Cal-Tracs (sp?) VS Traction bars?

[Mayhem]

My 71 Nova has leaf springs with traction bars. Has anyone got any experience with Cal-Tracs bars?
I have heard they do well on the track, but take away from handling.
Looking for any experienced advise.
Thanks.

[markjohnson]

I've had several different cars with both styles and have even built a few sets of my own Cal-Trac-style bars and I would probably just stick with a high quality set of regular traction bars if I were you. In a very high-horsepower car, I'd say to go with the Cal-Tracs because of their their ability to plant a lot of power to the ground but they do have a few drawbacks such as you need to remove the stock rubber bushing from the front leaf spring eye and replace it with an aluminum bushing. This combined with their natural construction will make for a rougher ride when compared to a nice set a traditional slapper-style bars. Traditional traction bars can also be installed very easily and with their rubber snubbers and air gap they can be very street friendly and still easily capable of running 9's, and even 8's when set up properly.

[Mayhem]

Cool. I appreciate the advise Mark. Thanks.

[PxTx]

Simply for nostalgia, I would choose a slapper bar. As Mark said, in higher hp situations a slapper bar doesn't work as well. The nice thing about the Cal's is that you can run 9's on 9" slick, where the slapper bar will need a biggger tire to acheive the same kind of traction.

Unfortunately, the Cal's are just too new for me for my 1960's/ 70's taste. I've though you might be able to buld a set oc Cal type bars with a slapper look.

[Mayhem]

Agreed