slicks or radials?

I have built (almost complete) a Fox bodied T-bird. It is time to buy tires, but I am a bit confused. The car is mocked up with the ET drag 29.5/10.5w 15s.

Real quick run down
Strip only 466 aluminum headed BBF, glide/brake, 9 inch/4.11, w/ stock location adjustable rear suspension. Expect to run around N. Florida tracks.

I like the idea that radials have better top end handling, last longer, don't fall off, ect., but I have read that setting the car up for radials can be tricky. What exaclty does "tricky" mean in this case? I don't want to end up frustrated because I can't find the ellusive "magic setup".

Question - Can a noobee racer use ET Street radials on a Fox Ford suspension without going crazy? (read: how difficult is it to hook consistently on the radials with this car?)

Question - Is ET Streets the way to go (if radial is chosen)?

I know there is a lot of variables and no "exact" answer. I am just looking for some feedback from someone that's been there, done that. I would hate to spend $500 on tires only to have 10 people tell me later that it was a stupid move on my part.

Slicks are for drag cars if you are worried about top end stability run tubes and a stiff sidewall


ET Streets are for weekend warrirors not a very good race only tire. this is not a RADIAL

Drag Radials do last longer and are a little bit quicker than a slick, but the suspension and track has to be there. they are listed on MT website as DRAG RADIAL not ET STREETS

MT also offers a RADIAL SLICK this is a very good tire for longevity and repeatablity they have not caught on quite yet but everybody that has a set here will not go back to a slick only tire.

the tire is listed as ET Street Radial.

tricky, in my book, means that the tuning window is smaller than regular slicks. Unless it is class racing I would run the tires that you mocked the car up with. Those tires are big, will last a pretty good while at your horsepower level and have a stiff sidewall (all W's do).

you need to have the rear suspension plotted and car scaled.

we run 29.5x10.5s non W tires and go 1.23-1.25 at our local tracks and 1.18-1.20 when we head east to the better surfaces with the car set up for consistancy not kill.