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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A starting point for your build, sorted by budget.
All Drag Radials (3)
View as grid9. 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
- Weight transfer is everything at launch — softer rear springs and taller ride height encourage weight to squat to rear
- Drag radials > street tires — contact patch and compound make a night-and-day difference in 60-ft times
- Narrow front / wide rear ("skinnies") — reduces rotating mass on front, keeps weight over rear
- Automatic > manual for drag — TorqueFlite 8HP90 shifts faster than any driver; manual requires clutch skill
- Gear ratios matter — 3.09 final drive (1320) vs. standard 2.62; numerically higher = better launch, lower top speed
- 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


