Thread: Best compound for drag slicks for my '32 Ford???

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....I'm headed to the drag races in August & am considering putting on slicks at the track. I've looked up different drag tires {Hoosier, MT, M & H, etc} & they use different rubber compounds depending on whether you want soft or firm sidewalls. What would be best for a '32 Ford {weights 2450} that has 460 HP & 499 TQ, a built Turbo 400 trans {w/ a trans brake}, 4:11 true track rear & a HD drive shaft. Please keep in mind that I will add HP later so I'd like to have these tires be 'over-kill' if anything. I was thinking on using a set of 12" x 15" wheels & a set of 12" slicks but I don't know anything about the 'compounds'..... THANKS, Bill

Soft componunds wear faster but hook harder.... If you are going to run a 12" slick, I'd say a mid compound would be fine... If it's going to be a race only slick and not a street tire slick, Goodyear and Hoosier halve always worked quite well for me!!!!

This is a tough question to answer off the cuff. Like Dave said, a mid-range tire may be your best bet. It sounds like this will be the first time to the strip for the car and, without knowing what type of suspension you have, or how tuneable it is, the only recommendation is to split the difference to see where you're at. Not much we can tell you until you get a few runs under the car. Getting the car to hook is going to be your first priority and a midrange or hard compound may be a little more forgiving on parts when it does.
Mark

When you need "professional advice" just ask a "PRO".

Check MandHtires.com for a phone number to their office in Bakersfield, CA.

Ask for John Hashim (The "H" in M&H) for his advice. John is a second generation racer and he will not steer you wrong if you honestly tell him exactly what you have and what you want to do. He will tell you rim widths, starting air pressures, how to warm-up the tires, and any other question you might have to answer. You can't get this type of expert "specific" advice by calling Summit or Jeg's. And since he is the manufacturer/distributor you will get a good price. They even go so far as mounting every slick they sell and size the circumference to make sure you get a "matched set".

Tell him John Palmer the "VW racer" sent you.

Hooiser D05 Is the most popular compound.

.....Thanks everyone, Think I'll call M & H and see what he has to say & go from there. I got some front tires from them before & they were really helpful.... thanks, bill

i bought a set of used 50% hoosier quick times last year and am much impressed with them. have about 30 runs on them now and they are still in good shape.
ill be getting another set of them once i have used these up.
lots of guys run m&hs too and seem to like them.

Originally Posted by John Palmer

When you need "professional advice" just ask a "PRO".

Check MandHtires.com for a phone number to their office in Bakersfield, CA.

Ask for John Hashim (The "H" in M&H) for his advice. John is a second generation racer and he will not steer you wrong if you honestly tell him exactly what you have and what you want to do. He will tell you rim widths, starting air pressures, how to warm-up the tires, and any other question you might have to answer. You can't get this type of expert "specific" advice by calling Summit or Jeg's. And since he is the manufacturer/distributor you will get a good price. They even go so far as mounting every slick they sell and size the circumference to make sure you get a "matched set".

Tell him John Palmer the "VW racer" sent you.

..... I called John @ M & H tires on Thursday, ordered my tires & got them today. John recommended the 30 x 10.5 x 15's wrinkle wall slicks so that's what I got. He said I'd be WAY over-tired if I went as wide on the width as I wanted to go. That I could even go into the 600 HP range & not need 'more tire'. Plus these go on 10" wide wheels which are cheaper than the 12's ... I'm going to call Monday & order rims from Wheel Vintiques. The #12 Series Smoothie's, 15 x 10's wide, reversed with the same back spacing that I have now {I'll take the rim off tomorrow & measure}. To get the Back spacing that I need I'll have to have them reversed. Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend M & H to anyone who needs tires...... THANKS to all who helped me with this decision... Bill