Watts Linkage

[kanuck]

Has anyone ever installed one on an ERA?

[DanEC]

Watts suspension linkage is usually associated with a live rear axle (no IRS). ERAs use an IRS, either Jag based or a custom ERA designed IRS with a differential mounted to a cage which is bolted to the frame. Maybe someone has converted an ERA to a live rear axle for drag racing but I’ve not seen it.

[cobrarkc]

That is not necessarily true, Contemporary Cobras have a Watts set up for the Jag rear.
Acton Enterprises sells this conversion.
https://www.actoncustom.com/products...r-contemporary

[1985 CCX]

Skip the source in NH. (unless you like to waste time and money)

Best served to order the ERA outboard brakes unit and do it right. Doing it cheap always come back on you.
The outboard unit solves all your misgivings of the std unit.

[Grubby]

ERA uses a trailing arm and Watts linkage wouldn’t work.

John

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by kanuck

Has anyone ever installed one on an ERA?

I've had several of my ERA's on the track, it's true, the ERA designed rear is better for the track than the standard Jag donor rear setup. However, if you are not planning to race your car, I see no reason to add a watts link type of rear end to the car.

Bill S.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by cobrarkc

That is not necessarily true, Contemporary Cobras have a Watts set up for the Jag rear.
Acton Enterprises sells this conversion.
https://www.actoncustom.com/products...r-contemporary

An ERA rear suspension set up is different than Contemporary’s suspension setup. An ERA has radius or trailing arms to locate the outboard hubs which a stock Contemporary suspension lacks and that kit is intended to fix that. Not needed on an ERA.

[8litercobra]

I had an early ERA (Jag rear). Sticky 335/35 17 tires with a built 482FE resulted in severe axle hop and limited ability to apply power early out of turns. I believe the problem was that the top of the jag hub was not very well located and would try and rotate around the big lower arm when subjected to high hp with good traction. Installing a watts link to the top of the hub solved those problems by stopping all horizontal movement at the top of the hub. For my car, it was a great solution.