I read some other posts about tire size and have not been able to decide what I need. Im putting down around 350HP/350TQ at the wheels. I have a 3.23 posi, might go to 3.73's in the future. 16x8 rims with generic P245/50R16 rear tires. No traction off the line. What size tire is going to be the best for my setup? A brand of tire recomendation would be nice too. I need to hook good on the street and at untreated tracks, and I do alot of highway driving. I realize that those types of driving call for different tires, so I know Im going to have to make a compromise.

 

nitto makes some pretty good drag radials i might look into. they will last longer than any other drag radials out there with somewhere around 10K+ mile lifespan.

BFG makes a really good drag radial tire but they only last 5-7K

M/T makes INCREDIBLE drag radials (i just bought some) but the only last like 5K max.

if you can get a second set of rims, that would really help alot. if you stick with the 16's, go with the stock size, 245/50/16's. but if you can swing it and pick up a set of 15's, grab some 275/50/15. with the 3.73's, your car would really like that tire size

 

I dont want to have to be switchin rims. Otherwise Id just get a set of slicks. But what P245 is gonna give me enough traction? Thats why im thinking I need a P275.

 

well, i really don't know what to tell you then man cause i am no tire expert. but i do know that the aformentioned tires WORK. and the nittos, though not as good as the other two, will work for you application. with conservative driving on the road and ***** out driving at the track, you should get 10K+ outta them.

 

The tire brand/model is going to make a lot more difference than the size of it.

I'd also say look into the Nitto NT555R drag radials.

How much money are you looking to spend here? I mean you could go out and pick up some Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires and be done with it, but you'll be spending probably $800+ on tires.

 

I dont want to spend more than $125 per tire

 

well then you screwed. most drag radials are cheaper than regular tires, but the cheapest i hvae seen them yet is still in the $140+ range.

 

Lookin through Summit I see Goodyear Eagle GT2's and BFG Radial T/A. Either of those any good? Is a taller tire or a shorter tire gonna benfit me? Thats realy what I need to know.

 

with the 3.23's a taller tire will not help any. with the 3.73's you may want to go with a taller tire for more rollout with the shorter gears. those tires you listed are good street tires, but will not work well on a "poorly prepped" track. save the extra doh and buy a set of dr's. and consider getting another set of wheels for the track. everyone i know that is serious about racing, has a second set of wheels/tires for the track.

 

So those tires hook good on the street? Thats more important to me than hooking at the tracks. Summit has a P265/50R16 and a P295/50R16 BFG radial t/a for around $125 each. Would one of those be a good choice? If I later decide to do alot of racing at the track this year I'll pick up a set of drag slicks for that.

 

actually, i would like to run that 295/50/16 on an early iroc wheel or a 91-92z wheel. i like that size for the street. they are like 27.6" x 10" or so. they should work pretty good on the street. look at jegs too, i think they might be cheaper than summit. those tires will lower your gear ratio abit, and if your running them on the stocker 16x8's you'll have some sidewall bulge. but i have seen them on the cars before and i think they look pretty cool. probably have to "massage" the inner fender well some though.

 

Then mabey I should go with the P265?

 

And does a taller tire lower(numericaly higher) or raise(numericaly lower) the gear ratio?

 

taller tire makes the gear ratio higher (numerically lower). 3.73's and those 295/50/16's would go really well together.