|
Author
|
Topic: For guys who had Flex-I-Form/Caltracs ?
|
afret
Gearhead Posts: 243
From: Lancaster, CA
Registered: Feb 2003
|
posted 03-28-2003 11:09 AM
 
I recall awhile ago there was a question on modification of Caltracs for use with the Flex-I-Form springs. I was at the Caltracs shop a couple days ago to have Travis make up a set of monoleafs for my car. I asked him if he remembered the Caltracs he made up for Steve and Melissa's car. He said the mods he made was to the spring. I guess the spring has metal ends and the metal part needed to be extended to where the stop bolt contacts the top of the spring. Travis said the stop bolt would normally not hit the metal part and might damage the spring. I thought I would just post this FYI.
|
steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9835
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
|
posted 03-28-2003 11:24 AM
That's correct, and they inserted a smaller aluminum bushing into the front eye to fit their steel bushing.Excellant work too! Those guys are first class.  SteveW
|
Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
|
posted 03-28-2003 12:04 PM
They are the BESTEST guys those Cal-Tracker peoples. ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
|
XR7
Gearhead Posts: 191
From: north Idaho
Registered: Mar 2003
|
posted 03-28-2003 08:49 PM
How much do the flexi-form leafs cost? Are they a fiberglass monoleaf? Also how much do they weigh? They must be a lot lighter than 7 leafs stacked together!
|
afret
Gearhead Posts: 243
From: Lancaster, CA
Registered: Feb 2003
|
posted 03-28-2003 09:15 PM
Hi XR7,
Alex and Steve can answer how much the Flexi-forms cost. I have the Calvert steel monoleafs. I think Travis at Calvert said their spring (steel)weighed about 30 lbs and the Flexi-form springs (fiberglass) are around 15 lbs. The Calvert springs cost about $250 or so.
|
steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9835
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
|
posted 03-28-2003 09:50 PM
XR7,Yeah hey are fiberglass monoleaf springs. They are light as a feather, the ends are aluminum. I didn't weight them though.  As far as cost, Alex is the distributor and can get you a great price, but as you can imagine they cost more than steel. SteveW
|
Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
|
posted 03-28-2003 11:09 PM
Flex-I-Form Mono leafs are 7 lbs each less the bushings. 
E-mail me directly for pricing.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
|
XR7
Gearhead Posts: 191
From: north Idaho
Registered: Mar 2003
|
posted 03-30-2003 11:37 AM
Alex, I did email you directly and would like to continue the thread with a few more questions. Is ther any other advantages besides weight? Are there any drawbacks to the Flexi-forms such as durability or cracking, getting old, maintenance, etc. Do they work that much better than a steel monoleaf. Why do you like them better than coil overs on a race only car? Thanks "D
|
Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
|
posted 03-30-2003 01:36 PM
Nothing is better than a coil over double adjustable set up. Nothing!
It's all of the work, expense, and constant tuning of a 4 link version of this that I don't like.
I had the option of doing anything I wanted to MM. I chose the ladderlink floater with a mono leaf and mini tubs over a 4 link, coil over full tub.
Experiance and the best chassis builders in the country have taught me that nothing is more consistant and forgiving than a ladder bar floater with a mono leaf.
They will hook under the most adverse conditions. The only drawback is the wheel standing. I doesn't bother me one bit.
As much as I would like to take credit for MM's chassis set up, the blue prints came from Ed Quay. He's the one who turned us on to Flex-I-Form several years ago.
Ladder bars and tubbing are not allowed in NHRA/IHRA stock eliminator and they are not practical on street/strip cars.
The best of both worlds is the Cal-Trac or Slid-a-Link bar and a Flex-I-Form mono leaf spring.
There is virtually zero spring maintanance. A little grease occasionally.
The advantage is that they keep their shape and cannot wrap up into an "S" like a steel spring can. Have you ever tried to bend glass? It don't happen. Secondly you get unsprung weight with is free ET gain.
Drawback is cost. If John Calvert could sell a more cost effective fiber glass spring he would. He is constantly having them built and evaluating them on his own and other customer cars.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
|
