torsion bar question

[b5blueaar]

I am putting a 440 in a car that was a 340.
I want to put correct torsion bars in.
Found a nice used set for $40.
They are for a 383 car.
Owner says the bars are same as e body 440.
I think the 440 cars (and hemi) had larger diameter bars than the 383 cars.
Which is correct? Are the 383 bars the same as 440 bars?
What diameter is correct for 383 vs 440?
thanks

[BIG MIKE]

they will should work but you asked for the numbers

going by my info the 440 and hemi used a .920 bar and  the 383 used a .890 bar.


don't go to big unless you are going to race it(road race) cause the ride will suffer,  very rough riding.........
...you will hit a bump in the road and you will end up in the backseat  

a new set will cost you about 175-225  bucks. for 40 bucks you migt be able to trade or just use them.

[b5blueaar]

Thanks Big Mike,
That's what I thought too.
My AAR has .920 bars also (for good cornering) with only a 340 sitting on top. Very harsh ride.
Maybe I should put my .920 bars under the 440 and put the .890 bars under the 340 in my AAR.
The 71 my son in putting the 440 in already has .890 bars because it is a normal 340 car, so there is no since buying another pair of .890 bars.

[GhettoPop]

I got a 340 in my 72 chally. Are the .890 bars correct? Will the larger bars reduce ride quality THAT much? I have a problem bottoming out when the road dips, will new bars solve this?

[Street_Challenged73]

Hey guys,  I'm planning on sticking new torsion bars into my '73 Challenger.  I was informed by my Mopar cousin to go with the larger diameter bars made for a 426/440 car.  I believe they are the .920 diameter bars.  What do you guys think about that?  He's running a '66 Valiant w/360 and tells me he wishes he went larger with the torsion bars.  Any help's appreciated.  

[b5blueaar]

Yes, larger diameter torsion bars will support more weight and they will deflect less as you corner and as you hit bumps.
They give a stiffer ride because they do deflect less.
.890 is correct for standard cudas and challengers.
The aar has .920 bars to be stiffer so the body rolls less during hard cornering, which is what they were designed for.

You can also adjust the preload on your standard torsion bars. There is a simple adjustment under the lower control arm that sets the preload in the torsion bar. By increasing the preload, the car will set higher in the front end. Your bars could be "sagged out from being old" and adding more preload may bring it back to standard ride height and prevent bottoming. I'm new to mopars so i dont know for sure how much adjustment is there, just that it is adjustable.

If not, new .890 bars would most like set higher than old worn out ones.

[Street_Challenged73]

Thanks for the info. B5blueaar.