Suspension upgrades

Author Topic: Suspension upgrades  (Read 33657 times)

Offline 73restomod

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #30 on: July 09, 2012 - 11:16:04 PM »
Last Friday, at Carlisle, I had the opportunity to ride in the E-Max Challenger, and simply put it Blew My Freaking Mind!!!! Even when pushed to its limit and beyond it was always controllable, and poised. I can vouch that as a package it works incredibly well. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. 

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Offline TROUBLE987

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Suspension upgrades
« Reply #31 on: July 25, 2012 - 10:58:32 PM »
Does he offer a discount if you buy front and rear kit together or is in the same..

Offline brads70

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #32 on: July 26, 2012 - 03:32:54 PM »
Last Friday, at Carlisle, I had the opportunity to ride in the E-Max Challenger, and simply put it Blew My Freaking Mind!!!! Even when pushed to its limit and beyond it was always controllable, and poised. I can vouch that as a package it works incredibly well. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. 

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I too went for a ride and loved it!  :2thumbs:  Keep in mind the E-Max does use 1.22 torsion bars,different shocks ( ridetech I think?) very sticky rubber, has a cage in the back seat area, and massive stoptech 4 wheel disc brakes.
Don't get me wrong I think Hotchkis has quality stuff . ( I use the sway bars, Bilstein RCD shocks and upper control arms in my car)
Just don't think your going to buy the Hotchkis kit and your car will be the same as the E-Max Challenger is all I'm saying. Good rubber, etc... cures a lot of handling woes.  :2cents:
But that being said I do believe you will notice a HUGE improvement over the stock parts after installing the Hotchkis TVS kit! I would buy it again if I get another car someday! Money well spent IMO :2thumbs:
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 cudazappa

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #33 on: July 26, 2012 - 03:53:01 PM »
When I talked to John on Sat. he said they were 1.16 or 1.18 bars.  I told him thanks because now I'm NOT afraid of using my 1.22s!  His shocks are definitely on my list.  Debating between his and flex-a-form rear leafs.
1971 Challenger - AutoX project
2015 Dart GT - Daily Driver

Offline brads70

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #34 on: July 26, 2012 - 04:01:20 PM »
When I talked to John on Sat. he said they were 1.16 or 1.18 bars.  I told him thanks because now I'm NOT afraid of using my 1.22s!  His shocks are definitely on my list.  Debating between his and flex-a-form rear leafs.

 :roflsmiley: I talked to Dan while he drove the E-Max and he told be 1.22?  :dunno: :lol:  What shocks are you refering to? Bilstein RCD's?
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 cudazappa

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #35 on: July 27, 2012 - 11:45:43 AM »
:roflsmiley: I talked to Dan while he drove the E-Max and he told be 1.22?  :dunno: :lol:  What shocks are you refering to? Bilstein RCD's?

Yes, the RCD Bilsteins.  The Koni Reds seem to have all but dried up.
1971 Challenger - AutoX project
2015 Dart GT - Daily Driver

Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #36 on: July 31, 2012 - 09:24:34 PM »
Im glade they like Mopars so at least we have something to choose from...

Go Fast & Have Fun...
70 6.1 HEMI 6-speed Drop Top...

Offline HP2

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #37 on: August 01, 2012 - 09:04:08 AM »
Wow, did you see how much that engine was moving around!!

Offline brads70

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #38 on: August 01, 2012 - 12:13:29 PM »
Wow, did you see how much that engine was moving around!!

Ya that and how much he had to dent his headers to clear the torsion bars!  I know what thats all about!  :grinyes:
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 ranmont

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #39 on: September 03, 2012 - 05:31:15 PM »
as far as the rear, what about Heitds' IRS setup, has anybody installed one of those or know somebody who has. 

Offline wiging19

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #40 on: September 04, 2012 - 05:07:24 PM »
The Koni Reds seem to have all but dried up.

I haven't seen anyone reference Koni shocks in a long time.  Those where the sh#t in the day.  That is what I bought last time I bought shocks for my car.  I don't know how the new shocks compare in contrast to koni but I do know the lower priced stuff I've used in the past (monroe, kyb, etc) can't even compare for ride.

Offline brads70

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #41 on: September 04, 2012 - 05:14:56 PM »
I haven't seen anyone reference Koni shocks in a long time.  Those where the sh#t in the day.  That is what I bought last time I bought shocks for my car.  I don't know how the new shocks compare in contrast to koni but I do know the lower priced stuff I've used in the past (monroe, kyb, etc) can't even compare for ride.

Koni shocks are one of the prefered shocks at the circle track I work at. Very consistent one shock to the next.
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 msbaugh

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #42 on: September 06, 2012 - 10:14:38 PM »
I too will go with a Hotchkis suspension... I installed the front and rear sway bars on my car and love them.  I've got all stock 40 year old components and air shocks on the rear from the early 80's, so every change will be easily noticed.
I'm constantly updating things, but unfortunately, I'm on a very very small budget so I'm going one piece at a time.  After the sway bars I'll get the strut rods, tie rods, all other steering linkage, and upper a arms. 

How good will these components work though with stock spindles and ride height?  I don't want to lower my car 2"
On their website, hotchkis says the RCD shocks don't work well unless the ride height is lowered... my oil pan is already 3 inches off the ground
« Last Edit: September 06, 2012 - 10:17:14 PM by msbaugh »

Offline willhaven

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #43 on: September 07, 2012 - 08:10:41 PM »
as far as the rear, what about Heitds' IRS setup, has anybody installed one of those or know somebody who has.
Last I checked, Heidt's doesn't make it for E bodies, but I've seen them modified to fit E bodies.

Matt Delaney did an AAR style 'Cuda in black with a Heidt's.

I've also seen 2-3 E bodies here with the setup. I saved a bunch of images for reference if I ever decide to go that route.
http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/

This might be Delaney's car, now that I think about it.
http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold#!/1970-Plymouth-AAR-Cuda/131929/97565

Also a Heidt's rear.
http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold#!/1970-Plymouth-Cuda/132123/120287

I also know that Delaney built a car with the Heidt's. His next 'Cuda didn't use that setup. Not sure if that's an endorsement either way...
« Last Edit: September 07, 2012 - 08:13:25 PM by willhaven »

Offline HP2

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Re: Suspension upgrades
« Reply #44 on: September 08, 2012 - 10:28:34 AM »
I too will go with a Hotchkis suspension... I installed the front and rear sway bars on my car and love them.  I've got all stock 40 year old components and air shocks on the rear from the early 80's, so every change will be easily noticed.
I'm constantly updating things, but unfortunately, I'm on a very very small budget so I'm going one piece at a time.  After the sway bars I'll get the strut rods, tie rods, all other steering linkage, and upper a arms. 

How good will these components work though with stock spindles and ride height?  I don't want to lower my car 2"
On their website, hotchkis says the RCD shocks don't work well unless the ride height is lowered... my oil pan is already 3 inches off the ground

Stock spindles are fine. I'd recommend talking to Dick at Firm Feel about shock options. If you have a stock ride height, you need to make sure you have adequate travel in your shocks. The RCDs were designed for cars that were dropped a couple of inches, so they will not have the travel to match your stock travel.

They dynamic struts are good for avoiding alignment changes during hard braking. They are nice, but not a must have unless your hitting road courses, IMO. Tie rod ends and steering pieces to correct bump steer are certainly needed. This is one of the bigger problems with mopar suspensions. Tubular arms are similar to struts in that they yield results for cars that are pushed hard. If you can get adequete caster/camber numbers with your stock pieces, the tubular units aren't going to show a big improvement.