My car has a 454, T350 and 3:55 gears. If I open the secondaries on the 850 Holley I lose traction quickly. This causes 1)engine to quickly rev to the point of valve float (6300 rpm) 2) both rear tires lose traction and car wants to change lanes. This was fun the first few times but not anymore. I am using BFG 265-50-15 radials on Corvette 8 inch rims. The suspension is stiff with high rate springs, urethane bushings and gas shocks, no rear swaybar. The tread is about 10 inches wide. I was considering getting 17 inch rims at some point. Is there a 15 or 17 inch tire that will work better? Are there any suspension changes that will help plant the tires on the stret?

17" wheels will make it much much worse as you will have very little sidewall.

Depending on what you are trying to do with the car - you will need to get some weight transfer and maybe some ET Streets.

I don't spin that bad in 2nd and 3rd gears if I'm easy on the pedal and I make over 700RWHP naturally aspirated.

Hi Bill, Ryan is right about the only thing that will hold are E.T. Streets or maybe Hoosier's version, i think they call them quick times or something like that.

I'd get a rear sway bar.
I would also pick up a pair of drag radials too.
Wider street rubber isn't going to help.
At the track,my tires are DOT slicks and are only 9.5" wide,and they don't break loose at all unlike "normal" passenger rubber.

My 70 SS454 can punish street tires up to 35-40 MPH on good 'ole street tires too..in fact,I can't think of too many big blocks that don't have this problem smile.gif

Do the drag radials need to be heated to work? I am not planning to be a frequent visitor to the dragstrip. I also do not want to adversely affect handling. The car handles very well now.

Before I started using Hoosier QTP I was using dirt track tires on the street.Hoosier A Mod E 40 are good and the Super Dirt Bozz is probably better.You can get some good McCrearys also.Not legal for highway use though,and feel a little odd on the highway,kinda similar to a boat.Dirt tires are ALOT cheaper.

You don't have to heat the drag radials up for them to work on the street..your tires will just spin a lot less,noticeable enough to feel that torque propel you forward instead of spinning.You will be able to go wide open throttle very quickly smile.gif
If you drive alot,I hear the Nitto drag radials have a decent tread life and I would would probably run a 275/60/15 size if I had 3.55's