4 link help

[stangslayer]

hi guys
can anyone help me with designing a drag race style fourlink rear suspension.
any good literature out there?
i have a 1972 opel gt. im going to make a street/ strip cruiser out of it. Yeah i know you guys can hate on me all you want, but this is a northern car and is really too far rusted to be a good restorer. I have a 3.8 supercharged buick 90 v6, 4l60e trans, 38"cut down s10 rear w/mosier axles and high dollar posi.
thanks for any help

[Manta Rallier]

We've been in the design phase of a 4 link for a while for a Manta. Basically have settled in for approx 24" links, using the stock lower link locations, and building small tunnels in the floor for the upper links. Bought some specific tubing with the right wall thickness so that is could be directly tapped for large heim joints on all ends. We'll be using an 8" Toyota early 4WD rear axle with posi, and starting with 4.56 gears. I have some sketches/drawings around somewhere with the planned dimensions and locations for the weld-on link anchor plates for the axle; the distances above and below the axle have already been figured. We will be using a pandhard rod or watts linkage for lateral location instead of the Mustang style diagonal upper links. From Opel experience, this seems to make the rear axle handle a whole lot better than the 'stang arrangement.

This is for rallying, so the best link geometry may be different than for drag racing.

Email me at mark dot bowers at rallywv dot com if you are interested in details.

Regards,
Mark B.

[Itsa '70 GT]

Just short of replacing your whole rear clip, it will be a daunting task. For a drag car though, setting the correct rearend setback and pinion angle will be the biggest obstacle you will have to overcome in dialing in/setting up your 4-link to the proper geometry. I would refer you to Chris Alston's or Mark Williams' websites, as they have plenty of tech info there for 4-link setups. I've been in the fabrication phase on my GT drag car for some time now and have fabbed up my own chassis from Jeg's kit and I am also using a 4-link from Chris Alston's Chassisworks. You can check out my pictures for build ideas and even PM me for more details or info.

Best Regards,

Bill B.