Ke70 Wags - Rear Suspension

[666westy999]

so ive got an 83' Ke70 wags, just the old 4k, 4spd, timing and general oil change.

Front end:

ALL bushes replaced with nolathane items, new tie-rod ends, new balljoints, new shock inserts.

Rear end:

nothing but shocks for now as the wags has leaf springs and this brings me to the point of this post. I'm undecided as to drop in an engine (4age, sr, ca...) as the rear suspension set up is limited in structual strength, there are no linkage arms, no sway bar and no panhard. the shocks and leafs are all that holds rear axel set up. what id like to kno is, how can i make this set-up stronger, can the chassis be "modified" to house a panhard and linkage set-up or will the existing set-up (leafs & shocks) be enough to hold the extra grunt from an upgraded engine?

forgetting about legallity, leaf swapping and stiffness, I'm aware of all that, just want to kno if it would hold-up to approx. 80kw or would it need modifying and if so how...

 

ANY info or guidance would be awsum!!!!

cheers

 

(pic height is photoshop-chop, real height is stock)

[coln72]

Nothing wrong strength wise with a leaf spring set up. If you are worried about the diff moving, all you would need be something like a panhard rod or a wattslink to stop the diff going sideways.

[reTRD]

but if u use a panhad bar on a leaf sprung rear end whats to stop the leafs from not sitting flat like they are ment to ?

[Redwarf]

Given that people have been putting 200+hp through leaves since before most people here were even DNA, I can't see a problem. Anybody who says you can't is having a lend of both you and themselves.

 

There seems to be a fear amoungst the modern car enthusiast about leaves, but I suggest this is through ignorance rather than fact. Okay, they're probably not as good as a link set-up, but a good well set-up pack will take anything that you will throw at it. It'll do 80kw standing on their proverbial head.

 

I've run leaves for years in 20 and 30 series Corolla's with some good hp motors. Can be done.

[Jono]

i put 130kw through the rear wheels with leaves, no panhard, no rear swaybar etc.

[666westy999]

cheers lads,

i know it was a 'modern-no-brainer' :P question but i just wanted to get other people opinions.

due to her condition you'll probably see her in 6 months with a 4age or sr between the towers.

(and a spanka set of re-set leaves)

 

thanks again.