NITTO Drag Radials on a 1988 Coupe

[afree]

I have done quite a few modifications to my 88 Coupe to improve horspower and performance but have been plagued with one problem throughout the entire process. I can't stick the rubber to the pavement. The car runs great but wheel spin is a real problem. My main concern is straight line performance but I don't want to completely sacrifice cornering capabilities as this can be a nice adrenaline rush when the opportunity presents itself.
A friend of mine suggested that I change over to some NITTO drag radials ( I currently run Goodyears similiar to what came on the car, 255/50ZR16 99W).
Two questions
1. Has anyone had any experience with the NITTO drag radials, and if so what did you think?
2. What is the largest width tire I can fit into my 88 Coupe wheel well? I currently run 16 inch rims.

 

[FourAndAHalf]

i think 255 is the highest on the stock rim....

 

[Ken]

I hear Nittos are good way to go for drag tires, but I will be running the M/T ET Streets on mine though. Just a matter of personal preference I guess.

Mine are sized at 26x10.50x16, which gives me a footprint of about 9 to 9-1/2" and does not stick out past the edge of the fender. Just make sure the offset/backspacing is correct for your vehicle and that you won't rub anything on the inside.

Keep in mind that the drag radials are not meant for the twisties, I hope you know that.

 

[Mad-Mic]

if you want to go in the twisties get the BF Goodrich Drag Radial. standard 40 psi lets you go in the twisties and if you want to lower it for the drag strip you can go down to 15 psi if you want.

a friend of mine runs the NITTO's on the stock 16" rim and to me it looks like the side wall is too flimsy to run the twisties. thats why i say go for the BFG DR instead. 255/50/16's i think is the size. they do make a 295/50/16 i think but i'm not sure if that will fit your stock rim.

 

[Ken]

You really should err on the safe side though Mic; the slicks are designed for straight-line acceleration, and moderate street use. No way will you find the manufacturer, not BG Goodrich nor any of the others, state that the street radial will work on a road course.

_ken

 

[RedRagTop]

The 88 was the first year to come with 17 inch rims and P275 tires offering "vastly improved traction and road-holding ability" but only came if you ordered the Z51 or Z52 handling package. That said, I see no reason you could not step up to that tire size and rim and thus expand your options. Mine spins easily even with these tires, though.

 

[sothpaw]

tire wear

I am in the same boat as you are, I want less wheel spin at the drags.

If you go with drag radials though, they won't last too long in street driving, maybe 6-8 k miles. And, I'd be very afraid of them in the rain, especially when the tread is gone.

What some do is bring the tires with them and change at the track or at home right before.

I personally was considering a more expensive street tire, like a Michelin Pilot. Ken, How do you think that will compare to the Nitto DR?

 

[afree]

RJSROCKET,
My car did come equipped with the 17 inch rims and the handling package. Unfortunately the previous owner seemed to favor looks over performance and changed over to 16 inch rims (which I do admit look good). I wish I could have acquired the original wheels in the deal but they were long gone. So for the moment I have to do what I can with the 16 inch rims until I can gather enough resources to go for a complete wheel and tire upgrade. Thanks for the advice.

 

[RedRagTop]

No probs. You figure the 16 inchers look better than the 17's?

 

[afree]

RJSROCKET -
I would not say that the 16 inchers look better than other aftermarket 17 inchers but I would go out on a limb and say I prefer the design of the 16 inch rims as opposed to the design of the original rims that came on the car.
I guess back in the late eighties (when the change was made) 17 inch rims may not have been as prolific as they are today and I would imagine cost was a factor as well (significantly higher for the 17 as opposed to the more common 16 at that time.)

 

[RedRagTop]

I just meant that in my sig pic in the post above you can see the factory original 17's on my car. Did the 16's have the same pattern?
I actually prefer the older sawblade design to the newer, solid ring ones from the early 90's

 

[afree]

RJSROCKET -
I'll post a pic and let you be the judge...I just have to figure out a way to lower the size of my images without screwing up the quality too bad.
But to answer the question: the design I have on the 16 inch is completely different than the stock rims...although I believe rims similiar to the type I now have were used on some Corvettes but I can't recall the year.

 

[Edmond]

You really should err on the safe side though Mic; the slicks are designed for straight-line acceleration, and moderate street use. No way will you find the manufacturer, not BG Goodrich nor any of the others, state that the street radial will work on a road course.

_ken

Ken, that's why he's Mad-Mic!:L:L:L

Ever since I put my Firestone SZ-50's on last fall, I haven't had a traction problem in dry or wet weather.

 

[afree]

Rims

RJSROCKET and others-
Finally got around to reducing the size of a couple of pics of my rims. The attached pic is before the final polishing with the resto kit. At this point all clear coat had been removed and I later removed them from the car and did the final polish.
With the color of my car and the engine mods I prefer the polished metal look as opposed to chrome. But hey that's just me.

If anyone would like a closer look at the engine after several mods let me know I will start a new thread and attach some pics.
I have heard some guys ask about things like the smog pump eliminator and how it looks and holds up. I will be glad to post some pics. It looks great and really cleans up the engine compartment. I also spent some time and did some detail work on the fuel rails and wiring. It all adds up to make for a nice presentation when you open the hood at the local club meets.

I should add even though it looks great...it actually runs very good as well. Not all show and no go...

 

[Mad-Mic]

You really should err on the safe side though Mic; the slicks are designed for straight-line acceleration, and moderate street use. No way will you find the manufacturer, not BG Goodrich nor any of the others, state that the street radial will work on a road course.

_ken

your right but the sidewall is alot more stiff than the Nitto's from what i have seen.

 

[Mad-Mic]

i'm gonna go with the F1 good year tire next. at 180 bucks for 285/40/17's i think that is a good deal! i also heard from one of the members hear that did a road test said they were better than the michelin pilots. BTW the michelin pilots cost about 350 per tire! :eek

 

[Edmond]

i'm gonna go with the F1 good year tire next. at 180 bucks for 285/40/17's i think that is a good deal! i also heard from one of the members hear that did a road test said they were better than the michelin pilots. BTW the michelin pilots cost about 350 per tire! :eek

Mic,

The GY's on my Toyota didn't even hold up for 1 1/2 years and that's on a Camry. I personally think GY's are overhyped because they come stock from the factory and I'm sure GM gets paid to endorse them. I thought about going with GY's last fall but after reading on the Firestone SZ50's, I went with the Firestones and have been pleased ever since.

 

[RedRagTop]

afree; Didn't realize you were talking about aftermarket rims. The engine looks good though...

 

[Mad-Mic]

Mic,

The GY's on my Toyota didn't even hold up for 1 1/2 years and that's on a Camry. I personally think GY's are overhyped because they come stock from the factory and I'm sure GM gets paid to endorse them. I thought about going with GY's last fall but after reading on the Firestone SZ50's, I went with the Firestones and have been pleased ever since.

GY's?

Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (Max Performance Summer)
Size:285/40-17
YR Speed Rated Price: $188 Special Offer
Estimated Availability: In Stock

Write up on All Max Performance Summer Tires

Write up on F1's