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Older thread, but I think heavier front sway bar, add a rear sway bar, and maybe some stiffer springs would be all that's needed for an entry level handling package.

Could be done in stages too.

CalTrac's are geared towards drag racing.
 
Older thread, but I think heavier front sway bar, add a rear sway bar, and maybe some stiffer springs would be all that's needed for an entry level handling package.

Could be done in stages too.

CalTrac's are geared towards drag racing.
Thanks. I have a big Hellwig sway bar in the front that made a huge difference. 18” wheels and sticky tires, and Bilstein shocks, too. The issue I’m trying to address now is axle wrap and general leaf-spring sloppiness.
I also have a rear sway bar I have installed yet. I’ve read mixed reviews on those
 
Thanks. I have a big Hellwig sway bar in the front that made a huge difference. 18” wheels and sticky tires, and Bilstein shocks, too. The issue I’m trying to address now is axle wrap and general leaf-spring sloppiness.
I also have a rear sway bar I have installed yet. I’ve read mixed reviews on those
What rear springs are you using? Mono, Multileaf factory, Hotchkis or similar aftermarket? Which engine (SBC or BBC) and is it very torquey? Some people suggest that severe axle wrap is somewhat curable with Hotchkis springs or perhaps manipulating one of the leafs in a multi-leaf setup.
 
What rear springs are you using? Mono, Multileaf factory, Hotchkis or similar aftermarket? Which engine (SBC or BBC) and is it very torquey? Some people suggest that severe axle wrap is somewhat curable with Hotchkis springs or perhaps manipulating one of the leafs in a multi-leaf setup.
Stock mono leaves… much to be desired. Upgraded leaves would definitely help and I’m looking at those, too.

I have a mildly built 350 and building a 400-ish horse 383 soon.
 
I disagree that Caltracs are for drag cars. There are thousands of people who put them on their street cars and are happy with them. I have a 67 that had horrible wheel hop from axle wrap. I installed Hotchkis drop leafs, body bushings, shocks and Caltracs. It's like a new car - tight and zero wheel hop because of the Caltracs.
 
I disagree that Caltracs are for drag cars. There are thousands of people who put them on their street cars and are happy with them. I have a 67 that had horrible wheel hop from axle wrap. I installed Hotchkis drop leafs, body bushings, shocks and Caltracs. It's like a new car - tight and zero wheel hop because of the Caltracs.
Caltracs were designed for drag racing. Does that mean they won't work good on the street? No. I've been running them on the street for almost 20 years and I love them. My car is just an 8 second street car.
 
Lots of people run them on the street, and I have still got wheel hop with multi-leafs and CalTracs on TNT nites at the strip (guessing street cars with street tires dragging water out of the burnout box)
There are plenty of "traction bar" designs out there...but I would lose the mono's first.

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Stock mono leaves… much to be desired. Upgraded leaves would definitely help and I’m looking at those, too.

I have a mildly built 350 and building a 400-ish horse 383 soon.
Putting multi leafs in your car won't help the wheel hop. I had multis on my car when I first bought it in 89. I didn't know if the rear end was going to fall out or my teeth first. After I put traction bars on, it was good.

I've got a good friend with caltracs in their 68. They have gone back and forth from drag racing and road racing. Different shock settings, different springs, and 5 speed for road racing, 400 auto for drag racing. They seem to like the way it handles.

My car was geared towards drag racing but now I'm wanting to get it to handle well around turns. I've done quite a bit of research. For the rear if I knew (later this year) I wasn't already going to upgrade to someone's four link kit, I'd go with Ridetechs street grip kit. I've seen many great reviews on them. https://suspensiongeek.com/products/ridetech-1967-1969-camaro-streetgrip-composite-leaf-springs-set
There is a bushing kit from global west too that helps but I'm not finding it right now.

I've got caltracs on my car right now but have never driven it with them. Hopefully by the summer.
 
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I would address the clapped out mono leaf noodles first. Hotchkis 1.5" drop leafs will likely put the rear ride height very close to where it sits now with old monos... this will also address any potential. existing issues within the old rear spring mounting areas as well.
The Hotchkis springs will easily handle a mold 350 and once you get the 383ci installed you can add Cal-tracs if needed.
 
So I ran multileaf springs with Caltracs and stock mono springs. My car came with mutileaf and I added the Caltracs and it didn't help a bunch. A friend had a set of stock mono springs so I went with those and the Caltracs. It was better than the multileaf. I went to the Caltrac split mono and it was much better. The multileaf did not work very well at all on my car. The stock mono worked better and the split mono worked best. This was when my car ran low 10's in the 1/4.
 
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Well... the truth in the matter is that if your a cruiser and want the car to simply handle better in the curves but retain a decent ride, I'm not 100% sure that Cal-Tracs, Slide-A-Links, or Slapper Bars are going to help actual on the road cornering much. All three were primarily designed for hard acceleration from a standstill... IOW, Drag Racing. That being said, I do remember that Shelby used the old-fashioned non-adjustable Traction Masters on his road course setup and testing them at Willow Springs. Apparently they helped but of course in a road racing environment who gives a crap about noise or more stiffness LOL. Right now, a lot of drag racers swear by Cal-Tracs and have the time slips to prove it. I don't know if they'd provide any handling benefit for just spirited driving on the street. Perhaps in an autocross environment there might be some benefit but wouldn't there be other methods to improve cornering?
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
I forgot I started this thread.
I can update
They worked out great! I had a mild 350 sbc at first making maybe 340hp through a built TH350 and 3.55 gears. Took care of the wheel hop when it was a totally stock setup. Thing is, running street tires, it either hooked and had traction, or just blew them off and was a nice smoky burnout. Had to practice to find just how hard to hit it.
Now, With a BBC 496, the tires just go up in smoke. Too much torque on too small of a tire.
Kinda a good or fun problem to have.
Would I buy them again? Yup you bet.
And FWIW, I have a big Addco sway bar in the front. Love that thing too. Really made a difference compared to the thinner stock one.
good shocks also matter as mentioned above.
 
@SteveG3 a good source for suspension mods for handling is the Pozzi Racing website, check it out. A ton of good info and worded easy to understand. Knowing how it works can help you decide which way to go with parts purchases.

 
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