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Caltracs with Stock leafs
#773034
08/13/10 08:33 PM
08/13/10 08:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,415
Toronto
mshred
OP
master
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OP
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Posts: 3,415
Toronto
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Hey guys,
Im working on the suspension of my 71 scamp as some of you guys on here already know...Ive had a few leads of what direction to go in, and have been offerred a set of SS springs, but not sure how long its going to be before i see them, and id like to fix the suspension and get the car out again this year for a few passes to see if it will hook.
That being said, I called calvert awhile back and talked with them about their bars. I know they flat out work for 95% of the guys out there, so im thinking of picking up a set with the rancho shocks and their 90/10's. However, i know that the monoleafs arent exactly the most street friendly and my car is 90% street car (contradictory to the tech guy at calvert who said the monos should last at the very least a couple years on the street). Id like a decent ride, and from what i hear the monos dont have that (could be that guys are running them on the street the way they have em adjusted for the track, not sure though)
Im wondering how well the caltracs work with factory leaf springs. I have 6cyl leafs with a leaf added to each to stiffen them up and bring up the height some. When calvert first came out with the caltracs as far as i know they had no monoleafs and their stuff stil worked...or did it not? im looking for your guys opinions on running them with the stock leafs on my car...how well would they work? would i have to remove that extra leaf i added for stiffness as it may work against the caltracs? ive never really seen this question asked before, so i figure it would be good to see whos running them like this
any input is appreciated!
thanks guys!
Matthew
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: Eric]
#773036
08/13/10 09:44 PM
08/13/10 09:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,096
Benton, IL.
DaveRS23
Special needs idiot
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Special needs idiot
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,096
Benton, IL.
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I run my stock 40 year old 318 springs with Cal-Tracs. 1.5 60s for a street car is not too bad. I like this combo and I doubt that changing to their monos would pick up the 60 enough to offset the expense, trouble, and questionable reliability. Besides, the car doesn't ride too bad like this.
Master, again and still
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: mshred]
#773038
08/13/10 09:50 PM
08/13/10 09:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
Quicksilver440
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
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Quote:
... However, i know that the monoleafs arent exactly the most street friendly and my car is 90% street car (contradictory to the tech guy at calvert who said the monos should last at the very least a couple years on the street). Id like a decent ride, and from what i hear the monos dont have that (could be that guys are running them on the street the way they have em adjusted for the track, not sure though)
I have ran my calvert monos for 5 years on the street...they are just fine.
And they ride better than SS springs.....Especially if you replaced the front aluminum bushing with a poly or rubber one (I ran a rubber one for a few years and it rode great with the bars backed off).
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: mshred]
#773039
08/13/10 10:49 PM
08/13/10 10:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,172
Ohio
theclutcher
top fuel
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top fuel
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Posts: 2,172
Ohio
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?????
Have had Caltracs and 1/2" mono leafs on street cuda since '98. no problem, ride is fine, .090 gap between spring and stop.
just some rattles, had my springs made at local spring shop per Calverts specs before he sold leafs.
Multi leaf acceptable as long as they are symetrical, no bias.
Last edited by theclutcher; 08/13/10 10:53 PM.
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: mshred]
#773040
08/13/10 11:15 PM
08/13/10 11:15 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,317
State of confusion
Thumperdart
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I Live Here
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State of confusion
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I have no problems w/the cal-trac system on the street at all. Loosen the shocks, take out pre-load and it`s a nice ride and when you race just tighten up the shocks and add the desired pre-load and you`re good to go. You hear all kinds of different opinions and you just have to make your own based on those I guess.
72 Dart 470 n/a BB stroker street car `THUMPER`...Check me out on FB Dominic Thumper for videos and lots of carb pics......760-900-3895.....
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: mshred]
#773042
08/14/10 10:37 AM
08/14/10 10:37 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,172
Ohio
theclutcher
top fuel
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top fuel
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Ohio
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the leaf only has to hold the car at the desired hgt.
Once caltracs are installed they controll axle windup.
Do you have local access to a spring manufacturer?
someone make truck springs/repair?
I think I still have print laying around.
or just use a set of good 4 leaf slant six dart springs. think they are symetrical.
If you have a spring pile you could take the leafs apart and make you own set as long as they are the same dimensions.
Use a heavy main leaf and a few smaller ones to suite your ride hgt desires.
Last edited by theclutcher; 08/14/10 10:43 AM.
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: Thumperdart]
#773044
08/15/10 11:52 AM
08/15/10 11:52 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,415
Toronto
mshred
OP
master
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,415
Toronto
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hey guys,
i appreciate all the responses! Part of the reason why im wondering if the caltracs will work with stock springs is the cost of the mono's...im surprised that so many have had good results with the monos, both on the street, and on the track...when i talked to calvert he said the most they get out of their monos is about 4 years, and thats on race only cars...question though, if i back off the preload and shocks for the street, will the car not hook at all for the odd stoplight blast?
Also, if i do end up using my stock springs, i was going to remove the added leaf, but im not sure what you guys mean by the whole symetrical spring thing and making sure the springs i use are...the springs i have are stock 6cyl leafs, so i was thinking of removing the leaf and getting them both arched the same and using them...make sense, or are you guys talking about something different?
thanks for all the replies thus far btw! im even considering the monos now if money permits!
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: theclutcher]
#773046
08/15/10 01:58 PM
08/15/10 01:58 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,415
Toronto
mshred
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Toronto
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Quote:
equal length and same thickness of segments.
side by side they are identical.
no preload on street is fine, you shouldnt be worried about max et on street anyway... save it for the track, enjoy cruisin for what it is.
so would factory 6cyl springs be the same length and equal thickness as well? if i read your other post correctly, you mentioned a diagram or dimensions or something, were they of symetrical springs? also, im not worried about street racing, but its nice to have a little fun sometimes...just wondering if the car will hook at all with no preload
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: Randy..]
#773048
08/15/10 04:42 PM
08/15/10 04:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,266
Renton Washington
Triple Threat
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,266
Renton Washington
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As other have already stated, mono's are no problem on the street. The big pain, literally, is if you run the bars with preload in them. I have everything Calvert offers; bars, monos, 90/10's and ranchos. I drive the car the same way I race it. Stop and go traffic, to and from work, always the same. I do have preload in the bars, so it rides about like a 1 ton truck. 
-Dustin
67 Dart, 9 second, 392" G3 Hemi
68 Barracuda 340 F/SA
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: Triple Threat]
#773049
08/15/10 05:40 PM
08/15/10 05:40 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,415
Toronto
mshred
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,415
Toronto
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Quote:
As other have already stated, mono's are no problem on the street. The big pain, literally, is if you run the bars with preload in them. I have everything Calvert offers; bars, monos, 90/10's and ranchos. I drive the car the same way I race it. Stop and go traffic, to and from work, always the same. I do have preload in the bars, so it rides about like a 1 ton truck.
its good to hear that both with stock leafs and the monos the setup works, and its also good to know that the mono's without preload drive fine..triple threat, do you ever drive on the street without preload? would having preload on the street wear out the monos faster you think? i like my car to be ready for action wherever i am lol
also, another question for everyone, what pinion angle do the caltracs like? i have mine currently set somewhere around 5 deg. nose down, but im wondering if im going to have to shim it at all for caltracs
thanks!
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: mshred]
#773050
08/15/10 05:44 PM
08/15/10 05:44 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,317
State of confusion
Thumperdart
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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My pinion angle is bet. 4 1/2-5 degrees nose down and I drive w/about a 1/4" gap on the street w/shocks on 1 or 2 settings and race w/a flat or two preload on the pass and just touching on dr. side w/the shocks on 4 or 5 w/rancho 5-ways.
72 Dart 470 n/a BB stroker street car `THUMPER`...Check me out on FB Dominic Thumper for videos and lots of carb pics......760-900-3895.....
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: mshred]
#773051
08/15/10 05:48 PM
08/15/10 05:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,266
Renton Washington
Triple Threat
master
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master
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Renton Washington
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Mine always have preload, I'm too lazy to adjust the bars twice a week. Considering I race the car nearly every weekend and drive it around M-F I just leave it alone and deal with a little stiffer of a ride.
As for wearing out the monos I'm not sure, and I haven't given it too much thought. Theoretically every time the spring compresses and rebounds it wears out a little bit. As for if the bars compound that action I would guess no, but I've been wrong before.
-Dustin
-Dustin
67 Dart, 9 second, 392" G3 Hemi
68 Barracuda 340 F/SA
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: Triple Threat]
#773052
08/15/10 06:28 PM
08/15/10 06:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,415
Toronto
mshred
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OP
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Quote:
Mine always have preload, I'm too lazy to adjust the bars twice a week. Considering I race the car nearly every weekend and drive it around M-F I just leave it alone and deal with a little stiffer of a ride.
As for wearing out the monos I'm not sure, and I haven't given it too much thought. Theoretically every time the spring compresses and rebounds it wears out a little bit. As for if the bars compound that action I would guess no, but I've been wrong before.
-Dustin
how long have you been running the setup like this for? do you know what your pinion angle is roughly or what calvert recommends?
Thumper, thanks for your specs, i appreciate the info! 
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: mshred]
#773053
08/15/10 06:36 PM
08/15/10 06:36 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,317
State of confusion
Thumperdart
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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No problem..............I`d go w/the complete cal-tracs system instead of just the bars but, that`s just me.
72 Dart 470 n/a BB stroker street car `THUMPER`...Check me out on FB Dominic Thumper for videos and lots of carb pics......760-900-3895.....
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: mshred]
#773054
08/15/10 07:17 PM
08/15/10 07:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,266
Renton Washington
Triple Threat
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master
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Renton Washington
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Not very long, only about half the season. Maybe 50 passes and 500 street miles.
Pinion angle should be a couple degrees nose down, about 2 I think. Always best to call them and ask. Their customer service is top notch.
-Dustin
67 Dart, 9 second, 392" G3 Hemi
68 Barracuda 340 F/SA
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: Triple Threat]
#773055
08/16/10 08:42 AM
08/16/10 08:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,365
Marion, South Carolina [><]
an8sec70cuda
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I Live Here
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Marion, South Carolina [><]
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The same mono springs have been on mine for about 8 years.
CHIP
'70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60
'69 road runner, 440-6, 18 spline 4 speed, Dana 60
'71 Demon, 340, low gear 904, 8.75
'73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75
'90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt
'06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: fishy340]
#773057
08/16/10 01:25 PM
08/16/10 01:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,566
Motor City
6PKRTSE
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master
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Motor City
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I have Cal-Tracs & 1" lower that stock height split momo's with a 1" relocation Doctor Diff kit to get 315 Drag Radials on the back of my 70 Challenger. I was told if you are going to run Caltrac's with any serious power then also add the split mono's. I have yet to test them out.
1963 Belvedere 440 Max Wedge Tribute
1970 Charger R/T S.E. 440 Six Pack
1970 Challenger R/T, 528 Hemi
1970 Charger 500 S.E. 440 4 BBL
1970 Plymouth Road Runner 383
1974 Chrysler New Yorker 440
1996 2500 RAM 488 V-10 4X4
2004 3500 Dually Cummins 4x4
2012 Challenger R/T Classic.
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: fishy340]
#773058
08/16/10 07:33 PM
08/16/10 07:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,415
Toronto
mshred
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OP
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Quote:
IT SAYS DO NOT USE W SS LEAF SPRINGS...NOT RECOMENDED! spend the $ and get the split leafs u wont be sorry.
I dont have SS springs, just stock 6cyl leafs...before the monos came out from calvert, thats what people were using i believe
thanks for all the opinions thus far...im surprised that you all have put so many years on your monos when calvert told me they will wear out very quickly...guess it depends on how many miles you drive?
ill have to look into the pinion angle thing when i call them i guess, as it might make a difference being that my car is a stick
thanks all for the suggestions and replies! has made my choice much easier thats for sure
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: mshred]
#773059
08/17/10 12:24 PM
08/17/10 12:24 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,172
Ohio
theclutcher
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Ohio
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I had a local manufacturer make a couple pair of 1/2" one pc mono-leafs for me to my specs.
John Calvert advised me what to look for as far as measurements relating to ride hgt car wght and spring arch. This was 10 years ago.
Back then we were discussing the feasability of fiberglass leafs, dont know if it ever came to fruition.
If I recall the six banger springs are identical left and right, you have to look at what you have.
Last edited by theclutcher; 08/17/10 12:27 PM.
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: theclutcher]
#773060
08/17/10 07:09 PM
08/17/10 07:09 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,464
Sydney,Australia
tex013
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Sydney,Australia
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i just fitted caltracs to my 68 satellite
i have mopar XHD leaf springs,extra on right
it smoothed out the launch a bunch,no change to sixty.this is with equal ,1/4 turn,preload both sides.
car is a lot more square on launch
still have to see how tight rear shocks need for the strip.
this pic without caltracs
Tex
New best ET 10.259@129.65 .
New best MPH 130.32
Finally fitted a solid cam,
stepped it up a bit more
3690lbs through the mufflers
New World block 3780lbs 10.278@130.80 . Wowser 10.253@130.24 footbraking from 1500rpm
Power by Tex's Automotive
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: tex013]
#773061
08/17/10 07:11 PM
08/17/10 07:11 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,464
Sydney,Australia
tex013
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Sydney,Australia
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this pic with caltracs,i think this was early and had too soft rear shock setting
Tex
New best ET 10.259@129.65 .
New best MPH 130.32
Finally fitted a solid cam,
stepped it up a bit more
3690lbs through the mufflers
New World block 3780lbs 10.278@130.80 . Wowser 10.253@130.24 footbraking from 1500rpm
Power by Tex's Automotive
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Re: Caltracs with Stock leafs
[Re: MoparDonny]
#773063
08/24/10 07:09 PM
08/24/10 07:09 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,464
Sydney,Australia
tex013
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Sydney,Australia
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Don, gees i'm late on the reply. this is the only shot i have seen so far with caltracs fitted. Yes the car does launch squarer. Yes the car does launch a LOT smoother.It used to launch very violently,flip the mirror etc.Feels like an elevater now Does not,so far,seemed to have shortened 60' just made it more consistant.that night went 1.599,1.606,1.593,1.593. Tex
New best ET 10.259@129.65 .
New best MPH 130.32
Finally fitted a solid cam,
stepped it up a bit more
3690lbs through the mufflers
New World block 3780lbs 10.278@130.80 . Wowser 10.253@130.24 footbraking from 1500rpm
Power by Tex's Automotive
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