Ladder Bars vs. 4 Link
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Ladder Bars vs. 4 Link I've always had plans to back half my Camaro at some point. I was planning on a 4 link, but it always looked way too involved for me to do with my resources. Then yesterday I saw the first 4th gen I've seen with ladder bars and it kind of changed my mind.
I've seen 1 4th gen with ladder bars and about 3-5 with a 4 link and wonder is this just preference or is there something behind it? I know the ladder bar vs. 4 link is sort of a preference thing, but what do you think? Ease of install, reliability, adjustability, and other factors?
I've seen 1 4th gen with ladder bars and about 3-5 with a 4 link and wonder is this just preference or is there something behind it? I know the ladder bar vs. 4 link is sort of a preference thing, but what do you think? Ease of install, reliability, adjustability, and other factors?
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Originally Posted by Out1aw
what are your power goals? a 4-link or ladder bar setup may be too much..
Originally Posted by JPMuscle
because back half cars are cooler. 
Theres no question that the stock style cars are going real fast now days but alot of guys doing depending on the class they race in, different requirements and different guidlines. but in the end when it comes down to it backhalfed cars are cooler.
-john
Theres no question that the stock style cars are going real fast now days but alot of guys doing depending on the class they race in, different requirements and different guidlines. but in the end when it comes down to it backhalfed cars are cooler.-john
Right now I'm leaning towards the ladder bars as this:
Looks much easier to install than this:
If there's an obvious reason though why a 4 link is better than ladder bars I'd be more than willing to change my mind.
If you are going to street drive the car, which is obvious with the 4L80E, why would you cut the back of the car up? You can put a 315/60 drag radial on these cars with a minitub and stock suspension. I have a 325/50(almost 12 inches wide) UNDER my car with a minitub. You can rip the rear bumper off the car with stock suspension.
WIth the pic above that you are leaning towards...with stock rear framerails in the car....you cant run any larger tire than I stated above..I don't see the real advantage of doing it...to each his own I guess.
David
WIth the pic above that you are leaning towards...with stock rear framerails in the car....you cant run any larger tire than I stated above..I don't see the real advantage of doing it...to each his own I guess.
David
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that first picture is not really a "backhalf". it does not have the rear frame rails. it looks like it still uses the stock rear half of the car. it is still nice due to the fact that with a minitub the only thing that gets in the way is the lower control arm. i have always wanted to build a car like that. oh and the second pic is of my car. if you do it like the first pic it will save you the haedache of all the sheet metal work. but i do like having the wheel tubs in my car big enough to put a huge tire on the car and tuck them up as far as i want.
Last edited by 9sec93; Jun 17, 2007 at 09:58 PM.
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From: Jax Beach, Florida
Originally Posted by HotRod68Camaro
Originally Posted by vtec
we usually poke fun of the guys with 33x15 slicks running 11's. 
its not cooler, imo.
its not cooler, imo.
Originally Posted by 9sec93
that first picture is not really a "backhalf". it does not have the rear frame rails. it looks like it still uses the stock rear half of the car. it is still nice due to the fact that with a minitub the only thing that gets in the way is the lower control arm. i have always wanted to build a car like that. oh and the second pic is of my car. if you do it like the first pic it will save you the haedache of all the sheet metal work. but i do like having the wheel tubs in my car big enough to put a huge tire on the car and tuck them up as far as i want.
After reading that article about adjustability how long and involved was it to get your suspension dialed in? I read the whole back halving thread and noticed that everyone said the metal work was the worst part. I like the benefits of adjustability and being able to fit large tires like you said, but I don't know if it's within my capacity to be able to do something like that. Granted it's probably going to be a year or two until I get my Formula fixed and save up enough money to get this started and maybe things will change by then?
man, I say go for it. some people just dont get it...Ive always wanted a prostreet car and one day plan to do one. IIRC, the 4-link is supposed to be a little more friendly when it comes to adjustibility, thus giving you the ability to dial in a more precise suspension tune than a ladder bar setup. But in the end, you really cant go wrong with either setup, as they both are proven performers! 
the main reason i went with the 4-link is look how far back my crossmember sits compared to how far forward the ladder bar crossmember sits. i just didnt want to cut the floor that far forward.
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From: Jax Beach, Florida
Originally Posted by 9sec93
the main reason i went with the 4-link is look how far back my crossmember sits compared to how far forward the ladder bar crossmember sits. i just didnt want to cut the floor that far forward.
Originally Posted by Beaflag VonRathburg
Not knocking, just asking. Wouldn't cutting further forward provide greater weight transfer with allowing a longer rod to connect further forward? Ideally if you had enough power it seems like it would work? Granted there's probably a limit as to how far forward the mounts should be which I have no idea about.
