Choosing Tire Diameter

[mustangguy289]

If your car hooks good and is not running out of gear at the end of the track... is there any reason to go to a larger diameter rear tire?

I currently run a 26x8/15 Hoosier Slick and have pretty consistent 1.75-1.80 60 fts and cross the finish line at 6400-6500 rpm ( I shift at 7k so there is still some left)

I am looking at running MT ET streets so that I do not have to switch tires every time I want to drive on the street or go racing.

I can't decide between these two:

235/60/15- 8.4 tread x 26.1 dia
255/60/15- 9.0 tread and 27.1 dia

Car is a stick shift (4 speed w/2.78 1st gr), N/A 289, and 4.30 rear gear.

Best to date is:
1.75 60
11.82

The car dead hooks a lot and runs its best when I get one or two rotations of tire spin ( helps keep the rpm up).

[Moose Jr.]

Go with the 26x11.5x15 ET street. See below.

http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...?item=ETStreet

[LS1Goat]

Go with the 26x11.5x15 ET street. See below.

http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...?item=ETStreet

x2

That's what I run.

[Moose Jr.]

The ET street will probably work better than the Hoosier tire you have. The ET street has a stiffer sidewall and will help you build more wheel speed. Which, of course, you know is very important on a stick car. The one time I ran Hoosiers I had nothing but problems. It would either spin too much or dead hook. When it did dead hook, I broke the transmission.

[mustangguy289]

Go with the 26x11.5x15 ET street. See below.

http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...?item=ETStreet

I do not think i can fit an 11.5 wide tire on a 65 with stock style leaf springs.

[mustangguy289]

I was looking at the et street radial.... is the ET street ( non-radial) a better choice for street and strip?

[Moose Jr.]

I was looking at the et street radial.... is the ET street ( non-radial) a better choice for street and strip?

The ET street(basically a slick with grooves) will be better for a stick car at the track. Especially if you launch the car hard. However, it sux for street use. If you are dead set on the M/T drag radial, 275/50/15 would be your best choice. You won't be able to do any 6500 clutch dumps like you could do with the e/t street or a slick. You'll just blow the tires off.

[White90GT]

no matter which tire you choose, if you drive it on the street, don't expect it to last as long and hook as well on the track.
I had ET Streets on the car for the reasons you specified. I noticed when I stopped driving the car on the street and to the track and was trailering it, the tires hooked a lot better and for a lot longer. The constant heat cycling and driving on them wears them out quickly. Just something to keep in mind.

[turbostang]

I've seen your car run a few times, and unless it's changed, it could seriously benifit from some taller gears or shorter tires.