Rear suspension questions

[Mathius]

Ok, the project: a '76 Chevy Malibu 2-door. It has a bone stock 305 that I hope to upgrade to a 496, or bigger, and I plan to go with a Ford 9". It has a 4-link suspension from the factory, triangular 4-link.

I want to go with a g-machine type build, but it's going to be driven, and will spend a lot more time on the road than a track, if ever.

I have a few questions about how to plan my rear end....

1. I'm aware that airbag suspensions today have been improved to the point where you can set one up as good as any car on the track, but are their any advantages to one? Is the ride more comfortable perhaps or something else I'm missing?

2. Is there some reason I should consider swapping out the factory 4-link? There are upgrade parts available to improve the bushings, and there are adjustable arms for it, etc. but is there a reason to go with a wishbone, or a parallel 4-link with a panhard bar, or some other setup?

Mathius