Suspension joint size. . .auto-x/road course???

[atomicjoe23]

What size suspension joint would you guys recommend for an Auto-X/Road course car?

I've got a '67 Pontiac Firebird that I'm going to be building an offset, de-coupled rear 3-link with Watt's linkage for. . .I'll be running a Ford 9" rear end; I'm keeping the Pontiac powerplant and plan on running a T56 Magnum 6-spd. manual transmission in case that helps.

. . .I'm coming from the world of desert racing and rock crawlers so I'm used to seeing 1.25" joints on the rear end of vehicles and I'm pretty sure that's gonna be WAY overkill for a car. Joints that large are expensive and heavy. . .I don't want to spend unnecessary money or add unnecessary weight to the vehicle, but I do want to make sure the joints are sized appropriately for the vehicle. I'm not stuck on heims either. . .I could run bushings using delrin, but I would want to make them to fit standard width bracketry (which is sized to fit a rod end with high misalignment spacers) so even if you guys don't recommend rod ends I still wouldn't mind hearing what size is being used on track cars.

Thanks for the help and suggestions!!!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by atomicjoe23

What size suspension joint would you guys recommend for an Auto-X/Road course car?

I've got a '67 Pontiac Firebird that I'm going to be building an offset, de-coupled rear 3-link with Watt's linkage for. . .I'll be running a Ford 9" rear end; I'm keeping the Pontiac powerplant and plan on running a T56 Magnum 6-spd. manual transmission in case that helps.

. . .I'm coming from the world of desert racing and rock crawlers so I'm used to seeing 1.25" joints on the rear end of vehicles and I'm pretty sure that's gonna be WAY overkill for a car. Joints that large are expensive and heavy. . .I don't want to spend unnecessary money or add unnecessary weight to the vehicle, but I do want to make sure the joints are sized appropriately for the vehicle. I'm not stuck on heims either. . .I could run bushings using delrin, but I would want to make them to fit standard width bracketry (which is sized to fit a rod end with high misalignment spacers) so even if you guys don't recommend rod ends I still wouldn't mind hearing what size is being used on track cars.

Thanks for the help and suggestions!!!

I like to use Spohn del-sphere ends. Serviceable, adjustable tension and come in the popular 3/4" hardware.
They also come in a narrow version that fits most common brackets with misalignment spacers.
http://www.spohn.net/shop/Del-Sphere-Pivot-Joints/

[z28cp]

3/4" heims are very popular with 600+ hp C Prepared autocross cars, with slicks.

[atomicjoe23]

Thanks guys!!!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by z28cp

3/4" heims are very popular with 600+ hp C Prepared autocross cars, with slicks.

Plus with 3/4" heims you can get a wide range of high misalignment reducer bushings if you want to run a 5/8" through bolt.

[BMR Sales]

Originally Posted by atomicjoe23

What size suspension joint would you guys recommend for an Auto-X/Road course car?

I've got a '67 Pontiac Firebird that I'm going to be building an offset, de-coupled rear 3-link with Watt's linkage for. . .I'll be running a Ford 9" rear end; I'm keeping the Pontiac powerplant and plan on running a T56 Magnum 6-spd. manual transmission in case that helps.

. . .I'm coming from the world of desert racing and rock crawlers so I'm used to seeing 1.25" joints on the rear end of vehicles and I'm pretty sure that's gonna be WAY overkill for a car. Joints that large are expensive and heavy. . .I don't want to spend unnecessary money or add unnecessary weight to the vehicle, but I do want to make sure the joints are sized appropriately for the vehicle. I'm not stuck on heims either. . .I could run bushings using delrin, but I would want to make them to fit standard width bracketry (which is sized to fit a rod end with high misalignment spacers) so even if you guys don't recommend rod ends I still wouldn't mind hearing what size is being used on track cars.

Thanks for the help and suggestions!!!

I know I'm going in a different direction, but based on what you want - why don't you buy a proven system vs building one?

http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=p...544&superpro=0

[atomicjoe23]

BMR. . .because I enjoy the fab work and I enjoy the design process even more.

I'm a Tool & Die Maker by trade, have my own lathes/mills/MIG/TIG/etc., and I participated in the SAE Baja Challenge designing and building single seat off-road racing buggies (designed everything in house except the engine) for three years while I was going to school. . .

. . .it's fun, I enjoy the work, and the sense of satisfaction of making something with my own hands. Plus, coming from the desert/rock crawler side of things the aesthetic you find in those vehicles generally isn't found on street cars. . .at least not very often.

[BMR Sales]

Originally Posted by atomicjoe23

BMR. . .because I enjoy the fab work and I enjoy the design process even more.

I'm a Tool & Die Maker by trade, have my own lathes/mills/MIG/TIG/etc., and I participated in the SAE Baja Challenge designing and building single seat off-road racing buggies (designed everything in house except the engine) for three years while I was going to school. . .

. . .it's fun, I enjoy the work, and the sense of satisfaction of making something with my own hands. Plus, coming from the desert/rock crawler side of things the aesthetic you find in those vehicles generally isn't found on street cars. . .at least not very often.

Gotcha! I'll be watching what you come up with!

[atomicjoe23]

Probably be a bit of a wait considering my "To Do" list and with running a farm, a hard apple cider production, and working full time as a Tool & Die Maker. . .

. . .just so you know, but I will be posting progress pic's on my project thread: Project Tomahawk. . .

https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=7693

There have been a LOT of changes since I started that thread many, many years ago. . .thankfully they are all probably for the better as I have matured, learned from other projects between now and then, and have developed and improved new skill sets.