hookin up!

[chevyman8]

i got a 1984 shortbed that wont hook up for crap. I was thinking about going w/ caltracs. What do ya'll think? Is there something better that isn't too expensive? I was also wandering if the mickey t. ET street radial slicks would work good w/ trucks?

[jchav62]

The guys in the racing forum may know more about this stuff.

[bigblock73]

Do you have a posi-traction or limited slip rear?

If not, start there.

Cal Tracs are great, they work very well.

[Wild83C10]

What trans are you running? and same question as bigblock, what kind of dif?
Caltracs do work. Better shocks will also help.

[chevyman8]

i got a th350 trans, 3.42 rear w/o posi. i plan on putting a posi unit w/ 3.73 gears in this summer. Right now i spin halfway down the track.

[swb85]

Running a locker here with cheapy lakewood slapper bars and stiff rear shocks. It hooks as good as it can with the street tires that are on it. The caltracs are way better if you've got the money.

[Wild83C10]

What size rear is it, 10 or 12 bolt, what size ring gear? A posi would be the first upgrade provided you have a good rear to work with.
Don't get the MTs unless you get the caltracs.

[chevyman8]

it's a 10 bolt, not sure about size of the ring gear. right now i have air shocks that dont have any air. I dont have a ton of money to spend on a rearend so I called every truck salvage in OK that i could find in the phone book, but no one had a 12 bolt posi or 12 w/ lower gears that was a 5 lug. I thought i should just build up the 10 bolt i have.

[HotRod73]

i may be able to help you out with a 12 bolt posi... im in norman let me talk to a few buddies, whats your budget?

[Wild83C10]

Originally Posted by chevyman8

it's a 10 bolt, not sure about size of the ring gear. right now i have air shocks that dont have any air. I dont have a ton of money to spend on a rearend so I called every truck salvage in OK that i could find in the phone book, but no one had a 12 bolt posi or 12 w/ lower gears that was a 5 lug. I thought i should just build up the 10 bolt i have.

If it's a 8.5 in ring gear you should be fine. Otherwise don't bother. Thsta what I have and it handle 500ft-lbs and hard shifts all day long.

[slugish]

unless you got 450 hp & torque or more out of your 350 , I FEEL YOUR MONEY WOULD BE BETTER SPENT on a good posi & A SET OF LAKEWOODS .

Caltracs Im sure are the best , but unless your 350 is turning some serious hp & torque , IDONT KNOW IF THE DIFFERENCE IN MONEY between caltracs & lakewoods would make much difference in your et. . Ihave a 408 small block > probably around 400 hp with a 3.42 rear , with a eaton posi & lakewoods > hooks well . spend the xtra 200 on something else , unless your 350 is turning some serios hp. My 2 cents only

[chevyman8]

My budget is kinda tight. Right now i'll be low on cash if i have to pay for a ticket i got, but deffinitely let me know what your buddies might sell a rear end for. i might be able to round up a few extra bucks. I appreciate everyone's input, ya'll have been a big help! FYI, my engine dynoed at 305whp in a '78 Z28 (the guy I bought it from). He was running 13s, but i put down a lousy 15.8. Just can't plant the hp to the ground.

[454HO]

The first thing you need is good tires. Either drag radials or slicks. Slaper bars or Caltracs won't help until you get some good rubber. And if it spinning..... TAKE YOUR FOOT OUT OF IT.

How are you launching? Maybe try just rolling into the throttle vs stomping it or loading the torque convertor. Speaking of torque convertor, what is the stall speed? Did you let some air out of the tires on your last try? How about adding some weight in the rear?

[swb85]

If you're on a budget, forget swapping rear ends. Your 8.5" 10 bolt is PLENTY strong for what you've got. Spend the money on a posi and tires/suspension.

[chevyman8]

I tried all three of those ways to leave the start. On my last run, the 15.8, I had let out even more air from the tires, did a huge burnout, loaded it up to just before it started to spin and the truck bogged just enough out of the hole to hook up and get out of the 16s. i got a 2400 corvette stall that the tranny shop said they put in it. My budget wont be too tight this summer, but instead of paying about $500 for a posi unit i thought i would try to find a rear end cheaper that already has posi and maybe some lower gears.

[Wild83C10]

Originally Posted by slugish

unless you got 450 hp & torque or more out of your 350 , I FEEL YOUR MONEY WOULD BE BETTER SPENT on a good posi & A SET OF LAKEWOODS .

Caltracs Im sure are the best , but unless your 350 is turning some serious hp & torque , IDONT KNOW IF THE DIFFERENCE IN MONEY between caltracs & lakewoods would make much difference in your et. . Ihave a 408 small block > probably around 400 hp with a 3.42 rear , with a eaton posi & lakewoods > hooks well . spend the xtra 200 on something else , unless your 350 is turning some serios hp. My 2 cents only

There is definitely a difference between the slapper bars and caltracs. I've had both. Don't spend some money now to just spend more later to fix it when you are going faster.

[Wild83C10]

Originally Posted by 454HO

The first thing you need is good tires. Either drag radials or slicks. Slaper bars or Caltracs won't help until you get some good rubber. And if it spinning..... TAKE YOUR FOOT OUT OF IT.

How are you launching? Maybe try just rolling into the throttle vs stomping it or loading the torque convertor. Speaking of torque convertor, what is the stall speed? Did you let some air out of the tires on your last try? How about adding some weight in the rear?

Good tire without caltrac or other bars will just cause spring wrap which will cause wheel hop. That's how you break something real quick.

Thats why I suggested caltracs before tires.