Help needed - Front runners

[glynmo]

Hey Guys,

I have been doing a bit of reading on the drag radials/slicks topic and have discovered that the general consensus is dont run a radial tyre up front with slicks on the back. This is where my problem starts.

I have gotten my hands on a set of slicks (consider a 'rag' tyre I think, correct me if im wrong) which means I need to run front runners instead of my usual 20s. The only thing is that 15" ceptors wont fit over my front brakes.

I had been told about the HSV 17" space savers but I believe they all come with a radial tyre and no one seems to be able to get a suitable tyre to suit those rims. A few ebay items to see what I mean:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2-17-Holden-HSV-VE-commodore-Front-runners-Space-Saver_W0QQitemZ330360579642QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_C ar_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4ceb06663a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/COMMODORE-MONARO-GENUINE-17-ALLOY-SPACE-SAVER-WHEEL_W0QQitemZ260480134202QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_C ar_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ca5d36c3a&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

Other than getting a drag radial at $400 a pop, what other options do I have?

Would the tyres that come with the space savers be ok?

Thanks Glyn.

[zorro]

Theres a nangkang tire than Ive seen people use thats like a 195 or something (call around).

Depending on track and how nazi they are Ive seen plenty of cars getting around with slicks on the rea and street tires up front. Ive done it and aside from low pressure soft walled tires on the back I have never felt this 'nasty' walking over the track some comment on.

[GenReaper]

I used to run Slicks on my drag car with Cross Ply tyres up front, was perfect.

As for tyre sizes you would have to look around.

Pretty sure the rules for ANDRA state that if you run slicks you need either Crossply tyres or Drag ET front runners.

NOT RADIALS.

The crossplys i ran were 13inch and at 135MPH tracked perfect and never blew out.

17 or 18 inch would have less rotational speed and be even better.

Have a look here you may find what you are after.

http://www.vintagetyresales.com.au/catalog5.html

[glynmo]

Theres a nangkang tire than Ive seen people use thats like a 195 or something (call around).

Depending on track and how nazi they are Ive seen plenty of cars getting around with slicks on the rea and street tires up front. Ive done it and aside from low pressure soft walled tires on the back I have never felt this 'nasty' walking over the track some comment on.

So if the tyre pressure is up, it shouldnt want to wander around as bad?


I used to run Slicks on my drag car with Cross Ply tyres up front, was perfect.

As for tyre sizes you would have to look around.

Pretty sure the rules for ANDRA state that if you run slicks you need either Crossply tyres or Drag ET front runners.

NOT RADIALS.

The crossplys i ran were 13inch and at 135MPH tracked perfect and never blew out.

17 or 18 inch would have less rotational speed and be even better.

Have a look here you may find what you are after.

http://www.vintagetyresales.com.au/catalog5.html

The add mentions those space savers as having GOODYEAR T145/70/R17 tyres on them. What would that translate to in the numbers on that vintagetyres site - eg 525/550-17?

[TIR33D]

The R17 means radial tyre. You can get a MT in a 17' rag but they are around $300 each also.
The vintage site the first numbers are inches wide. (ie 5 and 1/4 inch wide)
Basically chage your front brakes or buy some expensive MT rags

[WLDLS1]

all you have to do is sell your slicks(crossplys) and buy some ET STREET RADIALS and then you wont have this problem. plenty of 8 second cars using radials and they work.

[GenReaper]

The R17 means radial tyre. You can get a MT in a 17' rag but they are around $300 each also.
The vintage site the first numbers are inches wide. (ie 5 and 1/4 inch wide)
Basically chage your front brakes or buy some expensive MT rags

The 5 1/4 inch wide is incorrect.

I ran 525/13 on my car and they were about 3 3/4 inches wide as you can see in this photo. For a V8 car with alot more weight you would need about 650 at least.

http://www.users.on.net/~danzig/air_03_05_001b.jpg

[TIR33D]

[QUOTE=VY*SS*II*Wagon;1592339]The 5 1/4 inch wide is incorrect.

I ran 525/13 on my car and they were about 3 3/4 inches wide as you can see in this photo. For a V8 car with alot more weight you would need about 650 at least.

I agree about the width issue but, a 5.60-15 or 5.90-15 stand very close to the standard height tyre. A 6.50 would stand to high.
5.25 inch = 135mm wide
3.75 inch = 96mm

5.25-17 has an OD of 732mm or about 80mm higher than normal.

http://www.performanceplustire.com/products/otherTires/subSection/antiqueTires/searchType/searchBySize/sizeShort/525_SLASH_550-17#prodAnchor

[glynmo]

Righto, thanks for the input guys. MT radials here i come..