Any of you hard runnin T Bird folks want to let a newbie in on what your rear suspension mods are to get the car to launch.

Lookin to break stuff

Oldmics

What's the problem(s) your having? Wheelspin, axle hop, or?

Todd in Central California...about half way between Fresno and Sacramento

1956 Thunderbird - 1960 F-100 - 1961 Starliner - 1961 Imperial

Havent dropped the clutch with serious tires as of yet.

Just already know the stock 9 inch leaf spring setup will need help.

Just fishin to see what the fast guys are doing.

Oldmics

You will need traction locs of some sort to keep the rear springs from binding and causing wheel hop. I'm using traction masters on my bird and they seem to work well. Cal tracs are said to be better but need modifications off the frame to work, I believe Vic uses them on his 55 bird. Chime in Vic.

-Gary Burnette-

I do use the Cal Tracs as Gary said on my 55 bird. I had to make the spring pocket 1/4/ inch wider at the front of the leaf springs. I am thinking that the 56 &57 birds have the wider springs and spring pocket already. The Cal Tracks made one of my best improvements at the track.

  Vic Correnti

Just look at his picture. You don't need any more proof than that. Cal tracs work.


Lawrenceville, GA

So what kinda (rear) tire size will fit under the Baby Birds.

Vic looks like a 9X30 ???

Oldmics

225/70/15s for street.

235/60/15s for street and strip no skirts( drag radials DOT ).

225/50/15s street and strip with the lower profiles 50 and 60 you get a bigger foot print ( drag radials DOT ).

These drag radials are not ment for much highway use, only to drive to the track if it's not very far and after alittle fun....drive home

These tires will pull the front tires off the groung with enough power. I can sell you the 225/50/15s if interested. Thet are 24" tall and made two passes to see if there was a difference between the others and there wasn't.

-Gary Burnette-

I replaced my stock housing with a 1958 Ford 9 inch so I had to narrow it 1 inch on each side then ordered the rim offset wheels that would center the tire and miss the leaf spring and the flange on the fender. I had G 60 x 15 street tires on it at that time. I am now using Hoosier Quick Time Pro's 26 x 9.5 x 14 that are DOT approved. I have heard that the drag radials don't perform as well on a stick car as they do on an automatic car. Gary, what have you heard?

  Vic Correnti

Not much Vic, I'm listening???? to hear what you have to say. How are your DOTs doing at this time compaired to the slicks ?

-Gary Burnette-