Heidt's Rear 4-Link Coil-Over Suspension

[68monster]

I am replacing my rear suspension and trying to decide the best option for performance vs cost and found this Heidt's Rear 4-Link Coil-Over Suspension System, but I didn't know how it performed.
http://www.stang-aholics.com/shop1964_73/susp/4_link.htm

Has anyone installed this kit?
Would this perform better than Standard Leaf Springs, Global West Heavy Duty Shakle Kit and Watts Link?
Thanks.

 

[LUCAFU1]

never seen that one before

 

[stangonline]

Do you need a rear-end too? How much are you wanting to spend?

 

[68monster]

Yes, I would like to change the rear end to a 9" while I'm at it. I am looking for the overall best value/performance but don't really want to spend the money for an IRS. Also, stang-aholics said the rear ride height can be adjusted with the kit, down as low as 4" below standard height, not that I want it that low but I do like the ability to adjust.

 

[brin0357]

TCP's setup is alot nicer.

 

[68monster]

The TCP setup is very nice:
http://www.totalcontrolproducts.com/rearcoil.html

But TCP's setup is $3,367 - $5,171 and Heidt's setup is $995 -$1,165.
The Heidt's setup seems to be just recently developed. I asked Stang-Aholics about customer reviews and they said:
"We do not have customer reviews yet, but I will tell you that the kit was thoroughly tested here at our Shop (road tested on a Stang) and at Heidts and we are VERY confident that you will be pleased with the product."

 

[180 Out]

Here's a good article for you: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0604_rear_suspension_guide/

Looking at that Heidt's setup, it looks like a drag race only setup. I say that because of the use of bushings on the ends of the trailing links. When the suspension compresses on one side only, like what happens on just about any corner, those bushings will bind. They are made mainly to swing up and down, with the mounting brackets parallel to the sides of the bushings. But when the axle gets cocked the mounting brackets are going to go out of parallel to the bushings. Bushings use rubber or polyurethane for this reason, to allow some "give" to handle these twisting motions. But bushings can only go so far. That's why the racecars use rod ends. A link with a rod end can swing up and down AND rotate in response to a twisting motion. Bushings are used in passenger cars because rod ends are harsh and they sound like something's broken. Rod ends and sleeves are not too expensive, so you could swap them in if you decide the Heidt's is binding too much. The PHR article I linked to has more info on this binding issue, under the heading for 4-links.

There's also the issue of geometry, which I have no idea about other than it's complex.

 

[70vert]

check out corner-carvers and this link

I would read up on corner-carvers.com about 3-links. And also this site for a general discussion of rear suspensions:

http://www.automotivearticles.com/123/Suspension_Design_2.shtml

on a 4-link it is difficult to achieve both roll understeer and anti-squat. And I would argue that there is more potential for bind - there's a reason why the current/recent Mustang 4-link is nicknamed the "Quadrabind"

The Evolution Motorsports or Lateral Dynamics 3-links might be better in budget and performance. Lateral-Dynamics I think will end up more expensive.

 

[68monster]

Thanks for the great articles, very informative, and I do like the 3-link setup but Lateral Dynamics setup is $3,600 and I can't find a 3-link for '68 Mustang on Evolution Motorsports. I called Heidt's and they said their 4-link was designed for "pro-touring" and it handles "200%" better than stock, but that is with their chassis stiffener option included which is $249. I had planned to add their chassis stiffener or TCP's anyway and I wonder how much is attributed to that. I am concerned about roll understeer and anti-squat with Heidt's 4-link, but would it still perform better than a good stock leaf-spring setup with GW Heavy Duty Shackle kit?

 

[bnickel]

Thanks for the great articles, very informative, and I do like the 3-link setup but Lateral Dynamics setup is $3,600 and I can't find a 3-link for '68 Mustang on Evolution Motorsports. I called Heidt's and they said their 4-link was designed for "pro-touring" and it handles "200%" better than stock, but that is with their chassis stiffener option included which is $249. I had planned to add their chassis stiffener or TCP's anyway and I wonder how much is attributed to that. I am concerned about roll understeer and anti-squat with Heidt's 4-link, but would it still perform better than a good stock leaf-spring setup with GW Heavy Duty Shackle kit?

the evolution 3 link isn't quiet ready for production yet, they are now saying it will be late october, i think, before it is available. they took all the prototype pics and CAD drwings off the site when the watts link became available but it is a very nice looking piece and will be a bolt in solution. from the look of the heidts 4 link you'll lose some wheel clearance on the inside, it may just be an optical illusion but i'd do some serious checking on that. for the mosny spent i really think the evolution 3 link will be the way to go for a bolt on solution. definitely a lot better than that monstrosity from TCP or basically any 4 link on the market. TCP does have a new 4 link i believe, it's not on their site though you have to download the catalog to find it. it may in fact just be an adaptation of an alston 4 link kit, i haven't really researched it that much. just to qualify, the laydown, pushrod style, coilover kit from TCP may well be a good performer but it has not recieved critical acclaim for the design and i'm not all that impressed either.

 

[Travis77]

suspension

I have debated this for a while as well. I am 95% sure I'm going with Martz Chassis set up. It's probably a little more geared toward drag strip performance versus road racing, which is fine for me as long as it does not bind on the street(which have heared that it does not). You can get a complete rear subframe, crossmember, new 31 splined rear end, with adjustable coil overs for around the price of a fully rigged 3 link. I do not know how much you can drop the car, but do know 2" is easy to achieve. I think a 3 link sounds appealing to everyone, counting myself. But for the average restomod mustang, the 3- link will probably not get the opportunity to justify itself. Do not know if that helps any, but saw that Martz Chassis was not mentioned. My opinion only guys, and obviously I am no expert.

 

[THX 138]

looks like a 5 link to me.

 

[washMO66]

Good info here, I am greedy and want the best of both worlds for my car.... I want it to handle, but right now I want it to hook to low 60'.......

I think that a few years down the road I'll be looking to get my car to be a better cornering machine, that's why I haven't cut up anything on this car.

I've been looking at TCP for their coil over front end and rear set up, I have their upper control arms and did the Shelby drop but that's all the $$ I am willing to commit right now....

 

[coolblue65]

I am looking at my TCP catalog right now and their 4-link is called the 'G-Bar' suspension conversion. it starts at $1569 for coil overs and $1999 with Airride. looks like a real nice kit definately something I would consider down the road.


http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/show_image.pl?bg=FFFFFF&image=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/2164000-2164999/2164272_13_full.jpg

 

[bnickel]

yrp thats' the one. now that i see it again i'm pretty sure that's an AirRide tech rear 4-link kit. possibly just modified with the coilovers as i'm not sure AirRide tech sells the kit with coilovers

 

[68FBJJZ109]

I have debated this for a while as well. I am 95% sure I'm going with Martz Chassis set up. It's probably a little more geared toward drag strip performance versus road racing, which is fine for me as long as it does not bind on the street(which have heared that it does not). You can get a complete rear subframe, crossmember, new 31 splined rear end, with adjustable coil overs for around the price of a fully rigged 3 link. I do not know how much you can drop the car, but do know 2" is easy to achieve. I think a 3 link sounds appealing to everyone, counting myself. But for the average restomod mustang, the 3- link will probably not get the opportunity to justify itself. Do not know if that helps any, but saw that Martz Chassis was not mentioned. My opinion only guys, and obviously I am no expert.

I just purchased the Martz Set up, I haven't got a chance to install it but, they the do run that suspension in there road course cars.

 

[68monster]

Thanks everyone for the information, the Martz setup looks interesting, I hadn't seen it before. Has anyone installed the TCP 4-link 'G-Bar' suspension conversion? Does it need a Watts Link or Panhard Bar? Right now I'm thinking I should wait to see Evolution Motorsports' 3-link setup and read some reviews of that setup before making a final decision.

 

[Travis77]

I received my measurement sheet from Gary at Martz Chassis and I plan to order mine this week as well.

I might have considered the air bar setup, if it would allow for a minitub.

 

[Psydwaze]

...the TCP 4-link 'G-Bar' suspension conversion? Does it need a Watts Link or Panhard Bar?

The regular product webpage for the G-Bar & AirBar is on my 'to do' list. But for now this document has some more information that wasn't covered in the catalog.

TCP G-Bar Data Sheet (PDF 220KB)

I'll have some updated images of the TCP rear coil-over with FAB9 housing ready next week.

Lino
TCP

 

[Ronstang]

I am building a Griggs GR-350 out of a coupe as we speak and I really don't think there is any competitor that can match this setup performance wise. It is not cheap but you will have the best rear suspension under a 40 year old car you can buy. Four links suspensions are yesterday's technology and have plenty of drawbacks.