slicks v drag radials

[zhd1000]

not looking for suggestions on which type to buy, but rather what are the advantages/disadvantages of each type of tire.. i know that most people here use drag radials, why do you use what you do?

[silvergtjrad]

You will get the best hookup with slicks at the track. Slicks cant be used on the street, legally. Drag radials will hook up better than street tires and are legal to drive on the street. Im pretty sure both will rip up your transmission pretty bad. I have no experience with either but from what I hear/read thats the gist of it.

[mr_eh]

i need slicks, you need radials

you wont be able to run slicks... you need radials

[zhd1000]

Originally Posted by mr_eh

i need slicks, you need radials

you wont be able to run slicks... you need radials

but why why wouldn't i be able to run them??

is it just the amount of power being put down?? is there some magic ET that would justify switching to slicks??

if slicks hook better than radials why wouldn't i just buy slicks? i wouldn't drive to the track on drag radials anyway

[lone_wolf025]

I'm no expert but my understanding is that slicks can get very expensive very fast depending on what kind of quality you want to pay for. For a car with minor mods drag radials are all you really need because (again my understanding) is that you won't see much of a difference to really justify the cost.

[AaronGTR]

Slicks are made of softer rubber than DR's. They don't last as long as DR's but they hook up better. They are also harder on transmissions and especially axles. DR's can be driven to the track and are made in larger sizes. Slicks aren't road legal and only made for 15" and 16" wheels, so if you have big brakes that need 17" or larger wheels you can't use slicks. Also since slicks have softer side walls they offer less control and it's easier to lose control if the car gets out of the groove. They are often quite lighter in weight than DR's too, but also more expensive. Those are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

[mr_eh]

Originally Posted by zhd1000

but why why wouldn't i be able to run them??

is it just the amount of power being put down?? is there some magic ET that would justify switching to slicks??

if slicks hook better than radials why wouldn't i just buy slicks? i wouldn't drive to the track on drag radials anyway

you dont make enough power to require a slick, you can launch on drag radials and not have issues spinning, where as my pos would just spin radials thru 4th gear...

theres no magic et... just depends on your power level and how your car hooks, theres 11 second cars on radials and 12 second cars on slicks

[SpyhunteR]

Here's an overly simplified way to figure out if you have a grand am and are deciding what you need. if you're fwd, making over 300hp, and can't get 1.8's in the 60ft, try slicks.

Personally, I can roast drag radials no problem at the track, best I can do on 'em are 2.0 60fts. Slicks, 1.8s at the moment. Thing w/ slicks is if you launch wrongly snappy snappy axles and tranny bits. Launch em right, you HOOK IN BOOK!

[lastyear4gt]

DR's are the safest to use in terms of drive train damage.

[H.O. Driver]

I was running DRs with my headers and still didn't really have enough power to propel the car faster than a 2.0 60ft times, and that was launching at 2000rpms. Get DRs, they are cheaper, and last a lot longer and will give you plenty of traction till you need slicks, which will be till lots of boost.

[lone_wolf025]

Originally Posted by SpyhunteR

Here's an overly simplified way to figure out if you have a grand am and are deciding what you need. if you're fwd, making over 300hp, and can't get 1.8's in the 60ft, try slicks.

Personally, I can roast drag radials no problem at the track, best I can do on 'em are 2.0 60fts. Slicks, 1.8s at the moment. Thing w/ slicks is if you launch wrongly snappy snappy axles and tranny bits. Launch em right, you HOOK IN BOOK!

I had no idea you could snap your axles if you mess with slicks...What would you avoid doing so you don't snap the axles?

[lastyear4gt]

Have custom forged axles made and transmission built for the torque.

[mr_eh]

Originally Posted by lone_wolf025

I had no idea you could snap your axles if you mess with slicks...What would you avoid doing so you don't snap the axles?

have enough power to spin the slicks

[TurboAlero]

Use Drag radials.

[GMFreak]

I see a lot of FWD cars with slicks mainly to gain the traction lost from being FWD. It is true you could snap an axle or mess up the tranny though. RWD get better traction for drag than FWD because of the weight transfer. They can usually hook okay with DRs until they have tons of power.

[zhd1000]

so what i get from what everyone is saying is that our cars are better suited for drag radials, this is because they tend to be less expensive, we don't make enough power to require them, slicks can be hazardous to OE axles and trans if used improperly

the reason i was asking originally was because i had the opportunity to grab some slicks for really cheap and it seems that i would be fine with slicks just as much as DRs, except the part about breaking axels etc.. but my question to that is now, how much power is necessary to be putting down to be able to snap an axle bc of the slicks?

[silvergtjrad]

but my question to that is now, how much power is necessary to be putting down to be able to snap an axle bc of the slicks?

From what I understand, not making enough power is what is dangerous with slicks. As in something else will give out before you are able to break them loose.

[Lab Rat]

zhd1000,

If you are worried about the slicks then go another route, but if you want to help a fellow member out I would love to try to brake an axle with those slicks. Let me know if you want to pick up the slicks for really cheap so I would take a drive down to see you. Post or PM me if you want to help.

[mr_eh]

Originally Posted by silvergtjrad

From what I understand, not making enough power is what is dangerous with slicks. As in something else will give out before you are able to break them loose.

i think its the lack of power that makes them dangerous, think... small man trying to push huge boulder...

[zhd1000]

Originally Posted by Lab Rat

zhd1000,

If you are worried about the slicks then go another route, but if you want to help a fellow member out I would love to try to brake an axle with those slicks. Let me know if you want to pick up the slicks for really cheap so I would take a drive down to see you. Post or PM me if you want to help.

well that's the reason i began the thread, that and i wanted something for future readers.. i just wanted to be informed about them, i knew that the majority of gagters used DRs and have said to just stay away from slicks.. i just wanted to know why

i didn't pick up the slicks.. they were on ebay for $9.99 but the seller never responded to questions like how much is shipping, what's the brand of the tire and the auction stated they were new but they looked like they were used/retreaded (if you can retread slicks..) here's a link.. someone else picked them up though.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...2281768&rd=1,1