SS 3 generation Camaro unequal length 4 link

[Dragsinger]

I am looking at 1991 Camaro SS combination that is built the unequal length 4 link bars. The upper bars appear to be about 1/2 length of the lower bars.

What is the reasoning? Does that design work OK? Does it work like an equal length system?

[Alan Roehrich]

There was a time when people built cars with a short upper bar to make them leave harder, usually for use with a soft leaving foot brake automatic combination, with a lower HP/torque engine.

Often, if you do other things to make it leave hard, such as installing a trans brake, installing a lower gear ratio, converting to a stick shift, or going to a combination with a lot of power, it makes the car very violent and hard to tune.

[Dragsinger]

I am going to pass on that combination because it limits my options.

Alan, I may do all the things you mentioned so I do not want a package with that compromise already built in.

The car was built with a 305 engine package in mind so what you say sounds correct.

I may find a 3rd gen Firebird and build it like I want. The discovery continues.

[Dragsinger]

Alan, Thank You, I recognize the value for your feedback and appreciate the help.

[Dragsinger]

Alan, the car was built using a kit from Vic Custer East Texas Race Cars. Someone who worked for Vic did the rear section install. Greg Williams [D 4 comp racer] had the car built.

After a careful look the upper bars is more like about 70% the length of the lower bar. And it looks like it the upper bar mount conforms to the factory floor. This build was done about 8 years ago, maybe to follow a rule at that time?

Car has never been finished, never moved under power so do not know how it works.

[SSDiv6]

There are no issues using the unequal 4 link system.
Just because it does not look like the usual equal length it does not mean it does not work.
The unequal 4 link was designed for cars with limited provisions for installation of an equal 4 link with rules that limits modifications to the car such as Super Stock cars such as F-Bodies.

The system has been used and still offered by many including Ed Quay Race Cars.
If it was done by one of the Vic Custer guys, believe me, it is a good piece.
Vic Custer is one of the premier race car builders in Super Stock and Comp Eliminator.



Above is the Ed Quay unequal 4 link for F-Body applications.

[MAURICE BLENDHEIM]

Construction of a chassis for a car suited for SS generally have to be built to accommodate floor pan and frame height limitations. Four links for most combinations are not necessary and usually no one ever utilizes their infinite adjustments. Chassis tuning with shocks and tires and ballast have made things more common after basic link adjustments are made. Look for uniformity in the construction and tidiness of the workmanship, it means care was taken in the assembly of making it right. What is the reason for sale? Not many will invest to that point without competence of the builder. You would be surprised on whats out there and how well it works. MB.

[Dragsinger]

Thanks for the comments. it looks like the above Ed Quay pic

[Mark Yacavone]

Years ago, some of the SS chassis builders would put the 4 link in the wheel tub to get around the unequal length bars..For instance the Pat Curran built, Jim Danuel, Cotton Perry/Allen Patterson/? / Sofranko Nova..
I seem to remember , when NHRA figured out what they were doing, they frowned on the practice..Could be wrong on that.
Anyway unequal , equal shouldn't matter much...The operating principal is still the same.

[Mark Markow]

there are a few problems with the unequal design. the short upper bar causes a severe pinion angle change during suspension travel. plus it has a much more limited adjustment range, as compared to an equal length setup. that being said there's a bunch of them out there. and usually aren't too much of an issue, except for with the higher hp cars.