What size drag radial can safely be run on a first gen?
 

My car has new 5 leafs at stock height. It has an X body 8.5 so its slightly narrowed. I currently run a 245/60R15 and they fit about perfectly with the Nova rear. They stuck out a bit on the factory 8.2

Im looking to buy a set of drag radials, but most are offered starting at 275/60 in 15 inch rims. That is an inch and a half bigger in width. Will that fit? MT does offer a 255/60 which would fit fine, but I like the BGF and Nitto models a little better than are reported to have longer lives.

The other issue with the 275 is I wanted to just grab another 15x7 Rally II (I already have a spare) and put the drag tires on those. I think the 275 would require an 8 inch wheel.

Im also open to a different size rim if that makes it easier. If I bought some 16s at a swap meet are my options better? 14" wheels are probably a no go with my aftermarket rear discs.

I ran 275/60 BFG and MT drag radials on my '67 'bird. I had a set of aftermarket 8" wide Rally II's.

The MT's are WAY stickier than either the BFG or Nitto. I drove 4.,400 miles on the Power Tour with the MT's, after a 100 or so passes at the track, and still drove around on those same tires for another year or so. As long as you refrain from doing stupidly long (and unnecessary) burnouts, they have decent tread life.

https://www.dragzine.com/tech-storie...-drag-radials/

I was looking at that and also if we are honest, price a little. The nittos are supposed to not only last longer, but are more reasonably priced.

I don't have subframe connectors yet so I don't particularly want to slick hook hard. Ive heard stories of first gens rippling the backhalf if you hook super hard without them.

I've ran Nitto, BFG, Goodyear, M&H, and MT drag radials.

On my '03 Mach 1, using Nitto 555 DR in the same size as stock, I went from 13.33 to 12.99. I think it would have gone .79 with MT's. My old 67 Firebird would run 1.7x 60' times with the BFGs and a 2500 stall. After upping the stall to around 3200, the BFGs would no longer hook - but with the MT's it went as quick as 1.53.

The Goodyears were excellent, but they no longer make them. M&H is very good, but expensive.

I'm rocking these on my 69 when trolling the ricers on weekends and at the strip:

https://www.mandhtires.com/M-H-Drag-...s/26-11.5-15LT

Yeah, Im sure those are better in terms of traction ability. But I want them at at least have some inclement weather ability. I try to plan ahead, but the weather does its thing sometimes.

ET streets are probably as aggressive as I go. Im starting to lean there and just eat the extra $150. They make a size that Im confident I can get onto a 15x7

Good link; thanks for posting that.

I've already made my tire purchase(s) but it kind of confirmed the direction I went.

K

drag radials
 

yiu can safely run a 8" 4.5 b.s. with 275 60 15's on first gens, I run a 295-55-15 mickey Thompson drag radials with 15x10, 5.5" b.s.

I think im going to get the 255/60 mickeys. I want to be able to run on the stock rally IIs.

Get some subframe connectors. WTH are you thinking? lol You hate that car or what? Show her some respect!

Im working on it, you gotta understand this car was a compete zombie rising lol. It needed everything. But yes, subframe connectors before slicks. I have them in my Summit shopping cart.

When I first picked out a set of drag radials I ended up with 235's because of the diameter. Worked for my gearing on the car I used at the track.
Ran a few different height tires on my test strip with a stopwatch to get an idea of what worked best in a quarter mile. An inch makes a big difference.

Diameter is also a concern and why I think the 255/60s are my best bet. I’m rocking 3.08s so I can actually drive the car on the highway. A super tall tire would make that worse.

I have 235/60s up front so the 255/50 would be shorter than that and look silly. My street tires are 245/60s

You have an advantage fitting wide tires on the back of a 67 over a 69 because of the round wheel opening. You have to jack the 69 way the hell up to get something decent wide under that fender lip.

first gen tire fitment
 

15x10's, 5.5" back spacing, mickey Thompson 295-55-15 drag radial. plenty of room.

Is this on a stock suspension?

I know - Holy thread revival!!