Wheels & Tires · Buyer's Guide

Drag Radials

Drag radials are purpose-built for maximum straight-line traction at the drag strip. The ultra-soft rubber compound grips the pavement like glue during launches. They're street-legal (DOT approved) but not designed for daily driving — they wear fast and don't handle rain well. Rear-only installation.

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All Drag Radials (3)

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9. WHEELS & TIRES

Stock Specifications (2022 Dodge Challenger)

Trim Wheel Size Tire Size Bolt Pattern Hub Bore
R/T 20x8 245/45R20 5x115mm 71.5mm
Scat Pack 20x9.5 255/45R20 5x115mm 71.5mm
SRT Hellcat 20x9.5 275/40R20 5x115mm 71.5mm
SRT Super Stock 20x11 315/40ZR20 drag radials 5x115mm 71.5mm

Wheel Types

  • Forged Wheels: Lightest, strongest, most expensive. Best for performance — reduce unsprung weight. ~$300–$800 per wheel.
  • Flow-Formed (Rotary Forged): Near-forged strength and weight at lower cost. Best value performance upgrade. ~$150–$400 per wheel.
  • Cast Wheels: Standard aftermarket. Heavier. Fine for appearance upgrades. ~$80–$250 per wheel.

Offset Guide

  • Stock offset: +18 to +25mm
  • Going wider (negative offset): Wheels flush or poke — cosmetic, but may require fender rolling.
  • Going narrower (positive offset): Wheels tuck — functional for clearance.
  • Max rear width without modification: 295/40R20 rear, 275/40R20 front.

Tire Types

Type Best For Tread Life Wet Performance
All-Season Performance Daily driving 40,000–60,000 mi Good
Summer Performance Spirited driving 20,000–40,000 mi Excellent
Max Performance Summer Track/hard driving 10,000–20,000 mi Excellent
Drag Radials Strip launches Very low Poor (purpose-built)

Drag Radials

  • Used when launching at the drag strip to maximize grip with soft compound.
  • Factory drag radial option on SRT Super Stock and 1320 models.
  • Top speed limited to 168 mph with drag radials installed.
  • Popular brands: Nitto NT555RII, Mickey Thompson ET Street R, Hoosier Quick Time Pro.
  • Weld Racing wheels popular for dedicated drag setup.

Site UX Recommendations

  • Bolt pattern (5x115mm) should be prominently shown.
  • Weight saving per wheel shown — forged vs. cast matters for 0-60 and cornering.
  • "Drag setup" vs. "Street/Track setup" filter.
  • Note: drag radials are not street-legal in some jurisdictions.

16. DRAG STRIP BUILD — DETAILED NOTES

Factory Drag Platform: The Scat Pack 1320

Dodge produced a factory drag-optimized variant — the Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320 — with these from-factory drag features:

  • Nexen SUR4G 275/40R20 drag radials (street-legal DOT-rated)
  • TransBrake — holds the car against the drivetrain for a loaded launch release
  • Torque Reserve — builds engine torque before launch for maximum hit
  • Line Lock — front brake hold for burnout/tire warm-up
  • Launch Assist — manages wheel spin off the line
  • Asymmetrical limited-slip differential with 3.09 final drive ratio
  • Extreme-duty 41-spline rear axle half shafts — rated for drag abuse
  • SRT-tuned three-mode adaptive damping — softer/taller springs allow weight transfer to rear on launch
  • Brembo high-performance brakes — factory equipment
  • Factory ET: 11.70 sec @ 115 mph quarter mile, stock

Only 334 of the 2022 model were produced — a limited production drag-focused variant.

Key Drag Build Concepts for Any Challenger

  1. Weight transfer is everything at launch — softer rear springs and taller ride height encourage weight to squat to rear
  2. Drag radials > street tires — contact patch and compound make a night-and-day difference in 60-ft times
  3. Narrow front / wide rear ("skinnies") — reduces rotating mass on front, keeps weight over rear
  4. Automatic > manual for drag — TorqueFlite 8HP90 shifts faster than any driver; manual requires clutch skill
  5. Gear ratios matter — 3.09 final drive (1320) vs. standard 2.62; numerically higher = better launch, lower top speed
  6. Air-to-fuel safety — drag launches generate massive heat spikes; ensure fuel system is dialed before hard launches on boosted builds

Quarter-Mile Reference Times

Build ET MPH
Stock Scat Pack 12.0–12.4 sec 113–115 mph
Scat Pack 1320 11.70 sec 115 mph
Stage 1 bolt-ons (tune, CAI, cat-back) ~11.4–11.8 sec 117–120 mph
Long tubes + Stage 1 + drag radials ~11.0–11.4 sec 120–123 mph
Cam build (Stage 2 cam + full exhaust) ~10.5–11.0 sec 123–127 mph
Supercharged (Whipple/Magnuson) ~9.5–10.5 sec 130–140+ mph

Site UX Recommendations

  • "Drag Strip" build path tag on relevant parts (drag radials, driveshaft, TransBrake, short-shift kit)
  • "1320 Compatible" badge for parts proven on the factory drag platform
  • Weight reduction tip: every 100 lbs removed = ~0.1 sec improvement in ET