W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

Ressurecting and old topic. Bias slicks on rear??

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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 03:53 PM
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Ressurecting and old topic. Bias slicks on rear??

Searched and searched on the net and come up with the same thing each time.

Bias ply and radial tires should not be used ON THE SAME AXLE!!! None of us obvisously would do that, but what about 2 Bias slicks on the back and 2 rads up front??? Read a lot of forums with old timers talking about it being done for years and years.

I remember when someone brought this up awhile back and it got shot down quickly.

Just wondering if anyone had some info on this.

**edit, This would be for TRACK ONLY use. Not driving to the track or anything. Realize that corners would mean certain death.

Last edited by Jakpro1; Nov 6, 2007 at 03:55 PM.
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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 04:13 PM
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The only reason I could come up with would be to be able to run smaller rims/tires on a big car, since bias-ply tires generally have a greater load rating for the same size tire.

I do see the advantage of running radials vs bias-py up front, due to reduced rolling resistance.

Bias-ply drag tires (full slick, not "street" slicks) are only in recent years being supplanted by radial slicks industry-wide, in contrast with passenger-car usage being nearly universal by the 70's. Perhaps this is what the old-timers were referring to.

Hell, I had bias-ply Hoosier slicks on my 1996 Impala SS.
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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 04:40 PM
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Was hoping to put a real deal slick on those 17" CCW rims, but looking at Summit Racing, don't even think they make um. Point might be moot right off the bat.

Still checkin.
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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 04:50 PM
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90% of all wrinkle-wall slicks are sold in a 15-inch rim size.

There are a few in 16-inch sizes, but besides the M+H "cheater" slicks, most are like 16-17 inches wide.

If you could get a custom-offset 15" rim to fit, you could break halfshafts all day with any number of true wrinkle walls.
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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 05:10 PM
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Yup, it's comfirmed. Don't even make 17" full-out slicks.

You're right, bet the half shafts would end up coming right through the trunk.
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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Jakpro1
Searched and searched on the net and come up with the same thing each time.

Bias ply and radial tires should not be used ON THE SAME AXLE!!! None of us obvisously would do that, but what about 2 Bias slicks on the back and 2 rads up front??? Read a lot of forums with old timers talking about it being done for years and years.

I remember when someone brought this up awhile back and it got shot down quickly.

Just wondering if anyone had some info on this.

**edit, This would be for TRACK ONLY use. Not driving to the track or anything. Realize that corners would mean certain death.
Hey Jackpro1:

You won't hurt a thing. Back in the day , mid 80's, ALL racing tires were NON-radials, and I use to run, biased in the rear with radilas up front. IT DOESN'T HURT A THING. Keep in mind that with the different roll over patterns, it WILL make your car VERY jumpy on washed out road, or high crowns, ie the car will won't to jump side to side.

See yeah
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Old Nov 7, 2007 | 01:53 PM
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Jim...so you are getting 17 CCW wheels...what is the deal are you getting ???
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