First things first,
Kale, are they the Pilot "sport" directional A/S Michelins? The reason I ask is, there is a set of Pilots called the XGTZ4, and the Pilot "sport" XGTZ4. The "sport" has a progressive rate sidewall inter-lay that is designed to work like a progressive spring. that way you have a soft cushy ride on the highway, and when you hit the backroads, the tire is able to sustain heat, and respond in tighter corners.
Granted, there are better tires for traction, as in "launch", but I have yet to drive on a better tire for "all around" use as the Pilot Sport. Never before have I felt so confident in the rain, on the backroads, and heavy braking.
I have seen the MXV4 in action(they came on our 95), and the difference is night and day.
Chris, the Nitto's are going to be my next purchase as soon as I snag a pair(2) spare wheels to mount them on. I plan to use them on the strip ONLY. (back to Kale, I should have snagged that 8-rim deal you had for sale weeks ago!)
I have tried 20 lbs, 24lbs, 30 lbs, and 35 lbs of rear tire pressure. My best "consistent" 60 fts were at 35 psi! I have read from many regular Mark VIII drag racers(Tommy and Tiffany) that their cars also do better with more air in the rears(35psi). Go figure. Must have something to do with the IRS, Off-set, and weight transfer. I dunno. But 35 works best for me. My slowest pass was at 20psi. It was horrible that low.
Monster...no wheelie-bars(training wheels). If you can believe this: Super-stock springs, and Competition engineering rear shocks...that and 11.5 inch slicks, and that car out-60 ft's a 4-link big block 9.70 second Chevy with Monster slicks!
The Mopars use a pinion snubber. The car has been a little higher than the pic before, but any more than that, and I'd have to tone it down. a 1.371-60ft is pretty damn nice for a small tire car.
The scary part is, the race car has the fuel cell in the front(ahead of front spindle), and weighs 3200 lbs!!!
Oh, and it leaves the line at almost an idle(2200 rpms). That, my friend, is the joy of Hilborn Fuel Injection! You stomp, it goes. See the motor close up, click below.