ISC third link

[Boswoj]

Hey guys - looking for more info

Does anyone have a ISC third link and panhard setup? How does it mount? Does it work good? How hard is it to install? I know what the Tri-Link setup looks like installed, and am wondering how it compares to the ISC setup. Somebody got a digital pic maybe? I'm changing so much on the car all at once that I want to plan for possible interferences BEFORE it all goes back together. I'm leaning towards the Tri-Link system because I've heard such great things about Jim Susko, his great customer service, and his willingness to be a resource on setup. I've gotten some good products from ISC though as well, and their system appears to be a bit more, ahhh, "value priced" which is always a concern for those of us trying to bankrupt ourselves playing with cars.

Anyone with some knowledge care to "compare and contrast" for me?

Thanks

[lateapex911]

I can't give you info on BOTH, but I will say this:

Susko is a chassis engineer who races a 1st gen with some great success. (He had a very fast lap time at the ARRCs this year)

His stuff is adjustable, which is great, and it's adjustable, which is bad! In other words, the part is only half the battle! Knowledge never comes cheap.

Not some place to save money, eh?

Mike VanSteenburg is a great guy too. They have lots of successes in various Mazdas, but i am not familiar with their rear suspension product.

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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[titanium]

Originally posted by Boswoj:
Hey guys - looking for more info

Anyone with some knowledge care to "compare and contrast" for me?

Thanks


Here you go...
http://www.cfrscca.org/results/SEB_JAN/GRO...20RACE%201.html (http://www.cfrscca.org/results/SEB_JAN/GROUP%207%20RACE%201.html)

Mike Cox runs the three link setup. (Not sure which one..Mike, which one?)
I run the factory type setup using 'rod end cassettes' in the lower link and the replacment alum. watts links.
Both of us had our motors built by Florida Performance Machine (shameless plug) and you can see by the lap times, .06 difference in fastest lap, its' hard to say which setup is better.
I do own one of ISC three link setups.
I bought it 2 or 3 years ago. It is still in the box. I may even try it out sometime!
Here is a picture of the parts from the ISC website http://iscracing.net/suspension_2.htm

***************************************
Rodney Williamson
#93 IT7
www.titaniummotorsports.com (http://www.titaniummotorsports.com)

[miketrier]

I have the ISC third arm and am very satisfied. It welds to the frame as well as the sheet metal and comes with very good and complete instructions, inclusing illustrations. I have run it since 1999 without incident. A car with the ISC setup won the IT7 race at the ARRC in 2002 and I think again in 2003. I have a below-the-axle panhard (Ground Control I think-it was on the car when I got it). The GC swings and rattles and seems Mickey Mouse but it has worked OK for me. I have seen the GC break and am considering the ISC panhard, just haven't done it yet. A few years ago I saw a couple cars break Jim's tri-link but I think the newer versions are improved so that shouldn't be a problem. I started gettingparts from ISC several years ago and have always been very satisfied. Jim and Mike are both great guys, reputable and have good products. You won't go wrong with either one.

[dickita15]

we have a brand new isc link available along with a used panhard. if you are interested caontact me at "patullo(@)compuserve.com"
dick

[theenico]

Shameless plug:

You can see our 3rd link at http://www.kcraceware.com/suspension.htm (http://www.kcraceware.com)

It's a little overbuilt to withstand the inevitable missed downshift http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

------------------
Nico
KCRaceware (816) 257-7305
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by theenico (edited March 08, 2004).]

[Jim Susko]

OK, here's another shameless plug. I will be fair but I am a Mechanical engineer and I see the details.

The ISC unit and the KC units are probably close enough to my Tri-Link in geometry. But they don't always copy good. (Sorry Charlie--read on.)

The ISC braces their forward mount laterally, which is pointless because it is impossible for the third link to transfer lateral loads to the mount. So all that is just like Ford's "Road Hugging Weight."

Both the competitors units put the head of the heim joints in bending. The Tri-Link aligns the heim joints on the force axis and eliminates this bending load.

The ISC unit and the KCWare units do not spread the loads to the floorpan as effectively as the Tri-Link. They also both appear to weld in which simply weakens the floor as it is thin sheet metal. My mount captures all the spot welded seams and both flanges of the interior crossmember and clamps them together. It can be replaced if damaged, unlike the others.

I have had failures in the past when I originally built the Tri-Link for IT only and it began to be used in EP where the forces are greater. I have learned a lot since then, and each problem has resulted in a solution. I have used Finite Element Analysis to analyse stresses and it is now 4-5 times stronger than the original, stress risers and fatigue has been eliminated, and I always stand behind my products.

Yes, you can hurt it if you ignore my instructions and do not properly align the driveshaft which causes the link to hit the floorpan. (It is not designed to hit the floorpan.) But to show you what it can stand, I have run the same unit, an older weaker one, for about seven years now with no problems and I intend to run it until I sell the car. The new one should last forever, except for the heims, if you just follow my instructions on installation and check the bolts at least once a year. Like you should on everything on the car which will eventually fall off if left completely unattended.

I stand behind my products and if you don't know how to adjust them, just call me. If you ask too many questions for free I might suggest buying my Setup Manual but even that is worth it. Actually I'm easy because I know it makes for good repeat customers.

I know my stuff!

Jim Susko
G-Force Engineering