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#1
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2nd gen leaf spring suspension for drag racing
I’m in the process of upgrading my entire rear suspension on my 1970 Trans Am. I’m curious as to what is considered to be the go-to competitive leaf spring suspension set-up these days? My TA has been mid 1.4X 60’ times with air shocks and old school south side machine lift bars on a 30x12.5x15 ET Street bias-ply tire.
484” IA2 with as cast highports (around 660hp), T400, 12 bolt 3.90 gear, 10 point cage In front I have completely updated the suspension with CPP tubular control arms, Viking hybrid double adjustable coil overs (7081COK-2A450), proforged steering rebuild kit, and I’ve added CPP hydrostop brakes, Borgeson steering box, and remote power steering to make street driving a bit more enjoyable. So far I have Calvert split mono-leaf springs (#230-43) and I’m considering an anti-roll bar set-up and Viking double adjustable shocks. What are the fast guys running?
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James 1970 Trans Am Spotts Built 484" IA2, Highports, EFI Northwind Holley Terminator X sequential EFI fabrication and suspension by https://www.funkhouserracecars.com/ Last edited by R 70 Judge; 01-15-2023 at 06:25 PM. |
#2
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I don't consider us fast but I would recommend the anti-roll bar. Split-mono's and Calvert bars are the hot set up along with the best shocks the budget allows.
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The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to PAUL K For This Useful Post: | ||
#3
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Calvert bars
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'70 TA / 505 cid / same engine but revised ( previous best 10.63 at 127.05 ) Old information here: http://www.hotrod.com/articles/0712p...tiac-trans-am/ Sponsor of the world's fastest Pontiac powered Ford Fairmont (engine) 5.14 at 140 mph (1/8 mile) , true 10.5 tire, stock type suspension https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDoJnIP3HgE |
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Steve C. For This Useful Post: | ||
#4
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Calvert split monos, Caltracs with as much shock as your budget or needs allow....I'm running the basic Calvert shock in rear works for my car.
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466 Mike Voycey shortblock, 310cfm SD KRE heads, SD "OF 2.0 cam", torker 2 373 gears 3200 Continental Convertor best et 10.679/127.5/1.533 60ft 308 gears best et 10.76/125.64/1.5471 |
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ta man For This Useful Post: | ||
#5
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I meant to say CALTRACS.
https://calvertracing.com/product-categories/caltracs/ A interesting tid bit for conversation. The Calvert split mono would more often than not be a good choice if you are using their bars. It probably doesn't apply here but in a heavy car some go with a multi leaf spring. Many years ago John Calvert was working closely with Landrum spring company, this before the introduction of their split mono spring, and they recommended a 300 rate spring on my car back then. This was before their split mono spring and today I believe they would not recommend one that is that that stiff. .
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'70 TA / 505 cid / same engine but revised ( previous best 10.63 at 127.05 ) Old information here: http://www.hotrod.com/articles/0712p...tiac-trans-am/ Sponsor of the world's fastest Pontiac powered Ford Fairmont (engine) 5.14 at 140 mph (1/8 mile) , true 10.5 tire, stock type suspension https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDoJnIP3HgE Last edited by Steve C.; 01-15-2023 at 10:20 PM. |
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Steve C. For This Useful Post: | ||
#6
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Quote:
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The Following User Says Thank You to PAUL K For This Useful Post: | ||
#7
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" I believe they would not recommend one that is that that stiff."
I might want to retract that statement regarding the use of a higher rate spring. Sorry, that was something I presumed since reading over the years about their SPLIT MONO LEAFSPRINGS and MONO LEAFSPRINGS that are lighter. Agree with Paul the 300 rate springs work well. I've had a 1.43 60-ft with the Landrum springs and the Caltracs bars. .
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'70 TA / 505 cid / same engine but revised ( previous best 10.63 at 127.05 ) Old information here: http://www.hotrod.com/articles/0712p...tiac-trans-am/ Sponsor of the world's fastest Pontiac powered Ford Fairmont (engine) 5.14 at 140 mph (1/8 mile) , true 10.5 tire, stock type suspension https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDoJnIP3HgE |
The Following User Says Thank You to Steve C. For This Useful Post: | ||
#8
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Sent u a pm
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#9
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Thanks for the input guys. I’ve decided to go with the full 70-74 set-up from Funkhouser Race Cars https://www.funkhouserracecars.com/
70-74 Antiroll bars and shock relocation kit https://www.funkhouserracecars.com/p...hock-mount-kit 70-74 Leaf spring sliders https://www.funkhouserracecars.com/p...-spring-slider 70-74 Traction bar set-up (like CalTracs but larger diameter) Longer Viking double-Adjustable shocks Tie-down brackets Example:
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James 1970 Trans Am Spotts Built 484" IA2, Highports, EFI Northwind Holley Terminator X sequential EFI fabrication and suspension by https://www.funkhouserracecars.com/ |
#10
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Leaf spring sliders are a good idea.
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The Following User Says Thank You to PAUL K For This Useful Post: | ||
#11
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Back in the day Tri City "Launcher Springs" were GM copies of the Mopar Super Stock springs and the choice of most of the NHRA Stockers before Cal Tracs came out. My 78 TA 6o ft'd 1.51s it he them with a 10.90 time slip. I had a small 5/8" factory rear sway bar on it. They worked really good but were stiff and heavy.
The IA Camaro has Split Leaf and Cal Trac bars. Factory rear bar was too close to the 12 bolt's rear cover/brace so I used a Second Gen Pro Touring rear bar with a little longer "legs". Not as fast yet as some of these other guys .
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Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs |
The Following User Says Thank You to Skip Fix For This Useful Post: | ||
#12
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Quote:
Do you have any pics of the car off the lift? Thanks
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`70 Firebird,Original Owner car Ken French Built Chassis Carlquist Competition Engines IA2 505 Competition CNC Ported Super Chiefs CCE Ported Gustram Twin Dominators from Shaker 455 963 HP `09 Electra Glide Standard. `03 F-350 7.3 6-speed 4x4 Crew Cab Dually. |
#13
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I went with Funkhouser set up, but am still currently under construction. The product itself though is absolutely top notch, and customer service every bit as solid. You won’t be disappointed with his quality.
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The Following User Says Thank You to AllRise For This Useful Post: | ||
#14
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I'll be posting pictures of my car as it is being completed. Right now they are working on the front suspension/steering and are making a remote power steering adapter bracket so I can still have power steering when using the Stainless Headers turbo manifolds. My All Star remote power steering pump will be on the driver's side head and the alternator has been relocated to the passenger side.
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James 1970 Trans Am Spotts Built 484" IA2, Highports, EFI Northwind Holley Terminator X sequential EFI fabrication and suspension by https://www.funkhouserracecars.com/ |
#15
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Yeah they are great guys. I'll let them know about the positive feedback. My TA is physically in their shop getting the work done now. Don't be surprised if we have a few extra Pontiac specific parts available from them after my car is done. One for sure will be the remote power steering adapter plate.
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James 1970 Trans Am Spotts Built 484" IA2, Highports, EFI Northwind Holley Terminator X sequential EFI fabrication and suspension by https://www.funkhouserracecars.com/ |
#16
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Quote:
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#17
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Small update…
I’m not doing the anti-roll bar at this time. I street drive it and hope to autocross one day. Also, the trunk pan had seen better days so we replaced it while everything was out
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James 1970 Trans Am Spotts Built 484" IA2, Highports, EFI Northwind Holley Terminator X sequential EFI fabrication and suspension by https://www.funkhouserracecars.com/ |
The Following User Says Thank You to R 70 Judge For This Useful Post: | ||
#18
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Nice work!
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'65 Tempest 467 3650# 11.30@120.31 |
#19
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These lower brackets are pretty slick. Tons of adjustment available in them plus it’s a tie down and relocates the shock.
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James 1970 Trans Am Spotts Built 484" IA2, Highports, EFI Northwind Holley Terminator X sequential EFI fabrication and suspension by https://www.funkhouserracecars.com/ |
#20
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Nice piece's there.
GT |
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