I will be installing my Caltracs today, and notice that Mr. Calvert was swift enough to put TWO shock mount tabs on one of the spring perches, which allows me to put the shocks in staggered, as they were stock, or both on the same side. Searching the forum I found this from Lentech back in 2004... ...but no further explanation. Very good thread, but it veered off into mounting the shocks to the frame (GOOD IDEA) and I notice his shocks are mounted on the same side... Any suggestions either way? If I use the stock top mounting tabs, I have the option of switching them back either way. Keep in mind this is a mostly street-driven, under 300HP car that sees the track 3-4 times per year (maybe more if this setup gets to be as fun as I think it might be )
Yeah, he moved the shocks so that they mount to the frame at the top, not the back seat. Good idea for those guys who HAVE to run air shocks (I shouldn't even open THAT can of worms ) I only have a moderate understanding of how the Caltracs work, and it seems that the way they are designed...it kinda solves the problem that the staggered shocks were meant to solve. BUT...Mr. Calvert DID provide two mounting points, and that is the only reason why I ask...
The reason for the 2 mounting points is to fit many applications with one kit. I never had a wheel hop problem until last year at Windy Hollow, and it was severe. I dont understand why because the year before there was none. No matter how I adjusted the Cal Tracs, I could not get it to stop.
Something I noticed while I was under there this time...my shocks do NOT mount to the back of the back seat as I always thought they did. There is a cross-member frame chunk that goes across there and they are mounted to that with some braces. They are mounted in a staggered formation and the crossmember is shaped kind of like one of the "S"s from the way KISS spells their name. So I will be forced to mount mine staggered like stock unless I do something drastic like in the picture above. Is this cross member a one-year-only item, or a later model change?
Scott, I'd do everything I could to get both shocks located in front of the axles. Because of the different moment arms, I would think that the Cal-Tracs would cause each shock to respond differently if they were staggered. Just my
I will look at it while I am under there and see if it is worth my hassle to put them both in front...just see if I can do it without having to reinvent the wheel.
I have both my shocks in front of the axle and using the mounting tabs on the Cal-Tracs. You shouldn't have a problem. Gluck.
Well, Caltracs went on without a hitch. Had to take the springs to the local muffler shop and "borrow" his press (for a 12-pack of beer ) and pressed the new aluminum bushings in. All went together fine except my side-exit exhaust goes RIGHT where the front Caltrac unit goes, so I took the exhaust (from dumps on back) to the muffler shop and had him cut it about 12" behind the glasspacks into a makeshift "downturn". As I finished installing the Caltracs, Fed-Ex showed up with a 67 Mustang seat bracket. Tomorrow, I just MIGHT have a seat installed and be able to drive the car again. It will be different. Since I last drove it, I have added thermostatic fan switch, 1.7 Crane roller rockers, Caltracs, M/T ET Street slicks...it just might feel a little different...
