Help pick my rear suspension

[COPO-RAT]

I'm currently building an '80 Monza and I'm in need of some ideas for the rear suspension. The car is going to be a tube chassis. What do you guys think? 4-Link, 3-Link????? HELP!

[LowBuckX]

3 link.. there are only 3 it must be easy..lol

[Rhino]

What are your plans for the car? Each suspension design has it's downfalls as well as it's benefits. Are there any particular packaging requirements you'll need to meet?

[COPO-RAT]

The car will simply be an overkill street car. I want it to handle well in the event it ever sees some track time. Just an all around fun toy that I'm sure I'll have too much time and money in, but that's the way it goes. I was thinking about a 350-400hp Turbocharged Ecotec Motor. A simple yet effective SBC would be an easy option as well. I don't have all the details hammered out, but just wanted the opinion of the more knowledgeable folks here about what suspension I should use. Just an all around good handling set up. Doesn't have to be the most wild/elaborate set up as long as it works really well. I'm pretty ignorant to what works best in what situations.
Thanks again for any help/info.

What would you do if it were your project?

[MonzaRacer]

Four link use spherical joint or johnny joints, then add in Air Ride DA ShockWaves with internal height sensors. Awesome ride, great traction and near perfect handling.

[JRouche]

I love the build up decisions!! I have been in that bucket for some time now. I have a lil 355 SBC, light nova, weak B&M tranny and a stout 4-link, art morrison rear clip. Decisions, decisions!!!! I put a air ride tech system in. Ill let you know how all the pieces work out, maybe, some day.

A lil piece of info. It wasnt cheap. There is about 15 grand under the body of my car right now (that may be a lil low if I look at the receipts) and it wasent easy. Many days of welding and cutting. And cutting of my original welds too. Back and forth.

Think about what you can afford right now. Make a plan and stick to it. If anything just so you can street the car. I have yet to... Yeah, after 15 years I have yet to really drive the car :( If it turns into a 15 year project like mine the situation may change.

Dont go down my path. I just wanted a fun car to drive. A simple SBC. Turned into a 400hp fuel injected SBC. So then I looked at the weak rear end. That turned into an art morrison rear clip (for adjustability). Then I looked at the weak front, that turned into a mustang II front. Then I saw the front and rear wasnt connected, so some major welding and rails came into play.. Then I saw the rear wasnt as compliant as I wanted, so the air ride was fitted in. And if I had the air ride in the rear I should put it up front too. More work.

And Im done!!! Almost. Just waiting on the back ordered Baer tracker tie rods, been four weeks now. Not a big deal cause I still have to plumb the SS air lines and work out the mounting for the two pumps and 5 gallon tank. And more and more and more.

And thats not it!!! I have to mount the new front bumper (the rear is done), plumb and mount the tranny cooler, bucket all the lights and finalize the wiring. Set the coolant temp sender, then dump the engine oil (break in oil) and filter. Not to mention dump the fuel tank gas cause its old. And I dont have ANY interior. Im in metal. And Im in primer. And old glass. I have an entire NEW set of glass to go in, but I cant touch that till Im in paint.

The list is long. and I have a list. You might get one, it helps to keep track of all the lil details. Little details. Like oh crap, dont forget to bleed the brakes after installing the new calipers. REALLY!! If I dont write some of this stuff down on my build sheet it wouldnt get done. Like grease the zerks for the ball joints. I keep them dry for the build up. So thats a KEY piece to right down on the sheet...

Make a build sheet, like a brain book, to cover your self. Dont drive the car unless all the to do list is checked off.

OK!!! I got off track, what were we talking about LOL Oh yeah. 4 or 3 link. Ummm,, Id love to build a three link. Next project. Dont even get me considering a change from my 4 link to a 3 link, Ill do it and be behind the ball even further........ Hmmm, now what if I changed the ....... STOP!!! :) JR

[Lowend]

I had a buddy who put a C3 Corvette IRS in his. I'll see if he has pics

[Bryce]

JR,

Go with a 3 link. HAHA. you would still have it done before me. My build is 9yrs now. but i have been driving it at the same time.

COPO-RAT,
I would say go with a off the shelf system if you are not a do it yourself suspension guy. If you can do it your self, build a 3link with a watts. Read a lot about design and get the geometry correct for your specific setup.

[COPO-RAT]

I had a buddy who put a C3 Corvette IRS in his. I'll see if he has pics

Lowend,
That thought crossed my mind! I'd LOVE to see pics/get info if possible!
Thanks!

[COPO-RAT]

COPO-RAT,
I would say go with a off the shelf system if you are not a do it yourself suspension guy. If you can do it your self, build a 3link with a watts. Read a lot about design and get the geometry correct for your specific setup.

falcon65,
I have never built a suspension before, but would consider myself a 'do it yourself' type of person. I will have the help of a very talented local chassis builder (drag race chassis though, that's why I'm wanting advice from the masses here), and together I don't think there isn't much we can't do as far as the fabrication end goes. It's the knowledge part where we are lacking. When you say go with an 'off the shelf system', can you be more specific? An off the shelf 4 link, off the shelf 3 Link, air system etc etc? Please excuse my ignorance, I'm sure it's trying for those of you where this stuff comes as second nature.
Thanks for the input!

PS: I'm going to assume that all the talk about 4Links are referring to triangulated 4Links and not parallel 4Links........???????

[Bryce]

i think the best off the shelf system would be the g-link. Im not sure if there is one for your car though. I like the simplistic double adjustable coilover. and yes triangulated 4link works well.

ask all the questions you want. We all like to help.