Slicks on a 99 Cobra... Dangerous?

MustangDanny

Founding Member
May 8, 2001
366
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16
Lexington, NC
A friend just gave me a set of used MT slicks mounted on old stocker 4 bolt mustang wheels. I was thinking of getting me some 15" LX 5 bolt wheels and seeing what my 100% stock 99 Cobra would do with them... is that dangerous? What are my risks? I wouldn't be making a hobby out of it, I probably would want to just take it to the track for 4 0r 5 runs. Is it likely that I will break something with aggressive launches (5000rpm+ launches) seeing that the car is all stock?

If it's too much of a risk, shoot, I'll sell them and get me gears or an exhaust.
 
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Slicks alone won't kill the axles. Its the hard high rpm launches. With 03 Cobra axles and the right suspension setup you could do it. The main thing is that you don't wheel hop. Wheelhop will snap an axle much easier than sheer engine torque because of the momentum of the flying wheel when it hits the ground. I broke a axle wheelhopping in first on the street on DR's.
 
I run slicks on my stock IRS the trick is to NOT get them hot and sticky. I launch from 4-5000 car spins about 10 ft out of the hole then I'm gone. even with the spin I get 1.8 60's . I think the slicks are easier on the rear than DR's slicks cushion the launch a little better and get rid of alot of wheel hop. then you can shift 1-2 and 2-3 without spin. when I say don't get them hot I mean it 90 to 100 degrees is plenty just kind of warm to the touch no 5 minute burnouts.
 
Also, you won't be able to mount the 15" wheels with the IRS because (I think this is what it is...) a control arm mount will hit the wheel. But slicks will kill your half-shafts. If you want to race on slicks, get a solid rear. I've had one for about a year and half and my car has never been more fun! :D