Hey, Im designing a race car and contemplating whether to use an independant rear suspension like in the 2nd gen or to just go with a solid rear end like in the 1st gen... The car will be driven on the road as well as at the track (not drag). Ive been looking on the net and have found some sites that discribe both setups but none that compare them with each other.
Is the independant more for handling and the solid more for drag?
If anyone could give me some insight into this subject and help me out that would be fantastic
Thanks a bunch
Snuffs

 

Will the tracks generally be smooth (autocross) or will there be bumps (curbing, etc. roadcourse).
Independant will work better over bumps. A lot rear axle really isn't too much of a detriment on an autocross course, if it''s properly set up (3-link).
All IMHO of course.

 

The largest difference is the ability to add in negative camber with an independant rear. With a 1st gen live axle setup you either have to bend the rear housing by heating it or learn to live with taper wearing your tires. A live axle also has the wonderful benefit of adding positive camber to the outside whell when you run the inside wheel over a bump strip. This makes corners much more fun than they should be. Independant setups are more complex, have more parts and require more maintenance, but they are better in most (non drag racing) situations.

-Trent

 

<hijack>
Cantilever suspension on the rear -- please comment about it's performance on a twisty track.