Best street tires for drag racing
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,687
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From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
Best street tires for drag racing
Hi guys,
A few weeks ago I took my C55 to the dragstrip and despite my best efforts I just couldn’t get any traction with my 19” Renntech Monolites/Toyo Proxies T1R combination. I’ll be going again but this time will be using my OEM AMG 18s to do this. Currently I have 225/40/ZR18 92y Continental Sport Contact2s on the fronts and 245/35 ZR18 92Y Continental Sport Contact2s for the rears. I don’t want to go with dedicated drag radials yet as I use my stock 18”s when I go on road trips etc. I am looking for recommendations for a good street tire that hooks up reasonably well for drag racing – probably in the range of 255/35 ZR18 size for the rears. I think hooleyboy was running with Continental Sport Contacts for a bit and said they were ok for this purpose but lets have some opinions…..
A few weeks ago I took my C55 to the dragstrip and despite my best efforts I just couldn’t get any traction with my 19” Renntech Monolites/Toyo Proxies T1R combination. I’ll be going again but this time will be using my OEM AMG 18s to do this. Currently I have 225/40/ZR18 92y Continental Sport Contact2s on the fronts and 245/35 ZR18 92Y Continental Sport Contact2s for the rears. I don’t want to go with dedicated drag radials yet as I use my stock 18”s when I go on road trips etc. I am looking for recommendations for a good street tire that hooks up reasonably well for drag racing – probably in the range of 255/35 ZR18 size for the rears. I think hooleyboy was running with Continental Sport Contacts for a bit and said they were ok for this purpose but lets have some opinions…..
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From: North Cuba/West Bimini
Cars and boats!
I've ran a bunch of tires and the T1R seem to hook best as far as street tires are concerned!!
I have a set of Kumho MX now but they are only sticky when you warm them up.
I have a set of Kumho MX now but they are only sticky when you warm them up.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Morehead, KY USA
SLK55 AMG, E320 BlueTec, ML350, (formerly) C32 AMG, MR2 Turbo, HD-FLH-FSE, BMW R100RS, Ducati M900
Street Tires
I am running Bridgestone Re050-PP's and they hook great at the track with a modded C32 but they also are very pricey. While I hated them for everyday driving the original Pirelli Pzero's hooked really well for dragging until they were nearly worn out.
Good Luck! What sort of times are you getting out of a C55?
Irish
Good Luck! What sort of times are you getting out of a C55?
Irish
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,687
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From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
Thanks for the responses. As for the times I was getting, well, if you really want to know here's my runs:
E.T: 14.114
MPH: 101.748
60 FT: 2.420
Reaction: 381
E.T: 14.066
MPH: 102.284
60 FT: 2.414
Reaction: .532
Elevation 481.5 m (1,580 ft)
This was the first time I have ever run at the strip...
E.T: 14.114
MPH: 101.748
60 FT: 2.420
Reaction: 381
E.T: 14.066
MPH: 102.284
60 FT: 2.414
Reaction: .532
Elevation 481.5 m (1,580 ft)
This was the first time I have ever run at the strip...
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 69
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E55 2003, C32 2002,
The tires I am using now is Continental Sport Contact2, I tried different tires models before including PS2 but the best for me is Continental regarding traction with minumum spinning time from dig. but you will find many critics about it in the mb forum.
From the 60 FT time it is obviuos you have a problem with traction plus 1580 ft elevation. are you in calgary,ab ?
LET intake with ITG Filter
Eurocharged short Headers
LET 185mm Pulley
LET Tune
C3P HE
CM30 Pump
Resonator & Rear Cat Delete.
NGK IX Iridiums
Magnecor 8.5mm Wires
From the 60 FT time it is obviuos you have a problem with traction plus 1580 ft elevation. are you in calgary,ab ?
LET intake with ITG Filter
Eurocharged short Headers
LET 185mm Pulley
LET Tune
C3P HE
CM30 Pump
Resonator & Rear Cat Delete.
NGK IX Iridiums
Magnecor 8.5mm Wires
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
Notice I said JUST a TAD my friend. Both are BETTER tires than the PS2's.
PS: Did I mention that they are BOTH cheaper as well
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none
Thanks for the responses. As for the times I was getting, well, if you really want to know here's my runs:
E.T: 14.114
MPH: 101.748
60 FT: 2.420
Reaction: 381
E.T: 14.066
MPH: 102.284
60 FT: 2.414
Reaction: .532
Elevation 481.5 m (1,580 ft)
This was the first time I have ever run at the strip...
E.T: 14.114
MPH: 101.748
60 FT: 2.420
Reaction: 381
E.T: 14.066
MPH: 102.284
60 FT: 2.414
Reaction: .532
Elevation 481.5 m (1,580 ft)
This was the first time I have ever run at the strip...
u can definitely do better. hone your skills
is it hot there in Saskatchewan when you did this run?
Senior Member
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From: Ogden, Utah.
C32 ///AMG
Love them on the street though.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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AMG
Dunlap Z1 star specs are better than any other tire mentioned so far and grip well even when cold. Pilot sports are highly overrated and are not good for drag since they lack the initial bite of more grippy extreme dry performance tires. Tirerack doesn't lie, they really are the best all around tire.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=EP
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=EP
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I absolutely agree with AMS... I have the Z stars and they made a huge difference, despite the fact that I don't really drag. The re11r's are also good. Basically the stickier the better, e.g. softer compound (lower number.)
I went through a brand new set of contis in no time as they are hard as a rock and just light up like no one's business. Plus of course they handle like poop!
I went through a brand new set of contis in no time as they are hard as a rock and just light up like no one's business. Plus of course they handle like poop!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: ATL
05 C55 AMG
I just got the Dunlop Star Specs on the rear and love them.
I had T1Rs on all 4 corners but when I needed new rear tires a couple weeks ago Kauffman Tire said that Toyo was discontinuing the T1R tire. I had looked at buying the Michelin PS2s but for 2 tires it was going to be over $700 whereas the 2 Dunlops were nearly $200 cheaper and performed as well if not better.
I had T1Rs on all 4 corners but when I needed new rear tires a couple weeks ago Kauffman Tire said that Toyo was discontinuing the T1R tire. I had looked at buying the Michelin PS2s but for 2 tires it was going to be over $700 whereas the 2 Dunlops were nearly $200 cheaper and performed as well if not better.
Last edited by thegreatfnr; Aug 14, 2009 at 12:48 PM.
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02 C32 AMG
Dunlap Z1 star specs are better than any other tire mentioned so far and grip well even when cold. Pilot sports are highly overrated and are not good for drag since they lack the initial bite of more grippy extreme dry performance tires. Tirerack doesn't lie, they really are the best all around tire.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=EP
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=EP
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Texas
2003 CL55
I like the "Nitto Invos" for all around street tire with some track duty..
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...FZzIswOWzsCiBw
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...FZzIswOWzsCiBw
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E63 Biturbo, UPD Cold Air induction kit, UPD performance crank pulley and UPD adjustable rear suspension with ride height adjustment.
CL55 UPD Cold Air Boost kit, UPD 3000 stall converter, UPD 77mm SC clutched pulley and beltwrap kit, Custom long tubes, UPD crank pulley , UPD suspension kit, UPD SC pulley, Aux. HE, Trunk tank w/rule 2000 pump, Mezeire pump, UPD 5pc idler set, Aluminum rotor hats.
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E63 Biturbo, UPD Cold Air induction kit, UPD performance crank pulley and UPD adjustable rear suspension with ride height adjustment.
CL55 UPD Cold Air Boost kit, UPD 3000 stall converter, UPD 77mm SC clutched pulley and beltwrap kit, Custom long tubes, UPD crank pulley , UPD suspension kit, UPD SC pulley, Aux. HE, Trunk tank w/rule 2000 pump, Mezeire pump, UPD 5pc idler set, Aluminum rotor hats.
www.ultimatepd.com
instagram @ultimate_pd
facebook.com/ultimatepd
Junior Member
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From: canada
c55 2007 ducati 999 1991 skyline gt-r fully restored and heavily modded
wawy how are u getting outta the hole wat mode are u in and is ur traction on?
cuz i had no tred left on my tires last year and i ran a 13.9 but before i learned how to launch the car i was running 14.5 at 3500ft above sea lvl u should be at around 13.7/.8 at ur altitude, dont get me wrong tire will help alot.
cuz i had no tred left on my tires last year and i ran a 13.9 but before i learned how to launch the car i was running 14.5 at 3500ft above sea lvl u should be at around 13.7/.8 at ur altitude, dont get me wrong tire will help alot.
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From: Las Vegas
2005 Crossfire SRT-6
I run 285/35 18 Nitto 555R2's on the street.............which are redesigned drag radials with stiffer sidewalls for road course. They have GREAT traction on the street and I have heard good things about them on the strip but I still use 315/35 17 Hoosier drag radials for the track and pull 1.7x 60's.
Thread Starter
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From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
These runs were done at the SIR strip in Saskatoon and the temperature was about 86 degrees Fahrenheit/30 degrees Celsius. I too have heard good things about the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs but thought they were more of a track tire. Car and Driver actually just rated these number 1 out of 9 other tires they tested recently. As for if my traction control was on – no, not at all, I was in sport mode with the traction control off.
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From: Las Vegas
2005 Crossfire SRT-6
So sorry, I figured you would have the same space in the wheel wells. Either way my opinion is not irrelevant. Both tires provide great traction...........you'll just need to buy a smaller size.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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AMG
The absolute best dry grip tire on the market according to tirerack is the Kuhmo XS (essentially its a hybrid between the MX and their V700 track tire). However, you have to make alot of sacrifices: they are not good in the wet, less sidewall feedback, only 180 tread wear. They are cheaper though so if you live in an area that does not rain alot (desert) these may be your best option. The XS did set Tireracks all time record on their skidpad at over 1G but again, they aren't the best all around tire, they essentially super long lasting race tires for the road instead of short lasting street tires. I do not have any personal experience with the Kuhmos XS, but the MXs are great for what they are (and these are significantly better); all kuhmos are relatively quiet and very stable at the limit.
Test Results (extreme summer performance):
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=118
Hope that helps.
Last edited by AMS Performance; Aug 15, 2009 at 02:36 AM.
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Interesting. Unfortunately these weren't out when I got my z stars and there was no data on the z stars v. re11r's, or I probably would have chosen them given the highest g rating e.g. handling. I really liked my re01r's though they were quasi comparable to the old bfg kd's which were a nightmare in the wet! They would hydroplane at 80 with little rain!! not fun in the p car!
Member
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From: CT
2003 EVO 8 612whp(sold) 2005 c55 amg R35 GTR
stick to the stock rim, just get some better rubber for them.
oh yeah keep the esp on.
i ran 12.9 with stock rim and tire with esp on.
the min I took it off i was running 14's all day.
oh yeah keep the esp on.
i ran 12.9 with stock rim and tire with esp on.
the min I took it off i was running 14's all day.
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u need to head back to that strip and improve those times
best launching technique is start in first and gradually get into the throttle
Another tip is to hit the gas at the last yellow to the green as there is a considerable delay by the time the car gets moving.
Saskatoon whats happening there? I only remember the song "Running Back to Saskatoon" by the Guess Who
best launching technique is start in first and gradually get into the throttle
Another tip is to hit the gas at the last yellow to the green as there is a considerable delay by the time the car gets moving.
Saskatoon whats happening there? I only remember the song "Running Back to Saskatoon" by the Guess Who
