'78 Z-28 Camaro Hook question?

70NovaPRP · 11-19-2007, 04:21 PM

Hi, I don't post here often but I figured you stocker guys would have a pretty good grasp on what we are trying to do here. This is for a bracket car so all out E.T. is not important, we can sacrifice for hooking consistency. Here is the basic combo to get us started. We haven't even installed this combination into the car it is for next year but we want to upgrade during the winter if we have to.

468 BBC HP? est. e.t. 10.40's-10.60's
1.76 Powerglide Footbraking
8" 5000 stall TCI converter
4.10 gear
Car weighs about 3600 lbs with driver
30x9 Hoosier or M/T? Any comments?
currently has comp. engineering j-bolt slappers has been as fast as 1.54 60' with 406 small block
Front springs are new V8 springs that have been cut slightly to correct stance. Here is a pic of car in question.

Any thoughts on whether it will work as is? Need cal-tracs? Not opposed to spending some money to make it hook but don't want to over spend either. Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

greg fulk · 11-20-2007, 03:49 AM

I'm building one of these cars as a street strip car for my wife.....I also have a stocker (or 3) If I were you I'd call Cal-tracks....and get both the "split-mono" leaf springs and the bars. If they hook a 69 camaro with an alum. head big block they "should" hook your car. They will need to know the weight of the car to get things right.

Kenny Wigington · 11-20-2007, 09:04 AM

I had one , a 78 (461") and the Caltracs will do great. I can only imagine what it would have done is the split springs had been around. Make sure you ring and pinion are in good shape. When you get it to hook every hit, you gonna find the weak link, fast. Good Luck !

70NovaPRP · 11-20-2007, 11:10 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll tell my bro (its his car), he asked me to ask around and find out what people thought he would need. He was hoping that it could be done with just the cal-tracs, but he will not be opposed to buying the springs too.

Dave Goob Cook · 11-20-2007, 12:09 PM

Better try it the way it is.....feetbraking it should be fine.

Greg Hill · 11-20-2007, 07:21 PM

Don't forget about the front end either. You need bushings in the front that move easily and a good set of adjustable shocks, Try and get as much weight as possible off the front and on the rear. The cal tracs and springs are the way to go with a good set of adjustable shocks in the rear also. I run a 71 Camaro in stock and have been 1.35 in 60ft. with a smallblock.

Good luck, Greg

11-19-2007, 04:21 PM	#1
70NovaPRP Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Alexandria, Pa, USA Posts: 8 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	'78 Z-28 Camaro Hook question? Hi, I don't post here often but I figured you stocker guys would have a pretty good grasp on what we are trying to do here. This is for a bracket car so all out E.T. is not important, we can sacrifice for hooking consistency. Here is the basic combo to get us started. We haven't even installed this combination into the car it is for next year but we want to upgrade during the winter if we have to. 468 BBC HP? est. e.t. 10.40's-10.60's 1.76 Powerglide Footbraking 8" 5000 stall TCI converter 4.10 gear Car weighs about 3600 lbs with driver 30x9 Hoosier or M/T? Any comments? currently has comp. engineering j-bolt slappers has been as fast as 1.54 60' with 406 small block Front springs are new V8 springs that have been cut slightly to correct stance. Here is a pic of car in question. Any thoughts on whether it will work as is? Need cal-tracs? Not opposed to spending some money to make it hook but don't want to over spend either. Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

11-20-2007, 03:49 AM	#2
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: '78 Z-28 Camaro Hook question? I'm building one of these cars as a street strip car for my wife.....I also have a stocker (or 3) If I were you I'd call Cal-tracks....and get both the "split-mono" leaf springs and the bars. If they hook a 69 camaro with an alum. head big block they "should" hook your car. They will need to know the weight of the car to get things right. __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

11-20-2007, 09:04 AM	#3
Kenny Wigington Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cumming,Ga. USA Posts: 967 Likes: 36 Liked 60 Times in 12 Posts	Re: '78 Z-28 Camaro Hook question? I had one , a 78 (461") and the Caltracs will do great. I can only imagine what it would have done is the split springs had been around. Make sure you ring and pinion are in good shape. When you get it to hook every hit, you gonna find the weak link, fast. Good Luck ! __________________ 2894 STK

11-20-2007, 11:10 AM	#4
70NovaPRP Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Alexandria, Pa, USA Posts: 8 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: '78 Z-28 Camaro Hook question? Thanks for the suggestions. I'll tell my bro (its his car), he asked me to ask around and find out what people thought he would need. He was hoping that it could be done with just the cal-tracs, but he will not be opposed to buying the springs too.

11-20-2007, 12:09 PM	#5
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: '78 Z-28 Camaro Hook question? Better try it the way it is.....feetbraking it should be fine.

11-20-2007, 07:21 PM	#6
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,994 Likes: 63 Liked 270 Times in 68 Posts	Re: '78 Z-28 Camaro Hook question? Don't forget about the front end either. You need bushings in the front that move easily and a good set of adjustable shocks, Try and get as much weight as possible off the front and on the rear. The cal tracs and springs are the way to go with a good set of adjustable shocks in the rear also. I run a 71 Camaro in stock and have been 1.35 in 60ft. with a smallblock. Good luck, Greg