Gwagensteve wrote:* I am no suspension expert but I am going to have a bash at this*
Do you mean vertical separation, or triangulation? (i.e link angles viewed from above?)
for a 5 link, neither variation should have any effect on roll stiffness unless you have major bushing bind, and one of the major advantages of 5 link is bushing bind is reduced over, say, a radius arm.
for triangulation -
if there is a major difference in triangulation between upper and lower links you'll get more "steer" while articulating, and the links that are more "triangular" to the axle will be bearing more load in terms of lateral location of the axle, so they'll need to be stronger/have stronger bushes/ends, However, with a panhard, the links can't be too triangulated as the links will be fighting the panhard. That's why factory 5 link fronts (Jeep) have quite parallel arms (viewed from above)
for vertical separation:
Roll centre is changed by the height of the links relative to axle, but with a 5 link that runs a panhard the roll centre is basically 1/2 way along the panhard - the other links will all move relative to the path of the panhard.
The other big effect is on antisquat.
Parallel links will have very low antisquat/antidive.
The closer the links get at the chassis the more antisquat you'll have
Links closer at the diff than the chassis isn't possible - Basically, the pinion will roll around on the spot - the suspension basically won't travel at all.
In short - the panhard handles lateral location, so you don't need to triangulate the links (viewed from above) and in fact it's not helpful.
Vertical separation will effect antiquat/antidive.
Get stuck into the suspension threads on Pirate and start playing with the calculators.
Hope this helps a bit.
Steve.
thanks steve. i understand everything you say. my question is how does all the changes affect driving in the real world, on the track
im planning on setting my FRONT up as.
two lower 80s cruiser arms
one upper ??? arm (at the moment its a ST141 corona arm, all i got, about right length)
and a STD length bundera panhard with bundera diff.
im going to weld a perch on top of the pumpkin and run to the inside of chassis rail..
all arms are parallel looking from top.
looking from side is what i want to no, ie what changes will make what difference???
ended up swaping around, i actually didn't notice that much difference 
the car's not over heating or showing of being hot , but the vents seem to be pouring hot air into the cab