swinger340
Well-Known Member
Thinking about installing Caltracs in my 71 duster when I install the stroker I am going to be building shortly. Do the Caltracs systems help w traction or would it be a waste of money?
you can build your own caltracs for under $100.00 and they will be just as good as the caltracsThinking about installing Caltracs in my 71 duster when I install the stroker I am going to be building shortly. Do the Caltracs systems help w traction or would it be a waste of money?
Lot's of threads say they are the "BEST" But also get ready to feel every single little bump in the road,If you like that go for it,I think I'm going with super stock springs for a little softer ride and adding comp engineering's set-up so I can retain stock springs and still have great traction when needed--Steve
How many record holding stock eliminator cars run SS springs... probably none!
SS springs and pleasant ride don't seem to go in the same sentence. Also unless you buy two lefts or rights you get the right side high look.
Want a smoother ride on street with tracks, take out the preload. Add the flats back in when you hit the track. The solid front eye will transfer a bunch of shock. Want SS spring to work better, put a solid eye in them too, so that's a wash.
Like anything, you need to get the stuff worked out for it to perform properly. I've never had a car slow down going from SS spring to cal tracks.
IMO, none of these systems are designed for comfort.
Yes you can build a set of cal tracks relatively inexpensive if you have access to a lathe.
The Swinger is my just for a cruise car. The Duster I want to be the go like heck car. Im thinking slant 6 tortion bars, and Caltracs. No sway bar. poly bushings. Need to do a little more playing and research on pinion angle. Got some 15X10s for the rear and 15X3.5 for the front. 28" rear street slicks w 3:91s. Already has 3800 stall and 150 shot of NOS. Minus the bottle. Most of the makings are there. Just need more motor and some suspension work. Not 100% on the NOS. It was already there when i bought the car. Has a wide open throttle switch that turns it on. There is a power switch in the ash tray in the console to shut the switch off witch activates the solenoid.
If you want traction I would go to the mopar chassis book and learn how to setup the rear suspension.It will cost you less and work just as well.
Its a street strip car. Therefor Im reconsidering the Caltracs. I currently have SS springs in the rear, adjustable pinion snubber, KYB shocks all around, w .920 torsion bars w/o sway bar in the front. It is rail connected. Goes straight, but lacks traction. May need some adjustments, smaller torsion bars for weight transfer. Front is very stiff.As mentioned above, "racing" and "street" driving should be looked at as two totally different entities. You either build your car for one or the other. Want a street/strip car? Then you'll have to make sacrifices. Sounds like your Duster will be a racecar mainly. For that, the Cal Tracs work awesome. I think there is some room for improvement over the Cal-Trac design, but they have the reputation and name that everyone knows. There products definitely do work.
Id like to design something with a little more adjustability in it, but it may be a little while before I can get to it. Think of the Cal-Trac as a "simple" ladder bar. Thats the point of them...it takes the rotational movement of the rear axle and applies it under the spring eye, which in turn, helps to lift the car. Same concept as a ladder bar, but you dont have to worry about coilovers and all that.