StopTech, rim sizes & drag radials

[MES]

I'm thinking of getting some new rims and brakes so I wanted to see if anyone else has tried the following:

97 GTS with stock 17" rims

1. If I get 18" HRE 547 rims and Stoptech rotors/caliper/pads all 4 wheels, will they fit? Same size rims as the newer stock 18" cars. I think yes they should.

2. Can the 17" stock rims 10X17 (front) fit on the rear with StopTech? I want to put drag radials on the stock front rims then mount them on the rear. I'm not going to drive around with the drag radials on, except to and from the track.

3. Will 18" pilot sports in the front and 17" drag radials in the rear cause the car to get "loose" or difficult to control running the 1/4 ?

4. would BFG drag radials be the best 315/35/17 or is there an 18" or something else you would recommend. Do theses tires have as much "bite" as a true racing slick, I don't really want to start breaking stuff.

5. Are multi piece rims like the HRE's legal at a drag strip or road course? I thought I remembered seeing somewhere that the rims must be welded, could be wrong.

Any comments welcome, Thanks.

 

[jamie furman]

Call Heffner he has done some of those brakes. 410-766-2800

 

[LTHL VPR]

Here are some of the answers to your questions:

1) Not all 18" wheels will fit the StopTech 14" 4-wheel kit. I know there was someone with Kinesis wheels that had a problem, so an 18" HRE may not work either. The 18" ACR wheels and stock 18" Viper wheels work, and I believe CCW makes a wheel that will clear as well.

2)I don't think the stock front wheels will clear the rear StopTech kits, although we have never tried it, considering the stock 18" rear wheels don't clear by much.

3) If you don't want to go with true slicks, the BFG radials do work better than stock tires. However, since it sounds like you are going doing some drag racing, I would recommend that you consider upgrading the halfshafts. The tranny on the Viper can withstand some abuse as evidenced by the mega horsepower Vipers that run slicks at the strip.

4)Nothing will 'bite' as hard as a true drag racing slick.

Hope this helps.
We are a dealer for StopTech brake kit and parts as well as CCW wheels.
-Wayne (LTHL VPR)

 

[genXgts]

Anyone have an experience with Nitto's Drag Radial in a 305 on a rear stock 17" rim, doable? Or better to run with stock 17" front rims for bead up issues???

thanks
Ryan