Guys running DRs

[RichV]

Just got a set of Nitto 555R DRs. Anyone have any suggestions/experience with heating these up? I have NEVER run any kind of slick or DR so I am a noob.

Any suggestions on tire pressures, wet/dry burnout, or if I should back or roll thru the burnout box (not to get the fronts wet).

Thanks, Rich.

[QTRMILE]

Just got a set of Nitto 555R DRs. Anyone have any suggestions/experience with heating these up? I have NEVER run any kind of slick or DR so I am a noob.

Any suggestions on tire pressures, wet/dry burnout, or if I should back or roll thru the burnout box (not to get the fronts wet).

Thanks, Rich.

You probably won't gain anything huge by airing them down a ton, so stay a bit high with them at first. Drive around the waterbox, then back up to the edge of the waterbox. Do a good GOOD smokey burnout. Those tires have to be hot hot. Do NOT dry hop. It'll take some practice with pedal modulation and launch RPM to get it out of the hole well. I wouldn't be afraid to launch upwards of 3500 or 4000 rpm. If it blows the tires away, lower the rpm until it sticks. Then maybe lower the tire pressure a bit and raise the launch RPM. I've seen guys have them work at 18 psi, while others had them working at 12 psi. What seemed to work for one didn't for the other. So just test, test test :)

[StangBoy]

a friend of mine launches is 98 GT from 5k on nittos 8O

[evlgt85]

I've never run the Nittos, I went straight for the BFGs. I had the 235-60-15s, started at 15psi and went down from there. 12psi was the magic number for me. Croke has the 275-40-17s and runs them that low with good results as well.

[Evil86lx]

Just got a set of Nitto 555R DRs. Anyone have any suggestions/experience with heating these up? I have NEVER run any kind of slick or DR so I am a noob.

Any suggestions on tire pressures, wet/dry burnout, or if I should back or roll thru the burnout box (not to get the fronts wet).

Thanks, Rich.

That turd aint gonna need and DR's. sheesh :P

kyle

[BetterDays]

Brother ran Nitto's on his notch.. eh, driver error.

Buddy runs them on his Cobra. pulls great off the line...
Can't remember his 60' off-hand....

[anthonydalrymple]

Drag radials have thier place in the world.... Just make sure they are twice as big as a comparable slick! Say, for instance, you can run a 26x8.5x15" slick to hook up for 1.7 60ft short times with 300hp. To get anywhere near that with a Nitto drag radial? You'd have to have the 275\50\15 Nitto at a minimum, roll the fenderwell lip, & be happy with the 1.8 60 ft short times..... Question is; what are you willing to live with & be happy with.... Nothing beats slicks period, hands down, etc.

[MA84LX]

The Nitto's are a decent tire for all round duty. I ran 245/50 on my Pony rims and cut some 1.8x sixty foot with an AOD and 3.55's, before the blower. I ran about 16#'s of pressure and did like mentioned above about the water box. Drove around it, back into the edge and lit them up. Here are a couple Nitto burnouts when i ran them,,,,
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/400000-400999/400797_8_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/400000-400999/400797_83_full.jpg

But I will tell ya the Mickey thompason are the SH!T!!!! On the 275/40/17 with 15#'s of pressure I cut a 1.62(best) on them. And that is leavung the line and flashing the converter. The Mickeys don't need that big of a burnout it seems. I heat them up for about 5 seconds compared to doubles+ for the Nitto's..
Here is a burnout fo teh Mickey's...
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/400000-400999/400797_116_full.jpg

[QTRMILE]

The MT drag radials require no burnout. Clean them off, stage, go.

[evlgt85]

Drag radials have thier place in the world.... Just make sure they are twice as big as a comparable slick! Say, for instance, you can run a 26x8.5x15" slick to hook up for 1.7 60ft short times with 300hp. To get anywhere near that with a Nitto drag radial? You'd have to have the 275\50\15 Nitto at a minimum, roll the fenderwell lip, & be happy with the 1.8 60 ft short times..... Question is; what are you willing to live with & be happy with.... Nothing beats slicks period, hands down, etc.

Please do not lump Nittos in with the other DRs. Nittos are very good compromises, but BFGs and M/Ts are without a doubt stickier and generally show much better results than the Nittos. I'm sure Nitto has got something planned, if not started already, to try and gain some ground..

I got 1.80 60s on 235-60-15s( mind you, I head to the track less than once a year, so 1.7Xs were VERY likely with practice) , Mike Croke gets low 1.7s to 1.70s on 275-40-17s, we've got another guy in his 86 'vert that gets sub 1.6 60's on his 275-50-15s (think they're 50s). These were all with BFGs, and the cars didn't have ultra-ridiculous setups.

[fordfreak300]

actualyl i do compair teh nitos with bfgs. they adfertise them that way and peopel use them that way. Nittos can work very well. They seem to work better once they astart to get worn down a bit though. heat is your friend with Nitto's, they needs lots of heat to really soften them up. Once yu get themthere they are good. No they are no slick but they are better than street tires. I even tried some falken azenas and they did pretty well but they need heat like nitto's , but they are a duel purpose tire as well.

[MA84LX]

The MT drag radials require no burnout. Clean them off, stage, go.

Will have to try that next time out. That was the 1st and only time I have used them at the track. But on they street they hokk like crazy too... Might not last but one year, but they are worth it to me. I will buy a set every year if needed, for traction like that. 8O

[anthonydalrymple]

Please do not lump Nittos in with the other DRs. Nittos are very good compromises, but BFGs and M/Ts are without a doubt stickier and generally show much better results than the Nittos. I'm sure Nitto has got something planned, if not started already, to try and gain some ground..

I got 1.80 60s on 235-60-15s( mind you, I head to the track less than once a year, so 1.7Xs were VERY likely with practice) , Mike Croke gets low 1.7s to 1.70s on 275-40-17s, we've got another guy in his 86 'vert that gets sub 1.6 60's on his 275-50-15s (think they're 50s). These were all with BFGs, and the cars didn't have ultra-ridiculous setups.

I didn't mean to "lump" them together & I certainly didn't do a good job of explaining myself. What I meant to say is that the Nitto's do have thier place in the scheme of things as well as the other drag radials. The Nitto's, on average, last about 15,000 miles if driven daily on the street & occasional drag use. The BFG drag radial, of which I have bought & used, last about 5-6,000 miles. I'll wager the new M.T. drag radials wouldn't last 2,000 miles on the street. The term I should have used is "compromise". If you want a decent hook, don't want to ever change the rear tires, & drive daily.... Nitto's would be my preffered choice. Spare set of rims available, want a good-great "hook" at the track, rarely will the tires be used on the street & never o the highway? Then BFG's or MT's are for you.
The Mickey T's are probably the best hooking tire out there right now and as close to a real slick as you can get. I had 235\60\15 BFG's & I still use MT 26x8.5\15 drag slicks. The BFG's are of comparable size & yet the slick is worth 3 tenths over my best with the BFG's on the 60ft alone. So, if you want to use a harder compound drag radial; I suggest you opt for a larger one for a larger footprint.....
EDIT: Still not the best explaination.... but I tried....;)

[BRUNO]

The guy betterdays mentioned earlier in the topic has pulled 1.68's in the 60' With 275/40/17 nitto's. His car made 260 at the wheels, I've seen him launch as high as 5800 rpms with no spin. It all depends on the driver, seeing how he's made at least 75 passes on the same nittos (with big burnouts I might add) I would definately say they are a good tire!!!

The car is a mostly stock 98 cobra, his mods are of road x, Flowmaster cat back, BBK cold air intake, 4.88 gear and a Moser 33 spline spool and axles(after the 8.8 blew into many little pieces). He has had the best luck with sliding the clutch at high rpms, when trying to drop the clutch it spins everytime.

[jeffascmclaren]

Just got a set of BFG 235/60-15 on my car, and i definitely like the traction. Before i had them the shift to 2nd would always be major tire spin, but now it hooks :D Hopefully going to the track soon!

[LTDScott]

Bah, you lucky Mustang guys and your big wheel wells. I have to run 245/50/16 Nitto DRs because I can't find any cheap 15X7 or 8" wheels that will fit true slicks INSIDE the wheel well.

http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/SVT-LTD/DSCN1945.sized.jpg

Unfortunately they don't hook as well as I'd like. I've only pulled a best of 2.0 60-ft with them. Then again the tracks I've been to have crappy traction. 15psi worked best for me.

[8duallup]

Just got a set of Nitto 555R DRs. Anyone have any suggestions/experience with heating these up? I have NEVER run any kind of slick or DR so I am a noob.

Any suggestions on tire pressures, wet/dry burnout, or if I should back or roll thru the burnout box (not to get the fronts wet).

Thanks, Rich.

You probably won't gain anything huge by airing them down a ton, so stay a bit high with them at first. Drive around the waterbox, then back up to the edge of the waterbox. Do a good GOOD smokey burnout. Those tires have to be hot hot. Do NOT dry hop. It'll take some practice with pedal modulation and launch RPM to get it out of the hole well. I wouldn't be afraid to launch upwards of 3500 or 4000 rpm. If it blows the tires away, lower the rpm until it sticks. Then maybe lower the tire pressure a bit and raise the launch RPM. I've seen guys have them work at 18 psi, while others had them working at 12 psi. What seemed to work for one didn't for the other. So just test, test test :)

u know its a good enough burnout when the tires are grabbing and it starts to push your car forwards. the tires will also start to squeal (high pitched) instead of just buzzin sound. try to pull up as close to the line while still burnin out. to avoid pickin up "****." then your ready to launch!!

[QTRMILE]

try to pull up as close to the line while still burnin out. to avoid pickin up "****." then your ready to launch!!

Track officials love that.

[RichV]

We I hit the strip the 1st time on Friday. I left the pressures at 35 psi. They seem to grip well on the street, they spin for a bit, then bite hard.

On the track my 1st launch with a dry burnout, launched at about 2800, started to bog it so I slipped the clutch to get the RPMs up, they spun a bit and I was off. Not the best launch by any means, got a 2.3 60'. Also was distracted by the red light! :evil:

The 2nd launch with a dry burnout I dumped at about 3400 and just blew the tires loose, I stayed in it, they grabbed, etc. My 60' was also a 2.3. The tires seem to grab better on the street versus the track for some reason.

On my 3rd run, it had gotten cold, around 60 degF and was dark so the track had cooled down by quite a bit. Again a dry burnout, left at about 3200. Again blew the tires loose, it seemed to take forever to grab. Got a 2.45 60'. Im sure the tire pressure and track temp had a lot to do with it.

I think I need to get a line-lock to heat the tires up better. I'm still a little intimidated by the water :lol: never done it before. I would rather make an ass out of myself in T&T, not competition. I need to figure these out tho, the next time out I will be spraying it as well and I will experiment with leaving on the juice.

Oh, and she was running 15.5s @ 90mph. Not bad at this altitude with just an intake, exhaust, MAF, and injectors. It is a 3:08 rear and a T5. I'm sure I can drop that closer to 14s as I master the DRs, and low 13s/high 12s on the juice (fingers crossed).

Rich.

[PNY XPRS]

Most people I've spoken with tend to agree that the Nittos hook better on the street than the track.

But you definately need to drop that air pressure. I'd look in the 20- 22psi range. Carry a mini-compressor or air tank with you.

I agree with you about TnT being a better place to experiment. When I was learning to race, I did it in time trials and competition... but I was 18 and not willing to listen :)

[Byrdman]

Treat Nitto and BFG DRs like slicks. Start at around 15-16 psi and work down. Use the water and do a big burnout. I run about 11 psi.

I haven't used the MT DRs yet. As soon as this set of BFGs wears out I'll be switching to MTs. My current setup has sixtied as fast as 1.57 on 275/50-15 BFGs.

http://members.cox.net/fastford50/body/burnout.jpg

http://members.cox.net/fastford50/body/launch.jpg

[8duallup]

try to pull up as close to the line while still burnin out. to avoid pickin up "****." then your ready to launch!!

Track officials love that.

ive only been to sacramento raceway about three times and the track officials are dicks!!! so i can really care less! it only about 10 ft from box to the line anyways.

[QTRMILE]

try to pull up as close to the line while still burnin out. to avoid pickin up "****." then your ready to launch!!

Track officials love that.

ive only been to sacramento raceway about three times and the track officials are dicks!!! so i can really care less! it only about 10 ft from box to the line anyways.

:lol: well if you're doing a burnout up to the staging beams I can understand their attitudes!

Seriously guys, do your burnout in or at the edge of the waterbox; then spin out just far enough to any moisture off. No dry hops, then prestage immediately. Pissing of the track officials will only result in you getting a talking to, or at worse your removal from the facilities. Plus a pissed off track official is going to tech your car in with a fine toothed comb. You think your car is legal, but an inspector with a grudge can always find a problem. In short, don't **** in the sandbox if you want to play ;)

[8duallup]

try to pull up as close to the line while still burnin out. to avoid pickin up "****." then your ready to launch!!

Track officials love that.

ive only been to sacramento raceway about three times and the track officials are dicks!!! so i can really care less! it only about 10 ft from box to the line anyways.

:lol: well if you're doing a burnout up to the staging beams I can understand their attitudes!

Seriously guys, do your burnout in or at the edge of the waterbox; then spin out just far enough to any moisture off. No dry hops, then prestage immediately. Pissing of the track officials will only result in you getting a talking to, or at worse your removal from the facilities. Plus a pissed off track official is going to tech your car in with a fine toothed comb. You think your car is legal, but an inspector with a grudge can always find a problem. In short, don't **** in the sandbox if you want to play ;)

ive seen people get bitched at for doing a burnout in the waterbox-cause "it slings water everywhere" (one of the officials said) then they have to hose down the box with more water-i guess thats a little too much work for them to squirt some more water in da box. im just sayin that all of them at sac are really rude people who seem like they dont really want to be there!

[QTRMILE]

well you aren't supposed to do your burnout in the middle of the water, yoiu roll through it and do it at the edge. The best thing to do to learn the nuances of drag racing is to just sit and watch what the serious racers do. That's how you pick up the do's and don'ts. I've been to a LOT of tracks over the last 18 years, and the only time staff has been rude has been when dealing with somebody doing stuff they shouldn't be doing. Of course some workers are more short with those folks than others.

[BetterDays]

Remember to stage with your back tires. It's a ricer trick used to gain the upper hand... :lol:

[86merc]

The MT and BFG's will hook better than a Nitto. It is because of their compounds and designs. I run 245/50/16 Nitto's and have cut 1.72 60". So they can be made to work. But they are hard to make consistant launches with. Temp makes a big differance in how well they hook. They do need more heet to work than the MT but they will out last the others by 2-3 times.

[QTRMILE]

They do need more heet to work than the MT but they will out last the others by 2-3 times.

That remains to be seen. As noted earlier in this thread, the MT are designed for NO burnout. So that will add to their life significantly. If you make frequent trips to the drag strip, it might be a wash or the MTs might even last longer. Regular driving, of course the Nittos will last longer. But who engages in regular driving? :twisted:

[86merc]

That remains to be seen. As noted earlier in this thread, the MT are designed for NO burnout. So that will add to their life significantly. If you make frequent trips to the drag strip, it might be a wash or the MTs might even last longer. Regular driving, of course the Nittos will last longer. But who engages in regular driving? :twisted:

Ya, the MT are not designed for large burn outs but it seems everyone I talked to said they work better with a small burn out. Granted the weather has not been very warm in these parts so maybe that has something to do with the tires wanting the burnout. I have seen the wear on the MT's and it isn't good. They last about as long as BFG's do on a normal street car with "spirited street driving" and some track time. They don't "chunk" like the BFG's but they still wear pretty quick. I know three people who are already on there second set this season on their street cars. :? But they do hook like mad!

[8duallup]

try to pull up as close to the line while still burnin out. to avoid pickin up "****." then your ready to launch!!

Track officials love that.

ive only been to sacramento raceway about three times and the track officials are dicks!!! so i can really care less! it only about 10 ft from box to the line anyways.

:lol: well if you're doing a burnout up to the staging beams I can understand their attitudes!

Seriously guys, do your burnout in or at the edge of the waterbox; then spin out just far enough to any moisture off. No dry hops, then prestage immediately. Pissing of the track officials will only result in you getting a talking to, or at worse your removal from the facilities. Plus a pissed off track official is going to tech your car in with a fine toothed comb. You think your car is legal, but an inspector with a grudge can always find a problem. In short, don't **** in the sandbox if you want to play ;)

Seriously guys, do your burnout in or at the edge of the waterbox;
u said it, not me ;)

[RichV]

Well dropped the pressure to 17 psi, did a dry burnout. Clicked off consistant 2.1 60's on a 70-75 degree day. When the sun went down, temp went to low 60s. Did a 2.25 60'. Hoping to get to T&T next time out to experiment some more. I would like to launch with a 125 shot on 'em.

[r93lightning]

We ran mickey Thompson 275/60-15 drag radials on the fairmont in wild street at world ford challenge a few weeks ago and went 9.62 141mph in 1/4 and got a 1.49 60FT time. Mickey Thompsons there is no substitute.

[RichV]

Huh, I thought W/S was sponsored by BFG, and you had to run their DRs. Maybe I'm thinkin of another class. Saw your car, BTW, SWEET!! I have a video of all the W/S cars when they left for the 30 mile cruise.

Rich.

[85_Capri_4v]

Remember to stage with your back tires. It's a ricer trick used to gain the upper hand... :lol:

:lol:

:P

:roll:

Oh my Gosh where does he come up with this stuff?