I'm building a 400 whp GSR turbo in a EF hatchback and I'm trying to decide between slicks and bfg drag radials. The price is an obvious difference but which would serve me better? I won't be dd on either of these (I have tires for that) but I will be doing some play time on the streets so I want to know which would be best for overall traction/performance for street and strip. Thanks.

 

While I dont have any experience with drag radials, I have ran on slicks. I believe they are essential for a drag car (especially with 400whp).

I guess itd be better to hear from someone that has tried both. Just giving my 2cents.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nerdsports &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">While I dont have any experience with drag radials, I have ran on slicks. I believe they are essential for a drag car (especially with 400whp).

I guess itd be better to hear from someone that has tried both. Just giving my 2cents.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks, yeah more info would be great. Cuz I heard slicks are worthless on the street...

 

Well its definately a no no to drive slicks on the street, not only is it illegal (who cares about that anyway) but its really hard/dangerous because the sidewalls are so soft. I would reccommend just having some full slicks, bring them along with a jack to wherever you meet up at and just swap them when its time to race, thats what i always do at least.

BTW- 400whp and up dont expect to fully hook on anything cause it aint happening, you are always going to spin off the line on the street (less with slicks of course) but after the launch you should hook up decently.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by QuarterMileMaster &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks, yeah more info would be great. Cuz I heard slicks are worthless on the street...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was referring to using slicks at the track only. For the street I would go with DOT approved drag radials. But remember that drag radials are a softer compound and will have a much lower treadwear rating than your average street tire.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nerdsports &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I was referring to using slicks at the track only. For the street I would go with DOT approved drag radials. But remember that drag radials are a softer compound and will have a much lower treadwear rating than your average street tire. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, so far I'm really starting to lean toward drag radials. I have BFG G-Force tires for normal street driving. What I'm looking for is what to use when I decide I want to go out and play... I don't plan on driving on whichever I choose daily...

 

Get the M&H 235/60/15 . Awesome hookup on the street, and awesome on the track as well. John @ M&H will hook you up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18 CYA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Get the M&H 235/60/15 . Awesome hookup on the street, and awesome on the track as well. John @ M&H will hook you up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ok, so let me ask this. On my setup assuming all the runs were the exact same which would last longer? the slicks or the dr's?

 

I have run both. In fact over the years I have used 205/50/15 bfg's 225/50/15 bfg's and 235/60/15 bfgs as well as M&H 24.5x8.7x15 slicks. By far traction on the slicks is way way way better on the track but you also have to remember that is what the tires are like 6psi or so cold and wrinkle wall where as the radials are obviously radial construction and should be used at no less than 12psi hot. with 400whp I have run 225/50, 235/60, and the slicks here are the 60fts with each

225/50- 1.91
235/60- 1.86
slicks- 1.73

all of those passes were at my 401whp boost setting. it kind of depends on the tranny you use as to what size drag radials to use. the 225's with the ITR tranny are hitting the limiter on my car in the trapps at 8700 rpm but the 235's slowed the car down too much. if you have a GSR tranny you can't lose with the 225's

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BoostR41 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have run both. In fact over the years I have used 205/50/15 bfg's 225/50/15 bfg's and 235/60/15 bfgs as well as M&H 24.5x8.7x15 slicks. By far traction on the slicks is way way way better on the track but you also have to remember that is what the tires are like 6psi or so cold and wrinkle wall where as the radials are obviously radial construction and should be used at no less than 12psi hot. with 400whp I have run 225/50, 235/60, and the slicks here are the 60fts with each

225/50- 1.91
235/60- 1.86
slicks- 1.73

all of those passes were at my 401whp boost setting. it kind of depends on the tranny you use as to what size drag radials to use. the 225's with the ITR tranny are hitting the limiter on my car in the trapps at 8700 rpm but the 235's slowed the car down too much. if you have a GSR tranny you can't lose with the 225's </TD></TR></TABLE>

Now that's some of the best info I've seen on honda-tech in a long time. Real facts instead of a butt load of one-liner opinions.

So what your saying that it would be a bad idea to play on the streets with slicks? I'm still trying to decide which would serve me best overall. I know that the slicks will provide the best traction but what about drivability or longevity? I have a b16 y1 tranny which is also very short geared but I'll also have a ~9000-9500 rpm redline. I really like the idea of having slicks but if they are going to be alot more trouble then the DR's then I'm not so sure...

 

drag radials are great inall but they'll wear out really fast, for the strip it depends on the class you running you may have to DR, I found Fuzions are really slicky for the street and BFG KDW are amazing as well.

 

If you want to go as quick as possible at the dragstrip, get slicks. Period. If the tires will be used on the street at all, get drag radials.

 

What dr's do you reccomend on a all motor eg? 210whp. (For the streets.)