b'TECH TIP PAGE Tech Tip 28: Lets compare Torque Arms versus 3-Link rear suspension design. A pro of the Torque Arm suspensions is that they are simple & easy to set up. Torque Arms dont require any tuning, because other than length, they are basically non-adjustable. The key is choosingthe right length of arm, because in most cases, the length cant be changed.Shorter arms provide higher Anti-Squat, more loading of the rear tires on initial & early accelerationless on later accelerationand even less on corner entry under hard braking,unless it is decoupled. A longer Torque Arm simply reverses these characteristics.A good road race rule of thumb is for the Torque Arm pick up point to be under the Cars CG. For Autocross, we want a shorter arm, due to the lower track speeds. The primary advantage of a 3-Link is the tunability. With holes in top link brackets, or a jack screw adjuster, we can change the intersect point of the upper & lower links (Instant Center) and therefore the Anti-Squat percentage. We can tune the car for the optimum balance of rear grip on entry versus exit, for different tracks, drivers and/or weather conditions. Why Decoupled? All rear suspensions, except decoupled versions, experience opposite effects of Anti-Squat on corner entry versus corner exit. A car with 70% Anti-Squat will have great rear tire loading & grip on corner exit, but experience significant rear tire unloading & lack ofgrip on corner entry, under braking. Lowering the Anti-Squat reverses this.But it is always a compromise. Racers try to find the most acceptable Anti-Squat compromise that gives them the most rear tire grip on corner exit, without being loose on corner entry. A decoupled 3-Link or Torque Arm is a game changer. Decoupling means we have separate links active/functional for braking on corner entry than we do on for acceleration on corner exit. The difference is huge. We dont have to suffer any consequences, because the Accel Link is not active/functional under braking on corner entry. Only the Decel Link is active &functional under braking & we will have it adjusted at zero Anti-Squat up to 100% Pro-Squat We can run the Decel Link level for zero anti-squat or pointed uphill going forward to create Pro-Squat. This is the opposite of Anti-Squat & actually loads the rear tires significantly under brakinginstead of unloading themlike it would with Anti-Squat. Now, on track, we havethe best of both worlds.Optional:Curved Decel Link - $400 Upgrade oDepending on How the Sheetmetal is Shaped in Your Rear Axle Cavityand How Low You Plan to Set Your Cars Ride Heightit can be Hard to Package a Straight Decel Link in some Applications. We Offer a Curved Decel Link to Mount LowerLiterally Around the Axle Tubeand Farther Behind the Rear Axle Centerline oDue to the Design & Packaging Around the Axle Tube, This Style Requires More Length & Does Not Fit all ApplicationsoThe Axle Mount is Similar but Reversed oThe Body/Chassis Mount is the Same585'