MT ET street radials or MT ET Street "Drag" radials

[Detomaso71]

I see most car have ET streets but noticed there are two types, on has the word drag in it and a normal looking tread pattern and the other, the MT Street radial is slicker but has some tread on it.

Which is better/more widely used for a 275/50/15.

Thanks

[Keller]

All Mickey tires with "Drag" in the name are slicks. So unless you are looking for slicks...

http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/strip.php?item=ETStreet
http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/strip.php?item=ETStreetRadial

Frankly, I like the latter one better. They seem to last a long time and provide excellent launches. Not to mention great street manners if you drive them on the road.

If your question was about slicks, let us know.

[87geeinn]

Also, the former requires tubes, whereas the latter is a true radial. I have the street radials in 275/50/15 on mine and they stick really well. Just baby the car if you drive it in wet conditions because they will spin very easily.

With that width, they will fit on the stock size rim, however they might shine up the inner portion of the frame depending on how your rear end is centered with the rest of the car. Regardless, clearance is very close but they do fit. Lots of people run them with no problems.

[Keller]

Also, the former requires tubes, whereas the latter is a true radial.
True enough. But I've used them without. With proper preparation (i.e. coating the inside if the tire with dish soap, and letting it dry, before having them mounted to wheels) you can actually hold pressure pretty consistently.

IMHO, **NO** tire of that size should be on a 7" wheel. You won't get the proper contact patch or wear.

[Survivor87]

IMHO, **NO** tire of that size should be on a 7" wheel. You won't get the proper contact patch or wear.

Agree 100%. You would be much better off with a 235/60 on a 7 inch wheel and depending on your performance level it may be all you need. I think Mickey Thompson reccomends an 8.5 minimum wheel width for their 275/50 tire. Not piling on 87 geeinn...the 275 does fit as he described and looks very tough up under there, it just won't wear properly or contact fully.
Now if you can live with a slightly taller tire, which will throw your speedometer off a little, the 255/60/15 ET Street Radial is listed to work with a 7 inch wheel width.
I have been into the mid 1.60 range on 60' many times with this tire on my factory wheels and even have a 1.59 timeslip around here somewhere. Great street manners too.

[IL KIM]

(i.e. coating the inside if the tire with dish soap, and letting it dry, before having them mounted to wheels) you can actually hold pressure pretty consistently.

IMHO, never coat tires with dish soap. Based on working in the OEM assembly plants, this is a no-no. Soap never dries without leaving a residue and tires tend to spin relative to the wheels, throwing off balance on new cars. Then again, maybe we don't feel the Noise/Vibration/Harshness as much in our old cars. We use Purple Merpol (Merpol diluted 200:1) or specific tire lube so it evaporates as it dries.

[Keller]

We use Purple Merpol (Merpol diluted 200:1) or specific tire lube so it evaporates as it dries.
I just looked up info on that, and it appears to be a know carcinogen. And line workers are cautioning each other about using it. Maybe a look at a MSDS would be a good idea.

Given that these are race tires, and should not be used on the street, the balance will not be affected by long stretches of driving. Plus, I'd rather not get cancer by trying to get a good seal of the tire. :winkgrin: As long as you spread it evenly and work with an installer that will see that the bead is installed cleanly and it is balanced OK, I don't think a little bit of Dawn or Joy will make your wheels wobble too badly. Hasn't for me. Old racer trick.

[IL KIM]

Have you ever read the MSDS on engine coolant? Just about any fluid can kill you. Just need to use them as directed. Don't drink any purple stuff!