Ron Sutton Offset 3-Link install
 

The goal of this thread is to document Ron Sutton's 3 link design.

I'm just getting started, but basically it's this -

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps315c8f45.jpg

plus this -

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscab3164f.jpg

In an effort to create this -

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps341c116c.jpg

I chose Ron's offset design because it's the best trade off (for me) of performance, serviceability, and ability to doghouse the third / center link. Ron uses hardcore race stuff and incorporates his own ideas - like a trunk mounted roll center adjustment - to make it unique in our segment. Plus, the man can design and identify areas of concern in 10 minutes using just a tape measure. I'm like, "Cool! Slow down!" :lol: Seriously, the value equation is off the charts.

The car is at Tolle Fab in Sacto and so far it's a pleasure dealing with Mike Tolle in between his World Challenge, ALMS and Indy car projects :D

Still collecting parts and I'll try to get plenty of pics along the way.

:cheers:

looks good ron!! your gonna love that set up.

Why not, your other Camaro is nearly wore out. :tv_happy:

Merry Christmas....

Looks great! Thanks for posting this.

Thanks Vin. I'm digging it already!

:lol: Merry Xmas Bro :cheers:

Collecting parts?? Im told your spare parts room looks like Amelda Marcos's shoe closet.

Welcome David! I'm sure Ron will jump in soon and bring the tech.

It's scary Vince.

You lucky dog!! Thanks for posting this Ron. :thumbsup:

Wow!! That looks like a very nice setup, question is this a street car or more of a race car? Will this rear setup work on the street?? Can't wait to see and here more!

Very cool, Ron. Will Deadpool be the street/show car while this one is the track car? Good luck!

Hey G! :thumbsup:

This is intended to be a track car Rick. It's possible it'll have license plates though :D

The set-up would work well on either street or track. The shock and spring package as well as ride height would be the only limiting factors for the street. The benefit of this design is great articulation that puts the power down under acceleration and good contact patch when braking. It's also fully adjustable for roll center and set up tuning.

Merry Xmas Bro :cheers:

Hey Trey! This is a slowburn project and I'll continue sorting / tuning DP for track duty when I can. :military:

:confused59:

I can't wait to watch this, as I'm interested in Ron's setup as well. I have a question about the housing below, specifically the brakes. That looks a lot like the setup Speedtech (I think it was them) was putting together a couple of years ago which used the C6 bearing as an alternative to a full-floating brake setup. Can you give any more specifics?

Brakes? :lol:

It's a one off, frankenstein sorta deal Bryan. No more complete kit parts available for this I'm told. Best bet would be to contact Blake.

Doesn't DSE sell a version too? I remember Tommy had a version right before Steilow released his version. Interesting kit if you want a floater.

Subscribed!

I look forward to Ron detailed post.

I know DSE had one in development. Not sure if they worked with Mark on that but wouldn't be surprised. Looking at Mark's, I really like the improvements he made in the axle end placement.

The one above is derived from Tom's original design, I think. I had heard a couple of different versions of that story. He did not manufacture the housing ends as far as I know.

So that means DP was a fast-burn project then? :peepwall:

:headspin:

That timescale would put the completion date somewhere around the end of 2022.

:underchair:

DSE is in development of one, but they are currently only selling the Baer floater as far as I have been told.

fast burn, slow burn, or whatever burn, it's bada$$.

You know I'm a fellow slow burn member. :D

:cheers:

What is the front suspension going to consist of?

Am I watching "As the world turns"? Or is it a re-run of The Twilight Zone.... Either way If Ron Sutton is involved it will turn out kool... IF (BIG IF) Ron-Somewhere-in-the-world-or-maybe-so-cal... doesn't get involved and derail it.

:confused59: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Now that's some funny sh!t right there!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

DP treated Ron like Ari treated...





...and Ron,

It's good to see you are under the care now of an accredited physician, who's not at all shady.

:tiptoe:

It's got a JRS designed C6 suspension with fabricated frame rails. Came out pretty good.

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps306a8f1c.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps76c46467.jpg

My money is on a rerun. :lol:

Happy Holidays fellas :cheers:

Welcome home Skip! :lol: :grouphug:

Looks good.

mans so cool the shade follows him..

Hi Rick,


That's a great question. I'll provide the pros & cons ... then I think the question has to answered by each individual based on their criteria. A LOT of racing stuff is finding its way onto ProTouring & G-Machine cars driven on the street. This is no different, as I have a few other clients already running this set-up in their street/autocross cars.

1. Can it be driven on the street? Sure. You won't notice how it drives any different ... except when you roll on the throttle hard. It has instant grip & far more grip through out acceleration. I'll explain why later.

2. It won't affect ride quality at all.

3. But you can't run a back seat. The top link would be where the rear passenger sits on the right side of the car. So you need a raised floor or bulkhead fabricated from sheet metal & covered (or not).

4. Is it a race car piece? Yes. It is designed to provide optimum grip when the car has more power than the tires are designed for. The top link is a torque absorber. It cushions the shock to the rear tires at initial throttle application.

5. I tailor the spring rate & number of poly bushings to each application. Ron Myer's car will have slicks, so I spec'd it with fewer poly bushings & of a harder rate. For clients that run TW200 street tires ... we utilize more bushings & of softer spring rate. I have a client with a twin turbo LS that can be full throttle by corner exit on TW200 tires. Later ... if Ron Myer takes this car off the track & makes it a street car ... we'll change the poly bushings for the tires he chooses.


:cheers:

Hi Bryan,

Ron Myer already had the housing. I do not think they are available anymore. When I provide housings, we use Speedway Engineering Floaters.

Ron,

Very cool build obviously, but I woulda went with a Lotus.


:popcorn2:



lol

That's an awesome suspension!

That's for guys like :weld:

Glad to see you're back in your old form. Only took two whole days :lol:

Thanks Tom! :cheers:

Looks like a variation of a Coleman dual action / pro link or allstar three link - very cool. I've been looking at the possibility of utilizing shock bushings with the LD 3-link but the reality is it would take some alone time with the OLC so it will have to wait a while.

Can't go wrong with support from Ron - I have to get in touch with him in the new year and see if we can't put something together with my car for the short term...

Great to see progress being made!

Yes if there is interest in the housing they can be produced still. They are complicated to get all the parts together but we can still do it. if your interested call Speedtech Performance.

Hi James,


We'll post up some progress pics next week.


:cheers:

That biscuit bar looks familiar, but much nicer than mine. I recently swapped my biscuit bar out for a straight shaft/tube, because one of the multitude of joints always seemed to work its way loose after a bit of street driving/track thrashing, creating a horrifically irritating screech/vibe. Granted, I'm no skilled builder, and my tubing sizes have probably just not been containing enough thread engagement or something.

I'd like to re-enlist the biscuit bar eventually, because it very clearly worked overtime at all kinds of frequencies of axle movement--is there a secret to keeping all the threaded joints happy (with or without Locktite)?

I can see Ron's setup working its way onto a lot of future hotrods, because it's basic, strong, and has clearly included "awesome sauce" in the recipe...