RX-3 W/8.8 Axle Suspension

[fritts]

Trying to decide on a rear suspension route for my 76 RX-3. I do not want to tear up my rear seats on the vehicle as I kids will be taken places in the vehicle. Will be used on the street and AutoX. Car was a leaf spring setup factory and am working on a dual wishbone front suspension. If you have seen an RX-3 you would see just how small the vehicle it is ~2000 lbs from the factory ~91 wheelbase. I would really like to move to a 3 link but the length of the lower Link lengths (22" Max) and only being able to mount a short centered 3rd link are keeping me from doing so. A parallel 4 link would require me to have the upper link centered on the axle centerline and links would have to be less than 22" long. Have a shortened/centered 8.8 Explorer axle for the project. With room around the axle an obvious problem I'm wondering if just keeping the leafs (moving to composites) may be my only option. I guess my question is how much will I be giving up with the leaf spring setup? Also will the upper length issues on the 3 and 4 link setups really the deal breakers I think they are? Any other options I should be looking at?