For Many years I just ran a pinion snubber on stock worn out springs with CE shocks and it worked just fine. I even ran at the same track (Bandimere Speedway) with that setup, cutting 1.50 60' times....but, the Caltracs hook so much better as you make more power, and more consistent. Like YR said, buy once, cry once...although its not that bad...I think I only paid about 8-900 for the full setup, but I could be remembering wrong.