We need to get new slicks. We are sticking with Mickey Thompsons as they have worked very well on our car. 1973 Dartsport without driver weighs about 2800 lbs. Maybe around 600 hp. Tires are 32-14.0-15. I talked with Mike at Harlow tire today and he suggested that we go with the Stiff sidewall tire for this car based upon weight. The Stiff side wall tires are recommended to run tubes. Does anyone have an opinion on whether we should go with the regular slicks or the stiff sidewalls with tubes? The extra weight of the tubes may cost us a little but Mike at Harlow actually says it may hook better and we might not lose much. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

maybe try it without tubes 1st.

I'm a die hard Phoenix user,but I will say that I agree to use tubes.I've never used a set of slicks without them and I get great life and consistant hook.The tubes will save the sidewalls.

I just bought MT 32x14 tires. When I talked to the Mickey Thompson tech, they said that for bracket racing the standard sidewall would be more consistant with my car. My car weighs 2760# about 600-650 hp with ladder bar single adjustable coil overs. The car hooks hard even on a poorly prepped track. I am very inpressed, This is the first set of MTs that I've ouned. I am also running them tubeless. I usaully run tubes, but this car is new to be and it didn't come with them. What can I say, I got cheap

Thanks for the responses. Anybody running a Duster, Demon or Dartsport with the stiff sidewalls at 2800 lbs.? If so, do you like them? It seems that I am right on the boarder of whether to run the standard or stiff. Mickey Thompson website says stiff for heavier cars (i.e. 3000 lbs).

That car always worked best with stiff sidewalls - I used to run 14.5 - 32 Goodyears on it - 60' always picked up

Double D,
Thanks for the response. We decided to take Harlow's advice and try the stiff sidewall tires. Hope to go to test n tune this Friday. I will let you know how the car does?

The Hoosier rep talked me into trying stiff sidewalls on my 2860 lb(w/o me) Duster. I only made 1/2 dozen passes before I suffered engine damage and was trying different tire pressures, but I did get my old 60' back on the last pass even w/ the engine going away.

Just my opinion, but I think w/a good adjustable suspension you should be OK. The Hoosier stiff sidewalls are only stiff about 2 inches out from the rim and then just like a regular slick the rest of the way to the tread. They recomended I don't use tubes. Hope this helps.

I like running tubes to stiffen the sidewall even more. But I am running 1.2x sixty foot times at 3200+ pounds, so it is hard on sidewalls. This makes the tire work longer. I get 200 passes on my Phoenix slicks, 14" wide rims, 11.0 psi, tubes; basically until the tread is gone in the center.

IMO, tubes or not are your call on any slick. Some tires don't hold pressure very well overnight without tubes, but liquid dish soap can help. If you are happy with the life of your regular sidewall slicks, try them with tubes. I think your car is light enough and mild enough 60 ft to get by without the stiff sidewall slick; but it could work either way.