Difference Between Street and Drag Radial

[karthalin]

I'm coming up on the decisiosn to buy some wheels/tires for track days, and am quite a newb at it.

I am thinking of going with some Holeshot wheels with a set of MTs, 275/50/15.

My question comes down to, what is the difference between a Drag, Drag Radial, Street, and a Street Radial?

Looking at the pictures at the M/T website, it looks like my decision is coming down to either the ET Drag, ET Drag Radial, or the ET Street Radial. I assume the ET Street Radial is good for driving on the street (say, to the track from my house) and for launching, while the Drag and the Drag Radial are ONLY good for launching at the track. Thanx

[GTO1_OHIO]

ET Street Radial is good for driving on the street? I'd say no on that. They are very dangerous on wet roads. If your saying you want to put them on at home and drive to the track..yes you can do that.

[karthalin]

Ok, sooo... If I want to buy some tires to put on my Holeshots that will get me to the strip (about 5 miles away) and then race on said tires, and then drive back, but I really want to get the best traction possible when I am racing, do i go with a drag or a drag radial?

[karthalin]

Hhhmmm... is this a dumb question, hence the no response rate? Heh...

[SLO GTO]

the street radial, you can drive on all day and night...no problems really, except rain...but out of the bunch it would be the only one that even performs slightly in the rain.

the et street is i believe, the street radial w/no tread, just a few grooves.

i think the drag and drag radials are tubeless (i.e. slicks)

any of them will get you to the track and back 5 miles...you want the best...get the drag or drag radial
it'll ride a little wierd on the highway since their tubeless but it's safe.

[BillyGoatGruff]

Drag Radials have a stiffer sidewall than the rest and don't need an inner tube to stay inflated and affixed to the rim. These can be used for everyday use and have a decent amount of tread (when new).

ET Streets have tread but no inner structure and will need tubes in order to keep them inflated (not sure why, just know how it is). These still, however, can be run on the streets and highways even though not recommended.

ET Drags are full slicks and will also require a tube for inflation. These have no tread at all and are not safe for street/highway use.

The Streets and Drags will have a nice inner bead and are usually affixed to the rim via screws to prevent spinning on the rim. The DRs will usually not be aired down far enough to have them spin on the rim (even though they still could).


Just my observations, please feel to correct or add on to this.

[Brazen6.0]

also "street tires" like Drag Radials are DOT approved.

for 5 miles, I'd just run full slicks and call it a day.

Warn out drag radial (that look like slicks or just plain slicks) are a very bad idea in the rain. I got caught in it while moving my camaro from one house to another, 110 miles trip, in FL, and let me tell you, 30 mph was top before the rear would start going sideways (heck I just stoped for 1h t'ill the storm passed it was get so scary).

Also, be aware that a drag radial that isn't re-inflated to 30psi for street driving will have its sidewall collapse (or be very soft and bend if you will) on a hard corner (or if you are on the interstate at 70mph and have to change lane quickly). I have had a friend that did just that and spun the car 360 and wrecked.

[04gtod]

Trust me. You want the ET Street Radial. You can drive on them back and forth to the track a short distance. Not good in the rain. Would also be your quickest tire at the strip. Heavy cars like the stiffer sidewall radial.

[karthalin]

I like the sounds of the ET Street. Thanx guys! Now, where to buy them...

[04gtod]

Make sure you get ET Street Radial. Summit or Jegs.

[cgamino]

ET streets work great on mine.

[BillyGoatGruff]

Make sure you get ET Street Radial. Summit or Jegs.

There is no such thing as a ET Street Radial. It is either a Drag Radial or an ET Street. Radial implies no inner tube, the ET Street has a tube.

[karthalin]

There is an ET Street and an ET Street Radial. I am going for the street radial

[Anthony K]

There is no such thing as a ET Street Radial. It is either a Drag Radial or an ET Street. Radial implies no inner tube, the ET Street has a tube.



ARE YOU SURE!?!?!?!?

http://www.ls2gto.com/forums/attachment.php?attach mentid=58549&stc=1&d=1179355453

[BillyGoatGruff]

ARE YOU SURE!?!?!?!?

http://www.ls2gto.com/forums/attachment.php?attach mentid=58549&stc=1&d=1179355453

Guess not, usually they are referred to as Drag Radials. I stand corrected. :cry:

[Anthony K]

Guess not, usually they are referred to as Drag Radials. I stand corrected. :cry:

i think his decision is between the S/R's and the drag radials. and is getting them confused:D

[ericwilloughby]

the street radial, you can drive on all day and night...no problems really, except rain...but out of the bunch it would be the only one that even performs slightly in the rain.

the et street is i believe, the street radial w/no tread, just a few grooves.

i think the drag and drag radials are tubeless (i.e. slicks)

any of them will get you to the track and back 5 miles...you want the best...get the drag or drag radial
it'll ride a little wierd on the highway since their tubeless but it's safe.

tubeless? ALL tires are tubeless, this isn't 1940. I have ran full, wrinkle wall, drag slicks before and don't know about this "tube"? I have heard of Nascar tires that have an inner and outer tire with dif pressure in each?

[karthalin]

I'm good on what tire I am going to get (275/XX/15 MT ET Street Radial), now the question is what size wheel.

Its been recommended to me to get a 15x8 Holeshot with a 5/16" back spacing. Why only 8"? Would a 275 fit better on a 9" wheel?

I am going to run some 275/40/18's on my 9.5" wide Thruxtons for daily driving, which is why I am concerned to run the radial on a wheel 1.5" shorter. Should I go with a wider wheel? I thought more contact patch is better.

[ericwilloughby]

Yes it would, I'd say the problem is you may not be able to get the backspacing to keep that extra inch of wheel on the inside of the car instead of rubbing your quarter panel. Check out the spacing of those new wheels. The OEM 17's have a 45-48mm offset.