[blight]

In your educated opinions (and experience) in both 5 link setups vs cars with independent suspension is it really worth having the independent for handling purposes or does the 5 link keep up. say- for example a z32 300zx suspension vs a s95 mustang with a 5 link (99-04). Facts please, and please for the love of god- try to refrain from flaming each other.

blight-

[aisr]

If you plan to go fast around corners, camber gain from a properly designed and set-up independant rear can be worth something. For quick accel in a straight line though, that camber gain typically works against you.

No suspension design is ideal for everything. The trick is to use something that works well for what YOU want to do.

[blight]

I am starting a car build with a group of mechanics and two engineers to take to germany to run the nurburgring. So its all over the place.

Anyother thoughts?

[OneMoreTime]

I know that the IRS is considered to be the best but then best at what..I stick with the 5link or as I say a 4link with panhard because I understand those a bit better..If this were mine to do and I were to do a Mustang I would go with the 4 link panhard bar setup myself, Now if my base car came with an IRS then it may be best to stay with that.
One of the tech issues is how much HP are you contemplating as the solid axles are much stronger and the tires stay vertical and if you know the tricks the tires can be cambered a bit in one of those.

Shocks and springs get to be an issue as those need to be tuned to fit the car and driver setup so plan on doing that tuning when you get to that point.

Sam

[blight]

well if it is possible to pull 1.5 gs (yes i understand the importance of tires in this) with a solid axle i would rather just run a 9" with a 4 or 5 link. the independent setup is fairly expensive comparably.

[OneMoreTime]

Weight is going to be a big deal..just as an example the Lotus 7 is very light and gives the big cars fits on a road course because of that. Running a stock body one needs to remove everything but the skin basically and use a tube chassis and aluminum inner panels as well as fiberglass and composite fenders and door panels..Kinda like a funny car construction in order to get the weight down. Remember you only have a certain size of tire patch to handle the side loads of cornering.

Sam

[1969NovaSS]

I would opt for a 3 link and a watts link if packaging is not a concern. A panhard bar can make a car act differently depending on which way you turn and which side of the frame it is mounted. A panhard will pull the rear end toward the frame mount. The trick is to get it as long as you can to counter act this the problem is still there. A watts will center the rear end no matter what but its a little bulkier/ heavier.

[blight]

We are building our own frame and using rally style suspension so I am not entirely worried about weight. the engine/trans is not a concern either you can make any amount of power you want within reason with enough $$$ and tech. Take a look at the Riley Mark XXII car as an example of what we are doing.

[Ralphy1]

The best and most honest answer I could give is this. An IRS will ride smoother on rough roads. Handling can be almost as good with a solid axle however in a performance (racing) situation an IRS is more forgiving and easier to find a line.

Check out this site if your interested in more IRS info.
http://irsforum.boardhost.com/index.php

Ralphy1

[whyholdback]

I've driven one of those newer 'stangs, and I've owned a Z32. Before my Z32, I was a solid-axle-or-nothing extremist. But primitive as that Z32 was, it's IRS is easily-noticeably superior for real street. Solid axles are for drag-race-only or work-trucks.