This answers the question to a previous debate on rear suspensions. Caltracks verses 4 links. No perches to break with a 4 link. Now at what hp level would the 4 link make any sense going to other than brag rights and monies spent?
Has NHRA set any rules?
Sorry not meant to hi-jack your thread
about Caltracs
Dodge 330
Many classes have rules like Stock or Stock Eliminator, SS
where suspension styles is limited
Main reason the Calvert/CalTracs were produced
was to technically get around the rule,
still run leafs like NHRA wants in some specific classes...
4 link is by far more adjustable,
infinite in where you can get the center of gravity, lever action
some use them with floating housings, even with Leafs
if not you need coil-overs, to hold the body up,
that gets a bit more expensive, a bit more tech. to adjust etc.
Depends on your ability to learn to adjust your suspension,
Ladder bars are another choice, far easier to some people,
not a big difference in cost vs CalTracs unless you go with coil overs
there's a whole bunch more fabrication skills involved in installing
& adjusting either Ladders or 4 link...
You really should scale all 4 corners of the car too,
understand what your doing, with the weight, bar lengths/angle,
center of gravity/instant center & preloads etc.
It's not about bragging rights,
or how much HP, you need to justify it or even money spent,
it's about making your car 60 ft the best, regardless of HP,
makes no difference...
It's about getting as much usable HP that you have available
& getting as much of that power to the ground as possible,
for added/enhanced traction...
If done properly & adjusted properly,
It does make the car work better, simply put,
which equates to faster 60ft, 330ft, 1/8th & 1/4 mile times...
All out race cars of all types frequently use some form of 4 links,
they are very street-able too, very adjustable ride heights etc.
if set properly, especially using a watts-linkage vs a Panard bar
you can turn left & right even that way too...
http:/
www.cachassisworks.com/stories/techcac-003_web.pdf
http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/info/Launching_A_Drag_Car.htm
Calvert CalTracs are a good alternative,
especially used with their mono-leaf & shocks {not always necessary}
if your rules require it have Leaf springs still, "bolt in" albeit you should
do some reinforcements & use quality hardware/nut's bolts etc.,
as show here or IF you don't want to do a bunch of fab work or
cut or weld on your car as much, it's an alternative performance suspension...
Welds or metal around them & housing can still break
or can still bend on either, of course depending on power levels...
Nothing is 100% fool proof/break proof,
I've seen very few 4 links break &
especially seen more so Ladder bar cars blow the rear ends out,
especially after breaking either welds mounting to the rear,
ripping or tearing from the rear axle tubes/housings
or rod ends break because of wear or in a bad bind etc.
It ain't pretty when it happens either...
