DeTomaso Mailing List: April 99, Message #160

Brother Dan,

oN TIRES/WHEELS
Can't help you with wheels but assuming you want WIDE "street" tires 
Goodyear makes a 315/40/17 *F1* tire that is 27.1" tall - assuming you 
can still get them they're expensive - something like $400-450 a tire. 
There's nothing that wide or even close in a wide 15" tire that is W, Y 
or Z rated. You want a tall 27" 15" DOT street barely legal tire that is 
rated ZR you gotta go with the BFG R1 which is 255/60/15. Keep in mind 
that NOT all ZR rated tires are rated the same. Be sure you check with 
mfg. Some are 168 and some are 180+ and some like the Pirelli P-Zero is 
rated for 217 Mph!! :-)  


ON STROKERS
Excellent investment. I love the Cleveland stroker. A word of caution... 
on the stroker and any custom **pistons**, rods etc that will be needed 
be sure you get a *GUARANTEE* on delivery. In other words IF they ain't 
got ALL the parts in stock you might be waiting 2-3 months JUST for 
parts!!! I'd talk with Gray Gregory and john parsons who have recently 
went through this exercise.
MD 

I am looking for input with regards to a couple of preparation items for 
the Silver State;
     
First, tires.
Last Sept. I ran my Yokohama 345/35 15s and had my rev limiter set at 
5600 RPM.
It was kicking in at about 134 MPH.
This May I plan to run in the 140 MPH bracket so I need taller tires. 
Calling BFG the widest I can find in Z rating and 15" is the 265 50/15 
at 25.4".
In 17" they have 335/35 17s at 26.1".(G-Force).
It looks like I should convert and pick up some 17" wheels. They 
recommend 11" wide for the rear and 9" for the front.
Are my assumptions correct and do we have a connection with someone 
making steel or aluminum wheels?
Are there other tire manufacturers making Z rated tires for 15" wheels 
that are taller and wider than BFGs' ?
Is 26.1" tall enough?
     
Second, the engine.
The machine shop (Ed Hale in S.D.) has not yet given me the mic readings 
on my cylinders.
Assuming there is too much slop to just hone and re use my pistons (TRW 
forged 11.8 to 1 pop-ups, 10,000 miles / fine condition) with oversize 
rings what are the pros and cons of going with a stroker set-up?
The machine shop and one of our Pantera vendors are getting me pumped up 
about strokers.
It seems that if I have to get it all re-done I might as well spend 
another 1.5k and go balls out.
I want the car to be streetable and have decent low RPM pull but I am 
mainly focused on performance (Silver State, Willow Springs, etc.). 
What will I gain from this stroker deal?
     
Last, for the ballsy guy who is recovering from surgery and wants to 
know how rough the Silver State course is let me say first you sound 
like the kind of guy who will fit right in with our team of highway 
commandos.
I'd hate for you to get hurt by jumping out too soon but I can tell you 
I've run the course twice and it is very smooth. I recommend you start 
in the lower speed bracket and move up over time, maybe in 15mph 
increments. Even at 125 it is pretty smooth though.
Hope you can join us.
     
Guys, please send me whatever advice you can, time is disappearing for 
me, fast.
     
Dantomaso Courtney