GM A-Body Rear Suspension

[ProTouring442]

So I have been reading a lot about the awful GM A-Body rear suspension and I have a few questions. Since the GM system seems to be marginal at best, what other options might there be? I would like to limit this a bit based on a few criteria. 1st, it is a street car. That means it needs to ride decently, and must have room for the exhaust. I have thought about the truck-arm conversions, but they don't seem to leave any room for the exhaust. 2nd, they must be affordable. This would leave out the IRS conversions. And 3rd, I need to be able to perform the conversion!

So, where does that leave us? I was thinking that I might take a page from GM, a la GNX. What about removing the upper arms and installing a torque arm? Minor floor pan surgery would be required. I am thinking (I haven't taken a good look at the set up) that the torque arm must mount into a sliding arrangement at the front to prevent bind, and I'll need a panhard bar. Surely I can use some sort of available part for this though?

Anyway guys, what do you think?