Help me spend my coinage......

[TripleT]

Team Mopar-

I need your help.  I am finally ready to start putting my 70 340 Cuda back into shape.  It was a beat on drag car at one point in it's life, and the suspension is shot.  Currently it has 2 different size leaf springs on the rear (old hot rodder trick I think), horrible shocks, worn bushings, etc.  I need at least a disk brake conversion for the front end as well.  I'd like to do a gearvendors for the 727 in the future, but no money for that now I'm afraid.  Goal:  Enjoyable cruiser, no track time either straight or curvy.  8 3/4 rear, 3.55 posi

Need:  Front end rebuild / Read end shocks at least, any other rear end upgrades /Front drum to disc conversion

So, to save money and after reading the forum as much as I can, it seems quite plausible to keep the stock K member (these can be fortified through welding I guess, interested if anyone has a lead on how to do that.)  Not sure what new torsion bars would get me either, but I would need everything else.

I see some concerns about the Hotchkis UCA's, so I'm thinking of just going with the Moog offset bushings on whatever UCA I get.  QA1 has some kits, but their quality seems to be in question.  But I do need bang for the buck, so maybe their stuff is the way to go.

Can I do this and the front disc upgrade for under $4000 (parts only of course)?  How would you do it?

Thanks guys, I'm really interested in how you would approach this.

[70chall440]

Do yourself a favor and call Firm Feel, tell them what you have and what you want to do. While their stuff isnt as sexy as all of the stuff floating around the internet these days, it is reliable, well built and a great buy. Most importantly, it will all fit and work!! They are Mopar people to their core and have been for decades, they dont sell brand X stuff and 100% of their focus on Mopar. They have everything you would ever need and can guide you responsibly so that you get what you are after. I am running their stuff in my Cuda and Challenger and it works very well. Nothing against Hotchkiss or anyone else, just that FF's stuff is based on Mopar designed products and there are no surprises. You can definitely get your entire front end set up for way less than $4K and having a really well handling car. I paid $2400 for the stuff in my Cuda and I got about everything to include T bars.

If you go onto their website, they used to have a page about welded K frames and it said what exactly was welded (basically the entire perimeter and the steering box supports).

[redo1973]

I too am a believer in Firm Feel.  I did a complete set-up with firm feel except for the leaf springs but at the time it was slightly less costly.  All products are USA made in Washington. The guys, Dick in particular, will take the time to explain things to you on the phone, albeit no nonsense straight up guy, and stand behind their products.  Check out their web-site.  I did the level 3 steering box rebuild.  It handles nicely.  I could have saved weight with a Borgeson but racing wasn't my focus.  It seems like I built pretty much what you are doing.

[TripleT]

Thank you gentlemen.  I have talked to Firm Feel twice and found them helpful, and not pushy or "salesy" at all.  I would love to give them all the business, but can save some significant money here and there on parts that probably are "just fine".  Here's what I'm thinking, please comment and suggest improvements if something comes to mind.

HP Suspension Kit eurathane         1   $520.00   
Shaft kit Eccentric washers         1   $75.00   
KFKO K Plates for upgrade         1   $75.00   
Tubular Upper Control Arms         1   $350.00   
HD Strut Rods                         1   $125.00   
Urathane Strut Bushings                 1   $45.00   
Shocks                                 1       $440.00   

So that's $1630 to Firm Feel.

Then to PST $599 for

LCARMOPBEDLX   PST  LCA Deluxe Rebuild Kit   1   $209.00   $209.00
SWAY 674   G-Max 7/8" Rear Sway Bar   1   $195.00   $195.00
SWAY 595   G-Max 1 1/8" Front Sway Bar   1   $195.00   $195.00


So that's $2230 total and no brakes.  Looking at Dr. Diff Wilwoods for that, drilled 11's for $1,100 (master cylinder total package conversion from drum), which would take me to $3,330.  Dang, there goes the Gearvendors out the door.  AND, I am not touching the rear springs, or the T Bars.  Or a Rear drum kit for rebuild.

Open to suggestions on how to improve this, but it looks like this is a hard set up to beat price wise without sacrificing known quality.  I guess that's the challenge of this hobby, making the dollar stretch.

Thanks people!!!!

Tim

[70chall440]

I think you have a plan.

[djw383]

Does PST still not make anything and they just resell? I called them once in 2013 to confirm and they agreed.....also, look towards Doctor Diff for brakes...