I have homemade caltracs with 255/65/15 tires. I have removed a leaf from the leaf springs, as suggested by stangnet members. I still do not notice any difference in 60ft times with the caltracs. I actually could not even reach a 2.0 with them as I could without them. I have some pretty new Dunlop GT Qualifiers that have a tread rating of 440. I know this is not ideal for racing but I would have expected something from the caltracs since everyone who has caltracs says they are great. I borrowed my brothers wheels which are in ok shape, 245/40/18s with a tread wear of 300 and I could not beleive how much better they stuck to the ground. My tires spin if I launch at 1500 and then again once I reach 5000 rpm. My brothers tires I could launch at 2000 and did not spin on the top end. Do my caltracs not work cause my tires just suck?
Traction
- Thread starter 1969mach1351
- Start date
302 coupe
Founding Member
I remember you posting a pic of your homemade cal-tracs a while back. I noticed one thing that might make them work significantly different than the real deal. If I remember correctly, your adjustment points were on the spring plate, rather than the bracket that bolts to the spring eye. If thats the case, you need to tune them opposite the way people adjust the real cal-tracs. For instance, I have my real cal-tracs set with just a touch of preload, and the bar goes thru the bottom hole on the front bracket. Now, this might be the same as you having your bar going thru the top hole on your spring plate bracket, depending on whatever geometry your setup has. It helps if you can imagine the instant center location. Lets say the instant center is an imaginary point in the middle of the door. Follow the line of your cal-tracs and see if it would lead to this imaginary point. I think you just need to try the different adjustments and see how the car reacts.
I think that what makes Cal-Tracs work better than a typical traction bar is the geometry. They are custom made for the application. If you take away that geometry, they're no better than a $30 set of Lakewood slapper bars. The geometry of the Cal-Tracs has a definite effect on the way the tire is planted and the way in which weight is transfered.
Good luck!
I think that what makes Cal-Tracs work better than a typical traction bar is the geometry. They are custom made for the application. If you take away that geometry, they're no better than a $30 set of Lakewood slapper bars. The geometry of the Cal-Tracs has a definite effect on the way the tire is planted and the way in which weight is transfered.
Good luck!
You remove the spring pad to make the springs softer. You really don't want that with a stock spring though. You don't want the rear to squat. I would move the backs up, it may help buy moving the IC forward. Only problem is you are trying to hook with street tires. No matter how well the bar are working, if you aren't transfering weight, it just won't help much. I run the ones I made and they work well, but have the whole package. I just don't see caltracs being anything more than expensive anti-wheelhop bars without slicks, or something else to help. Don't get me wrong, I love mine. But they are made to plant the tires. But you are trying to get hard rubber to grab, with alittle amount of force. I think even DR would show you a world of difference. Maybe not a dead hook, but a better 60ft for sure.
The springs that are in the car aren't stock, they are 5 leafs. I am looking into some ET streets but the thing is I can't do a burnout without wheelhop still. It is much better with the bars but still very violent when it happens. If I mash it from a stand still it wont wheelhop much but if I try and brake stand it then it wheelhops a lot. Maybe my pinion angle is wrong?
what shocks are you using? You may try switching to rancho2000 shocks if your budget allows?
Your tires should not be losing traction at 5000rpm...unless there is some kind of spike in your power band or torque curve.
Your tires should not be losing traction at 5000rpm...unless there is some kind of spike in your power band or torque curve.
MustangMatt1966
New Member
i battle with wheelhop too, and i have the same situation where i mash it and it doesnt hop but then i spin through the 60' marker without and cut like a 2.3 time....but my trap is 106...so i ran with a pair of slicks that my friend let me borrow and you wouldnt beleive the time difference, so if ur setup is similar to mine, tires are the way to go
