cal tracs or comp engineering slide a links?

[302 coupe]

The difference is that the Caltracs hit this point earlier, because they have no slack in their lateral links. The Slide-a-link can be adjusted down to be exactly the same -- no slack -- but can be backed off, too, for street comfort. That's the main difference.

the cal-tracs are adjustable too. However, people that are truly worried about 'street comfort' are likely not the same people who need either one of these products, know what I mean?

 

[180 Out]

the cal-tracs are adjustable too.

That's true, but Cal-tracs are mostly adjustable for pre-load; even at their most slackst point they are going to bind the spring. The Slide-A-Link's lateral arm is "broken" in the middle. It telescopes, and it has a two inch poly bushing to cushion the hit when the gap is closed between the two halves. But until that hit happens, the spring can compress the same as if there were no traction bar.

However, people that are truly worried about 'street comfort' are likely not the same people who need either one of these products, know what I mean?

True.

Another diff I thought of is that Cal-trac can control brake-induced axle hop. Both types of Shelby traction bars -- '65 overriders and '66 underriders -- could make this claim as well. The Slide-a-Links can't, because once again they're broken in the middle. The wind-up of the axle under braking pushes the pinion downward. This force pulls on an underrider traction bar, and with the Slide-a-Link there's nothing to pull against.

 

[thehueypilot]

I have the CalTrac's and the aluminum spring eye bushings will transmit rearend noise directly into the cabin. I changed it to a delrin bushing and it is now good for street cruzin. I tried all the under rider traction bars and slapper bars and none worked as well as the Caltrac's for increasing traction and decreasing wheel hop. (although their product support still sucks)

 

[10secgoal]

That's true, but Cal-tracs are mostly adjustable for pre-load; even at their most slackst point they are going to bind the spring. The Slide-A-Link's lateral arm is "broken" in the middle. It telescopes, and it has a two inch poly bushing to cushion the hit when the gap is closed between the two halves. But until that hit happens, the spring can compress the same as if there were no traction bar. True.

When the Caltracs are backed all the way off, they don't bind the leaf in anyway. The only time that happens when the bellcrank is pushed. And that only happens when the rear end tries to twist up, pushing the rod forward.
The Caltracs have a ton of adjustability. You can move the IC which is ungodly important.
Damn Huey. I don't know what's happens the the past few years. If the tech couldn't answer my Q's, John himself would give me a call later.

 

[steel1212]

I emailed both sides and asked them why they where better than the other. I've recieaved one response and it was with in 2 hours: "Adjustability and higher HP output in excess of 1,400 on cars running low 8's in the 1/4 mile. 7lbs. lighter and comes powder coated gloss black. " This from cal tracs. Comp still hasn't emailed me.

 

[rbohm]

if all you are dealing with is straight line acceleration, the caltracs and slide a links both work very well at controlling wheel hop, more properly called spring wrap. the slide a links are actually slightly better for straight line acceleration due to the bushing used to reduce the shock loads that are transferred to the chassis. once you get out of the straight line acceleration role, the cal tracs come out on top. as 180 out indicated the cal tracs help eliminate brake induced spring wrap almost as efficiently as acceleration spring wrap. the slide a links due to their design cant do anything about brake induced spring wrap.

 

[10secgoal]

if all you are dealing with is straight line acceleration, the caltracs and slide a links both work very well at controlling wheel hop, more properly called spring wrap. the slide a links are actually slightly better for straight line acceleration due to the bushing used to reduce the shock loads that are transferred to the chassis.

How so ? Rubber bushings aren't a good thing. LEtting the rear end rotate more from the deflection of a bushing is going to hit the tires softer, and not retain the pinion angle.
I'm gonna test them. If he still has them for sale I'll grab them and try them out.

 

[302 coupe]

Whatever shock load there might be is transmitted to the leaf spring, which is specifically designed to absorb shock loads. The remainder of the shock load is transmitted thru the bellcrank to the cars instant center, which will only help push the car forward more efficiently. To me, this is better than having energy absorbed by a piece of rubber. How many people here ditch all the rubber bushings on their suspension to replace with poly? Exactly. Same principle applies here.

As a side note for whoever mentioned Calverts customer support, I found them to be very prompt in returning my e-mails, and Travis followed up with a phone call. Sure they're trying to sell a product, but they are helpful, friendly, and easy to work with. IIRC, they are in California, I'm in Georgia, and I received my parts 3 days later.

 

[steel1212]

the slide a link uses a durometer urethane bushing not rubber so I would think it would be a touch stiffer but it still going to give.

 

[180 Out]

". . . in excess of 1,400 on cars running low 8's in the 1/4 mile."

Wow, that's an impressive number. My first thought was, I would not have guessed that there ARE 1400 leaf spring cars in the world running low 8's. My second thought was, how did Caltracs compile that number? That's A LOT of cars.

 

[66forfun]

I think he is telling of number of units sold and maximum hp capabilities. My buddy loves his slide-a-links on his point and shoot firebird that sees alot of street duty (3 hot rod power tours)

 

[180 Out]

I think he is telling of number of units sold and maximum hp capabilities.

That makes sense. So instead of writing "in excess of 1,400 on cars running low 8's in the 1/4 mile," the guy meant to say "more than 1,400 cars are using Cal Tracs, and some of them run low 8's."

 

[10secgoal]

Actually I think he meant with cars in excess of 1400 HP on cars running 8's.

 

[67scodegt]

The Slide-a-links bushing is actually a hard polyurethane bushing. I think it's there just to keep down the noise when setup for street use where you should have a little play. You don't want metal hitting metal if your trying to keep it somewhat quite. At the track you set it up tight, I'm sure it compresses some.

 

[fast shelby]

I bought a pair of Cal Tracs after taking a ride in my friends car. They hooked really good but the ride was stiff. His car made only 330 rwhp. My engine made 840 hp with too small of a carb. Hope they work for me as well!!

 

[10secgoal]

Depends on the amount of preload he had. You can back them off real easily, and then set them to where you had them at the track, again, real easily.