DSE Quadralink or AME triangulated 4-bar

[johnnymac46]

I recently bought a 68 Camaro. It happens to be my first car I have owned several trucks, 70 k5, 70 k10. Ill be the first to admit I dont know a lot about the products on the market and could use a hand. I've decided to start by upgrading the suspension. Its currently stock all the way around, with the exception of traction bars in the rear. I have dont a lot of research, and I have heard mixed emotions. My question is do I need the extra strength of the full rear clip or is the stock frame enough? Also 12 bolt or 9 inch? I am putting in a 454and tko600, and shooting for 500hp. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[lil427z]

dse. is good choise.
rick k

[6spdcamaro]

From what i understand a triangulated four link is a better all around rear. Handles and launches good. A parallel four link like the Quadra-link is better for handling but doesn't launch as well. The frame rails are VERY thin. When i mini-tubbed my car and the frame rails were open i couldn't believe how skimpy they were. I know Art Morrison makes you use newer, thicker, stronger frame rails for this reason. The quadra-link has an extremely thick upper shock crossmember, and even with the frame rails cut away, the back half of the car feels so much stronger than before. In the end it boils down to what you want to do with the car, and how much cutting you are willing to do.

[ProdigyCustoms]

It depends on your primary needs / goals / abilities / budget.

So what do you want the car to do in order of importance?

Road racing performance?
Street handling?
Drag Racing?


What are you abilities?

Welder fabricator?
Hiring it done?

Tight budget?
Unlimitied budget?

Long story short if you doing your own work and are learning to weld, there are other easier product to use

If you are doing it yourself and can handle all the fab abd welding needs, doesn't matter.

Tight budget and your hiring it done, need to find a easy to install system to limit hours / $$$$$

Hiring it done and unlimited budget.....Call me, LOL!

Seriously.

Let us know more of what you want / need.

We install and sell half a dozen different suspension products including both you mentioned. We have each in the shop today and a couple other brands

[Stuart Adams]

Call both companies and get their facts and install specs. Gather as much info, then take a ride in a car with it installed. JMO.

[johnnymac46]

My budget is far from unlimited, but at the same time Im in no rush to get it on the road. My intentions for the car are to have a streetable car that handles well on a road course as well. I do have the ability to cut and weld on my side. Being Im in the military time is a problem a lot of the time.

[coolwelder62]

As long as the cars w/DSE componets keep winnig vents at goodguys autoX,face off at road america, RTTH,Ginerman. I think it's an easy question to answer.DSE all the way.

[ProdigyCustoms]

As long as the cars w/DSE componets keep winnig vents at goodguys autoX,face off at road america, RTTH,Ginerman. I think it's an easy question to answer.DSE all the way.

They are running their stuff, no doubt. And Brian Finch is like having a 3rd team member that is not on the team. He is doing a awesome job.

If you can weld and fabricate, and if drag racing is not important to you, the Quadralink si awesome, is not to difficult to install and requires minor cutting and fabrication, but nothing to heavy for someone with experiance. Pricing is not bad either.

When you get ready let us know regardless of which you choose. We always do something a little extra for the guys that keep us safe.

[johnnymac46]

I have been leaning towards AME I am looking for an all around car that can corner and launch if it to. I dont know that serious drag racing is in the plans but I do have a strip less than 2 hours from home which Im sure the car will end up at regardless of what I put under it. I will be making a decision in the next week or two.

[Vegas69]

I'm going to give you different advice. Don't get sucked into this whole handling dilema. Your chasing tenths of a second in my opinion. Not many guys floating around here that are good enough behind the wheel to even worry about it. Me included. Personally, you can't go wrong with DSE stuff but I like my Alston G Bar as well. For 500hp and the occassional road race, forget replacing frame rails and all that junk. Do what fits your budget and skills and don't get sucked into all this talk. :rofl:

[ProdigyCustoms]

Well then, the triangle 4 links will hook much better and handle great too. The AME is a great choice for a full on effort, or a car that needs frame rails anyway.

But as Todd mentioned, if you do not need frame rails, you would love G Link.

[johnnymac46]

is there any chance someone can give me a link?

[Track Junky]

Wow, I've been out for too long, never even heard of Alston. Todd, i,d like to run my leaf spring set up against that Alston set up and see how much difference it makes. I have a feeling this rear suspension hunting is gonna be awhile.

[Vegas69]

I think it would be hard to tell Gaetano. I don't know how your car compares to mine. The biggest difference is going to be ride. You can stiffen it up for the track and soften it up for the street. That's what I really like.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Here is a finished one we did with a Fab 9


http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC_8130.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC_8095.jpg

Here is a install on a 68 we used a 12 bolt and welded on brackets

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC_0526.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC_0522.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC_0487.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC_0516.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC_0513.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC_0540.jpg

[johnnymac46]

These are some pictures from when i brought the car home before I even had a chance to clean it up. The car is rust free minus some minor surface rust. I bought it in NC the frame is solid from what I can tell. Sorry about the poor quality pics Im currently away from home training.

[Track Junky]

There is no doubt that 3 and 4 link stuff looks great, but if its not beating my track times I'm definitely not spending the money. I guess I'm gonna have to chase guys down with different set ups at timed events.

You know what they say, proofs in the pudding.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Looks like the rails are killer. If your going to put any power in it you will need a rear. We can do the fab 9 housing with brackets all welded made to width you want

[Ron in SoCal]

Todd and Frank are both right. I was in your shoes a few months back. Looked at AME, GBar and DSE. Frank brought me back to earth when we discussed racing results that are really more dependant on the driver than the system. In the end I want a street car that spends at least as much time at street car events. I chose the DSE Quad link.

If my driving skills ever outgrow my set up, I'll revisit the decision....but I'm not holding my breath!

[ProdigyCustoms]

There is no doubt that 3 and 4 link stuff looks great, but if its not beating my track times I'm definitely not spending the money. I guess I'm gonna have to chase guys down with different set ups at timed events.

You know what they say, proofs in the pudding.

A good set of GW Cat 5s are a good set up, just ride terrible as Todd mentioned. there is a slight advantage to a 3 / 4 / torque set up with additional articulation and less "action / reaction" like leaf springs have

[Track Junky]

I think it would be hard to tell Gaetano. I don't know how your car compares to mine. The biggest difference is going to be ride. You can stiffen it up for the track and soften it up for the street. That's what I really like.

By the way, that was a great shot of you pulling your front wheel up, I have one of those shots from Thunderhill with my front wheel 2" off the ground. I'll have to dig up the evidence and load it into this lap top, LOL

[johnnymac46]

Looks like the rails are killer. If your going to put any power in it you will need a rear. We can do the fab 9 housing with brackets all welded made to width you want

I want to run a rear tire 315-335 on a 17'' wheel, Im guessing you would know better than I do what the correct width on an axle. I guess my biggest question would be how much does a Gbar run and how much would the housing be?

[Vegas69]

By the way, that was a great shot of you pulling your front wheel up, I have one of those shots from Thunderhill with my front wheel 2" off the ground. I'll have to dig up the evidence and load it into this lap top, LOL

Let's see it dude....:unibrow:

[ProdigyCustoms]

I want to run a rear tire 315-335 on a 17'' wheel, Im guessing you would know better than I do what the correct width on an axle. I guess my biggest question would be how much does a Gbar run and how much would the housing be?

This is a G Link, not a G bar. A G link has better link ends and lots of adjustability for instant center. In fast math a G link with a Fab 9 bolt in housing is right at $3300. We installed one this weekend in my friends car, I let him do all the work, he did it in 2 days including welding the brackets on his 9" housing, painting the housing, etc.

Very simple install.

[ItDoRun]

This is a G Link, not a G bar. A G link has better link ends and lots of adjustability for instant center. In fast math a G link with a Fab 9 bolt in housing is right at $3300. We installed one this weekend in my friends car, I let him do all the work, he did it in 2 days including welding the brackets on his 9" housing, painting the housing, etc.

Very simple install.

I'll agree with Frank here. It's a very easy and straight forward installation.

[Rybar]

I also just ordered the G-link from Frank, main reason was ease of install on a completed car. And the fact the the triangle 4-link is a more all purpose setup. I like accelerating as much as I like cornering.

Plus another main reason I went with it was packaging. It seems to have the best exhaust clearance for tailpipes of any of the systems from what I have gathered.

[ItDoRun]

I also just ordered the G-link from Frank, main reason was ease of install on a completed car. And the fact the the triangle 4-link is a more all purpose setup. I like accelerating as much as I like cornering.

Plus another main reason I went with it was packaging. It seems to have the best exhaust clearance for tailpipes of any of the systems from what I have gathered.

Didn't you recently get a set of Fikse's too? How about mini tubs?

[Rybar]

Didn't you recently get a set of Fikse's too? How about mini tubs?

Yes and Yes, just waiting for everything to arrive. Also ordered the same Moser 12-bolt as you. :unibrow:

[johnnymac46]

suggestions on 12bolt vs 9inch?

[6spdcamaro]

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=26384&highlight=bolt+inch
This is a good thread with a lot of the pros and cons of each. After reading that it seams like the best way to go is a 12 bolt with big bearing torino 9" ends

[johnnymac46]

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=26384&highlight=bolt+inch
This is a good thread with a lot of the pros and cons of each. After reading that it seams like the best way to go is a 12 bolt with big bearing torino 9" ends

Thanks for the help

[ProdigyCustoms]

So given a choice i would use a 12 bolt in almost all applications. Lets say every application I could use the 12 bolt I would use it. There are some suspension systems like 3 link, systems with watts link that need to use a 9" for bracktrey reasons.

If you did a G Link, only the Fabricated 9" is available jig welded and readily to bolt in. The best budget system is to get a bare 12 bolt and get the weld on bracket option on the G Link. For for a double throw down 12 bolt and G Link your right at $4800 and you have the complete rear suspension.

[Track Junky]

Let's see it dude....:unibrow:

Hey Todd found it, this was at Thunderhill when I was first getting started. Still had the 17x8's up front on it back then


http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab73/Gitter_Dun/IMG_4529.jpg

[Scott Hightower]

Just my opinion but I like the 9" allot better. Easier to work on and allot tougher.
If you are converting just make sure you clean the tubes real well before you weld. Keep the heat down to eliminate warp-age and keep the tubes clamped well until everything is cooled down.

Scott
Fab Manager
http://www.welders360.com/

[GregWeld]

Hey Todd found it, this was at Thunderhill when I was first getting started. Still had the 17x8's up front on it back then


http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab73/Gitter_Dun/IMG_4529.jpg

Dude.... that's suspension bounce not a power pull! You're lifting the wrong wheel for a torque pull... that pulls the DRIVER front NOT the passenger front...:rofl:

Check out Todd's driver front lift -- that's POWER and HOOKED UP....


EEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Track Junky]

Dude.... that's suspension bounce not a power pull! You're lifting the wrong wheel for a torque pull... that pulls the DRIVER front NOT the passenger front...:rofl:

Check out Todd's driver front lift -- that's POWER and HOOKED UP....


EEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

LOL, Yeah thats funny, a suspension bounce 25' away from the apex. Wonder how high I was after hitting the curb of the apex there, LMAO.

So you must mean that was my landing after the bounce, oh wait, maybe I hit a rock with the front right and then the rock shot out of the picture right when it was taken, ROFLMAO

By the way, that picture was taken in 2002 and the car and myself have progressed quite a bit since then. Looking forward to seeing you on the road course. I'll be at Buttonwillow the 28th, oh, also in June on the 5th and 6th, or you can find me at the Spectre341Challenge, come find me.

[GregWeld]

Sorry -- but I had to point out that carrying your right front is FAR FAR different than pulling your left front...

[Track Junky]

Sorry -- but I had to point out that carrying your right front is FAR FAR different than pulling your left front...

Why? Obviously two different circumstances.

BOTTOM LINE, PROOFS ON THE ASPHALT!!!