SS 3 generation Camaro unequal length 4 link

Dragsinger · 05-09-2014, 09:39 PM

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 · 05-10-2014, 09:51 AM

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 · 05-10-2014, 11:20 AM

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 · 05-10-2014, 11:27 AM

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

Dragsinger · 05-10-2014, 11:44 AM

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 · 05-10-2014, 12:44 PM

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 · 05-10-2014, 01:00 PM

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.

05-09-2014, 09:39 PM	#1
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	SS 3 generation Camaro unequal length 4 link 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? __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

05-10-2014, 09:51 AM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,095 Likes: 1,541 Liked 1,770 Times in 402 Posts	Re: SS 3 generation Camaro unequal length 4 link 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. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

05-10-2014, 11:20 AM	#3
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: SS 3 generation Camaro unequal length 4 link 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. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

05-10-2014, 11:27 AM	#4
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: SS 3 generation Camaro unequal length 4 link Alan, Thank You, I recognize the value for your feedback and appreciate the help. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

05-10-2014, 11:44 AM	#5
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: SS 3 generation Camaro unequal length 4 link 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. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

05-10-2014, 12:44 PM	#6
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,036 Likes: 710 Liked 1,538 Times in 575 Posts	Re: SS 3 generation Camaro unequal length 4 link 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.

05-10-2014, 01:00 PM	#7
MAURICE BLENDHEIM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Langley (no igloos), British Columbia, Canada Posts: 567 Likes: 306 Liked 277 Times in 86 Posts	Re: SS 3 generation Camaro unequal length 4 link 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.