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Old 07-14-2018, 10:06 PM   #1
ss3011
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Default Re: Leaf spring suspension

On a 4 link or ladder bar car , you want to run floaters on the spring perches . This allows the rear end to float on the springs , the springs only suspend the car and do not transfer any forward motion to the car . I weight jack by installing different thickness blocks between the spring and the rear end .
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Old 07-14-2018, 10:17 PM   #2
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Default Re: Leaf spring suspension

I plan to just run a set of CalTrac's and that's it...have no intention of adding any longitundinal links or anything.

I'm just not sure if I want to use the factory triple leafs @ 130 pounds, go to a stiffer leaf spring, use coil-overs to add spring rate, remove a leaf and add in coil-overs....the only thing I know for sure is that I'll be putting an anti-roll on it using the same crossmember that I'll be welding in for the shock mounts.

Calculator I used - https://www.suspensionmaxx.com/tech-...ng-calculator/

On mine, I have
2.5" wide x 1 Leaf x 56" long x .25" thick = 19.38 lb/in
2.5" wide x 1 leaf x 45" long x .25" thick = 37.35 lb/in
2.5" wide x 1 leaf x 36" long x .25" thick = 72.96 lb/in

Total = 129.69 lb/in, or basically 130 lb/in

Last edited by DailyDriverSst; 07-14-2018 at 10:27 PM.
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Old 07-14-2018, 10:36 PM   #3
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Default Re: Leaf spring suspension

I just don't understand exactly the physics that goes into picking a leaf spring rate...I know a couple people running mid-11's/mid-7's on the stock 130' leaf pack and caltracs and nothing else. But if there's room for improvement or extra adjustability, I'd rather be able to factor that into the chassis modification when i add the ARB and shock mounts instead of putting it together, trying to run 10.50's, and finding out that I need to add/change a bunch of things.
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Old 07-15-2018, 07:50 AM   #4
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Default Re: Leaf spring suspension

Launcher Springs work and Gregg is always helpful. Or find someone with the same type car and copy it.
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Old 07-15-2018, 10:42 AM   #5
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Default Re: Leaf spring suspension

I my son has Caltracs on his car, he feels there are no issues on driving it the street. He has taken it on five drag weeks with no issues. I think he could always run a 10.90 even in the heat.

Other than your report I have never heard of a CalTracs failure although as many as are out there there must be more. I think most folks would say its a very robust product.

I would tell Calvert exactly what I planned for the car and follow their recommendations.

This is not to say some of the other combinations won't work.

In my opinion if you don't at least put frame connectors in it at sometime in the future you will have trouble closing the doors.

Good luck with your project.

Bill
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Old 07-15-2018, 02:49 PM   #6
DailyDriverSst
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Default Re: Leaf spring suspension

Quote:
Originally Posted by 340Cuda View Post
I my son has Caltracs on his car, he feels there are no issues on driving it the street. He has taken it on five drag weeks with no issues. I think he could always run a 10.90 even in the heat.

In my opinion if you don't at least put frame connectors in it at sometime in the future you will have trouble closing the doors.

Good luck with your project.

Bill
Hi Bill,

Does he have the split mono's with his caltracs?

I'll be putting 1000-1500 miles on mine a year, plus local bracket and 7.0 racing, True Street no/lo-prep, and possibly some drag week or similar.

It's a truck platform, full frame rail. Body issues shouldn't exist...hopefully.

Not sureif this will show, it's what Dziorny posted when he got to Joliet this weekend.

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Old 07-15-2018, 03:09 PM   #7
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Default Re: Leaf spring suspension

Wow, never seen or heard of one doing that, can't say that anymore.

Yes my son does run the split mono. For years he ran the Calvert/Rancho shocks but he recently switched to the dual adjustable Vikings and likes them.

While we trailer his car there. the route he drives on Drag Week is always over 1,000 miles.

He also drives it to the track, occasionally to work on nice days and to car shows. Probably another 1,500 miles or so.

I forget some vehicles have real frames!

Bill

Last edited by 340Cuda; 07-15-2018 at 03:57 PM.
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Old 07-15-2018, 03:47 PM   #8
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Default Re: Leaf spring suspension

Daily Driver Sst. I run a 3700 lb 67 Camaro with a 496 pump gas John Lingenfelter engine. It runs 10.50's @ 127 mph. It's still a street driven car with full interior and working lights and such. It has Caltrac bars, Afco shocks, (which are a must with the bars). I installed Caltrac split mono leaf springs and did see a big difference. But, the biggest gain in 60 ft. times was when I installed a set of Mickey Thompson Pro Drag Radials. 60 ft times went from high 1.40s - low 1.50s, all the way down to mid to high 1.30s. The Calvert springs and bars put a HUGE down force on the tires this is why the Afco shocks are so important. I used to run Competition Engineering shocks, but there is no way they can overcome the body separation of the down force caused by the Caltrac bars. Coming of the trans-brake @ 3,000 RPM, the car used to flatten the tire to the point that it was wearing off the side wall writing of the tires, then obviously it would spin, then hook hard again, folding the tire, spin, then hook and take off. the only way I found this out, was by video taping the launch, and playing it back frame by frame in slow motion. The tires completely stopped all that from happening. Best thing I've ever done to the car. Now the cars carries the front wheels about 2 feet high till just passed the tree. I am very satisfied with John Calverts products. I did notice in the picture that you tie the car down using the frame. In theory, this is the correct way the not wear out the suspension during transport. But, keep in mind that you have a very heavy 4500 lb car. you may want to try tying it down at the rear axle instead, and stiffen the shocks during transport mode. It may be putting too much pressure on the springs during transport tying it down from the frame. Just my 2 cents. Hope this helps.
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Old 07-17-2018, 06:07 PM   #9
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Default Re: Leaf spring suspension

Quote:
Originally Posted by DailyDriverSst View Post
Hi Bill,

Does he have the split mono's with his caltracs?

I'll be putting 1000-1500 miles on mine a year, plus local bracket and 7.0 racing, True Street no/lo-prep, and possibly some drag week or similar.

It's a truck platform, full frame rail. Body issues shouldn't exist...hopefully.

Not sureif this will show, it's what Dziorny posted when he got to Joliet this weekend.

Just a thought on the pic. I tie down to the lower shock mount via an eyelet so it doesn’t load the springs although it still has spring bounce the body is not stressing the spring and acting as a limiter on the srtaps
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