95RedEX

I'm really kind of at the end of my rope and I need some help.

I started using some Nitto 555Rs at the track this year and my times are actually getting worse! My 60' times especially. I could pull a 2.2 60' on some (nearly BALD) Dunlop SP Sport 5000s last year and run a 14.3 ET, which I'm cool with... But I got thse tires in the hopes that I could improve my 60' times and any time I've used these stupid tires, my 60' are now 2.4 or 2.5 and my ET has dropped from 14.9 to 15.1... This SUCKS!

I guess at the same time, I'm really not sure I know how to use them exactly. I tried them at 22 PSI and then 16 PSI and the lower I got, the slower I got... I don't burnout in the waterbox. I've tried it with and w/o FTL (Uberdata), although I think my 3,500 RPM FTL may be too low. Do you still try to feather out the launch with FTL or just dump it? I was getting ok grip in first with FTL but then I'd end up spinning in second. Sometimes it would bog too.

I don't know... It just seems like every "great" idea I come up with just makes things worse... The only other thing I can think of is that I have a Z6 with a huge T3 (.60/.63) turbo. I had some lag before and I wonder if that lag is made worse by the drag radials...

USS

You said it yourself; you don't burn out in the waterbox. Nitto's need to heat up in order to stick. They really suck when they're cold. My buddy has them and can get ~1.9-2.0 on them no prob.

Jimclure

yep get a nice burn out with them

95RedEX

Really? I did some searching and the general idea I got was that you don't need to do burnouts with drag radials, just slicks...

What about tire PSI or launch RPM? I've been steadily dropping the pressure to gain traction and it's not working. But I also have had a bad habit of dumping the clutch when I launch. I've gotten better about it, but I think I lay on it too quickly and spin the tires. Even with FTL, I end up bogging a little in first and spin them in 2nd.

------- A, I need to learn how to launch!

If I continue to use FTL though, I don't think Uberdata has a switch to turn it off. So it has to be high enough to do burnout, but low enough to control traction.

scottsi

i busted a 2.001 with my 300zx on a 130k suspension, and i always do a fatty burnout before. i bet the old school guys are wondering what the SSQ bov sound is.

USS

I've never used FTL, or uberdata for that matter. I would assume that if you used different clutch methods along with the FTL type thing you should be okay.

Now, I assume that FTL lets you floor it, but the engine will stay at a steady RPM rather than climb. If this is the case, dump the clutch in order to do a burnout. If you dump it, your tires will spin (especially if they're cold). Grab for the ebrake to help so you don't fly forward. Once that is done, continue on up and stage. I would do a fully throttle launch, but slowly feather the clutch (don't dump it like you did with the burnout). This is the method that I have used and yes, it does take some practice.

95RedEX

I don't suppose you know if drag radials are supposed to be fully inflated or partially inflated?

I do remember checking Nitto's site and they really don't offer much in the way of info on how to use their tires. 'll have to look again.

And thanks for the comments! Keep 'em coming!

USS

I would put them at about 20-25 psi. They have soft sidewalls, but is you deflate them a bit you'll get a better contact patch. Every domestic and import guy I've talked to has also burned the ---- out of their nittos. I have two friends with F-bodies in the 360 WHP range and they are using Nittos right now. They grip pretty damn good even with they're almost bald.

Spenser

maybe you're car just sucks now.... its not like stock block turbo hondas last very long.

scottsi

i put mine at about 18psi, thats when i busted the 2.0, first it was 25 = 2.2 21 = 2.1 18 = 2.001