CalTracs vs. leaf-link
 

I think pretty much everyone agrees that CalTracs have a proven record of hooking hard (as long as they and the rest of the suspension are adjusted properly). Can a leaf-link setup compare, or is that a horribly outdated, cantankerous setup?

Re: CalTracs vs. leaf-link
 

Pete, I race two '70 AMX's with nearly identical engines. ......One's a Stocker with Cal Track suspension,and the other is a street leagal car with a leaf link setup with an adjustable top mounted bar,with no axle pivit mount. Both hook extremly well, and the street car can nearly match the Stockers 60' on drag radials. ....However the link setup is a lot more difficult to adjust ,due to accessability issues. ......If you're thinking about a leaf link in Stock, it's illegal to have a top mounted traction bar on a leaf spring car. ........Tom

Re: CalTracs vs. leaf-link
 

Ah, very interesting. I'm just a lowly bracket racer, and my car isn't even running at the moment.
I came across an old magazine article about fabricating a leaf-link setup the other day, and I got curious.

Re: CalTracs vs. leaf-link
 

We run CalTracs on our car and really like them.

The only issue I know of with the leaflink is that the spring is getting the compressed where on the CalTacs its getting pulled. I have heard of link link setups that bent the spring.

With the CalTracs the tube is taking the compression.

Good luck,
Bill

Re: CalTracs vs. leaf-link
 

The front of the spring definatly takes a lot of abuse on the leaf link. .....My setup is clamped on every blade in front of the spring perch for extra stiffness. ........The main reason I put the leaf link on the street car was "stealth ". The average Joe looks under the car and sees nothing, and can't figure out how the car hooks so well ! ......Tom

Re: CalTracs vs. leaf-link
 

Yeah, CalTracs hang down enough to be noticed just about as easily as slapper bars, so the leaf-link setup definitely has the stealth/sleeper factor going for it. But bolting on a set of CalTracs is definitely alot easier...

Re: CalTracs vs. leaf-link
 

Do you remember what magazine it was ?? Or where I can find info on a leaf link ??

Re: CalTracs vs. leaf-link
 

The article I'm referring to is in the September 1996 issue of Chevy High Performance. They followed along as Ray Capouch of Automotive Race Engineering in Temperance, MI installed a leaf-link setup in a '56 Chevy. If my history is right, I believe this setup was developed by Mopar engineers in the very late 60s or early 70s. I think it might be described in old Direct Connection chassis manuals.

Re: CalTracs vs. leaf-link
 

Thanks for the info....now have to dig thru piles of mags to see if I can find it !!! :-)
I moved about 7 years ago and they are still in boxes !!!

Re: CalTracs vs. leaf-link
 

Ah, the joy of moving. I had mine decently organized, but haven't kept up the past few years. There just aren't enough hours in a day, I tell ya!