I'm looking for suggestions on what to set the pinion angle at on my Son's Nova, we are ready to weld the spring perches on the narrowed housing. I always thought -2 degrees but recently heard that leaf spring cars respond better with positive pinion angle. Plans were to mock it up in the car but that won't happen beacuase it's completely tore down to the bare tub now. I have the original rearend to use for reference. Any help on this would be appreciated. Bob

I believe the stock perches were welded in a manner that the pinion pointed up by 4*. Once the rear end is installed, the angle is lessened because the leaf springs slope downwards.

You should aim to end up with 3* - 4* negative pinion angle - pinion pointing downward in reference with the driveline angle (tranny output shaft and driveshaft).

The pinion should never go into a positive angle as it causes binding and parts failure.

Leaf spring setups are more succeptible to axle wrap up under power than their coil sprung counterparts which usually require around 2* of negative angle.

Good Luck with your project!

novaman, What about if you use cal tracs, Does it still wrap up under power, Curious on this one? im ordering my new rear after the holidays Its a street strip car just over 700hp...mike

negative 4 to 5

Cal Tracs eliminate the "wrapping" under power.
I suggest buying them and installing with whatever springs you have and tuning from there.
VERY nice pieces...worth the $$$$. But if you have a FAST car, be prepared to try different springs and shocks.
Ron

69ralleygreen, I am using Competition Engineering traction bars and they do not allow the springs to wrap up at all. I have heard good things about the Cal Tracs too.....but have not used them yet.

Thanks novaman....mike

5 degrees