Ok, I am going to go pretty drastic on the car and am slowly learning more and more about the parts I'll need before I start. I want to put an 8.8 from Granny's in her but I have a few questions about it. Can I substitute the watts linkage for a panhard bar? I think they essentially perform the same tasks. Also has anyone else installed one of these? I have drum brakes right now and was curious what all it would take to convert to the 8.8 with some gls-se brakes in the back. My only problem is that my rims are already 4x110. I'd hate to do it, but I might just have to get an adapter. I need to know if Grant can put a 4x110 axle in, but he only offers the 4x114.3 and 5x114.3 from what it says. Info would be great.

 

Watt's links perform the same function as the panhard. If a watt's link is designed right. Centered, (not off set like the sa's and fb) it is far superior to the panhard. In fact it is the best locator you can get for a solid rear axle. The crank turns slightly to cancel out the arcs of the rods. So the axle and the body don't move from side to side like a panhard bar set up would because of the arc at the mounting points of the panhard bar.. If you choose the panhard then you want to make it as long as you can and still fit it under the car, this increases the radius of the bar's arc which in turn makes the sideways movement of the body over the rear end much less during suspension movement. For me a panhard bar is more than I will ever need. I got mine around 36in. long which is nice and long for our narrow little cars. But it really wouldn't have been to much more work to make a nice custom watts link set up. You should see the one on my fathers mustang he fabbed. It's sick!

I deffinatelly recommend investing in some suspension and handleing books first before you spend any money.

 

Would it be better to just run both then? I mean, if one's good, then two's great right? Hehe

 

Negative.

If you are purchasing from Granny's Speed Shop then you need to talk to them about your plans. The 8.8 rearend's that they produce have many options. They can be setup to fit Rx7 disk brakes or Ford. They select axles to whatever bolt pattern you need. They can use your Rx7 suspension or custom coilovers provided by them. They can also help you with your link questions.

Good luck.

 

How can you center a Watts linkage.. Some stuff is in the way. Important stuff. Stuff you can't cut out... Like the drive shaft.

I need something in the scrap yard that I can copy off of.

 

The linkage goes behind the axle.

 

I tried contacting Granny's,,, but as most people on here have stated, they are nearly impossible to communicate with. ARGH! It's a good thing I'm in Iraq and have NOTHING BUT TIME! At least for a little while longer!