Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
#224548
02/14/09 03:06 PM
02/14/09 03:06 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 406
Houma, Louisiana
twister360
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 406
Houma, Louisiana
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I have a 74 Duster with a mild 360 and would like your opinions of the use of a complete set up of Cal-trac components for front and rear. Would this be a good set up for mainly street use and an a trip to the track occasionally?
If you don't like Cal-tracs, which way would you go and why.
Thanks Gary
My car 74 Duster mild 360/904/3.91 13.44/101.54
Son's car 75 Dart Sport 318/904/4.10 looking for a 360 or 408
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7
2010 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic B-5 6 speed
2010 Jeep SRT8 for the little wife
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: twister360]
#224549
02/14/09 03:25 PM
02/14/09 03:25 PM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Why would you want to use Cal tracs? Mopar springs and stock axle placement will never wheelhop unlike Ford leaf springs.
I've run a 360 A body as quick as a 1.55 60' on SS springs.
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
#224551
02/14/09 06:20 PM
02/14/09 06:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,840
The Swamp
Sixpak
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,840
The Swamp
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Quote:
Why would you want to use Cal tracs? Mopar springs and stock axle placement will never wheelhop unlike Ford leaf springs.
I've run a 360 A body as quick as a 1.55 60' on SS springs.
Don't think I'd spend the $$ if this was just a street and occasional strip car - SS springs will work just fine. But if you are building a serious torque monster or need every bit of E.T. from your leaf spring car then the Cal Tracs are the way to go.
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: Sixpak]
#224552
02/14/09 07:09 PM
02/14/09 07:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,511
Tampa , Fl
MoparJoe
super gas
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super gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,511
Tampa , Fl
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Quote:
Quote:
Why would you want to use Cal tracs? Mopar springs and stock axle placement will never wheelhop unlike Ford leaf springs.
I've run a 360 A body as quick as a 1.55 60' on SS springs.
Don't think I'd spend the $$ if this was just a street and occasional strip car - SS springs will work just fine. But if you are building a serious torque monster or need every bit of E.T. from your leaf spring car then the Cal Tracs are the way to go.
Or if you don't want the rear of the car to sit a foot higher than the front.
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: MoparJoe]
#224553
02/14/09 08:06 PM
02/14/09 08:06 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 406
Houma, Louisiana
twister360
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 406
Houma, Louisiana
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I now have SS springs on the rear and the rear end was in the clouds, added 3" lowering blocks and I'm back to normal ride height. I also have a second hand set of competition engineering 3 way adjustable shocks on all 4 corners. I just wanted to know if I could improve on this set up by replacing with the Cal-trac system. I checked with Calvert racing and the entire set up would be $953.00 plus shipping. The Cal-tracs would have to be real superior to shell out that kind of dough is this crappy economy. I have my shocks set in the middle range. Is this correct? Thanks for the help.
My car 74 Duster mild 360/904/3.91 13.44/101.54
Son's car 75 Dart Sport 318/904/4.10 looking for a 360 or 408
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7
2010 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic B-5 6 speed
2010 Jeep SRT8 for the little wife
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: twister360]
#224554
02/14/09 08:55 PM
02/14/09 08:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,384
Madison Wi
NTOLERANCE
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,384
Madison Wi
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What does the car ride like now? How is the traction?
I used to care but....... things have changed
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: NTOLERANCE]
#224556
02/14/09 10:17 PM
02/14/09 10:17 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,094
Sunnyvale, CA
Jeepmon
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,094
Sunnyvale, CA
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In my humble opinion.. I would never use SS springs unless the car was strip only..
A couple of years ago, I researched Cal Tracs vs SS springs, I spoke with several of the racers over on the Unlawful race board, I read as many of the old threads that I could find and the majority of the seasoned racers recommends the Cal Tracs. They are easy to install, they offer a smoother ride, they are adjustable for different levels of bite. They are affordable and best of all, they look pretty cool sitting under the car..
With the SS springs, the only advantage to them are the stiff, firmer rider and as said above, will raise the back end of the car.. So if you're looking for that old school 70's look, then SS springs is what you want.. if you're looking for softer ride with a lower more modern stance and something you can adjust for going straight or racing on a course.. Then Cal Tracs is the answer..
Yeah, I'm glad I went with the Cal Tracs
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: twister360]
#224559
02/14/09 11:47 PM
02/14/09 11:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,617
long island NY
Ari440
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,617
long island NY
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aviater pic is with 002 - 003 springs this pic is caltrac setup 
1.39 9.85 - 137 mph
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: Ari440]
#224560
02/15/09 12:15 PM
02/15/09 12:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,158
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,158
Park Forest, IL
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If it is mainly a street driven car I would not do a Cal-Trac setup just because street driving will beat up the parts, as will moisture and dirt. For the money I would use just a set of ESPO heavy duty springs and a pair of Lakewood slapper bars. My Valiant went 1.56 in the 60' and a 12:00@110 on Lakewood clamp-ons and ET Streets. You could not give me a set of SS springs, but that's just me. 
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: slantzilla]
#224561
02/15/09 02:30 PM
02/15/09 02:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,094
Sunnyvale, CA
Jeepmon
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,094
Sunnyvale, CA
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Quote:
If it is mainly a street driven car I would not do a Cal-Trac setup just because street driving will beat up the parts, as will moisture and dirt.
Dennis, you are by far more experienced than I am.. but with all due respect.. what parts are you talking about?
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: slantzilla]
#224562
02/15/09 02:36 PM
02/15/09 02:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,814
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,814
Kirkland, Washington
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Quote:
If it is mainly a street driven car I would not do a Cal-Trac setup just because street driving will beat up the parts, as will moisture and dirt.
For the money I would use just a set of ESPO heavy duty springs and a pair of Lakewood slapper bars. My Valiant went 1.56 in the 60' and a 12:00@110 on Lakewood clamp-ons and ET Streets.
You could not give me a set of SS springs, but that's just me.
And prepare for the "Slapper bars on a Mopar???  " wherever you go.
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: slantzilla]
#224565
02/15/09 02:51 PM
02/15/09 02:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,814
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,814
Kirkland, Washington
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Quote:
Quote:
And prepare for the "Slapper bars on a Mopar??? " wherever you go.
Believe it or not, the only place I have ever heard that wad of crap is from a select few on this board. 
I had Lakewood bars on a 70 'Cuda back in the 90s'
I heard it MANY times. Long before Moparts
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Re: Opinions on a complete Cal-trac set up for Duster?
[Re: 67HEMI]
#224567
02/16/09 09:16 AM
02/16/09 09:16 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 470
Big Chicago
amixon
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 470
Big Chicago
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Not to mention the lean or sagging set that SS springs take, don't they need to be replaced after a few years anyways?And now they are heche in mexico...nice!  I had switched out the SS to cal-tacs on my 65 B-Body, I got the car to sit low (I prefer that look )without using lowering block (which tend not to help traction) it moved pretty good with the 4 speed on the street.  If you search around you can find the parts needed much cheaper than the price you stated, someone had the bars and springs for sale around 500 bucks on Moparts. And yes, any performance car will need a little more maintenance but isn't that part of the fun of owning something old and fast?  Now lets talk about slapper bars and Mopars,  what are you making a Blade Charger replica? 
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