RS Motorsport :: Classic Speed Restored

Hi guys just wondering what peoples opinions are on three link rear ends instead of 4.

I'm finally tossing the leaf springs. What i'm thinking of doing is having two lower arms where the leaves used to be and one upper arm that will run down inside the tunnel on the passenger side. I was thinking of making this as long as possible. Or should I make it the same length as the lower arms. I already have a watts link. The upper arm will be slightly off set from centre. Will this be an issue? Any other issues with three links?

How long are you making the top link?

I have seen long top links used to give over 100% anti squat setup on the rear, so when you drop the clutch off the line the back of the car will rise up which is good for grip off the line at the drag strip, we also used 3 links with equal length bars on the silhouette cars I worked on in the UK, so they can work just fine for different applications

But anti squat geometry can also be achieved using an off the shelf 4 link kit, and these can be purchased ready to fit for very little money. The "clubman kits" in the Uk can be bought for less than the costs of material to make up your own setup and they have been tried and tested by thousands of people.

I personally wouldn't bother trying to re-invent the wheel on it.

OK almost finished except for the top arm. That will be done this weekend. Oh and spacers either side of the lower rear rod ends. Anyway just out of curiosity with the Upper arms connected that I was using with the leaf springs. I jacked up one side of the diff and watched to see when the other side would start to lift off the axle stands. 40mm is all it took.

Anyway some more pictures.

Hi Glenn,

What are the rear struts you are using from? Are they an OE style part made to fit? I've thought about using R31 Skyline rear struts converted to coil over for my Mk1, but haven't investigated overall dimensions yet.

Hi Simon. Close they're R32 Gab coilovers. Seem to use a KYB shock.

This leads me to another question. I checked my leaf springs and they are around the 180 pound mark. The coils that came with the shocks about 220. I was thinking of getting a few sets from 150 up. What are other people running?

An update. Because I have changed to 17's. To keep the car at the same height I've had to lift the suspension pick up points on the body use lower ones on the diff. Watts links is now adjustable. Loosen bolt and adjust. slowly getting there. Pictures are with the car at full drop. At full compression I have 30mm between the chassis rail and the diff. Bump is 50mm before hitting the stops.

Just been re reading old post. Mark its interesting that the car you talk about being an oval racer. It seems the set up of choice for oval racers is the 4 link these days. Something to do with being able to set them up better to turn just one way. Using unequal lengths.