"Also really how much better could this be than DSE 4 link , with the panhard bar ?"
Much. And this is not intended to take away from the DSE setup at all, they make great stuff and have outstanding customer service, but this system is very different than theirs. Four link setups bind in roll, period. There is no physical way to prevent this, it comes from two different sources. One, the links need to be able to rotate, torsionally. DSE did a really nice job at addressing this with the swivel link, I saw them in person and they appear to be a good solution to this part of the problem. The other source comes from mechanical overconstraint, one of the four links needs to change in length when the setup rolls, their setup addresses this through the use of the rubber bushings. If you use all rod ends on a four link, it will bind in roll, period, and the only reason that the drag style setups allow the car to roll is because something is bending, stretching, moving, and none of that is good news. Three link setups don't suffer from this overconstraint. A perfect analogy is a four legged stool relative to a three legged one. Ever seen a three legged stool rock? It won't, no matter what the relative lengths of the legs are.
Panhard bars are simple, and very effective, they are used all the time. Most folks know that there is a lateral shift of the axle as the suspension moves up and down, this can be minimized if the bar is really long and doesn't need to be a big deal. We chose the Watt's though, to mitigate this issue, and one more very important one: roll moment. Both the Watt's and Panhard Bar define the roll center, which is an important attribute for suspension behavior. However, the PHB roll center height changes as the suspension moves up and down, which creates a variable in the system that the springs and stabilizer bar, if used, have to deal with. The way we executed the Watt's, the roll center relative to the sprung mass of the car NEVER changes, not even a little, creating a fixed roll moment. The springs see a constant roll force regardless of if the suspension is in bump or droop. Subtle, but important difference.
The comment about the rear seat is correct, you can run a rear seat, but it will need to be the split bottom type, such as the later Camaros, etc.
A few comments about OPM, Clay, and Adam. It's true that I went there to help install and train the guys, and assess their capabilities. I had seen their work in person (amazing), and had some great conversations on the phone, but you never really know what you are going to get until you visit in person. We are a small company (growing fast though), and one of the keys to our future success is partnering with capable shops that treat their customers the way we want to treat them. OPM gets it. No BS, no unnecessary glamor, just honest guys that do great work and don't gloat about it. Eager to learn, share ideas and give honest feedback. The trip was terrific, and I came away with some great ideas that Clay and Adam came up with that will be incorporated into the product, and our display setup. If you want our setup installed in the Phoenix area, OPM is THE place we will send you. Of course, they do a heck of a lot more, highly recommended, and you will be seeing a LOT more outrageous stuff from them in the future. Great dudes, I'd go back in a heartbeat, except.... It's really freaking hot out there!!!!
I'm anxious to see the video, we turned the car on it's side and were playing with moving the axle housing, completely bind free, a four year old could articulate it. As a result, we are now making a new display stand!
Mark
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