This is sort of a reprise of something I posted on NLOC. Took my truck to Irwindale Thurs. nite to try out the new motor and tranny. Got my a$$ handed to me numerous times; couldn't get any traction at all off the line on the F1s. Some people think it may be due to the 4.10 gears, and or the new billet stall converter. I know I could get a set of ET streets (slicks would be pointless, they don't allow them at Irwindale), but I want something that I can drive on a daily basis. I am more interested in stoplight races than going to the strip, though both are fun. Any suggestions for sticker rubber than I can use on the street? Are the new Nittos out yet, and has anyone tried them? How about getting another set of rear wheels, widening them, and putting some 345s back there? Any suggestions for improved traction would be welcome.

 

Alpha,

4.10 gears are not going to help on street tires... The new compound F1's are much soft on the out cap and give much better traction. But like the old F1's, they get hard and loose thier stickyness. You could try to put them on reversed (R tire on L side, and L tire on R side). That will help some, just dont get caught in any rain like that.

As far widening the wheels, the only to my knoweldge that has done that was MRBBQMAN.

The nittos, I have no clue of when they are due out.

Im not sure if M/T makes 18" sport comp tires (cheater slicks). But you might want to look into those as well...

 

Alphadogy:
It was nice seeing someone out there Thurs at Irwindale. Im also looking at buyin some Mt ETzor something with better traction and something that i can use strictly for racing. Im going to start research on some tires, but let me know if u find a good setup that hooks and is good for track use. OH, and by the way, Irwindale is allowing slicks, so there is a possibility of using a full on drag slick.
-Dennis

 

As far as widening them, I know that BABolt did this to his '99 and also had them chromed. They do look nice. Might want to get with him if your going to do it.

 

Alpha, its the converter! It flashes at a higher RPM, allowing the truck to get higher in the rpm range (more available torque) on launch.

In combination this the 4.10 gears, you will have a serious traction deficiency. Truck-Traks will help a little, but you are only going to get so much out of the F-1's.

With that set-up, you are going to need ET Streets to get it launched. They improved my 60' times by almost .3 secs.

I was able to run 8.35 in the 1/8 there. You have plenty of combination to exceed that.

I had a chance to check out the Nitto's on Casper at the SEMA show. They are 305mm wide and fit 18" wheels. Very interesting.
Its a Drag/Street tire.

 

Rated at 180 for the street compared to the 300 rating of the F1's. Hole Shot G Force Mean! This will solve your street problem but Jay is right. MT ET Street's for the strip.

 

what size comp t/a's are best? do the make a size identical to stock?

 

Alphadogy what was your 60 ft? I was able to pull a 2.00 on my F1's with 4.10's at Irwindale, I was there the week before you.

 

Jay, I assume that you are talking about the 555Rs? No applications for an 18" wheel are listed on the Nitto web site, or at Discount Tire. Did the Nitto rep tell you they were going to make them for the Lightning, and if so when? They really sound what I am looking for. I plan to look into installing a set of Rancho traction bars tomorrow. As far as the Comp T/As, they come in the same size as the F1s, but according to the comparison chart at Tire Rack I don't see any particular advantage over the F1s.

 

George, I know Americas Tire Co. is selling the Nitto's for the L. They tried selling some to me this past Fri. when I went to order new F1's. If you want, I can check on the price and info of them for you tomorrow, since i'm going in to pick up my f1's and M/T Et streets........

 

George, I don't think the Nitto's are officially out yet. The ones that I saw are prototypes, being tested.

I'm not sure when they will be available, but the rumor I heard was they will be available towards the end of the year.

 

Marcus, they were probably trying to sell you a set of 555s, as Jay said the 555Rs are not available yet. And I checked with Rancho and they do not make traction bars for the L., so it looks like I am going to have to spring for JDM's. Damn, $495. Will this truck ever stop sucking money out of my rapidly declining bank account?

 

Alpha, the bars the JDM makes appear the same as the Rancho's. I believe that JDM has special mounting brackets made so that hey will fit a Lightning.

 

Jay, I believe you're right, the bars do look the same, but Rancho says they do not make an application to fit the L. so Jim must be adapting them. No wonder they are so damn expensive. And I believe these are the answer to the sticky rubber issue- http://www.nittotire.com/tire_nt555r_overview.asp
Can be driven on the street and tire wear is not an issue, as I almost never drive the L. any more. Maybe I will get another pair of wheels, though, and just drive the Nittos at the strip. Nitto says they will be available "soon".

 

My son and a bunch of his buddies run their BFG Drag radials on the street too. They do have to be careful when it rains. They have about the same tread depth as the Nitto's.

Of course, it never rains in So. Cal. Those drops are liquid sunshine.