Am I being fed a line?

[Black_Knight]

I Called Nitto the other week and inquired about their 325/50/R15 drag radials. I asked their "tech guy" what difference I would notice in handling if I switched from my current 16 in Nitto drag radials.

To my shock, he claimed the 15 in tires would IMPROVE my handling. I asked him again to be sure, and he said "yes, the wider contact patch will mean the rear is going to feel more planted in the corners."

Now I'm like, WTF, with the extra sidewall, no way could handling be BETTER. So am I being fed a line or what?

[Jason Reiss]

If you want a handling tire, don't buy a drag radial of any brand.

Theoretically, the larger contact patch might help handling, but the way that drag radials (of any brand) are designed is to have a softer sidewall to help "wrap" the wheel and tire during a launch.

[Black_Knight]

The thing is, I am satisfied with the handling characteristics of my current 16" nittos. So long as the 15's aren't any worse than my 16's, then I would consider it just fine. My goal isn't to autocross the car, I just want to keep it streetable. And we all have our ideas of what THAT means. :)

[Jason Reiss]

Yep. Your idea is different from mine. LOL...

Anyway, what are the sizes of the ones you have?

[Black_Knight]

P245/50 R16 96V, which is the only 16" size nitto makes. :)

[Jason Reiss]

P245/50 R16 - 4.83" sidewall height unloaded.
P325/50 R16 - 6.4" sidewall height unloaded.

I find it hard to believe that a tire with a 1.57" taller overall sidewall would handle better...

[Black_Knight]

When inflated to "street" spec, would that make a difference?

I mean I'm with you on this one, I just want to make sure all the bases are covered.

[Jason Reiss]

Will it make a difference? Yes. Will it make enough of a difference to overcome the increase in section height? No.

If the 245/50's hook OK, leave it alone.

[Black_Knight]

If the 245/50's hook OK, leave it alone.
LOL, they don't. And that's my doing, as I've hardly done the whole "drop the pressure to 15psi and do a burnout" thing. With a 10bolt that's for the best...

Ah, but they CERTAINLY won't hold for what I'm planning.... but perhaps I've said too much. :D

[Ranger50]

Jason...

I have seen some RR cars on the FRONT use DR's, when you can't use a specific R-compound "race" tire... They want the extra grip the compound offers and they just live with the fact of the stupidly soft sidewall.

Handling would improve, IMO. Only becuase the sidewall is now doing some of the work the suspension should be doing. I have never met a f-body that doesn't overwork the tires in a corner.

Brian