Best Rear Suspension For Road Racing

[Gitter Dun]

It's looking like the 3 link rear corner carver kit is the way to go but then again I still need proof.

Is there anybody we know that has this set up and isn't afraid to use it on a road course?

I am considering meeting that person half way between us any where in the U.S. at a road course and run them against my leaf spring set up for timed laps.

[Bigblue73]

Call Steve Rupp and have Mary Pozzi provide you with a language lesson and free ride in Penny!

[jknight16]

I would highly doubt that choosing the lesser (by any measure) of these premier suspension setups would be the deciding factor between your car winning or losing against any benchmark.

[DJW32]

It's looking like the 3 link rear corner carver kit is the way to go but then again I still need proof.

Is there anybody we know that has this set up and isn't afraid to use it on a road course?

I am considering meeting that person half way between us any where in the U.S. at a road course and run them against my leaf spring set up for timed laps.

optima holds an event after the Sema show at Spring Mountain motorsports park. You can see all the proof you need at Spring Mountain. All of the big boys bring out their best setups and run them hard.

[Gitter Dun]

optima holds an event after the Sema show at Spring Mountain motorsports park. You can see all the proof you need at Spring Mountain. All of the big boys bring out their best setups and run them hard.

Thanks, I will look for it, any dates set up yet at this time.

[Gitter Dun]

Call Steve Rupp and have Mary Pozzi provide you with a language lesson and free ride in Penny!

A language lesson? Really? Wow, that was harsh.

[jknight16]

A language lesson? Really? Wow, that was harsh.

He was joking. He meant that Mary will teach you how to curse your way around an autox course. She's the resident expert in doing so.

[Gitter Dun]

He was joking. He meant that Mary will teach you how to curse your way around an autox course. She's the resident expert in doing so.

LOL, thanks, and yeah, I'd love for Mary to drive my car through the auto-x if she would, I seem to have trouble navigating through cones and prefer the road courses

[MrQuick]

Vince is Prodigy West!

LOL, I don't know, you and Michael have some pretty big prints to fill...but we try.

I would highly doubt that choosing the lesser (by any measure) of these premier suspension setups would be the deciding factor between your car winning or losing against any benchmark.

Exactly, the driver has much more to do with it but a suspension that you can fine tune to the driver makes it easier for the driver to be more competative. Takes an equation out of the mix...then it turns into driver error,improper tune, or closer competition. It really sucks when you are out on the track in a car you can't get to turn the way you like and have limited adjustments to correct.


I believe that will be Gaetano's ultimate delema. Which system he will feel comfortable with. I believe an AME 3/4 might suit him fine. The ability to try a 4 link and a 3 link within a test session is unheard of. The remove or replace a system due to track conditions are is priceless. The possibility of adjustment is as close to infinite as you can get.
vince

[Gitter Dun]

LOL, I don't know, you and Michael have some pretty big prints to fill...but we try.



Exactly, the driver has much more to do with it but a suspension that you can fine tune to the driver makes it easier for the driver to be more competative. Takes an equation out of the mix...then it turns into driver error,improper tune, or closer competition. It really sucks when you are out on the track in a car you can't get to turn the way you like and have limited adjustments to correct.


I believe that will be Gaetano's ultimate delema. Which system he will feel comfortable with. I believe an AME 3/4 might suit him fine. The ability to try a 4 link and a 3 link within a test session is unheard of. The remove or replace a system due to track conditions are is priceless. The possibility of adjustment is as close to infinite as you can get.
vince

I'm confused, AME carries a product that will go from 3 to 4 link? If the three link alone is best for road racing, thats where I want to be, but it will be interesting to see a Global West leaf spring set up comparison which is what I will be running. I really dont think I am any more skilled behind the wheel then anyone else which leads me to believe it will boil down to set ups and hardware. It should make for a very interesting day to compare hardware and tunes.

[John Wright]

Something to think about if you stick with leafs....GW has spherical bearings (johnny joints in the 4x4 world) in the spring eyes to let the rear articulate without binding.

[Gitter Dun]

Something to think about if you stick with leafs....GW has spherical bearings (johnny joints in the 4x4 world) in the spring eyes to let the rear articulate without binding.

I've recently been in contact with Doug at Global West. He has asked me to do some shock testing with him. Hopefully I will be dialed in before the event.

[MrQuick]

Would be great to be able to compare.

Did you get a transponder?
Vince

[Vegas69]

Gaetano, I still think you are going to play hell comparing. There is such a vast difference in driver experience and skill in these events. Frank is the most knowledable on the different systems but he doesn't have anytime behind the wheel on the road course at your level either. I'd put together a list of questions and call the manufacturers. I still think it's a matter of fractions of an inch between any of the good systems.

[Gitter Dun]

Would be great to be able to compare.

Did you get a transponder?
Vince

I've had a transponder attatched to my car since 2003, or was it 2004, whenever NASA first started time trials, cant remember, was a long time ago.

I ran 1:56 at Infineon running the NASCAR Chute from 4a to 7 and that was when I was at 3400 lbs and 400/400 to the rear wheels.

Looking forward to going there again 200 lbs lighter, 150 more horse power, and 6 piston calipers as opposed to the 2.

Remember Bob Owens, '69 on steroids, 2800 lbs, 650 hp........he ran a 1:53 on a previous track day there

[silver69camaro]

I'm confused, AME carries a product that will go from 3 to 4 link? If the three link alone is best for road racing, thats where I want to be, but it will be interesting to see a Global West leaf spring set up comparison which is what I will be running. I really dont think I am any more skilled behind the wheel then anyone else which leads me to believe it will boil down to set ups and hardware. It should make for a very interesting day to compare hardware and tunes.

Very shortly, yes.

I've run leafs and link type suspensions. Links is the hands down winner for most applications. Especially for a purpose-built race car, where spring and roll rates need to be dialed-in.

[Gitter Dun]

Gaetano, I still think you are going to play hell comparing. There is such a vast difference in driver experience and skill in these events. Frank is the most knowledable on the different systems but he doesn't have anytime behind the wheel on the road course at your level either. I'd put together a list of questions and call the manufacturers. I still think it's a matter of fractions of an inch between any of the good systems.

I suppose that is what makes the decision so hard, but at the same time you have to remember that each manufacturer could be tootin there own horn just to make a sale.

I agree, they are all pretty close, and right now I have my eyes on the AME 3 link and the DSE quadralink, but this is what I am going to do, I will run the Cat 5 set up cause I'm already 85% there. I imagine since I have been out of the game so long most everybody else is running 3 and 4 link set ups. I think if I could ride with others in there cars and or have Mary, if she would, drive mine in an auto-x, since she's driven Steve's and countless others, that could help me make a decision.

I'm not planning on jumping into anything right away, the longer I wait, the more info I will recieve.

[John Wright]

Mary has the Cat V GW's in her 73 that does really well in AutoX...not sure if I ever heard her say how she likes it on the road course. I did remember her having issues with body bushing bolts backing out while beating on the 73 during a road course event...so be sure to lock-tite those.

[Gitter Dun]

Mary has the Cat V GW's in her 73 that does really well in AutoX...not sure if I ever heard her say how she likes it on the road course. I did remember her having issues with body bushing bolts backing out while beating on the 73 during a road course event...so be sure to lock-tite those.

Thats Funny, Cat V and kickin butt, music to my wallet, LOL

[mpozzi]

Hi Gaetano, et al ...

Yes, my car has the GW CAT5's out back and Hotchkis in front. Recently, I was able to fit a little bit wider rear tire in the back and feel the car's well balanced and as good as it will get with what I've got now.

It's a huge win for autocrossing and does very well at track days. Dave drove Steve's "Penny" car at a track day and had problems with brakes and traction during the bumpy areas. He rode with me and those parts of the track that played havoc with Steve's Camaro never were felt by mine. At the recent Run to the Coast event, I ended up fourth overall for the track portion and this was with the smaller width tires. IIRC, I was about four seconds back from the fastest car (Dave drove the One-Lap Camaro quite spiritedly that day) and .800 behind the overall winner, Brian Finch. The Finch Camaro is very well-driven and has more money in the underpinnings than I do in my entire car. Having a bigger footprint can only help bring the times down and as I'm at least 150+ hp and the same in torque behind the fast guys, the only way I can get close to their times is with handling. Last RWHP/T readings for my car were 361/395 and this is pretty pathetic against the LS-equipped Pro-Touring monsters that are the norm for this fun.

There was a section of the RTTC course at El Toro that really showed where my car shined and the track organizers did section timing in various spots. Todd Gartshore and a couple other guys told me at dinner that the track timing guys got a faster time for my car in this section than any other car that ran that day. This included a Porsche Carrera GT that did some exhibition runs during the lunch break. This section??? It was the only real handling section for the course. I thought that was pretty cool and gave my stock front sub and rear leaf spring car a good pat for that one!!

There's pro's and con's to each type of suspension system (stock front sub vs replacement sub vs links vs coil overs vs leafs). A three-four link rear and coil overs will allow a larger wheel/tire fitment and this is also true for an aftermarket front sub. The adjustability and availability of different rate springs is also a huge benefit. With the stock coils/rear leafs, it limits you there but I haven't told my car this and hope it never figures it out ... LOL.

There are some autocrosses being held at Mather in the Sacramento area and this is close to you. If you still want me to have a turn behind the wheel, I'm willing as that will help you work on developing the car. The Global West parts are excellent and they work great as an entire system. I'll also bring my car up and we can have some fun. Don't know if you're coming to Pleasanton the first weekend in June but there's an autocross as part of the show. I'll be there for that ...

The body bushing bolts can loosen and what you'll feel and hear is a snapping noise during turns. The center and rear bolts were slightly loose and when retorqued, eliminated the noise. I would check the instructions to see if they recommend the use of Loctite as you don't want to risk damaging the captive nuts inside if you ever to have to remove the bushings (subframe replacement, collision repairs ...). Just periodically give 'em a check and you'll be fine.

And I promise to not cuss that much.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi