#1  
Old 10-09-2021, 01:01 PM
punkin punkin is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 295
Default Caltracs vs Smiths Assassin

Hello all,

I'm over analyzing again I'm sure but I'm torn between the Caltracs and Assassin traction bars for my 68 firbird. This will be mostly driven on the street but I do plan to drive it hard at the drag strip from time to time with slicks.

In my research it seems the Caltracs are very popular and very effective. There seems to be some commentarry here and there about the Caltracs bending leaf springs but this seems rare.

The Smiths Racecraft bars seem to hit the spring a little differently and possibly eliminate the concern for the spring damage over time however, the front mounting assembly hangs quite a bit lower.

I've search the web quite a bit lately and there are very few side view photos of first gen f-bodys with the Assassin product installed. Any one here with real world experience with these devices and if so, thoughts on the low hanging hardware? As I mentioned, mostly street driving so the occassional speed bump and driveway approach is a considerable concern. Thanks!

__________________
1968 Firebird
IAIIa 522
340 E-heads
Northwind with XFlow TBI
4L80E
3.50:1 Rear
  #2  
Old 10-09-2021, 02:10 PM
chuckies76ta's Avatar
chuckies76ta chuckies76ta is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,078
Default

Hi Again. Were running the Caltracs and there Split Momo leaf springs, with QA1 shocks on a 68 Firebird. So far so good. Sorry don't have any experience with the Assassin setup. Just went to look at there setup. Same principal as Caltrac pretty much. I like that they provide multiply adjustments. Looks like a nice setup.

https://www.smithracecraft.com/produ...-traction-bars

__________________
68 Firebird. IA2 block, 505 cu in, E-head, Solid roller 3650 weight. Reid TH400 4:11 gear. 29" slick.
Best so far 10.12@133 mph. 1.43 60 ft.
76 Trans am, TKX .81 o/d, 3.73 Moser rearend,
468 with KRE D-ports, Doug headers, 3" Exh.
  #3  
Old 10-09-2021, 04:05 PM
ErikW's Avatar
ErikW ErikW is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: White Plains, MD USA
Posts: 1,378
Default

1.27 60ft with our twin turbo TA with Caltracs and split monos. 3470lbs. They work great.

__________________
1964 GTO
501, Edelbrock Heads NA, 3460 lbs.
9.76 @ 137mph
1971 Trans Am Lucy Blue, 11.56 @ 115
1966 LeMans. 462, SD prepped Kaufman D ports. 11.90 @ 112
1976 Trans Am twin turbo 462, SD Edelbrock heads 8.50@159
2009 G8 GT
  #4  
Old 10-09-2021, 04:40 PM
Vengeance Race Engines's Avatar
Vengeance Race Engines Vengeance Race Engines is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: N.Y.
Posts: 386
Default

Either will work fine. Never had any issue with hurting springs, sounds like an unrelated issue. The Assassin bars have more adjustment holes, but DO hang lower in the car.

  #5  
Old 10-09-2021, 06:54 PM
ponjohn's Avatar
ponjohn ponjohn is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 9,530
Default

The assassin bars hang low.

I've use caltracs before so that is what I bought - considered the Assassins.

  #6  
Old 10-09-2021, 06:57 PM
chuckies76ta's Avatar
chuckies76ta chuckies76ta is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,078
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ErikW View Post
1.27 60ft with our twin turbo TA with Caltracs and split monos. 3470lbs. They work great.
Eric. Your times are very impressive. What converter? Thanks

__________________
68 Firebird. IA2 block, 505 cu in, E-head, Solid roller 3650 weight. Reid TH400 4:11 gear. 29" slick.
Best so far 10.12@133 mph. 1.43 60 ft.
76 Trans am, TKX .81 o/d, 3.73 Moser rearend,
468 with KRE D-ports, Doug headers, 3" Exh.
  #7  
Old 10-09-2021, 09:47 PM
Dragncar Dragncar is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Humbolt County California
Posts: 8,283
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ErikW View Post
1.27 60ft with our twin turbo TA with Caltracs and split monos. 3470lbs. They work great.
Thats a very impressive TT street car. Can you tell us more about the engine ?

  #8  
Old 10-09-2021, 10:45 PM
Johnny406's Avatar
Johnny406 Johnny406 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 2,874
Default

I ran the Assassian bars and the quality is top notch. My problem with them is that they hang so low that it was a big PITA to get my car on/off the trailer and up my driveway. I'm running 27" tall tires which certainly didn't help.

__________________
Johnny US Army Retired
1978 T/A 463 Pontiac, KRE 74cc 292CFM D-ports, Lunati VooDoo, V-max lifters, TKII, ATM 850 E85 carb, TCI TH-350 race tranny, 3600 converter 3.73 12 bolt 11.63@116.68mph
1981 T/A 4-speed 406 Pontiac, Merrick ported 6X heads, Comp 270S cam, Crosswind intake 750 Street Demon, 3.42 30 spline Eaton posi street car.
1980 Formula 350 Pontiac back burner project
1972 LeMans 350 Pontiac
The Following User Says Thank You to Johnny406 For This Useful Post:
  #9  
Old 10-10-2021, 02:55 PM
punkin punkin is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 295
Default

That's exactly my concern. I have a bit of an angle at the top of the driveway at the garage door. I very much than you for the feedback on that. If I can't drive it around, in/out of the drive way that's just plain going to suck. I'll go with the Caltracs.

Thanks very much all for the input. Very helpfu.

__________________
1968 Firebird
IAIIa 522
340 E-heads
Northwind with XFlow TBI
4L80E
3.50:1 Rear
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:04 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017