68 Camaro rear suspension advice/guidance
 

I have a 68 Camaro that I mini tubbed and I need to make a decision on rear suspension. It has an LS motor and 6 speed. The front suspension is stock front sub with a few mods. The car will be 95% street driven. I have the offset shackles and leafs but the leafs are very close to the inside of the tires. The car is being built now so there are no issues with cutting, grinding and welding. I was going to go with the G-link, nice set up and they are local, until I saw a few photos of some frame rails. But DSE will be at Pleasanton on the 24th and 25th so I can pick it up there.

I would like input on 3 rear suspensions choices.
1. Offset shackles and leafs.
2. Alston G-link
3. DSE Quadralink

Concerns are:
1. Is it worth the approximately $ 2,800.00 to get rid of the leafs. Do 4 link cars really ride that much better?
2. Exhaust clearance issues with the upper links or panhard bar
3. BIGGEST concern is that I have seen the frame pics of Todd's "Payback" and Ironworks Camaros. I understand both cars don't have the G-link but both have the cradle. I have not seen any issues with the Quadralink.

Any comments/advise would be appreciated

Hey Guy, Actually mine has the old G Bar and Rodger's car has the G Link. I'm not sold on the design of the G link as it's missing the front cradle cross bar that the old style used for bracing. So you go from loading both frame rails to one. Mine was some small cracks that were easily repair, Rodger had to do some real frame repair. Peronsally, I'd reinforce either set up just to be safe.

With all that being said, I'd opt for a Quadralink or Speedtech set up. I know guys with leaf springs and they are perfectly happy with the ride and performance.

My previous 68 had the Air Bar 4 link and my current 68 has the drop leafs and offset shackles.

Yes, the ride quality is much better on the street with the 4 link. If you value the softer ride on the street highly, maybe the $2800 is worth it to you.

If you value the performance aspect highly and the soft ride is a nice bonus, then maybe you're better off with the leafs and spending the dough elsewhere. Leafs can get it done on the track. Mary Pozzi proved that for years with her leaf rear.

I would consider a torque arm as well as they are an easier install as well than the Q-Link.

At RTTC this weekend I was lucky enough to ride in just about every setup. Great way to see what's what. All the cars performed great and I have to say it's hard to pick one that's "better" than the rest. Having said that, I think that Speedtech has a great setup and it's user friendly. To top it off they are great people to do business with or to just hang out with.

As always it comes down to what you feel is best for you.

For the price, I love the adjustability of of the G-Link, I personally wouldn't want to drop that much cash and have adjustment limited to just ride height, if that. That's what allowed me to justify the extra couple hundred of the G-link over the G-bar. I particularly liked the lack of cutting and minimal welding needed for the G-Link (if it were to be unmodified). The only downside as Todd mentioned was the lack of front cradle/crossbar for the UCA's, so I did this...

http://ls1tech.com/forums/attachment...972-nova-3.jpg

That being said, I haven't driven it yet (hoping within a couple weeks) but I have a feeling it'll be a drastic improvement over the stiff drop leafs that were previously in it. Oh and adjustable links (either upper, lower, or both) make it so nice for adjusting pinion angle exactly.

Looks perfect Joe.

Or go with the AME rear clip and increase the body's stiffness above any other option...

The ridetech bolt in 4 link has the crossmember that you are looking for. http://www.ridetech.com/store/1967-1...rd-airbar.html

Also has heim joint option and offset lower bats to clear a 335 tire. Completely compatible with mini tubs, DSE or otherwise.

Hey guy,
I'm not a big fan of off set shackles. IMO(and I'm no expert)but I feel bringing the leafs in board will only allow more roll which is why I tried so hard and fit 315's without moving them. Probably not a bad thing for auto-x events but I dont feel that condition would be favorable in a road course environment. The two other options are proven set ups and to be honest I think are equal.

If I were in your shoes I would probably look into building a 3 link set up. You have the welding and fabrication skills and ultimately I think this option would probably save you some coin in the end.

Thanks for the info Todd

I looked at the Speedtech torque arm but I already have my exhaust, frame connectors and I am running a 8.5" 10 bolt and their setup is for a 12 bolt.

Thank you for the picture of the upper front support you put in. I like the adjustability of the G-link also.

Thank you for the link Bret

I could fabricate something but all of the hard work is done with these proven systems. I looked at Scott Mocks rear stuff that was on Kevin's (I think that was his name) camaro and thought about building a modified version of that system. With that being said I have been collecting parts and working on the car for 5 years now and you saw my progress so I want it done and driving. With 2 kids under 5 its hard to get garage time so reinventing the wheel just isn't going to happen.


Thank you guys for all of your responses

Pros for the G-link is:
1. Ease of installation
2. Rod ends and not rubber/poly bushings
3. Adjustability side to side, pinion angle, link angles on the housing

Cons for the G-link:
1. Ride height adjustibility. Several members had to run shorter springs to get their heights. I don't want to be Gaetano low :rofl: but really like where JDman camaro's ride height.

Bret, how does ridetech get their cars low with coil overs? Are their shock bodies and springs shorter? You don't have to cut the trunk and install the upper shock mount like DSE.

Oh no you didn't......

BAM!
http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/a...eCamaro005.jpg
BAM BAM!!
http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/a...eCamaro003.jpg
BAM BAM BAM!!!
http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/a...eCamaro002.jpg

Bret, how does ridetech get their cars low with coil overs? Are their shock bodies and springs shorter? You don't have to cut the trunk and install the upper shock mount like DSE.[/QUOTE]

We run a 4.1" stroke shock with the RideTech 4 link. We get the car low in a couple of ways:

1. we drop the bottom of the shock by an inch with our billet lower shock mount
2. we angle the shock in to the center at the top slightly. This also keeps the spring rate linear when the body rolls...the shocks dont lean out in compression.

Here is the 4 link video form the 48 Hour Camaro build: http://48hourcamaro.com/2011/08/prod...ar-suspension/

Here is the installation instructions for that 4 link:http://www.ridetech.com/store/1967-1...rd-airbar.html
Click on the tab that says "instructions".

BTW...can you modify your poll to show the RideTech 4 link as a possibility? :):)

After seeing those same frame rail pics I also got a little concerned about the thin frame rails and lack of a connecting brace for those front upper links. To make matters worse I read something lately that claimed the Nova's have thinner rails than first gen F-bodies. I find that a little hard to believe though but it has me curious.

I think realistically the G-link and Quadra Link are probably more similar in this area of concern. I'd like to see some hard data though. The intended usage of either is probably not the drag strip with sticky tires. Yes, the frame rails have been an issue with G-link as we've seen. Very limited that I'm aware of though. The Quadra-Link welds to the floor pan area. How can that not be just as weak? There's more weld area so maybe that is it? Or is it that those builds just aren't as likely to hit the drag strip with sticky tires?

Having spent quality time underneath mine this weekend installing the gear case, I was eying the possibility of a similar setup as what you've done. You just helped prove it could be done :). My setup is already welded in the car though so it might prove a bit of a challenge. I was thinking about coming up with something that would tie into the area where the OE snubber bolted in. I was having trouble visualizing how I might attach a bar to that area where the links bolt to though. Do you have any other pictures of that area and how you accomplished that without interfering with travel of the links?

Thanks!

Bret thank you for the responses on my questions. I can't figure out how to add the RideTech 4 Link to the poll. Maybe a moderator can add if for us. I have a few other question/comments I will send you an email. My email address is the same as my name on here. Will you guys be at Pleasanton?

Bret tried sending an email but it wouldn't go through, can you PM me your address.

I'll dig up some more pics and send to you when I get home tonight. Should I email? If so, PM the details.

Cheers,
joe

Direct email is [email protected]

Yes, we will be at Pleasanton and will have that bolt-in 4 link on display installed on a Dynacorn floorpan so you can see exactly how it goes in. I have to go to the Texas Goodguys this weekend so my responses might be slow. Our application engineer Rodney Mason [[email protected]] can also answer any questions as well.

Email sent, I will look you up at Pleasanton

Forget what Guy says, your ride height is purrrrrrrrrrfect!!

Thanks bro. :thumbsup: Working on getting a little more travel up front right now.
Not going to gloat until she's been tested and tuned. :unibrow:

Bret, we need to hookup here at Pleasanton....if you want to escape your booth i have my motorhome here in the swapmeet in my booth!

Matt + Kim

If you have a heater, I'm there. I think we'll have plenty of time to chat.

Did you check out the youtube video of the AME comparison between the 3-link and the 4-link. Good info, and you can see how the AME setup works. Requires tearing out the OEM frame rails and replacing with the AME rear clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq5LjV4lnV0

Hey John I saw your car at Pleasanton Goodguys, that thing is going to look nice when its done


I spoke to Craig Morrison at Pleasanton and looked at there setup this weekend. Nice but almost twice the price. I have an 8.5 10 bolt from a 70's car. Not really into 9-inches, I have a hook up for rear ends/parts. My car is in bare metal right now and the rails are in good shape but I know they are the weak link when adding aftermarket suspensions.

I really like the Ride Tech 4-Bar system.It has a super strong cross bar where the chassisworks doesn't have.My Son Kevin's 69 camaro is running their set up.He drive's his camaro super hard w/no problem's,And he is winning also.I am going to use it in my new project also.:thumbsup:

You could always do what I'm going to do... build your own and hope for the best! :willy: :willy:

I am going with a DSE Quadralink and Moser 9" (and minitub) here soon...

I definitely think the 4-link ride is worth the money over leafs, etc. :thumbsup:

Well it took a while to make a decision but I finally pulled the trigger today on the DSE Quadralink. Now can't wait to start the install. I want my car on the road BAD. Check the parts for sale section for my DSE offset shackles, Landrum springs and bushings.

BMR Torque Arm