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Anyone using a watts link?

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I was reading on another forum about Mustang mods and came across this - http://forums.themustangsource.com/f800/koni-yellows-steeda-sports-fays2-installed-506439/

I did a search on MBO for watts link and didn't get any hits. Any thoughts ?
 
Haven't installed one on my Boss but recently installed the Shelby (Fays 2) Watts Link on a friend's '09 GT500. He opted for Shelby's billet support (too bad it can't hardly be seen) and he is very happy with it. We also installed a Ford Racing M-18000-C-K Adjustable Strut, Shock & Spring Kit from Late Model Restoration. Nice kit since it also included upgraded FR upper strut mounts meaning we could install the front struts as an assembly with the springs. This kit lowered the car 1". The (Tokico) shocks/struts are different from the Boss's because they are infinitely adjustable with an allen wrench (tool included). There are no "clicks" to adjust; count the turns 0 to 7.5.
 
racered302 said:
I was reading on another forum about Mustang mods and came across this - http://forums.themustangsource.com/f800/koni-yellows-steeda-sports-fays2-installed-506439/

I did a search on MBO for watts link and didn't get any hits. Any thoughts ?

Yes, I have installed mine and love it. I have had two track cars in the past with the Watts link and like them. There is a lot of info. on the internet on how they work. I went with the Cortex unit and the help they have given me is great. The Cortex unit is a little more money but you get what you pay for. Good Luck.
 
+1 on the cortex watts link http://www.cortexracing.com/shop/xtreme-grip-watts-link-system-street-2005/
All of their stuff is first class, and super helpful too!
 
ilesjohn said:
+1 on the cortex watts link http://www.cortexracing.com/shop/xtreme-grip-watts-link-system-street-2005/
All of their stuff is first class, and super helpful too!
Did you have it installed when I met you at Sonoma? Are you going to TH next month with NorCal Shelby?
 
5 DOT 0 said:
ilesjohn said:
+1 on the cortex watts link http://www.cortexracing.com/shop/xtreme-grip-watts-link-system-street-2005/
All of their stuff is first class, and super helpful too!
Did you have it installed when I met you at Sonoma? Are you going to TH next month with NorCal Shelby?
Yes it was on at Sonoma, I wont be at T-hill next month have a conflicting family get together down south that weekend
 
From what I've read so far it's supposed to help keep the rear end under control through mid turn bumps and really help the handling. Is that what you guys have experienced? I haven't been to the track yet, but I do like my back roads, and any help with the bumps is a plus and a mod I will add sooner then later.
 
It is much smoother than the panhard bar, the tail end CANT swing out over the axle. Since the body wont shift, you can put a wider tire on without rubbing.....
 
We've been using one on the Vorshlag Mustang for a while. We received one of the pre-production Whiteline Watts links and installed it in time to do some testing before the SCCA Solo Nationals and just this last weekend took the car to the Global Time Attack event in Texas. In both events it did much better than expected and was the highest finishing dual purpose car placing 4th out of 33 in the SCCA autocross championship and 5th out of 17, again the highest placed daily driven and non-turbo car at the event.

We also installed the Whiteline rear swaybar at the same time to solve another issue. It's design allows a lot more inboard tire room. Enough that the 315 tires we run had plenty of room in the rear fenders.

jpfDSC9316-copy-2-copy-M.jpg

Whiteline sent us the production weight for their S197 Watts Link kit: "The entire Watts Link kit is 29 lbs, which includes 8.4 lbs from the differential cover and the associated hardware." Some of that weight is a wash, as you are removing the PHB, the stock cross-chassis brace, and swapping the stock steel differential cover for their cast aluminum piece. We weighed all of those stock parts we removed when installing the Watts on our 2011 GT and it came in at 13.3 pounds. So in the end there's only a net ~15.7 pound increase for the Whiteline Watts Link kit.

DSC9774-M.jpg

There's more info on the parts and the install on our test mule here:
http://www.vorshlag.com/forums/showthread.php?p=57372#post57372

And the accompanying gallery here:
http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Projects/Vorshlag-2011-Mustang-GT-build/14599286_2tnnDT#!i=2097189730&k=hbsSQKq

DSC1989-copy-M.jpg
 
From what I've read so far the main factors seem to be weight, clearance and adjustment for COG. I'm a newb to this, but wouldn't the torque cause more stress to the diff when it's centered vs. closer to the wheel when using brackets? I like the looks of the center mount vs the axle mount but which would be more neutral and more forgiving during an unplanned off road excursion?
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
I just saw the Whiteline unit in person at the Queen Mary show on Sunday. Nicely built, and I like how it distributes the load over the diff cover.

I'm probably never going to install one, but if I did, this would probably be the one I would.
 
modernbeat said:
We've been using one on the Vorshlag Mustang for a while. We received one of the pre-production Whiteline Watts links and installed it in time to do some testing before the SCCA Solo Nationals and just this last weekend took the car to the Global Time Attack event in Texas. In both events it did much better than expected and was the highest finishing dual purpose car placing 4th out of 33 in the SCCA autocross championship and 5th out of 17, again the highest placed daily driven and non-turbo car at the event.

We also installed the Whiteline rear swaybar at the same time to solve another issue. It's design allows a lot more inboard tire room. Enough that the 315 tires we run had plenty of room in the rear fenders.

jpfDSC9316-copy-2-copy-M.jpg

Whiteline sent us the production weight for their S197 Watts Link kit: "The entire Watts Link kit is 29 lbs, which includes 8.4 lbs from the differential cover and the associated hardware." Some of that weight is a wash, as you are removing the PHB, the stock cross-chassis brace, and swapping the stock steel differential cover for their cast aluminum piece. We weighed all of those stock parts we removed when installing the Watts on our 2011 GT and it came in at 13.3 pounds. So in the end there's only a net ~15.7 pound increase for the Whiteline Watts Link kit.

DSC9774-M.jpg

There's more info on the parts and the install on our test mule here:
http://www.vorshlag.com/forums/showthread.php?p=57372#post57372

And the accompanying gallery here:
http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Projects/Vorshlag-2011-Mustang-GT-build/14599286_2tnnDT#!i=2097189730&k=hbsSQKq

DSC1989-copy-M.jpg
The rear sway bar looks like a great concept,please tell us more and will there be a offering for the front bar?.
 
175
0
If you're looking to buy a Watts link the Whiteline or the Cortex is the way to go. Those Rube Goldberg devises from Fays and Steeda belong on bridges not cars. I made my own and they are well worth the effort and cost.

DSCN3959.png
 

ArizonaBOSS

Because racecar.
Moderator
8,730
2,734
Arizona, USA
jim woodruff said:
The rear sway bar looks like a great concept,please tell us more and will there be a offering for the front bar?.

Whiteline already makes an S197 front bar, 4-position adjustable as well, it's on their website. I'm sure Vorshlag can get it for you.
 

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