cal-tracks do's and don'ts

rod · 02-23-2010, 10:42 PM

i just put a set on my '56 chevy. i would appreciate any help with these. mostly i am looking for: if you do this to the bars, this will be the result.

thanks rod

CrateCamaro · 02-24-2010, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rod

i just put a set on my '56 chevy. i would appreciate any help with these. mostly i am looking for: if you do this to the bars, this will be the result.

thanks rod

Read the instructions and set the preload just like they tell you to (i think its a 1/4 turn)...not sure because I have never adjusted them since I installed them 2 years ago. The only thing I did do was move the bars to the bottom hole because if you look at the pictures on the web site all the cars dragging the bumper have them on the bottom. When I moved mine I noticed a big difference in the height of the front end when it leaves. Hope this helps.

Ven302 · 02-24-2010, 01:23 PM

Isnt that bluebottleunder the bumper why it leaves so hard?

tpoh815 · 02-24-2010, 05:29 PM

The only "do," would be to use them in conjunction with Calverts mono springs and Rancho shocks. All cars are different. "Trial and error". Make sure you are in the car while someone adjusts them!! However, Top hole will make the car hit harder. Which is why "All cars are diff". Hope this helps, if not call Calvert and ask the tech support(s) Been there....

.

cad · 02-24-2010, 07:00 PM

I have the Cal-Tracs in the upper hole. As mentioned, the lower hole does not hit as hard which allows mine to spin badly on my local track, which is generally marginal.
I also have the Rancho Shocks from Calvert. They control body separation. Most people recommend that you have at least 4"-5" of front end travel.
I think you will want the shocks eventually.
Anyway....Install as recommended with you in the driver seat.
For adjustments, we made a wrench for the jam nuts by taking an old wrench, cutting it down to about 6" long and grinding off the sides of the head to fit into the front.
I haven't found another person that has the same adjustment as we do. Mine works best with a full turn on the bar after it makes contact with the spring. Once you find the best setup for your car, you can use adjustable shocks to hit harder or softer.

340Cuda · 02-24-2010, 08:51 PM

This has been posted here before, by myself and others. These are the tips that John Calvert gave me over the phone when we first installed CalTracs on our car:

Top Hole – Hardest Hit (start here)

Bottom Hole – Softer Hit, moves IC forward

More Pre-load, Softer Hit

Less Pre-load, air gap, harder hit

If car pulls to the right add a quarter turn of pre-load to the right bar and visa versa.

Set front shocks soft

Set rear shocks on #5, if car wants to porpoise go to 6 or 7 (harder).

If car spins, needs harder hit, go softer

Too much wheelstand…. Softer hit, restrict front travel

We have the whole package, split monoleaf springs and Rancho shocks.

Good Luck!
Bill Lamb

CrateCamaro · 02-26-2010, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ven302

Isnt that bluebottleunder the bumper why it leaves so hard?

Actually my car leaves hard because I have a rubber driveshaft. When I put it up on the 2 step its actually loading the driveshaft up and when I let go of the brake its up on the bar right away.

rod · 02-27-2010, 08:18 PM

did you get your driveshaft where i got my hard rubber camshaft? the higher i wind it, the more lift i get!!!
rod

Jeff Lee · 02-27-2010, 11:24 PM

I have the rubber connecting rod option in my engine. The higher I rev it, the more compression I have!

Johnny U · 02-28-2010, 02:21 PM

do not listen to that Crate Camaro dude. He is a cheatin bastard. He has a 427 stroker small block that he is claiming is a 300 hp crate motor. He started to do giant wheel stands after he put the cheater motor in.

02-23-2010, 10:42 PM	#1
rod Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kingman, NW AZ. in the middle of the longest stretch of Route 66 Posts: 315 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	cal-tracks do's and don'ts i just put a set on my '56 chevy. i would appreciate any help with these. mostly i am looking for: if you do this to the bars, this will be the result. thanks rod

02-24-2010, 01:23 PM	#3
Ven302 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Stoney Creek Posts: 262 Likes: 41 Liked 34 Times in 7 Posts	Re: cal-tracks do's and don'ts Isnt that bluebottleunder the bumper why it leaves so hard?

02-24-2010, 05:29 PM	#4
tpoh815 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: West Seneca Posts: 537 Likes: 62 Liked 28 Times in 11 Posts	Re: cal-tracks do's and don'ts The only "do," would be to use them in conjunction with Calverts mono springs and Rancho shocks. All cars are different. "Trial and error". Make sure you are in the car while someone adjusts them!! However, Top hole will make the car hit harder. Which is why "All cars are diff". Hope this helps, if not call Calvert and ask the tech support(s) Been there.... . __________________ EX 5-Doorstocker

02-24-2010, 08:51 PM	#6
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,675 Likes: 3,872 Liked 804 Times in 341 Posts	Re: cal-tracks do's and don'ts This has been posted here before, by myself and others. These are the tips that John Calvert gave me over the phone when we first installed CalTracs on our car: Top Hole – Hardest Hit (start here) Bottom Hole – Softer Hit, moves IC forward More Pre-load, Softer Hit Less Pre-load, air gap, harder hit If car pulls to the right add a quarter turn of pre-load to the right bar and visa versa. Set front shocks soft Set rear shocks on #5, if car wants to porpoise go to 6 or 7 (harder). If car spins, needs harder hit, go softer Too much wheelstand…. Softer hit, restrict front travel We have the whole package, split monoleaf springs and Rancho shocks. Good Luck! Bill Lamb

02-27-2010, 08:18 PM	#8
rod Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kingman, NW AZ. in the middle of the longest stretch of Route 66 Posts: 315 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Re: cal-tracks do's and don'ts did you get your driveshaft where i got my hard rubber camshaft? the higher i wind it, the more lift i get!!! rod

02-24-2010, 07:00 PM	#5
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 702 Likes: 202 Liked 91 Times in 51 Posts	Re: cal-tracks do's and don'ts I have the Cal-Tracs in the upper hole. As mentioned, the lower hole does not hit as hard which allows mine to spin badly on my local track, which is generally marginal. I also have the Rancho Shocks from Calvert. They control body separation. Most people recommend that you have at least 4"-5" of front end travel. I think you will want the shocks eventually. Anyway....Install as recommended with you in the driver seat. For adjustments, we made a wrench for the jam nuts by taking an old wrench, cutting it down to about 6" long and grinding off the sides of the head to fit into the front. I haven't found another person that has the same adjustment as we do. Mine works best with a full turn on the bar after it makes contact with the spring. Once you find the best setup for your car, you can use adjustable shocks to hit harder or softer.

02-27-2010, 11:24 PM	#9
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: cal-tracks do's and don'ts I have the rubber connecting rod option in my engine. The higher I rev it, the more compression I have! __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

02-28-2010, 02:21 PM	#10
Johnny U Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oakville Ontario Canada Posts: 55 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: cal-tracks do's and don'ts do not listen to that Crate Camaro dude. He is a cheatin bastard. He has a 427 stroker small block that he is claiming is a 300 hp crate motor. He started to do giant wheel stands after he put the cheater motor in.