Best wheel size for drag racing? Larger dia or smaller dia?

[Surfez]

Hey guys, I'm going legal/social drag racing with a hot B310 sunny. I've got two sets of tyres 175/65 R14's and the car felt like it accelerates quicker on these opposed to the 195/60 14's that are slightly taller in height than the smaller tyres, the smaller 175's are slightly stretched perhaps and have a lower profile opposed to the tight fitting 195's with a tough side wall. Whats going to be quicker time wise on the 1/4 mile?

[Bartman]

I just saw this was posted in the wrong forum, and moved it.

[spiderwebfx]

Of the two sets of tyres you've got, what are the brands/tread patterns of them?

In theory, the 195's should be pushing you further per revolution that the 175/65's, meaning you're moving faster (although not by much). 175's will have a slightly softer sidewall than the 195's, but again, not by a lot, depending on what brand/pattern they are.

[Bartman]

If you're having traction issues,
bare in mind that the larger rolling circumference tyre has a larger tread footprint per revolution of the axle that the smaller one. (More friction area in contact with the road.

[Surfez]

Cheers guys, got some semi slicks since this thread was first posted. I've not tested them yet.

[nzbidzel]

Youll prolly find the smaller gives you a quicker off the mark, the bigger a lil more top end.

When doing your 1/4 at the end of the run if your redlining for a sec or two on the small, your prolly be better off with the bigger dia. if still miles away from redlining in final gear on bigs swap to small
Pick the one closer to redlining as you cross the line