torsion bar sizes

[EbodyMod]

I am looking at upgrading my torsion bars and i know of a set of 774 bar and 775 bar for sale i currently have even smaller and was looking at the 1.03 hotchkiss ones.  Any opinions

[anlauto]

774/775 measure 0.86"

[EbodyMod]

i know,  i hoping someone could comment on the handling difference.i am sure the smaller ones will be kinder to my wallet but don't want to "cheap out"

[anlauto]

I've been buying torsion bars at my local dealership. They seam to have the best prices. Check with David or Jon at Roseville first fore a price. Mopar has 0.96" and even 1.22"

[Chryco Psycho]

.96 would be the minimum size to use , over 1" is normal

[HP2]

.88 vs 1.0, this is 100# wheel rate vs 175# wheel rate. Wheel rate is the applied spring rate at the center of the tire. In the case of a mopar, these two are actually the same. The 175# rate is in the territory of where a modern car would be. This will produce less body roll, less chance of bottoming out, and a firmer overall ride.

The .88 bars is what was normally offered in  six and 318 cars back in the day. They are a comfortable ride. If you decide to got with these, you will run the chance of bottoming out the suspension on occasion and you would need to step up to a 1.125" or 1.25" front sway bar to reduce the body roll they will allow.

[dfrazz]

I have 1.10 Hotchkis on my Cuda and it made a big difference over the .88.  Much better feel for the road and not too stiff.

[Mopar Mitch]

I've tried many different TBs... car was progressively built for SCCa pylon AX...  I settled with the largest size of 1.24" (hex opening is 1.25")... these TBs rated at 425 # per inch (from a past Mopar compony called California Moparts/Suspension  i the 80s... they later went out-of-business... too bad, ahead of their times.

I've offered mu opinions from past experience - don't be afraid of larger TBs.   Even at my current 1.24", they're not as stiff as you may think.  sure, the ride is stiffer, but its completely still driveable for the street/hwy... as long as you don't routinely drive over pot holes and rough train track crossings (just slow down then or avoid that drive as much as possible... no fun!).

As HP2 has similarly said, with soft TBs your car has more of a tendency to bottom out, and the lift/lean will prevail.

Consider nothing less that ~1.12 for a SB car... or even 1.18 for a BB car... you won't regret it and only wonder WHY you didn't install these larger TBs earlier.  Call Firm Feel as they readily have the 1.12 and 1.18 in-stock... and they'll gladly make you larger (up to 1.24).

ALSO, consider spending good $$ on good shocks... you pay for what you get.   I recommend double adjustables (Viking, QA1, Starnge, others)... the Vikings are probably the best buy as they originated from the QA1 designs (same past people), and Viking ONLY makes 2x shocks to keep their costs down.

AND... consider stiffening your rear leafs a little... too stiff an you'll really feel it... current "handling" leafs (from various vendors) are all pretty good.

I suggest to use the sway bar sizes as a fine-tuner in the handling... your choices prevail.

[dodj]

1" minimum t-bar. With a minimum 1 1/8" sway bar. 

[EbodyMod]

I have already installed RMS street lynx in the back with Viking Double adjustables. full qa1 up front k-member, upper and lower control arms, strut rods. firm feel quick ratio pitman, idler arms and a  stage 3 box. i want it stiff but not ridiculous. i am shooting for a modern perfomance car type handling

[brads70]

1" minimum t-bar. With a minimum 1 1/8" sway bar. 

  from a performance perspective the Mopar bars are junk. They are not consistent. Buy them from Firm feel, no headaches.

[HP2]

I have already installed RMS street lynx in the back with Viking Double adjustables. full qa1 up front k-member, upper and lower control arms, strut rods. firm feel quick ratio pitman, idler arms and a  stage 3 box. i want it stiff but not ridiculous. i am shooting for a modern perfomance car type handling

In this case, call Bill and see what he would recommend to compliment the rear set up you already have.  If you want modern type handling, the .88 bars are out, even if they are free.

[soundcontrol]

Firmfeel recommended 1" for me, I had a 340 at the time, but now its gonna be a 6.1 but I think the weight is about the same.

[Mopar Mitch]

1" TBs still way too soft... barely noticable... install the compromise at 1.12" (FF) and you'll still wonder why you're not installing larger TBs... such as 1.18" (FF).   I suggest these sizes with consideration that the car isn't going to be prominently used for higher-levels of AX/HSA/HPDE, etc., in which case you'd desire 1.18 and higher.... you'll find out, sooner or later.

[EbodyMod]

Thanks for the input guys, I think I am going to go with the 1.12. I know it wont be an autocross car so i will put it on the high end of the range without maxing out.