G-bar vs Leafs , please take part :)
 

Okay , i was pretty sure i had made my mind with the rear suspension. That far at i have DSE minitub kit with 3" drop leafs allready installed....

But thats all ,no paint no interior.Car is still in the body shop. I first made my mind for leafs based on many conversations here with all the lateral-g suspension tech heads. Since i do not want to cut my car enough for LD 3 link it was automatickly out of the game. Then there was only DSE leafs vs Quadralink. As my driving is 95% at the streets and i hate the idea of adjusting Quadralinks i went for leafs.

Now i am having ideas of belly pan or diffusor tunnel and leafs dont work so nice with closed rear section. Yes i know they dont need so much space but still... ?

How about if add alston G-bar wich Frank has recomend for others many times? Do i need to fill the huge canal for staggered shocks wich came with minitub kit ?

And how it rides when cornering fast and regular street driving ?

Ideas , opinions please :cheers:

Joni, I gout your email, then saw this post and thought I would answer here so everyone share the information and pictures. This is a G Bar we are just finishing our member Vegas69 car.

As for the crossmember question, the G Bar uses its own crossmember, ad you DSE crossmemer is not needed, and does not need to be removed.

As for comparison to leafs, I do not have any scientific studies, just seat of the pants and owner feedback. I have done a lot of them and they ride very well, better then the leafs I have used. I do not need any more information but the seat of the pants for that analigy. I also feel they handle very well, at least as good as any leafs I have used, certainly good enough for spirited street driving and casual track days. personally, I just like the feel. But if you want hard core results, we can always look to the many Air Ride cars that continue to bust others ass at autocrosses accross the country. Remeber, a G Bar is a Air Bar minus the Air Springs.

And I know this will piss someone off, but I will say it again.

"I sell a lot of them and everyone loves them"

You cannot argue with success. This is just the facts.

The first 3 pics are Vegas69 car

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...DSC_0270-1.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/DSC_0275.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/DSC_0273.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/DSC_0085.jpg
Here is a shot of the crossmember going in Project EmptyNest running a Air bar version. Keep in mind these exhaust plenums were done on her car due to the way we were running her exhaust through the rear body panel, and also due to a super low ride height and full 3" mandrel tailpipes. As you can see on Vegas car above there will be plenty of room for tailpipes.

hi,
my wifes 1977 Olds Omega, X-body, i originaly equipped with leafs.
i hate leafs.
but no parts for this car availible.
hmm, i bought akit for a 67-69 Camaro from HEIDTS at
http://www.timshotrods.com/
great stuff
http://www.chevy-elcamino.com/2007-01-12_01.jpg
with some modifications, the olds runs now with the 4-link and i can say:thumbsup:
http://www.chevy-elcamino.com/2007-02-11_01.jpg

http://www.chevy-elcamino.com/2007-02-11_03.jpg

i love it in fast corners and on long autobahn carves:hail:
not shiny but great working, poor man´s 4-link

I have been speaking (writing actually) with
 

Britt Marolf over a ART on just this subject. I really like the DSE Quadra-link and the Lateral Dynamics 3 link, but I do not want to cut into my finally completed car. I also like the AME tri-4 bar and Matt Jones is checking some things on it for me. Matt is seeing if maybe I could install the tri-4 using my existing frame rails instead of installing their clip....I don't mind welding and spot painting. The AME tri-bar is laying down huge numbers in their 55 and the 3 G Vette.

I have the DSE 2 inch drop leafs, stock rubber bushings in the front eye, Global West derlin in the rear and the Koni shocks set on the softest setting. I can tell you that coupled with the 350 lbs springs on the 21st Century sub, it rides very nice. Not too soft and I have a 1 inch solid Speedway bar so the car is very flat in the corners.

Am I leaving any performace on the table running the leafs? Not sure, and that is the $64,000 question. Right now I am down to the Airbar or AME if we can get it to work. I would like to eventually go the the shockwaves as well. Lets face it, the ART numbers are looking pretty good on the autocross. I like the tuning aspect of the shockwaves and the progressive rate that is inherent in the air spring design. I have also come to realize that my car is going to be 90% street and 10% track day of some sort.

My car made 425 at the wheels and I am contemplating a 150 or 175 shot of juice...will the Airbar take that kind of power? Will the tri-4 take it?

All questions to be answered. If I do make the switch it will be next winter in the down time, and I will probably be running coilovers first.

Thank you Guys!!! Frank and Peyton you answered my question allmost 100% :cheers: How can i be so stupid just passing this G-bar at first place..:_paranoid

Frank that is good news at i dont need to tear down the dse shock mounts..It saves a lot . I want to go with 3" mandarel bent as tight clearance exhaust system as possible. Did i understood at it goes over the g-bar crossmember in empty nest ?? But where it supposed to routed in vegas car ? Under the shock crossmember ? and wich side of the coilover ?

Payton i have exact same goal as you have, 90% street and sunday track driving. :thumbsup:

Klaus, does your panhard affect exhaust routing ? Looks really good system too.

there is plenty of room to snake exhaust past the G Bar. I have a car at the shop, a abortion built somewhere else we are redoing, that has a Heidts 4 link / panhard rear, and I can assure you there is no tailpipe room. Were tearing it out and doing a G Bar

I am interested in the G-bar as well. I have an aluminum currie rear like the one on the Mule. The spring perches have not been permanently attached yet. Frank, will you weld the perches and g-bar tabs to a currie rear or will Moser do this to a Currie rear? I am in oil field country and don't trust anyone to weld on this housing with out warping it.

I can make that happen using our lower four link brackets, Look much nicer then the leaf spring perche deal.

Awesome, I'll be giving you a call on Thursday. Thanks.

Thanks again Frank!! If you can post a pic with G-bar with exhaust system. Thank you for your Help!!!! I think we get that moser with G-brackets :cool: :thumbsup:

no probs with the exhaust routing, i will post today a newer pic;)

I'm considering a g-bar for the back of my new 68.. it's a good lower cost alternative to having leaf springs, which I've never been that fond of.

How much does the g-Bar kit weigh? Woud be nice to know how much lighter it is compared to leaf springs.

Steve, I have the exact weight on a set of Hotchkis springs here at 91LBS, I do not have the exact weight on a G bar handy, but if memory serves it is 65 to 70 LBS. So a bit lighter.

The UPS label on my G-Bar package reads 92lb if that helps.

G.

LOL, I just found a box from vegas 69s G bar and was coming in to correct my post. Mine is 88 LBS. So I guess it is about the same. There still shocks to add to a leaf set up, shakles, etc. But it is probably 10 LBS difference if that.

Frank one more question..

How low can you go with G-bar ??? I have been surfing PT site for long time and i saw someone posting at with G-bar 2" is about max you can lower from stock ?? Is this tru or does it has something to do with proper / good working height of the coil over shock ??

I Have 3" inch drop leafts and want at least that, maybe some more??

Great post! I had a question as well. Is the G bar capable of fun drag strip launchs?? Nothing crazy something like a mid 11 second passes and mid 1.5 60 foots??? I would hate to rip off one of the links and trash my body....

currie
 

Hi Frank,
I sent you an email with the info on the currie aluminum rear. Can I use the g-bar?

As for 1.50 launches, I see no problem. A and g bodies are triangle 4 link and leave like crazy. I cannot imaginge why these would not be able to hendle the power?

As for you Currie rear PSV, yes the upper brackets will fit, but we cannot jig that particular rear to pre weld them for you. So you will have to weld your own brakcets on.

Bummer! No one I trust in my area to weld on it. Oh well, thanks for looking into it for me.

Were are you? is it going in a Camaro?

I am in far north west New Mexico. Lots of welders out here but they weld on oil field pipe and tanks. I think my housing would end up a warped mess. Yes its going in a 69 camaro, mini tubbed.

Well, because it is only 2" stitch welds, warping is not a real concern. Simply have to weld one pass on side, let it cool, then do one pass on the other side, let it cool. But if your your absolutly scared to death you could send it to Florida, and we can do it the old fashion way, under the car with measuring. Tack it and weld it up. But shipping would be pricey. It will be a pricey adventure. Surely someone there can handle it. To bad it won't fit the jig

Hey, I just thought of something. Rick's Hot Rod Shop (stainless tank guys) is in El Paso TX, and he can damn sure weld. Don't know if he takes these kind of projects, but worth a call.

Btw.. Frank solved the lowering question. Looks like i need to order one too :)

I have more inventory coming in. Just send a invoice request to Lisa , [email protected]. Also, I have your Ron Davis totals

:bow:

Actually he is alot closer to Amarillo and can take it over to Soncy Road body shop. Mark can weld it up for ya. You could also get it up to someone in Denver like Lee over at Zoomers....... There is also a guy Steve down in Santa Rosa at "Steve's Garage" that can do it to. He is an old school guy but he has built a couple pretty cool trucks in the past.

Thanks for the info guys. The more I researched it I think I would be money ahead just buying a new housing. With diesel at 3.50 a gallon and 1000 miles of towing and 16 hours on the road, it just doesn't make financial sense. I was hoping I could just send the empty housing ups for 75 bucks each way and what ever the cost of the mods were. Oh well, another example of how poor planning on my part and changing directions mid way on a project end up wasting lots of money.

Don't think of it as wasting money - call it a learning experience.

There got to be good welder closer,that is 110% fact.

The guys that did the minitub and roll bar were great but they have retired and closed up shop. I am looking/asking around. Lots of rock crawlers being built around here so I just have to find the right place that I can trust my car to. Paint and body is done so I am very particular with where I would leave the car. Would have prefered to just ship the housing off. I would need the 4 link brackets and g-bar tabs welded.

Are there big differences between coilovers ? Does the g-bar come "stock" with varioshocks ? Any options on those Frank ??

And what do the rest of the guys think who has g-bar allready in the car ?

Have it in the car and love it! Love the simplicity, the quality, the packaging, and the wow factor and adjustability.

I haven't driven the car yet, but even if it drives as good as a good leaf setup, the g-bar wins my vote hands down. Height and suspension adjustments and a few clicks away and it is just damn sexy to look at.

I had almost $1k in my leaf setup before i sold it and I didn't have the shocks yet. DSE leafs, GW bushings, DSE ubolts, etc...

And yes, the Varishocks are standard with this kit and a damn fine shock. I'm sure you could swap almost any other coilover so long as you match the spring rate and the compressed and ext lenghts.

I know I owe you some pics, will get them to you ASAP.

Get the G-bar! You woun't regret it.

Thanks Rob:cheers: I have had lots of positive comments and i think i need to get one. Do you have any idea when you could test drive it ?

Unfortunately, probably not for several months. The stock subframe is going bye bye next week and I haven't even started the motor work yet.

I can't even imagine driving her before the 4th of July.... UGH! If Frank likes the ride, then that good enought for me.

What's your hang up? Ride? Labor? Cost?

Now its costs , i am not saying its too much but i have been allready bought and installed complete DSE minitub kit with 3" dropleafs. But now i am having ideas of building bellypan / difuser under the tank area. So i think i cant pack em all there. So leafs need to go.

I was in the same exact boat as you last year. Just finished buying all the cool guy rear suspension parts to make my leaf setup work nice and then I saw the G-bar.

I'm just thankful we have choices.

spill it....:willy:

I am in the same boat, just bought new rear multi-leaf springs and now I am being tempted by the G-Bar.

You guys are too hard.....Your support will work for me but my wife.....:_paranoid


Okay-i need it. Frank put one for me on same shipment as radiator and tank:woot: