Complete Rear Suspension / 12 bolt + more

[6D9 Matt]

I am in the process of installing my 6-speed, so what the heck, might as well start planning the next mods, right?!

In the fall/winter, I plan on beefing up the suspension and rear end (dropping in a big block next yr w/550-600 rwhp). I am going to be minitubbing the car at the same time I will be putting in this suspension and rear end (seemed logical). The car wont be doing any autoXing, and might make the drag strip once a year, if that. Once I get the ride height/comfort I am looking for, I probably wont be messing with it much. It is mainly a cruiser. Right now the suspension is pretty much stock with monoleaf/air shock rear and a 10-bolt.

Here is are the two options I was looking at after searching around a bit:

1. DSE minitub KIT (tubs, 2-3" rear leafs, shackles, etc) - which I would also be purchasing new shocks as well as a narrowed fuel cell (im seeing is necessary with the rear leaf setup when installing minitubs). Then also a complete Moser 12-bolt rear end (33 spline, 3.73's, etc).

OR

2. Im hearing if I buy a Gbar or Quadralink, I wont have to get the narrowed fuel cell, and is actually a nicer ride than the rear leaf setup. I would also be going with the complete 12-bolt rear end on this option too. In this option, would I need the full minitub kit, or just maybe the deep tubs since the Gbar/Quad would be relocating my shocks?

Thanks and any input/advice would be great! I know Option 2 might be a little bit more money, but would it be worth it for the extra comfort in the ride/adjustability/handling/etc?

[BBC71Nova]

1. There is/was a nice tank for sale in classifieds...

I'd recommend calling Marcus @ SC&C and talking to him. He was very very helpful when I was trying to make the same decisions. It sounds like you and I have somewhat similar goals.

I've pretty well decided on the G-link myself. It seems like for an all-around setup it works great. It has probably the largest amount of adjust-ability available with the popular rear suspension options. There is some give and take but for mixed use I think it should work well. It is also priced comparable to others.

The Quadra link is awesome. Proven performer, well engineered, etc. I don't think anyone would disagree with any of that. I don't think it has a lot of adjust-ability that could be beneficial when going from strip to auto-x, etc. However, when I was at DSE a couple weeks back I was impressed/shocked to find out they do have a customer in the 9's using this setup on the strip. It setup probably has the most install labor though which add$$$ up. Honestly, if it weren't for the labor cost I'd more seriously consider this over the G-link.

The torque arm setup from Blake and the guys at Speedtech is also a good option that has a pretty straightforward install and is proven to ride and handle well. I think cost wise it would be inline with the G-link.

With any of these I think the 12-bolt would be tough decision if you have to buy a housing anyway. If you have a housing then I guess it makes financial sense. Otherwise, the 9" is nice option for virtually same money.

[Sieg]

What about SpeedTech's torque Arm setup?
http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=170/category_id=237/home_id=-1/mode=prod/prd170.htm

[Blake Foster]

And a complete 9" is slightly less money than a 12 bolt AND the pinion being lower and shorter it allows more clearance in the tunnel.

[6D9 Matt]

Does the Speedtech kit allow you to keep stock tank when you minitub the car? Im not seeing that when reading, and the pics dont look like a stock tank (kinda a plus to offset the higher price when looking at the Gbar or Qlink).

[BBC71Nova]

I think the "mini tub tanks" are only necessary when running leafs. That's because the leafs get moved in and intrude into the area occupied by the stock tank. It could also be helpful for exhaust clearance though. All of these 3 popular suspension options have crossmembers, coilovers, etc behind the axle which can complicate exhaust routing if using larger tubing.

BTW, I believe there are some non stainless mini tub style tanks available in the aftermarket. Maybe Spectra makes one? Not sure about that though.

[6D9 Matt]

I know DSE makes a tank, but its $800 (could then sell stock tank for ??? to get some of that back)! then there is always the option to maybe take the stock tank and notch it (cost = ?).

[Blake Foster]

The deal with the tank and a mini tub actually has nothing to do with the suspension, it has EVERTthing to do with the tail pipes.
when you mini tub the car and put a 335 rear tire on there is no room for the tail pipe to pass between the STOCK tank and the tire. therefore you must narrow or section the corneres off the tank.
the suspension has no bearing on weather you need to narrow the tank if you ran exhaust dumps infront of the rearend you would not need to modify the tank.

here is Rogers 69 with Speedtech rear, 345/25/20 tires and 3" tail pipes with a modified stock tank.

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff425/killer72nova/Speed_Tech_59.jpg

[6D9 Matt]

Very nice... any idea how much it would cost to have someone modify the stock tank to something like in the picture?

[BBC71Nova]

Blake,

So you are saying that with a mini-tub setup using offset leaf hangers there is not need to have a narrowed tank??? That's good to know because I surely thought otherwise.

[Blake Foster]

No you still need to narrow or modify the tank for tail pipe clearance. Even with a offset shackle.

We normally charge 300.00 plus the cost of a replacement tank.

[6D9 Matt]

So if I just dump the exhaust and dont use tailpipes, I wont need to get a modified tank? Even with sticking with a leaf setup in the rear and installing the DSE minitub kit...

[TheJDMan]

I plan to dump the exhaust out in front of the rear tires using the DRGas boom tubes.

Also, just a word on rear ends. If you are planning to buy a Moser 12 bolt I recommend you first look at the Moser 9" Circle Track setup with floating hubs. A bare Moser 9" CT housing kit comes complete with hubs and axles for $879 you specify the width. You weld on your mounts and supply a center section.