So I may be in a bit over my head here but figure why not throw this out to TCG and get some feedback. I am contemplating fabricating my own rear suspension.
The Car is my 71 Nova with stock suspension (leaf springs) 10 bolt, mini tubs. Further info can be found in my build thread here on TCG.
I am considering building my own tri-angulated 4 link, parallel 4 link or possibly a 3 link. Addition of a panhard bar is a option and obviously a requirement for the 3 link. I will also be doing coilovers.
The "Why's"
1. I am cheap plain and simple! I know all the big name suspension companies are expensive because of their R&D and I am ok with that, but my inner penny pincher would like to try my hand at this first before dropping big coin.
2. This is something I've never done and would like to learn. The whole goal of my car is to be built in my garage not at a shop.
3. I hate the horseshit leaf springs that are limiting a wider rim/tire. My leaf springs need work anyways and I'll either be spending coin on them or putting the money towards an "upgrade" (Hopefully)
4. The trunk pan and tank are out of the car currently from doing the mini tub, the next steps are to install a cross member in the rear of the car for the shocks. If anything needs to be moved or modified this is the time.
I would much rather do a torque arm or a watts link but I don't think I have the fabrication skills to pull that off plus that would require changing the rear end in most cases so these 2 options look to be out. Willing to be wrong here if anyone can point out a flaw in my thinking.
This will not be track car, it may see the drag strip a few times a year. Eventually I would like to try some autocross with the car. However it will be driven on the street and needs to be safe and ride/handle "decent" as my wife will drive the car occasionally. Obviously I expect to go through several revisions but that's why it is a project car.
I've worked on many tri-angulated and parallel 4 links and I think this would be the easiest out of all my options, the 2 lower arms would mount to the factory front leaf spring pocket. A cross bar welded in between the frame rails for an upper mounting location, some pocket mounts welded in and voila! Sounds easy right?
I've done a lot of research and read & watched a bunch of video's, I know I still have tons more research and learning to do. So that being said I know we have a few brainiac's here that know something about this, maybe even someone who has done something similar.
1. Which suspension type would you do based on novice experience with decent fabrication skills.
2. Where would you source some of the supplies? I know I can order most of what I need from various vendors like Art Morrison. But most places I find selling bars, bushings, mounts are usually off road 4x4 sites.
3. Anyone that has any experience got any suggestions or lessons learned, Things you wished you would have done?
thanks
The Car is my 71 Nova with stock suspension (leaf springs) 10 bolt, mini tubs. Further info can be found in my build thread here on TCG.
I am considering building my own tri-angulated 4 link, parallel 4 link or possibly a 3 link. Addition of a panhard bar is a option and obviously a requirement for the 3 link. I will also be doing coilovers.
The "Why's"
1. I am cheap plain and simple! I know all the big name suspension companies are expensive because of their R&D and I am ok with that, but my inner penny pincher would like to try my hand at this first before dropping big coin.
2. This is something I've never done and would like to learn. The whole goal of my car is to be built in my garage not at a shop.
3. I hate the horseshit leaf springs that are limiting a wider rim/tire. My leaf springs need work anyways and I'll either be spending coin on them or putting the money towards an "upgrade" (Hopefully)
4. The trunk pan and tank are out of the car currently from doing the mini tub, the next steps are to install a cross member in the rear of the car for the shocks. If anything needs to be moved or modified this is the time.
I would much rather do a torque arm or a watts link but I don't think I have the fabrication skills to pull that off plus that would require changing the rear end in most cases so these 2 options look to be out. Willing to be wrong here if anyone can point out a flaw in my thinking.
This will not be track car, it may see the drag strip a few times a year. Eventually I would like to try some autocross with the car. However it will be driven on the street and needs to be safe and ride/handle "decent" as my wife will drive the car occasionally. Obviously I expect to go through several revisions but that's why it is a project car.
I've worked on many tri-angulated and parallel 4 links and I think this would be the easiest out of all my options, the 2 lower arms would mount to the factory front leaf spring pocket. A cross bar welded in between the frame rails for an upper mounting location, some pocket mounts welded in and voila! Sounds easy right?
I've done a lot of research and read & watched a bunch of video's, I know I still have tons more research and learning to do. So that being said I know we have a few brainiac's here that know something about this, maybe even someone who has done something similar.
1. Which suspension type would you do based on novice experience with decent fabrication skills.
2. Where would you source some of the supplies? I know I can order most of what I need from various vendors like Art Morrison. But most places I find selling bars, bushings, mounts are usually off road 4x4 sites.
3. Anyone that has any experience got any suggestions or lessons learned, Things you wished you would have done?
thanks