3link + sway bar...

[mongoose]

what are the pros and cons? i've seen some with and some without...

[The WidowMaker]

there are no pros and cons with a 3 link. its no different than any other setup. sway bars are a tuning device, and some can do without or with a small bar, some require a much larger bar. RRCH and spring rates play a major factor.

i might be missing the intent of the question though.........

Tim

[mongoose]

no not really, just wondering... Seems that 3links without sway bars are pretty popular just wondering why..

[parsonsj]

My 3 link has a sway bar.

Bad Penny is getting a sway bar.

Who else?

Anyway, as Tim says, the two aren't really related: sway bars are tuning devices to reduce rear suspension roll. Most high performance cars need one for best turning ability.

jp

[James OLC]

Like Johns says - there are some cars that already have bars, and there are some that will be adding them in the future (myself included). One of the complicating factors with some of the three links that are out there is packaging - there is a lot of stuff going on back there and adding something like a sway bar takes some thought and consideration.

If you take Bad Penny as an example - on the road course, as is (with no sway bar) it is capable of increadibly performance, likewise on the autocross track and in day to day driving. Yet, there is still room for improvement and Steve is at the point with the car that he can both feel that and appreciate it. Adding a bar will do absolutely no harm - it will only make it better.

[Steve1968LS2]

My 3 link has a sway bar.

Bad Penny is getting a sway bar.

Who else?

Anyway, as Tim says, the two aren't really related: sway bars are tuning devices to reduce rear suspension roll. Most high performance cars need one for best turning ability.

jp

And my three-link NEEDS a sway bar. lol

Sway bars are important tuning devices and really should always be there. There are cases where the rear is so stiff that it doesn't need one, but I've mostly seen that in leaf spring applications and it's most likely due to bind.

[Derek69SS]

Sway-bar selection depends on your spring rates, motion ratios, and roll-center height.

-Softer springs require a bigger sway-bar than stiff springs
-Springs mounted more inboard (narrowed rear) toward the center of the car requires a bigger sway-bar than springs mounted further outboard.
-Lower roll-center height increases the "leverage" the CG has over the roll-center, which requires a bigger sway-bar than a car with a higher roll-center.

They aren't always necessary, but in most cases those with 3-links run a low enough RCH that they do need them.

[JRouche]

Im going to have to use a sway bar. My watts link is gonna have the RC at around 4" off the ground, whoa!! I can can feel my car tippin already and I haven't even driven it yet

And my car is a 62 nova, can you say HIGH CG!! So yeah, sway bar is in my future. My major problem is gonna be finding one that is a front or top housing mount. The watts lives at the rear. Any ideas??????

So, 4-link.... done. air ride shockwaves.... done. Watts link, fabbed, bench welded, frame mounting next. And then, sway bar work. After that Im pretty sure the entire rear clip will be packed with enough links and bars JR

[Roadbuster]

Im going to have to use a sway bar. My watts link is gonna have the RC at around 4" off the ground, whoa!! I can can feel my car tippin already and I haven't even driven it yet

And my car is a 62 nova, can you say HIGH CG!! So yeah, sway bar is in my future. My major problem is gonna be finding one that is a front or top housing mount. The watts lives at the rear. Any ideas??????

So, 4-link.... done. air ride shockwaves.... done. Watts link, fabbed, bench welded, frame mounting next. And then, sway bar work. After that Im pretty sure the entire rear clip will be packed with enough links and bars JR

JR I have a question on this. Please correct me if I am wrong here, but I thought that RC for a watts link was the center of the "football." How are you getting it that low?

Jon

[Twentyover]

He says watts, maybe a mumford? Or maybe 14" (roughly 1/2 tire diameter)

[JRouche]

JR I have a question on this. Please correct me if I am wrong here, but I thought that RC for a watts link was the center of the "football." How are you getting it that low?

Jon

Yes, you are absolutely right. its the pivot for the bell crank. I kinda brain farted, too much chili last night. My RC is actually 6-7" off the ground. The lower arm pivot is about 4-5". Still working on final ride height.. My mount I made sits kinda low. Too low?? Maybe, speed bumps will tell. But with the push of a button the air ride tech shockwaves will rise to the occasion. JR

[Roadbuster]

Yes, you are absolutely right. its the pivot for the bell crank. I kinda brain farted, too much chili last night. My RC is actually 6-7" off the ground. The lower arm pivot is about 4-5". Still working on final ride height.. My mount I made sits kinda low. Too low?? Maybe, speed bumps will tell. But with the push of a button the air ride tech shockwaves will rise to the occasion. JR

That is low! That the RC is settable by placing the pivot point is one of the nice things about a watts link. With it that far below the CG what rear sway bar are you planning on running?

Jon

[JRouche]

With it that far below the CG what rear sway bar are you planning on running?

Jon

Which ever one I can find that will fit
But no, really Im not sure. Its gonna be a small one. But I will wait till its all done and drive it and decide what size bar I will need. Final tuning with the bar. JR