suspension upgrade on 1972 340 cuda

[Locoslair]

Anybody have any suggestions how to upgrade handling and steering on a 72 cuda. Its like steering a boat. Had the car for 6 yrs and its in beautiful shape but front end replacement parts are nos and I want to make it a pleasure to drive. Still running 14" magum wheels, but i'm out of ideas and knowledge about this....Thanks and be safe   Loco

[Chryco Psycho]

How long is a piece of string !!
tough question to answer , you can do a lot with stock suspension , adapt a ;ot of parts to make it better or spend a lot of cash replacing everything .
 There are a lot of topics in the suspension area on upgrades , I would start by searching there , narrow down a direction you want to go in & A budget that fits .
 Tires are approx 50% of the handling gain so 14 " are not helping you at all , if you like the look moving to 17 or 18" will significantly change handing alone .
 I am going to move this to the suspension area where it will get more views .

[dfrazz]

    Budget and a direction are essential.  When was the last time all the bushings were replaced? I would recommend a Moog kit for starters.

You can increase the diameter of the front sway and torsion bars to help, upgrade your shocks for fairly minimal cost and see a big improvement. I would at a minimum get 15" wheels, but if you are going to spend the money there are many more tire combos available in 17".  You can buy pieces at a time from Hotchkis or Firm Feel like tubular upper control arms, lower control arms, US Car Tools chassis stiffening kit or just sub-frame connectors.  Firm Feel can rebuild your steering box at a stage 3 or you can buy a Borgenson box, you can add fast ratio idler arm and pitman arm.  You can also go all in and get a complete kit from Hotchkis, QA1, Magnum Force with rack & pinion, or RMS but these are $3500 - $5000+.   

[cudaClive]

You can install a "1970-74 BARRACUDA/CUDA HOTCHKIS TOTAL VEHICLE SYSTEM (TVS)". I installed mine last year. Handles 100 percent better. I just need to upgrade the wheels and tires, I'm thinking 18's.