Need drag radial advice

[19Skylark68 455]

So I've decided I'm tired of burning rubber through first and second gear, abusing parts, and want to go to a drag radial. The car is mostly street driven, though it only gets about 1500 miles a year on it. I believe I can fit a 275 wide tire in my unmodified 68 lark wheel wells, though correct me if I'm wrong. 255 safer? I could bend the lips if needed. Anyway, just looking for advice between tradeoffs in driveability, wet weather performance, dry traction, and longevity. Looking for something middle of the road between these. Also, why doesn't anyone make a white letter drag radial? That is the only real turnoff for me, but I'd like the improved traction. Any available? Your thoughts.

Thanks ,

Jon

[sroys]

MT ET Street Radials hook like the dickens....we run them on all our cars on the track. Around town some......but if you cant hook on street tires, you are less inclined to street race.....and roasting um' through first and second lets guys know thsy may not wanna come back after you bolt them on. Hell I carried mine in the trunk for a while just in case someone REALLY wanted to press the issue....

[sailbrd]

I use Nittos 275/60/15's for my street tire. They hold up better and are not dangerous in the rain. On the other hand I can still burn all the way through 1st and 2nd. :laugh:

[vande]

I also hear that the MT's hook great. The late model mustang and f body owners use them pretty exclusively at our local track. They seem to hook well even when run on stick cars. Granted the big block torque is higher bit the initial shock to the tire would be lower when running an auto. I see a bunch of cars rolling these on the street regularly(weekends). They might go 5000 miles according to the guys using them. I am considering them myself so I have asked plenty of opinions.

[TedB1965]

1968/1969 Buick GS are awesome cars!
Very well put together, superbly styled,
and all around just a joy to own and operate!

I am running a '68 GS400 convertible with
360 rwhp/435rwtq with a 3.42 posi rear end
on 245/60/15 BFG T/A that I use as a summer
daily driver.

On the track it spins for the 1st 400 feet but will deliver
a 13.38@107MPH 1/4 mile.

On the interstate it is fine, but in the twisties it is a 1968
Buick.

My speed shop felt that I would go through the M/Ts in
under a summer and that they would not be as good on
two lane country motoring.

I am considering going to American Racing AR-500 17"
rims (look like our rallyes) with 235-50ZR17s Michelin PS2.
all around...Better traction..better tires..my big question
is how will affect the look and ride...

[NJBuickRacer]

Mostly track use, go with the ET Street Radials. For mostly street use, Nitto drag radials are the ticket as mentioned above. The Nittos are good in rain, just don't hook like a M/T. I'd say they are a good compromise between a street tire and true drag radial. My last set lasted 2 seasons and 4000 street miles on a mid 12 second car. My ETs last a season and a half with limited street use.

[19Skylark68 455]

Thanks NJBuickRacer, that was the kind of answer I've been looking for. It's a street car 95% of the time, and I drive it often, so I'm willing to give up some traction I think for driveability and longevity. These Nittos will be significantly better than say, BFG Radial T/As correct? And what about the BFG G-force drag radials? Any good?

[GS Spoken Here]

Mostly track use, go with the ET Street Radials. For mostly street use, Nitto drag radials are the ticket as mentioned above. The Nittos are good in rain, just don't hook like a M/T. I'd say they are a good compromise between a street tire and true drag radial. My last set lasted 2 seasons and 4000 street miles on a mid 12 second car. My ETs last a season and a half with limited street use.
What narrow front tire should you run with the MT. I want one I can drive through the water box and not have to drive around and back in. I was wanting to run a MT radial not a slick and the car will see very little street use but want to be legal when I do and that is why I wanted the MT radials. Currenty I am using a Hooser, quick time pro and like it. It is DOT and not radial. I am running a narrow raidal on the front and do not like it because it has to much tread and holds water. I cannot find a DOT radial front runner, not sure they make one. Thanks Bill.