Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Kingbee wrote: ↑Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:59 pm Unless you're trying to squeeze out every last tenth I would skip the Caltracs and use what Mother Mopar gave you. The original Caltrac setup was built by John Calvert for a 68 Mustang stock eliminator car. Like most non Chrysler leaf spring cars the Fords have the rear end mounted in the center of the main leaf causing the front and rear segment of the springs to whip and fight each other under hard acceleration and hard braking. Chrysler mounted there axle toward the front making the front part a lever while the rear part could flex more giving a good ride as well as better manners under power and braking. When it came time in the early 60s for the super/stock wars the Mopar suspension was a natural right out of the box. Tweak it a little and it's even better.

Don't get me wrong, the Caltrac is a good system but for years there has been many super stock leaf spring cars dipping into the 9s and many stock leaf cars into the 11s. The last few years there has been a lot of talk that the new super stock springs are made in Mexico and are junk. All the sets I've used are older American made springs and I have had great luck. If you like to fabricate then maybe consider reworking your stock springs! The basis for this is to find another set of the same springs that's in your car now and cut it up for ad on leaves. Ad a second leaf that ends directly under the front spring eye bolt with the back half ending about 4 inchs from the rear eye. Then clamp the front segment and unclamp the rear segment. There's a little more to it detail wise but it's not difficult and the results are great!


One more option is Tri City Launchers which are basically a blueprinted super stock spring. They ride a little stiff on the street but they hook hard and straight. If interested call Greg at Tri City Competition. 760-591-0362. That number is a couple years old but he is still racing.

rebelrouser wrote: ↑Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:55 pm Mopar super stock springs are hard to beat until you get into the tens. I have a lot of nostalgia super stock buddies that swear by the caltracs, if you use the split mono-leaf spring with them. The last few sets of super stock springs I had were made in mexico and were not as good of quality as the older USA made units. When my car started running low tens I started bending them at the front spring eye.

Turbo231 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 09, 2018 9:07 am

rebelrouser wrote: ↑Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:55 pm Mopar super stock springs are hard to beat until you get into the tens. I have a lot of nostalgia super stock buddies that swear by the caltracs, if you use the split mono-leaf spring with them. The last few sets of super stock springs I had were made in mexico and were not as good of quality as the older USA made units. When my car started running low tens I started bending them at the front spring eye.

I am planning to go in the 9's maybe high 8's with this car. It will use a dual turbo Gen 3 Hemi, a 727 trans, and probably a 3.54 gear in a Dana rear. Not planning to do brutal launches like the Super Stock guys do. Is it just the newer Mexico springs that bend or the older USA springs also? What do the Super Stock '68 Cudas and Darts run? Are they all on Caltracs?

SupStk wrote: ↑Fri Nov 02, 2018 8:36 pm The Caltracs offer adjustability for car/track variables the SS springs don't have.

Turbo231 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 06, 2018 2:20 pm

Kingbee wrote: ↑Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:59 pm Unless you're trying to squeeze out every last tenth I would skip the Caltracs and use what Mother Mopar gave you. The original Caltrac setup was built by John Calvert for a 68 Mustang stock eliminator car. Like most non Chrysler leaf spring cars the Fords have the rear end mounted in the center of the main leaf causing the front and rear segment of the springs to whip and fight each other under hard acceleration and hard braking. Chrysler mounted there axle toward the front making the front part a lever while the rear part could flex more giving a good ride as well as better manners under power and braking. When it came time in the early 60s for the super/stock wars the Mopar suspension was a natural right out of the box. Tweak it a little and it's even better.

Don't get me wrong, the Caltrac is a good system but for years there has been many super stock leaf spring cars dipping into the 9s and many stock leaf cars into the 11s. The last few years there has been a lot of talk that the new super stock springs are made in Mexico and are junk. All the sets I've used are older American made springs and I have had great luck. If you like to fabricate then maybe consider reworking your stock springs! The basis for this is to find another set of the same springs that's in your car now and cut it up for ad on leaves. Ad a second leaf that ends directly under the front spring eye bolt with the back half ending about 4 inchs from the rear eye. Then clamp the front segment and unclamp the rear segment. There's a little more to it detail wise but it's not difficult and the results are great!


One more option is Tri City Launchers which are basically a blueprinted super stock spring. They ride a little stiff on the street but they hook hard and straight. If interested call Greg at Tri City Competition. 760-591-0362. That number is a couple years old but he is still racing.

I have had no luck finding this company and the phone number above is disconnected. Any suggestions? Do you know Greg's last name? Thanks.

engineczar wrote: ↑Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:14 pm

Turbo231 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 06, 2018 2:20 pm

Kingbee wrote: ↑Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:59 pm Unless you're trying to squeeze out every last tenth I would skip the Caltracs and use what Mother Mopar gave you. The original Caltrac setup was built by John Calvert for a 68 Mustang stock eliminator car. Like most non Chrysler leaf spring cars the Fords have the rear end mounted in the center of the main leaf causing the front and rear segment of the springs to whip and fight each other under hard acceleration and hard braking. Chrysler mounted there axle toward the front making the front part a lever while the rear part could flex more giving a good ride as well as better manners under power and braking. When it came time in the early 60s for the super/stock wars the Mopar suspension was a natural right out of the box. Tweak it a little and it's even better.

Don't get me wrong, the Caltrac is a good system but for years there has been many super stock leaf spring cars dipping into the 9s and many stock leaf cars into the 11s. The last few years there has been a lot of talk that the new super stock springs are made in Mexico and are junk. All the sets I've used are older American made springs and I have had great luck. If you like to fabricate then maybe consider reworking your stock springs! The basis for this is to find another set of the same springs that's in your car now and cut it up for ad on leaves. Ad a second leaf that ends directly under the front spring eye bolt with the back half ending about 4 inchs from the rear eye. Then clamp the front segment and unclamp the rear segment. There's a little more to it detail wise but it's not difficult and the results are great!


One more option is Tri City Launchers which are basically a blueprinted super stock spring. They ride a little stiff on the street but they hook hard and straight. If interested call Greg at Tri City Competition. 760-591-0362. That number is a couple years old but he is still racing.

I have had no luck finding this company and the phone number above is disconnected. Any suggestions? Do you know Greg's last name? Thanks.

I know I'm misspelling it but it believe it's Greg Luneack