So, Mark and I have been going back and forth all day about rally car parts and custom parts and such. Mostly because he needs/wants some engineering and design projects that aren't some gay robot that cleans windows.
So I've been filling his head and email box with all my ideas about a multi-link setup for the rear of the Merkur that would use a custom tubular crossmember with a Toyota 8" differential and probably a Subaru upright/strut with a custom stub shaft that allowed use of the Merkur or Cosworth halfshafts when used in conjunction with the JVAB Supra diff adapter piece.
Reasons:
Correct geometry in rear by adding adjustability and removing the changing camber that comes with a semi-trailing arm rear setup.
Add reliability by building with stronger components than the cow yoke Merkur rear beam.
Better differential with large choice of final drives and available LSD options
Longer lasting and stronger bearings possibly
More availability of some of the spares
Reduced unsprung weight and weight as a whole.
Off the shelf disc brake options
Anyhow, just thought I'd post a few pics up here for comments and see if anyone had any recommendations, specifically for the upright to use.
Picture One is similar to what a stock Merkur rear setup looks like.
Picture Two is a WRC rear multilink setup from an Escort
Picture Three is another of the same
And Picture 4 is here and is Lurch's Mazda 3 rear and my original motivation.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/sirlurch/Mazda3071.jpg?t=1198878378
Grant Hughes