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BFG Drag Radials past their prime?

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  • #1

    BFG Drag Radials past their prime?

    I decided to put my street wheel and tires on the Formula for the first time in at least 2 years. Cleaned them all up, mounted them (they sure look awful small compared to the 28" slicks), checked the pressure, and took the car out for a test drive. After warming the engine, oil and trans up well, I decided to do a little "fly by" past the house across the street from mine, for the benefit of the three Mustang owners who live there........ nailed it from a 10MPH roll, and before the throttle was 1/2-way to the floor, the rear end was loose and sliding all over the place. My "fly by" turned into a very good impression of a John Force burnout.

    The 315/35-17 BFG Drag Radials are about 4-1/2 years old, and haven't been on the car in at least 2 years. They were stored in an unheated garage, away from direct sunlight. Do you think they've "dried out" or somehow lost any semblance of traction?

    I did notice when I was cleaning the wheels and tires that the tread had the "brown" tinge that Joe posted about last week. Maybe they'll hook better after a few more burnouts?????? When they were new, they provided fairly decent traction, only becoming a problem when I switched from 3.73's to 4.11's.
    Fred

    381ci all-forged stroker - 10.8:1 - CNC LT4 heads/intake - CC solid roller - MoTeC engine management - 8 LS1 coils - 58mm TB - 78# injectors - 300-shot dry nitrous - TH400 - Gear Vendor O/D - Strange 12-bolt - 4.11's - AS&M headers - duals - Corbeau seat - AutoMeter gauges - roll bar - Spohn suspension - QA1 shocks - a few other odds 'n ends. 800HP/800lb-ft at the flywheel, on a 300-shot. 11.5 @ 117MPH straight motor
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  • #2
    I have a set of BFG Drag Radial that have been stored outside in the shade for 2 years also. Mine haven't discolored at all though. I have noticed though that the rubber feels harder when I dig my nail into the tread. I'm sure that a few trips around the street ought to soften up the rubber enough to regain that lost traction. Speaking of John Force, I got to see him race today. He didn't do so well. And man is his daughter pretty!
    1996 Arctic White Z28, A4, K&N CAI, TByrne MAF ends, BBK Twin-52mm TB, TB Bypass, SLP 1 3/4" Shorties, Richmond 3.42's, Dynomax Bullet Muffler W/Turn Down, BMR Adj. Panhard, EIBACH Pro-Kit, AFS ZR1 Wheels W/17x11" out back!

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    • #3
      Same thing here Fred. Mine don't hook unless I roast em first.

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      • #4
        Ditto. Mine got all sticky after my first big burnout at the track and now all kinds of pebbles & stuff are sticking to them. They are also about 5 years old & have a brown tinge to them. But they got real sticky after the burnouts, although that was not enough to matter for my 60 time.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Injuneer
          ...My "fly by" turned into a very good impression of a John Force burnout.
          That is a perfect description to fire the imagination.
          2002 Electron Blue Vette, 1SC, FE3/Z51, G92 3.15 gears, 308.9 RWHP 321.7 RWTQ (before any mods), SLP headers, Z06 exhaust, MSD Ignition Wires, AC Delco Iridium Spark Plugs, 160 t-stat, lots of ECM tuning

          1995 Z28, many mods, SOLD

          A proud member of the "F-Body Dirty Dozen"

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          • #6
            from what I understand it is Ozone that kills the rubber... in addition to sunlight. I'f I remember the Kerminator right that is... I think the best way to store them is to put them in a sealed plastic, airtight bag...

            but hey, if they're still great and handle great, I see no problem
            Rhode Island Red *Lurker since 1997*

            2002 Firehawk #0035/1503 !Cags | !Air | !PCV | Airborn-coated Kooks LT's | Powerbond UD Pulley | Custom Cam | Ported Oil pump | LS2 timing chain | Comp 918's | Hardened push rods | LSS | BMR STB | SLP Bolt-on SFC's | drill mod |TB Bypass | Ported TB | Custom Dyno tuning | 160* thermostat | LS7 Clutch
            Ordered: May 1, 2001 Built: June 1, 2001 Delivered August 25, 2001
            pics and info

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            • #7
              Are they safe?

              friends:

              I read at Road & Track time ago that tyres weren´t safe of failure after several years of use. What is your experience in long term life expectancy?
              1997 z28 ex Pony Express racer ( amateur rally and track day car now ) w/ 383 LT1, V1-T s/c, Victor Jr. heads, Engle custom cam, Accel DFI, Alcon 14" / Baer 13" brakes, Strange rr. axle. Full roll cage, seats and belts.

              ´71 Camaro L-48 ex-vintage track day racer clone, ´71 AMC Javelin, ´69 Plymouth Barracuda 340 clone, ´70 Barracuda project car, ´69 Shelby Mustang GT350 project car, ´94 Mustang GT s/c track day car.

              Self portrait: Nowadays more a collector than a racer . Still crazy for those Trans-Am races.

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              • #8
                My experience is that they harden after a few years, and some seem to crack while others don't crack. When you buy new tires, the ride comfort of the car always seems to improve noticeably. Apparently, the solvents & oils in the tires keep evaporating and the useful life of a tire is really about 6 years, assuming you haven't worn it out (according to tire rack). And if you seal them in plastic bags at room temp, they last longer. I store mine in black plastic trash bags in the garage - that's the best I can do. If you wind up with some hard tires, then it's time to make a burnout video.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by AmericanZ28
                  I have a set of BFG Drag Radial that have been stored outside in the shade for 2 years also. Mine haven't discolored at all though. I have noticed though that the rubber feels harder when I dig my nail into the tread. I'm sure that a few trips around the street ought to soften up the rubber enough to regain that lost traction. Speaking of John Force, I got to see him race today. He didn't do so well. And man is his daughter pretty!


                  This thread is pointless without pictures of John Force's daughter!



                  Dave M
                  Life, liberty, and the pursuit of all who threaten it!


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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Dave M
                    This thread is pointless without pictures of John Force's daughter!






                    2002 Electron Blue Vette, 1SC, FE3/Z51, G92 3.15 gears, 308.9 RWHP 321.7 RWTQ (before any mods), SLP headers, Z06 exhaust, MSD Ignition Wires, AC Delco Iridium Spark Plugs, 160 t-stat, lots of ECM tuning

                    1995 Z28, many mods, SOLD

                    A proud member of the "F-Body Dirty Dozen"

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Wow...seems like the "big teeth" runs in the Force family (haha) I always thought John's teeth were large because of a bad denture mold...
                      Al 96 Ram Air T/A
                      Mods: Build # 784 * Hotchkis STB * SFCs * Borla cat back w/QTP cut-out * AS&M/RK Sports Mid-length headers w/single CAT * Koni SA shocks on lower perch w/ lowered rear * Strano Hollow front & rear antisway bars * 1LE front/rear springs * 1LE aluminum driveshaft * Strange 4.10 gears w/ Zexel Torsen diff. * ARP bearing cap studs & aluminum diff cover* J&M Hotpart poly/poly rear LCAs and poly/poly panhard bar * RAM Powergrip clutch w/ LT4 PP and RAM billet Al flywheel * C5 Z06 brakes * C6 Z06 wheels * Spohn T/A * Spohn DS Loop * fully custom interior w/ custom audio

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Dave M
                        This thread is pointless without pictures of John Force's daughter!



                        How dare I! Well, Jeff beat me to it, but here are some more! I think the teeth are a result of the G forces pulling up on her gums!


                        1996 Arctic White Z28, A4, K&N CAI, TByrne MAF ends, BBK Twin-52mm TB, TB Bypass, SLP 1 3/4" Shorties, Richmond 3.42's, Dynomax Bullet Muffler W/Turn Down, BMR Adj. Panhard, EIBACH Pro-Kit, AFS ZR1 Wheels W/17x11" out back!

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                        • #13
                          John done good!
                          Dave M
                          Life, liberty, and the pursuit of all who threaten it!


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