Suggestions on torsion bar size

[KillerBee]

My turn for suggestions from the torsion bar experts.

Looking for a set for the wife's 1971 R/T Challenger.

Original 340 car now running 440 Six Pack.
440 has aluminum heads and water pump housing so a little weight has been removed up front.

The current torsion bars appear to be original.

The car is intended to be a street cruiser capable of driving on the highway for a few hours if desired.
Looking for a nice (maybe a little firmer) ride, she will not be doing any high speed cornering or drag racing.
Wife wants the car to sit a bit higher than stock ride height, front and rear.


The car has a 1967 B body rear end installed.
Front and rear factory sway bars with new bushings.
New Monroe gas shocks.
Converted to power steering with S&G stage 3 box
Front disc brake conversion
Tires are 245/60-15 front and 275/60-15 rear.

Car has ESPO +1.5 rear leaf springs
New QA1 upper control arms and front suspension parts.
Planning on installed new QA1 lower control arms with the new torsions bars then getting an alignment.

In doing some research I'm thinking Firm Feel's 1.0 or PST's 1.03?

I'm no expert on torsion bars and in the past have just used whatever TB was in the car so if I'm way off any suggestions would be appreciated.
I'm not a big fan of current MP suspension parts so I'm leaning towards Firm Feel or PST, is one any better than the other?

Thanks.

[Beekeeper]

I think I'd go with a set of the original diameter torsion bars from a big block. Maybe the six pack ones. Your engine is closer in weight to your old 340 since you removed a bunch of weight. Your not planning to do anything more than cruise so something too stiff might make long drives uncomfortable. Getting it to sit higher would be no trouble at all.

I did a bunch of frame and suspension upgrades on the car I'm building now and I plan to go with bigger bars like the ones you mentioned but I'm thinking your wife might not enjoy it if she feels every bump in the road through bars that are a bit too stiff.

[KillerBee]

Thanks.

I think .92 is stock size for HP big block cars.

Maybe  .92 or .96.

Anyone have experience or an opinion on the quality of the MP torsion bars?

I've had bad luck with MP's leaf springs.

[dodj]

1.02 from PST.

[twoterpilot]

I agree with dodj.

[jordan]

I would look into 1.12 bars.  They are not too harsh.  Your shocks will provide the harsh or smooth feeling.  The TB will have to control that big chunk of iron between the shock towers.  I have these on my car and I don't think they provide a poor highway ride.  Same engine too.  You may want to upgrade the shocks for better control. 

[KillerBee]

I'm reading about some issues with PST's 1.03 bars.

Not sure if it's a twist issue but on the 1.03 bars the ride height is low and the adjusters have to be turned all the way in
 just to get the suspension up off the bump stops.

I want a higher than stock ride height.

[HP2]

With Monroe gas shocks, no larger than 1.0 t-bars. That is about the most rate those shocks can control, yet that size provides a good improvement in rate over stock without being harsh. Can't go wrong with Firm Feel.

I've personally never had any issue with Mopar suspension parts, but many others seem to have been dis-satisfied. Although, I'm not sure if you can find easily MP torsion bars anymore.

[KillerBee]

Thanks for the info.

The only 1.00 bars I'm finding are Firm Feel's.
Their bars are a bit more $$$ but are powder coated.

Mancini has the MP .96 bars on sale right now, I probably could get my local Summit Racing to match Mancini's price.
http://www.manciniracing.com/mop960diambe.html

[HP2]

.96 aren't bad at all. I had some under a Satellite with a  big honkin' sway bar, and they did well.

[jimynick]

I've got .096's in my Challenger and they work well. Check Canadian suppliers as I bought mine from a local Mopar dealer and my trade price was just under $200 Canadian. 

[1 Wild R/T]

I've got .096's in my Challenger and they work well. Check Canadian suppliers as I bought mine from a local Mopar dealer and my trade price was just under $200 Canadian. 

So like $20?

[dodj]

I'm reading about some issues with PST's 1.03 bars.

Not sure if it's a twist issue but on the 1.03 bars the ride height is low and the adjusters have to be turned all the way in
 just to get the suspension up off the bump stops.

Issue was years ago. Current offerings are clocked fine.

[jimynick]

So like $20?

$32.50 would likely be closer I believe. Not much fun from our side of the border either, as it seems we've gone back to the "can't afford to buy anything from America" days.
It's actually $143.86usd as of tonight's rates. Enjoy 

[dodj]

So like $20?

Ouch!