Street driving impressions: slicks & skinnies

[treynor]

Having mounted up my Purner drag slicks & skinnies this afternoon for the first time, I just had to take the car out for a spin to see how they worked. The results were somewhat interesting, at least to me:

(a) OK, these are not roadrace tires. The rear end feels spongy & soft, and the front end has a tendency to wander and follow rain grooves. Steering response is lazy but manageable. Braking is waaaay down; maybe 2/3 of the stopping power of the stock wheels / tires. Ride is more comfortable than stock.
(b) Launching is totally different. Even with 25 PSI in the rears, and of course no burnout, all I could get was a quick "squeak" from the rear tires when leaving a stoplight. I launched as high as 2200 RPM, and the tires just hook up and bog the engine. I have Tom's advice on how to launch at the 'strip after a burnout, but any advice on launching while street driving would be appreciated.
(c) Corvettes give me *very* apprehensive looks when they see the "M/T" white letters on my rear tires. I wonder why...

 

[SoCal Rebell]

Try launching between 4,000-4,500 rpm.

 

[treynor]

Heh -- that's about what I figured. Unfortunately, this is *street* driving, and with the CDI headers and Belanger exhaust, the police will take notice of a yellow Viper revving its engine to 4,500 RPM at stoplights. Guess I'll just have to turn on the NOS system so I can launch at 3,000 and not bog.

 

[Maverick The Electrician]

I have been driving on the slicks and skinnies set up for about a year, Only thing I can say is dont change lanes and try and cut someone off, the rear gets real unstable.

 

[bad viper]

ditto Albert..also fronts will lockup very eaisily under hard braking..if you don't have to stop fast or turn sharply
then Party on!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BLS]

Ben,

Do you have any pictures of the new tire and wheel setup on your car? If so, I would love to see them.

Byron

 

[JonB]

You guys are scaring me!

Now that I make my living at Viper parts, do you realize how much 'I need you guys' and appreciate your CONTINUE business? STAY SAFE !!

 

[treynor]

It's raining outside (in California, in June!?) so I have only an indoor shot of the Purners. They're a slick setup:

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