that should be a HUGE DIFFERENCE compared to what I currently have.

The best choice may end up being 315/40/18, 27.92 x 12.4
or 305/45/18 28.81 x 12.01
I would almost try the new Nitto NT-05 R but I've had such terrible luck with 555R's in the past on numerous Lightning's and now the Cobra that I'm afraid it would be another useless set of tires, although they look pretty cool...

Tim, I've had 555R's on 3 Lightnings and I'm sorry but they were just useless to me, even in the heat of the summer and even after smoking the shit out of them. I guess to their defense the L's do have insane low end tq but I've roasted these on the Cobra on 50 degree days and it's still like driving on ice. I know it'll get better in the heat (I go through this every year :p ) but I also know there is no way in hell I can race on them so I am going to have two sets of rear rims and tires and the new tires need to be better than what I currently have. TALLER & WIDER is clearly the move, maybe I'll give the new NT-05 R's a shot, they're cheap enough...
 
Glueyes

Glueyes

Member Plus
#5
#5
I drove my car cobra in cold weather and with 627 to the wheels the car would slighlty spin them in first and go..But i also had drag suspension on the car 90/10 lakewoods up front and adjustables in the rear and i had the IRS...The only good thing nittos do is hold air,there useless when it comes to high hp cars,just my 02...Personally Rob your better of trying to find a 17" wheels that will fit your car,your tire options are very limited with 18's and i personally think anything over a 35 profile on an 18 wheel will look stupid and probably rub
 
Timspony

Timspony

Capital District Coordinator / Super Moderator
NYM Staff
#6
#6
I'm not sure you can compare the same tire on a Cobra & Lighting because of difference in weight and weight transfer....I agree with Nick ^^^ High HP cars are going to have more traction problems and 17" wheels have more options!

I recently purchased a set of 16" Centerline wheels with MT ET Streets all mounted up for track use!

Nitto's DO need a little heat in them!
 
Rob04Mach1

Rob04Mach1

Well-Known Member
#7
#7
More great feedback THANKS :awesomework:
Glue Eyes what size tire are you running ???

And believe me at this point I would love to find a smaller rim to fit, hell I'd even consider trying to find stock rear calipers and rotors but with the 8.8 rear I dont know whats involved.

In my case I think I can get away with the 13-1/2" wide tires because my rear is shorter that the irs but maybe I should just settle for a little taller,
a little wider, and NOT Nitto's. Thats 3 things THAT WILL help :p

Although the new rear rims will be here soon I have to wait a couple of weeks to get my tax $ back so I'll keep hunting (and asking questions if need be) THANKS GUYS :headbang:
 
N

NYstang

Well-Known Member
#8
#8
Rob_03Cobra said:
More great feedback THANKS :awesomework:
Glue Eyes what size tire are you running ???

And believe me at this point I would love to find a smaller rim to fit, hell I'd even consider trying to find stock rear calipers and rotors but with the 8.8 rear I dont know whats involved.

In my case I think I can get away with the 13-1/2" wide tires because my rear is shorter that the irs but maybe I should just settle for a little taller,
a little wider, and NOT Nitto's. Thats 3 things THAT WILL help :p

Although the new rear rims will be here soon I have to wait a couple of weeks to get my tax $ back so I'll keep hunting (and asking questions if need be) THANKS GUYS :headbang:
Click to expand...

rotors, caliper brackets, pads, calipers. I dont believe that they use different lines when the rear size changes
 
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