anybody running them? if so what size? i have an 88 so i am a 16"s. thanks do they handle ok in the corners?
I don't know what size tire you need, but make sure you have sub-frame connectors and you weld the torque boxes/get torque box reinforcements if you plan to run sticky tires and launch the car hard.
Sub frames are in, boxes are welded and i have FRPP upper and Steeda lower arms. the rear is being totally rebuilt as well inclouding trac lock i won't be taking it to the strip anytime soon but i need better traction on the street. Will 255's fit?
If by 255's you mean bfgs, because i think that's the only 16 inch tire from them. I wouldn't use them if you are driving around on them on the street. They are very wide, and run a good chance of rubbing. And they look like crap because of the tall side wall. For trips to the track, yes. Street, no. BFG's are great, just not in a 16. Use nitto 245 50's. Little bit less traction than the bfgs, but they will handle way better, and still look decent. 225 50 16's were the best, (if the fronts were also a 225 50 16), but nitto doesn't make them anymore.
I had a set of Nitto's 245 50's, they pick everything up in the street. Your ground effects kit will take a beating...
The roads in GA are pretty clean! At least where i live. Plus i keep everyting waxed real good for protection. But maybe that clear stuff from 3m may do the trick?
Actually, that is what i meant, there is no drag radial 245 45 16. And that size really doesn't look goofy, it's actually perfect coupled with 225 50 16 fronts. Leaves the sidewall identical. a 245 50 16 is going to need a 225 55 16 front to match, which were stock on ponies. But still a tall tire.
Well, the Nittos come in 245/50/16 and i have 225/50/16's on the front. new kuhmo's. Would this be OK?
Probably gonna have a little rake to it. I ran my car that way, long time ago. Honestly, i didn't like it. I liked it better with 225 50 16's all the way around or with 245 45 16's out back. With a 16, realistically you don't have much choice if you want a drag radial. Try it out, and if you don't like it, you can change the fronts to a 225 55 16. Or you can put your old tires on the back again. Barely used drag radials have decent value on ebay.
If you value your paint don't run drag radials on the street. I have plenty of paint bills from slicks and drag radials. The roads in Atlanta are loaded with rocks and debris. If you want a sticky tire run a nitto. Don't let the air pressure out of stock radials. It won't nelp it hook better because the sidewall won't give and you will loose either the tire or loose control of the car. The factory suspension isn't designed for straight line acceleration. It doesn't weight transfer very well so slicks are the only real option. Then if you don't have the alot of money in the rear end and rear suspension you'll break alot of parts. The Nitto's will give you better traction but, your factory suspension is the cause of most of the traction isssue.
All very good points. I know from experience you will wear down the paint on the rear valence in and outside of the wheel well. If the paint on your car is in good condition on your saleen, animal is right. There is always other options. I'll assume you already have subframes, because no subs and dr's could be catastrophic. Get some good lower control arms adjustable shocks all the way around. Since your car is a vert with a trunk, i'd put the battery over the rear passenger tire. Probably one of my favorite mods ever.
I have completely rebuilt the suspesion. Subframes, Upper/Lower C arms, H&R sports, bilsteins etc.. My Kumhos are doing pretty well now. I am just wondering what I am going to do when I stroke it? I heard the new Goodyears (can't remmeber the name, something 3's?) are the stickiest tires you can buy.
I run the MT ET Street DR's on my 89. 255/50/16's. They are gonna be the stickiest tire you will get on a 16x8in wheel by far. I have almost no traction issue's now unless I want to. With street tires (Kumho Ecsta's) on the car it get squirly in 3rd and will boil 2nd gear from a roll. Here is a pic.
