42 replies to this topic

[REAL ONE]

Thinking of buying a Watts link for the KR.

Is this a worthwhile upgrade for the KR. I don't track the car. Purely street driving.

What do you guys think?

[HyperStangs]

In a word... NO.

[08KR525]

I don't see where you would benefit anything on a pure street car.  Now if the rear isn't perfectly centered I would just install an adjustable panard bar and call it good.

[Albino500]

We'll see in a couple weeks when we put one in Cali_KR's . I'll ask him to post his comments.

[HyperStangs]

Albino500, on 01 December 2012 - 09:49 PM, said:

We'll see in a couple weeks when we put one in Cali_KR's . I'll ask him to post his comments.

I think the OP's question was, is it "worthwhile".... geometrically speaking, the point at which a ~5ft panhard attaches to the axle moves approximately 1 inch laterally in its arc at the full range of the suspension's travel, so you're taking about eliminating only that.  Is it better?  No denying.... its it "worthwhile"..... meh.  I've driven nearly identical Mustangs with and without a Watts and the difference is completely indiscernible.  As I am building my car to track over several months, the watts would be possibly the very last addition (if at all).

Edited by HyperStangs, 02 December 2012 - 01:38 PM.

[Albino500]

HyperStangs, on 30 November 2012 - 01:03 PM, said:

In a word... NO.

HyperStangs, on 02 December 2012 - 01:19 PM, said:

I think the OP's question was, is it "worthwhile".... geometrically speaking, the point at which a ~5ft panhard attaches to the axle moves approximately 1 inch laterally in its arc at the full range of the suspension's travel, so you're taking about eliminating only that.  Is it better?  No denying.... its it "worthwhile"..... meh.  I've driven nearly identical Mustangs with and without a Watts and the difference is completely indiscernible.  As I am building my car to track over several months, the watts would be possibly the very last addition (if at all).

You're confusing- no - yes - maybe. Have you done this on one of your KR's ? I'm just saying that there is a TS member who has just purchased one for his KR and I will try to get him a straight answer from a KR owner who has decided to go that way. Just trying to help the guy out.

[HyperStangs]

Albino500, on 02 December 2012 - 04:38 PM, said:

You're confusing- no - yes - maybe. Have you done this on one of your KR's ? I'm just saying that there is a TS member who has just purchased one for his KR and I will try to get him a straight answer from a KR owner who has decided to go that way. Just trying to help the guy out.

Well, I'm not sure I could be any more direct.  On the street for a normal driver not seeing any track driving the answer is an emphatic no.  I think my point was that even on a tracked car the difference is negligible IMHO.  From a suspension geometry standpoint the KR is no different than any other Mustang.  Based on your number of posts and obvious experience I think you would agree.  I'm just trying to help as well.... sometimes more is just more.

[svt13]

REAL ONE, on 30 November 2012 - 12:48 PM, said:

Thinking of buying a Watts link for the KR.

Is this a worthwhile upgrade for the KR. I don't track the car. Purely street driving.

What do you guys think?

I am not sure how it is with the KRs but on my 13 after I put the watts link my car never hops out on turns anymore. I can also go thru on ramps about 10-15 mph faster than before installing the watts. Also my alignment is perfect in the rear unlike most with an adjustable bar after lowering they are still usually off 1/4-1/8 inch to the left mine is dead center.

The main reason I installed the watts was because I didn't want the rear to hop out anymore over bumps no matter how fast or hard I go over them and the watts link solved that. My car is 99.9% street.

Edited by svt13, 02 December 2012 - 06:45 PM.

[HyperStangs]

Racing is 65% the laws of physics, and 35% how much your brain says you can bend them.

Edited by HyperStangs, 02 December 2012 - 07:14 PM.

[Albino500]

HyperStangs, on 02 December 2012 - 05:12 PM, said:

Well, I'm not sure I could be any more direct.  On the street for a normal driver not seeing any track driving the answer is an emphatic no.  I think my point was that even on a tracked car the difference is negligible IMHO.  From a suspension geometry standpoint the KR is no different than any other Mustang.  Based on your number of posts and obvious experience I think you would agree.  I'm just trying to help as well.... sometimes more is just more.

Spoken like a true car salesman. I'll take that as a NO on the answer to my question " Have you done this on one of your KR's ? "

[HyperStangs]

Albino500, on 02 December 2012 - 07:16 PM, said:

Spoken like a true car salesman. I'll take that as a NO on the answer to my question " Have you done this on one of your KR's ? "

Dear Sir, I am NOT a car salesman.  I'm an enthusiast who happens to represent Ford, Rich Ford and Shelby American when I can.  My livelihood is not at all tied to my ability to offer these cars to those who enjoy them.  If I were a salesman I would have answered in the affirmative and urged the OP to buy this product, since you feel I am related to its sales in some way.  I spend my time as I like, and I have indeed driven a KR along with just about any other Ford product they have ever made.  Not because I've needed to, but because I've wanted to.  I've shaken hands with Carroll Shelby and I've worked directly with those who have influenced the image of Mustangs since the late 80's.  I try to help others, but I don't in any way feel I have all the answers.  I'm constantly learning and I have no agenda.  But the LAST thing I am is a car salesman....

[dhoening]

I had the Shelby adjustable panhard bar and brace on my KR, and it was better handling than stock.  But I still wanted more rear end control.  So I installed the Shelby Watts link.  Much better in all regards.  Street handling is better.  I haven't had it on a full road course yet, but I can feel the rear end is more planted.

If someone is only interested in street use, the watts link may not be required.  But anyone expecting track use or spirited driving, the watts link is the way to go.

[Jer]

*I* liked this mod in everyday "street driving", the fact that the "rear steering effect" went away was obvious to me immediately. Just my 2 cents.


Jer

[07SGT2899]

maybe you could find someone locally from TS that has one on their car and go for a ride before you make your decision.

its awful hard to get a feel for something over opinions coming through a keyboard

[MMcGuirk]

Here you go - http://www.miracerro..._suspension.htm

[Torch40]

Cliff Clavin note: The Watts link was invented in 1784 !

Interesting reading here if you really want to nerd out...
http://en.wikipedia....t's_linkage

[Tob]

svt13, on 02 December 2012 - 06:44 PM, said:

Also my alignment is perfect in the rear unlike most with an adjustable bar after lowering they are still usually off 1/4-1/8 inch to the left mine is dead center.

No.

An adjustable bar that has been 'adjusted' to center the vehicle over the rear axle now has a vehicle that is centered over the axle. Not this much to the left or that much to the right. If the adjustment is off, it is no different than a Watts that wasn't adjusted properly.

Movement throughout the dynamic range with regards to a panhard bar versus a Watts is a different discussion than what you wrote.

[svt13]

Tob, on 05 December 2012 - 07:34 AM, said:

No.

An adjustable bar that has been 'adjusted' to center the vehicle over the rear axle now has a vehicle that is centered over the axle. Not this much to the left or that much to the right. If the adjustment is off, it is no different than a Watts that wasn't adjusted properly.

Movement throughout the dynamic range with regards to a panhard bar versus a Watts is a different discussion than what you wrote.

I don't know about all that. But a lot of people that I have seen posting about their alignment said they still couldn't get it 100% perfect with an adjutable panhard bar. That was specifically another reason why I chose the watts link route as well. I'm too OCD to settle with 1/8 inch off, I need absolute perfection.

[Albino500]

REAL ONE, on 30 November 2012 - 12:48 PM, said:

Thinking of buying a Watts link for the KR.

Is this a worthwhile upgrade for the KR. I don't track the car. Purely street driving.

What do you guys think?

In a word ... YES


JMO - P.S. REAL ONE - NICE GARAGE COLLECTION

[HyperStangs]

We'll have to agree to disagree... and I can live with that.