Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

In the lower SSGT classes, say GT/MA and below, are you at a disadvantage if you chose to run a Stocker style small tire, instead of a big tire, back half converted entry? I’m wondering about success ratio in eliminations as opposed to qualifying performance.

I would like to see theories, not specific examples of rides built one way or the other. More like, “Why would you go one way versus the other from the get go?”

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

Well...
If the car hooks consistently with a small tire, why would you want to tote the extra weight and/or rolling resistance of a larger tire?

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

We run a 9.0/30 or 10.5/30 on our SS/LA and
a 10.5/30 on our SS/KA Mopars when we want
to go fast.

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

Factory stockers are running high 7's/low 8's on small tires.

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

Yes, no disputing the fact that you can be fast on a small tire, but is it equal to the big tire package in consistency?

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

Please reread post number 3. That is why seasoned racers keep another pair of slicks hanging on the trailer wall …..:):)

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

I personally have not had trouble with small tires once I got my shock settings correct. I adjust launch rpm depending on track conditions. This year i have run 30/10.5 Hoosier and 30/9 Goodyear. I found the Goodyear to be .03 quicker

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

All in the set up...
If you work on the car and get it consistent, it will work.
It mostly depends on what you want to put into in time and testing to make it work...

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

but if we had a bigger tire we could easily get more out of them. I had more issues spinning on the top end of the track this year than on the launch. Maybe Pat should make us run 8" tires instead of 9" in lieu of pully adjustments all the time LOL

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

Maybe not exactly what you are looking for but we run 29.5x10.5 stiff sidewall M/T's on the NA heads up car. I also run them on my 64 which is 3644 with me in it. The heads up car is 2740 and we have been 1.06 60' with it and it repeats like a bracket car with that tire. My 64 has been 1.20 but usually its 1.3x becuase its tripping it with something other than the front tire.

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

I have no doubt you could get more out of them with bigger tires. I was just pointing out that you dont need big tires to make a fast car work

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

How about a low horsepower stocker and I'll use U/SA as an example. Will a car like this benefit by using a tire smaller than a 9x30?

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

Well, if you have good weight transfer, as a stocker, then you will have good weight transfer footbraking as a low hp superstocker with the same 9 inch radial tire.......GT/MA and down is going to be slower than A/SA, B/SA, and likely most of C.....if you are starting out from the get go, I would go small tire for best relative performance assuming you are footbraking, no real investment and make that weight transfer great versus good(relocate that battery, etc), and you shouldn't have any elimination traction issues that can be controlled. If you go the transbrake route, well now you are simulating a stick stocker......if you want to run 9 inch radials with transbrake it could get dicey, wider tire wouldn't hurt. Or a bi plias but then you are giving up some performance. Thats my thought on it. If you are thinking of converting the Mustang the only thing you might need to add would be a set of wheelie bars....if you get the cam and convertor, and gearing just right! Eric

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

The Gremlin uses a 26 X 9 bias plias in T/SA.....9 x 30 would allow for a lower rear gear, not sure I would pick up much there even with the radial, I have run a 26X9 radial MT in the car, seemed exactly the same.....now the new 26 X 8ish bracket radial from hoosier might just be the ticket for best et.

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

I wanted to try. Only found 9x28
Someone had 8x26 but afraid a gear change is needed.

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

He gave you the best advice you got. As we know it is possible to get a fast heavy car with 9" tire to go down the track, it is not with out a lot of effort. The lightest, least resistance tire you have that will hook up on launch will out qualify a heavier tire combo. When your putting the number on the window how much of that extra ET that the smaller tire combo is worth it when your going rounds late in the day and track prep is not good. A larger tire should be more consistent as the track fades away. I would prefer a bigger tire for more consistent times versus what you give up on ET. Less weight = faster times / bigger tire = better chance of consistent ET.

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

When I was running the Nova with a 6 cyl. in U or V/SA, I ran a 26in tall tire on the back. Some research showed that tire weight may have a bit of effect especially on a slower car. I tried a set of 235/60r15, roughly 26x9 radial M/T et streets I had laying around. Then I ended up running goodyear 26x8 bias plys. Even though they are bias ply, they only weigh 16lbs a tire, versus about 25lbs for the radials I had, so they were a bit faster. Oddly enough, when the track prep was iffy(test and tune nights mostly), the car would go faster, especially when it would turn the tire about a quarter to half turn off the line. I was also crazy enough to run at most 30psi in the 26x8 bias plys if I really was "going for it."

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

Southeast Gassers Association Super Stock uses this Spec tire.
Hoosier Tire # 18950 7x29 91" Bias

Re: Small Tire vs Big Tire?
 

You forgot to tell him you ran a27inch front tire!
With a26 inch tall in the back
Doug BigWheel Hoven.