Anyone have any experience with one of those suspension design programs for the computer. I plan on fabing a 3-link for my rear end on my 70' but would like it to be a properly designed one. Deffinetly want the tunabilty for the strip and a comfortable ride on the street. Yeah I could just throw a 3rd link up top and it might reduce the bind vs. the 4CL but will it work properly when I want to tune it. So what should I be concerned about when designing a 3 link, has anyone seen the 3 link from an AC Cobra, Shelby must have designed that properly, could I get specs/dimensions from a Cobra owner and incorporate them into my chevelle.

I have also noticed a couple of people building 3-links already for their cars, any of them on the road? How are they performing track and street? anything you wish you would have changed? panhard vs. watts link?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

J-mart,

I haven't had any access to the suspension programs other than the demos offered, so I can't comment on that. But I can suggest that you be very careful designing a 3-link. Brackets need to be carefully considered, not just for strength, but for fatigue as well. If you do a search here and at pro-touring.com, you'll find a great deal of knowledge that should help you get started. There are a lot of good books than can help you with the geometry and the theory. As for me, I used Excel for everything and I honestly believe that if you have to have a program to get it done for you, then you shouldn't be doing it. The programs just make changes much faster and easier, but you still have to understand the theory and the reasoning behind the design.

If you're looking for a setup that rides well and hooks at the track, you'd probably do ok with some work on the stock C4L. Most of those - myself included - that are going to a 3-link are doing it for better handling, and I can tell you from experience just this weekend that a 3-link will not necessarily hook up better than the C4L just because you put one on. You're also going to find that it is difficult to build in the adjustability you're looking for in an A-body 3-link. There's not a whole lot of room for an upper link bracket, let alone one that has multiple positions and especially one that can shorten up the SVSA enough to give you a no-hop bar type effect for a hard launch.

Don't copy another car's design, either. Especially in this case, as the Cobra is a very small car and won't have the same requirements as in a bigger car. Each car has its own needs. I love my 3-link and for now wouldn't change it, but I don't have any track time on it and won't until I've got some wider rubber on the car. Just be honest with yourself about what you want out of the car and go from there.

Ryan