Drag radials? Good/Bad?

Hi Folks,
I just started wrenching on my '72 Cutlass with a 455 Big Block and th-400 auto. It runs STRONG, and a bigger cam is getting stabbed in next weekend.

Anyways, the problem is as such. It is a 3800 lbs vehicle and 450 ft/lbs of torque is causing a serious traction issue. I haven't even put in my 2800 rpm converter yet, which will cause it to launch even more violently.

What tires would you recommend for better traction? I was thinking of putting on some BFG or Nitto drag radials. If I get real desperate, some ET Streets (so much for winter driving!). Any suggested suspension mods?

It is essentially a GM A-body like a Chevelle, so the similar components should work. I only drive it on weekends and on strip.

Once I can actually get traction, I think I should be able to pull off a 13-sec quarter as the motor is putting down around ~375 hp estimated.

Thanks for your help

Andy

Drag radials. :thumbsup:

Drag radials are great, on dry pavement. Anything else and they have poor traction.

drag radials will help a lot on dry pavement as kris already pointed out. But also rememebr they will affect the handling in a negative way due to their very soft shoulders.

Yeah, but since he said it was mostly a weekend car...I'd definitely go for drag radials. If it was a daily driver I'd just get the stickiest tires possible.

My truck weighed in at around 4300 lbs. I have a 3000 stall, my horsepower is alittle over 400 and torque is well over 430. I'm currently running BF drag radials and pulling a consistant 1.75 60ft, so I would say you wouldn't be dissapointed with them. :biggrin: They really hook well on the street, and they don't require a huge burnout to get them to hook. I just got my Eaton rearend in today, so I'm going to the track tomorrow to try to work on getting my best 60ft. My stock posi just wasn't consistant enough, and I could only launch at idle. BF makes a great drag radial!!!

I can tell you from experience that driving slicks on the street is no fun at all. If you hit the SLIGHTEST bump at 35 mph or more the enire assend gets squirrely, and don't even think about driving on wet roads.
Try a set of Mickey Thompson Sportsman tires. They are great for traction, but the sidewalls are a little stiffer so wet weather and everyday driving isn't really affected..

Rob

BF makes a great drag radial!!!

Yup. I am running on the Nitto 555r's right now, but haven't been able to get to the track on them. Damn car will probably be down when it opens too.
From what I understand, the Nitto's don't start getting good at the track until the last 4-5K miles of treadlife. Then they finally start getting good 60' times. But they can last 15,000 miles, unlike the BFG.
Next time around, I think I am getting the BFG's. Or just a track tire.

Thanks for all the input!

Based on the apparent fact that slicks are squirrely at high cruise speeds (highway), the drag radials sounds like a better idea. I will definitely consider the Sportsman's.

Since the car will be used for alot of touring, it seems like the Nitto's better treadlife will pay off. After all, how many burnouts does it take to get rid of 10K of wear?

I am not real concerned about handling because it takes alot to get a GM A-body to handle, and I haven't upgraded anything.

Thanks,

Andy

Get the BFG drag radials, as the nittos take alot longer to warm up. Make sure they're nice and toasty before launch. You shouldn't have any problems with traction then, as people have put down more power than your ride and hooked up well with DR's. They're not safe to run with in the rain though.