Author Topic: My suspension/handling plan-Opinions please  (Read 1354 times)

Offline oh58dscout

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My suspension/handling plan-Opinions please
« on: November 02, 2011 - 06:57:46 AM »
OK, so I have researched this until my fingers bled. But would still like some opinions about my plan. The list of items is also the order I will do this. Please let me know if this makes sense, especially the order.

1973 Barracuda, 360, stock TBs, 15 in wheels, AC

Billstein or Edelbrock shocks
1 1/4 Front sway bar
3/4 rear sway bar
Subframe connectors
1.0 or 1.03 TBs

This is for a driver, probably no track time. Cost is a factor for me(military), so I am trying to decide which sway bars to go with, seems as long as I don't go ADDCO I am getting a quality item. Not sure if the adjustable is worth the $$. My research indicates not too much difference between the connectors. I have the parts to do a front end rebuild-poly. I do plan on updating the wheel size eventually, maybe 17s.

Let me know if this makes sense, mainly the order as I may not be able to buy all at once. All opinions welcome and appreciated.

Jason 




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: My suspension/handling plan-Opinions please
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2011 - 08:38:53 AM »
Makes sense to me , HP2 can add to this about the balance in the front & rear sway bars .
 If you want to save some $$ just use 1x2" rectanglular tube for subframe connectors , just put a notch in them to match the floor contour , the material should cost you no more than $20

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline HP2

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Re: My suspension/handling plan-Opinions please
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2011 - 09:22:31 AM »
Overall solid combo.

I'll 2nd what CP said about connectors. You can make you own with 1x2 tubing and a couple pieces of .125 thick plate and be substanially under the retail cost of new ones. They may not be as trick as contoured, weld to the floor units, but they will achieve almost the same amount of rigidity. I'd also recommend you move these to the top of your list ahead of any other changes. Firming up the unibody yeilds dividends above handling and will also help reduce squeaks, rattles, and other small annoyances that a 40 year old car has developed.

For the suspension combo, I'd say 1.0 t bars if your set on using a 1.25 sway bar, or 1.03 t-bars if using a 1.125 sway bar. If cost is a factor, 1.25 sway bars tend to be a bit more expensive than the more readily available 1.125 units. I've seen 1.125 units as cheap as $100 for solid bar units. I also woudn't get too hung up on avoiding Addco, PST,  Hellwig or any of the other solid bar manufacturers. They all make decent products, only the end attachments are a bit cheesy on some. However, you can replace the simple L bracket with some weld on, factory style brackets. You can find these on Summit's website.

The .75 rear bar won't be bad. Match it to some Espo heavy duty or mopar XHD springs. If you have the stock 4.5 leaf pack and you want to keep costs down, you may want to add an extra full length leaf to get the rate up around 140-150# without changing out the whole pack.

For order, I'd say;
rebuild the suspension
subframe connectors
front sway bar (assuming you don't have one now, otherwise swap position with the shocks)
shocks
t-bars
rear sway bar

Offline oh58dscout

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Re: My suspension/handling plan-Opinions please
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2011 - 09:59:13 AM »
CP and HP2, thanks for the insight. I am not set on any particular size(TB or sway) really. Just came to that conclusion after some research I did. I was thinking the shocks first because mine are trash. I also read shocks and tires were the most benefit. But I will most definately take your advice. Thanks for the input to a guy who does'nt have the cash to throw away with poor decisions!

Jason

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: My suspension/handling plan-Opinions please
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2011 - 02:24:55 PM »
I would look into the Hotchkiss Hollow sway bars , much lighter but same ridigity

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Offline Road_Runner

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Re: My suspension/handling plan-Opinions please
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2011 - 06:12:54 PM »
First off, I appreciate your service to your country Jason.

I've got almost exactly the same car as you and based on recommendations here am building the same set of parts, I will say I picked up a relatively inexpensive Helwig front 1 1/8" front bar and it looks VERY good.  I've put Addco's on a Mustang several years ago and while good, you can really tell a difference between the two brands, so if bottom dollar is paramount go with the Addco, if you have a few more dollars to spend go with Helwig, and if you're flush with cash or figure its worth saving for the best than definitely go with the Hotchkis. 

I also picked up a good deal on .96 Mopar Tbars and like new set of Edelbrock shocks on Ebay so keep an eye out there for some good deals.  Based on a lot of feedback here, if I had to pay anywhere near street price for shocks I would definitely go with Bilsteins for about the same cost of the Ede's.  Let us know how its going, and I'll do the same as I put my stuff on over the next several months.


Later, Jim
1970 383 Roadrunner Tor Red
1973 318 Barracuda Mist Green
2014 Mustang GT/CS Convertible All Black

Offline brads70

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Re: My suspension/handling plan-Opinions please
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2011 - 07:18:18 PM »
I would look into the Hotchkiss Hollow sway bars , much lighter but same ridigity

I'd agree with that. Weight eats HP. I went with the Hotchkis set up for the weight savings. I noticed PST has what looks to be the same  bars as Hotchkis sells but cheaper. Just do it in stages as the budget allows.
On the bottom of my posts there is a link to what I did handling wise if your interested?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline oh58dscout

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Re: My suspension/handling plan-Opinions please
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2011 - 09:25:32 PM »
Thanks to all that replied. looks like PST has Bilsteins on sale, may jump on those as I can grab those for about as much as Edelbrocks. I don't mind having to be patient to get the good stuff over having to get better stuff after settling. Again, thanks for the advice.

Jason

Offline oh58dscout

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Re: My suspension/handling plan-Opinions please
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2011 - 07:05:50 PM »
First step

Dropped the hammer on Hellwig sway bars

1 1/4 front
7/8 rear adjustable

Still deciding which shocks to go with.
Will get the frame connectors while I figure the shock thing out.