Hoosier Big Radials
 

I'm trying to help a friend that has been trying some Hoosier 14.5 x 32 x 15 Radials. Car woked fine with the bias tires, he switched to the radials and the car is so unstable he couldn't stay in the throttle.
The car has a four link rear susp. He tried as much as 18 lbs. of air, said it seemed worse at 18 than it did at 15 lbs., car weighs about 3000 lbs with the driver.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Jim Cimarolli

Re: Hoosier Big Radials
 

Hi Jim
how are you?

regarding the big Hoosiers..... I use them and don't have any issues with them. Your friend should start by making sure they are balanced properly. Next he can tighten the rear shocks and that may help. I did tighten up the rear shocks w/ mine. The pressure he's using sounds right 18 or so pounds.

Also.. the radials are very sensitive to how the car rebounds from the wheelstand. If one front tire hits the pavement before the other, the force gets transfered to the opposite rear tire and then back and forth between the left and right rear wheels. With bias ply tires you would never even notice it. Check the front end travel to see if its even on both sides. Likewise the radials are more sensitive to bumps in the track surface.
hope all is well
take care
Angelo D.

Re: Hoosier Big Radials
 

Thankyou Angelo, nice to hear from you, doing well here and I hope you are too.
I will pass on your thoughts to my friend, sounds like a good analogy.

Jim

Re: Hoosier Big Radials
 

Jim,

Drop the air pressure down to about what you were running the bias ply tire and see if it calms down the problem. then start to increase the pressure. The car should get progressively faster until you find the sweet spot. This is what I had to do with my car. I run a mickey tire found about 14 lbs worked the best for me. good luck.

Re: Hoosier Big Radials
 

Thanks Mike, appreciate the info.

Jim

Re: Hoosier Big Radials
 

I actually run the 12.2 x31.5 mickey tire. I have it mounted on a 14 inch rim. On a real good track I have run 15 lbs. Anything more compromises the hook and doesn't run any faster.