Setting up my Puller...tires etc...??

I am looking for some advice on the tires for my M Puller. The engine is turbocharged and will put out ~200 HP once I get all the bugs worked out. Possibly more depending on how much boost it handles. I would love to be able to use a slipper, pull in road gear, and keep the tires churning, but I think that is a pipe dream so 4th is the next choice. The problem is that I really feel it is way too low for what I am wanting to do. I would like to be able to eventually run close to the V8 boys, but I need more speed.

I have a set of 15.5 road worn tires on 16 inch wheels right now. I was planning to cut them and see how they worked. I am beginning to think an 18.4 might be better because of the speed/foot print increase.

Basically, I am wondering if you guys can offer some advice on whether to stick with the 15.5 or go up. Obviously, I could just see what happens, but I hate to spent untold hours cutting the tires to have them not hook well. If someone could offer some advice on the best way to cut them I would greatly appreciate it. I am the first guy in a new local open class and I dont have anyone to bounce these ideas off of.

Thanks for reading my ramblings....

Chris

Thanks on that. I did not realize those existed....kindof new to this :).

When we added the turbo we can now run the equivalent of 4th gear super M gears to 8500, and last summer we pulled a 12000 open class in 3rd without any problem. I'm guessing we're well over your 200HP mark, but have no idea for sure. Your problem will be keeping 4th gear from breaking when you get those big tires hooked up and all that power out front. Lots of ways to help it - e-mail me if you're looking for rear-end ideas. We changed the ring and pinion to a faster set-up so that we can use regular M gears in it - easier to find replacements:) Not sure what the ring and pinion is out of though... You'll also need to consider your clutch set-up - starting out in 4th gear at 8500 is hard to do on some sleds.