Posted By: 70shaker
Caltrac questions - 01/11/09 03:05 PM
Can someone measure the distance from the bottom of the shock bracket to the cross hole for the rod? The article on the internet shows this about 2" but in the pictures I have seen this looks more like 4"-5".
Do you guys use rod ends or heim joints?
My Challenger springs have 6 leaves per side and I am debating whether to remove a few leaves.
Thanks
Posted By: Tommy D
Re: Caltrac questions - 01/11/09 03:24 PM
Hello. I am a B-Body guy, but one of my close friends has been running a '70 Challenger with SS leafs and the Cal Trac bars. His car is/was a 440-6, 4-speed, 4.56 Dana car. He ran a .557 solid cam with stock heads. With sticky tires, he launched and when the rear part of the springs separated, they pinched the rear valence. When the car settled down, it mangled the driver's side section of his, cherry valence. The car was running low 12's @ 116mph. Be careful with springs and Cal Tracs. I'll try to take some pictures of his set-up in the next couple of days. Unfortunately, my camera is set up to take pictures that are too big to post on this site. I need to figure how to take them with less resolution so I can post them. If you have an e-mal address, send me a PM. I'll forward what I have.
FYI, I spoke of the 44-6 in the past tense because he catastrophically destroyed the block when a rod let go. i have some pretty dramatic pictures of it. Good luck, and be careful. Tom
Posted By: Tommy D
Re: Caltrac questions - 01/11/09 03:52 PM
Noone is complaining here. I just saw that the gentleman that started this post was running springs and Cal Tracs. I didn't want to see him have the same problem. Have a nice day.
Posted By: Pacnorthcuda
Re: Caltrac questions - 01/11/09 04:03 PM
Many people run Caltracs with multiple-leaf springs. Caltracs does not state you can't (in fact they state you can).
Its not as effective as their mono-leaf, and even less effective with SS springs but it can and is done.
A quick paste from their site:
Specializing in leafspring traction enhancement systems for over 15 years, the Calvert Racing Team knows what it takes to get your car hooking harder than ever!
With unsurpassed quality and craftsmanship, all competition is eliminated. Why settle for anything less than the original system that set the standards?
Calvert Racing’s CalTracs are the most innovative traction bar units today, often imitated, but never duplicated.
If you have a leafspring car, we have a set of bars for you! From daily driven cars, to 8-second outlaw cars, this system is made to out perform!
Price: 339.00 Plus Shipping (California Add Sales Tax)
Complete bolt-on, no cutting, welding, or modifications to OEM suspension.
Keeps axle from rotating, helping maintain pinion angle.
Improves 60ft times.
Full preload adjustability.
Eliminates spring wrap-up.
Powdercoated gloss black finish.
Full color Installation Guide.
PSCA, NMCA, NHRA approved.
Posted By: 70shaker
Re: Caltrac questions - 01/11/09 04:29 PM
I need the measurement from the surface of the shock plate where it touches the spring to the cross hole for the bar. I need this dimension to make my brackets.
Thanks
Posted By: 70shaker
Re: Caltrac questions - 01/11/09 05:43 PM
Thanks for the info guys.
Do these use heim joints or rod ends?
Posted By: Triple Threat
Re: Caltrac questions - 01/11/09 06:32 PM
The Heim Joint threads into the bars on caltracs. (male)
Rod ends thread over a length of rod. (female)
Thats the only real difference I have ever noted between the 2. One of those things where the names are interchangeable
Posted By: 70blackfish
Re: Caltrac questions - 01/11/09 07:07 PM
caltrac sells them in parts too
Posted By: 70shaker
Re: Caltrac questions - 01/11/09 09:33 PM
I have always known them with following terminology
Heim joint has the spherical rotating ball in the center and it can be male or female thread
Rod end does not have the spherical ball and it can be male or female thread
Thanks
