Up grading to a Calvert Racing Suspension, for my 1970 SE 500 Charger

[Duran75]

Hello all,

I thought I would share my lastest up grade to my 1970 Charger.  In order to get my Charger in the 10 sec range, I needed to make sure the Leafspring suspension can hook and plant the tires.  This took me two days to complete this installation.  The first set of (4) pictures show the stock leafsprings, and Lake Wood Traction Bars.  I been using this set up for 10 years.  The best 60ft to date has been a 1.59  On average I would put down a 1.60 to 1.61 60ft.  Leaving on a transbrake, at 2300 RPM.  Any more RPM would just ball the slicks or spin the tires.

[Duran75]

Next set of pictures show the removal of the old leafsprings, and the installation of the CalTracs.

[Duran75]

The next two pictures show the car with the Caltracs installed, and of the jacks.  Next week I will adjust the Preload link bars, and level the car.  Depending on the weather next week, I would like to take the car out to Speedworld and test and set up the car.  I will up date with pictures from the track.

[Duran75]

Here's one more pic showing the calTracs installed

[Ghoste]

Looks great!  Did it change the stance?

[Duran75]

No it did not change the stance, because I order the leafsprings one inch over stock.  That's how I had the stock spring rebuilt, one inch over stock.

[BBKNARF]

I heard cal-tracs is a great suspension for the money I might go the same way myself, keep us posted.

[68X426]

I have CalTracs on my Road Runner and love them. I don't know why they work but they most certainly do. Not just for traction but with all road travel and cornering.

[Blakcharger440]

Hey Duran! What is your engine and trans combo? I would like to know what type of engine build you have and what is in it.

[Duran75]

Current motor set up: 1970 440 block, bored 60 over, forged piston, line bored with ARP Main stud kit installed.  Zero decked block.  440 Six pack Rods recondition with ARP hardware installed.  Crank was polished and cleaned up.  906 heads with 2.14 and 1.81 valves, some port work, and milled 10 thousands.   Mopar  Hyd cam. - 268 / 284 Duration
Torker II intake and 850 Demon.

Trans: 727A set up for full race, Cheetah Transbrake, and Dynamic converter.

NOS Cheater system, set up for a 150HP shot.

The car will run 11.90 on the motor, 10.75 on NOS

[68X426]

I love the car. Can't wait to hear about how you set up the car for the track. Details needed.

[Ghoste]

No it did not change the stance, because I order the leafsprings one inch over stock.  That's how I had the stock spring rebuilt, one inch over stock.

I wondered because it sure looks good in the after Cal install pics.

[six-tee-nine]

I also heard good things about them, not just for racing, but also for street driving......
I believe member "SFRT" also has a set of them and likes it alot.

I have a set on my "to buy" list

[greenpigs]

  On Moparts its about 50/50 on street driving and that's seems to be from adjusting the preload off before hitting the streets. Nearly everyone reported an improvement over their previous setup which were SS springs in most cases.
  I like the rubber on the quarters!

[SFRT]

yes I have the monoleaf/caltracs setup and QA1 adjustable shocks and am very happy with the results.

[firefighter3931]

I have a set on the Black Pig and they seem to work well. I need to do some more experimenting next spring with pre-load and shock adjustments but so far i'm happy. Planting 720hp/720tq to the ground is no easy task. 

The guy i bought them off of had them on his 68 Charger running 9.80's and 60ft times in the high 1.30's so they do work. 
 
Nice car Duran 




Ron

[6pkrtse]

Looks awesome. I just put a set of Caltracs & split mono's on my Challenger with a 1" lower than stock ride height & the Doctor Diff 1' relocation kit. I can fit  315-65-15 M/T Drag radial on it now or a 29.5 x 10.5W. I have yet to test them out. Still don't have the rest of the drive train in it yet.

[jb666]

I have a set on my car and absolutely love them.. No track time to report, all street use... They ride better than my factory springs did.

I'm curious to see what your track results are 

BTW, that is ONE MEAN LOOKING CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[tan top]

mean looking 70    good lot of pictures & info    looking forward to reading & seeing updates & stuff 

[Duran75]

I was able to get back to the track this last weekend.  Speedworld was hosting the 2011 NHAR National Open.  Friday was test day.  I was able to make 4 test runs.  The best 60ft was 1.60 sec.  The worst was 1.61 sec.  The best thing was I was able to leave the line at 3700 RPM, using my transbrake.  The car did not ball the slick up or wheel spin.  The slick planted everytime, and I pulled the front wheels up about 4 to 5 inches everytime.  Saturday I entered the Pro Class.  I won first round.  Sunday I lost in the Quarter Finals.  The car ran it's number, I was late on the light.  I'm very happy with the CalTrac set up!! It was worth the money I spent!!!  The car was very predicable

[68X426]

Awesome. Congrats. The 2nd photo is great.

[Blakcharger440]

Duran you have a really nice Charger!!! You are running really good ET for your combo! I also have the cal tracs on my 70 Charger RT. It has 512ci RB engine with 10.5 compression.  My car is set up more for the street but am collecting parts for some strip runs this summer.

If you dont mind my asking what gear and compression ratio?

[R2]

What shocks are you running out back ?

I have the Rancho 9 way adjustables,,,which is nice and easy to adjust at the track with the Caltracs.....

What are you running up front for shocks ? (Calverts ? )

congrats on the conversion...looks good,

Doug

[Duran75]

Duran you have a really nice Charger!!! You are running really good ET for your combo! I also have the cal tracs on my 70 Charger RT. It has 512ci RB engine with 10.5 compression.  My car is set up more for the street but am collecting parts for some strip runs this summer.

If you dont mind my asking what gear and compression ratio?

488 gears, 10:1 compression ratio.

[Duran75]

What shocks are you running out back ?

I have the Rancho 9 way adjustables,,,which is nice and easy to adjust at the track with the Caltracs.....

What are you running up front for shocks ? (Calverts ? )

congrats on the conversion...looks good,

Doug

[/quote


I have drag shock front and back.  They only have 3 way adjustment.  They are Competition Engineering . I may give the Rancho a try.  Need to save up some lunch money!!

[firefighter3931]

Nice job 

If it's not spinning then you don't really need to change the shocks. 

Have you scaled the car ? Just curious about the raceweight 

What's the trap RPM with those gears ?



Ron

[Duran75]

Nice job 

If it's not spinning then you don't really need to change the shocks. 

Have you scaled the car ? Just curious about the raceweight 

What's the trap RPM with those gears ?



Ron

The car with me in it 3800 lbs.  With out me 3600 lbs.  Trap RPM 6800, the motor is chip at 7000.