Drag radial or full slick netting fastest ET

[ecld_07]

A buddy and I have been making a few passes at the track with his ex cab and ran into an interesting debate. We used my drag radials last year a few times and where very consistant 13.92-14.03 pass after pass. This year he is using a full slick that he had purchased and we netted 14.01-14.19. The only changes made where since last year he had 3.73s. This year 4.10s. The 60fts are extemely close but we lost mph and ET. We both expected it to pick up ET, not slow down. So begs my question.... Do you think the softer tire is eating hp? We will be back to the track soon with the dr's from last year and the new slicks.

[phantom405]

A drag radial will always be faster if you can make it hook and stay hooked

[blacstar]

gears! that was ur only change right? unless the engine/trans are worn out

[jansen]

gears! that was ur only change right? unless the engine/trans are worn out

No.... Gears and tires were changed.

[ecld_07]

Correct. Only changes where 3.73 to 4.10s. And radials at 28.5 to full slick 29 tall. Oh and about 3500 miles since its a DD.

[George C]

A slick typically grows an inch to inch and half. So you'll lose gearing and mph as well. A drag radial stays the same and has better rolling abilities... netting better mph

Chances are you're way to soft on psi in slicks as well. I run my hooisers at 18 and hook well anything less and 60s suffer

[blacstar]

Correct. Only changes where 3.73 to 4.10s. And radials at 28.5 to full slick 29 tall. Oh and about 3500 miles since its a DD.

that's what I meant, tire height is also part of the gear change.

[TXsilverado]

if you can hook a drag radial consistantly, run it.

[ecld_07]

Gonna go back tomorrow night assuming weather is good on a radial and see what it does

[thirdgenbum]

what was DA for both times out? can't get a solid comparison without that.

my experience has the radials as being faster, but the slicks as more repeatable, and easier to recover in the event of wheel spin.

for manual transmission combos, throw all that out...bias ply only for max performance.