Front and rear sway bars

[torqueaddict]

I know this makes me sound retarded for asking this question but I gotta know:how can I tell if I have sway bars, and if I dont what kind of upgrade is it, is it really an improvement

[dodj]

On the front, look and see if you have a bar that passes through the k-member (it will be connected to the lca's ). On the rear, see if you have a bar, about 3/4" diameter running across the car by the rear end. Could be frame or axle mounted. (Actually kind of tough to put into words )
They make a huge difference in handling.

[Bullitt-]

  Have you read this? http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=32717.0

Front sway bar connects to lower control arms via the links


OE rear sway bar above the rear end.

[torqueaddict]

  Have you read this? http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=32717.0

Front sway bar connects to lower control arms via the links


OE rear sway bar above the rear end.

Yeah Bullitt I read that yesterday, thats what got me thinking about sway bars. I thought you had to have a tubular K frame with racking pinion steering to really see improvements in handling. My car was a 4 speed 340 car that now has a 383 727 combo. My car handles like a tank honestly, I have new shocks,  leaf springs, and tubular A arms are new aswel so after reading that article I started thinking maybe subframe connectors and some sway bars would make my ride more tolerable. At this point I am willing to try anything, I am not going to be racing my car but I would like be able to drive aggressively on the street and be able to feel more in control

[Bullitt-]

What size torsion bars? I've read that some shocks, like KYB, cause a harsh ride. Front sway bar will help keep the front more even/stable in the turns, of course just throwing random parts at it may not have the desired effect.  Improvement can be seen but in the end it's not going to handle like a modern sports car....maybe sedan.

[ChallengerHK]

Speaking from my own experience, sway bars alone, without any other upgrades, make a huge difference. If I were in your position and I was going to go beyond sway bars, I would do bigger torsion bars and better shocks, in terms of bang for the buck.

LAst time I looked into changing to rack and pinion, the conversion would give a faster steering ratio but would increase turning radius.

[Bullitt-]

another good read
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=68667.0

[torqueaddict]

What size torsion bars? I've read that some shocks, like KYB, cause a harsh ride. Front sway bar will help keep the front more even/stable in the turns, of course just throwing random parts at it may not have the desired effect.  Improvement can be seen but in the end it's not going to handle like a modern sports car....maybe sedan.

Honestly Bullitt I have no idea what size torsion bars, I wasnt really looking for my car to handle like a new sports car. Handling like a sedan would be an improvement in my ind. Soyou guys think I need to look into torsion and sway bars any ideas on what company I should roll with and how hard is that stuff to put in, thanks guys this is awesome info for me.

[cudazappa]

For a modern sedan "ride" you just need 1" torsion bars (just suspension has them) and a 1 1/8" sway bar (addco and various vendors).  Decent shocks and that's about it.  Don't even really need a rear sway bar at that point.

This is what I have on my car, and don't hear any complaints from the GF about the ride even with 17" wheels.  I'm pulling it all off though soon to go BIG on the suspension.  (what can I say, I'm a racer...)

[torqueaddict]

So I need to change my torsion bars and ad a front sway bar and that will help tremendously. I'm assuming rear sway bars will only improve that even more. Sounds good to me who are the best vendors, anyone know?

[Chryco Psycho]

Mopar still has the .96 bars , PST has largerones available at a new lower price
 Firm Feel has the best rear bar

[brads70]

Some good related reading in here...
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=71169.0
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=70162.0
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=71094.0
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=71316.0

[ajantics]

If you had a small block before then swapped the 383 with out upgrading the torsion bars then I would do that first! After that then I would consider the sway bar up front. You said you put new shocks on but didn't mention which ones you went with? If they are edelbrock, bisten or koni's then you fine, if not I would upgrade to one of those shock brands. I like the edelbrocks for the money!

[torqueaddict]

Some good related reading in here...
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=71169.0
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=70162.0
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=71094.0
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=71316.0

Thanks Brad, its fully but those links plus my drive home from the paint shop is what started this quest for a better driving experience. I think since I already have the tubular uppers, I am gonna try changing my torsion bars, adding front and rear sway bars, and trying to get some sub-frame connectors. From what you guys have told me this will be the biggest bang for my buck.

[HP2]

I thought you had to have a tubular K frame with racking pinion steering to really see improvements in handling.

Unfortuantly, a lot of new owners think this is an absolute truth, and while it will get you there, a lot of this gain is from getting improved and complimentary spring rates. Not to say that a R&P, tubular set up is bad, they do weigh less and perform nicely, but they are not an absolute requirement.

When it comes right down to it, there are only three type if springs; leaf, coil, and torsion. Tires could care less what applies the force or through what means that force is transmitted. All they care about is that it is evenly distributed with the range of grip they can provide.