Author Topic: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade - Passed the road test!  (Read 39149 times)

Offline brads70

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #15 on: December 23, 2012 - 10:14:05 PM »
I was just looking at the install instrutions for the Helwig rear bar.  It's mounted in single shear. The pro's of the Helwig design is it is narrower so it will allow more clearance for the B-Body width set up.
The negatives are IMO... single shear mount is not as strong as Hotchkis mounting design. The Helwig bar is bigger than Hotchkis....not sure that's a great idea?  Might be too much rate for a rear bar? HP2 would have a better idea? :dunno:
Hotchkis mounting design ( rear bar) requires welding. Not a big deal to me but maybe for others?
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 brads70

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #16 on: December 23, 2012 - 10:20:20 PM »
Brad did you use Hotchkiss T-bars?

First set of Torsion bars I used was 1" they were from Just Suspension. They fit great, clocking was good.
Second/current torsion bars are 1.120" and are from Firm feel. Be careful were you get torsion bars from as I see some people have had trouble with clocking and not being able to adjust them properly?  Do some research first? Firm Feel fit perfect .
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 BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #17 on: December 23, 2012 - 10:35:59 PM »
There seems to be an issue w Hotchkiss from what I read, thats y I asked what u used  :thumbsup:
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
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Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #18 on: December 23, 2012 - 10:40:07 PM »
So u used the TBE60
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
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Offline brads70

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #19 on: December 23, 2012 - 10:40:22 PM »
What size bars are on yours now? .960" I assume?  Going to 1" or 1.030" ( common sizes from other suppliers)
I doubt you would notice a difference and would be wasting your money IMO
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 brads70

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #20 on: December 23, 2012 - 10:44:07 PM »
So u used the TBE60
Yep! Phone Dick at FF, he is a great guy to deal with and knows his stuff! We have spent some time via e-mail and on the phone discussing suspension idea's for my car and my buddy's circle track car. He thought the C-Body spindles were great. He experimented with it years ago.
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 BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #21 on: December 23, 2012 - 10:50:05 PM »
What size bars are on yours now? .960" I assume?  Going to 1" or 1.030" ( common sizes from other suppliers)
I doubt you would notice a difference and would be wasting your money IMO
:iagree:

And as I scoll through all the firm feel inventory its hard to know how far I should go.  ::)  I noticed their rear sway design totally diff than hotchkiss/helwig 
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
                                                  OO
                                                  OO 
                                              [o o o o]
https://www.aanddtruckautoparts.com/
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Offline brads70

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #22 on: December 23, 2012 - 10:59:36 PM »
:iagree:

And as I scoll through all the firm feel inventory its hard to know how far I should go.  ::)  I noticed their rear sway design totally diff than hotchkiss/helwig

Yes FF is same as the stock design. Solid bar/heavy and more likely to interfere with exhaust? :dunno:
I'm into taking weight off my car as much as possible. The hollow rear bar you can literally hold with your pinky finger.
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 BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #23 on: December 23, 2012 - 11:02:57 PM »
Hmm my exsisting rear has no interference, but its pretty skinny as I recall.  As you already know weight in the rear is not my problem  :bigsmile:  :roflsmiley:
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
                                                  OO
                                                  OO 
                                              [o o o o]
https://www.aanddtruckautoparts.com/
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Offline brads70

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #24 on: December 23, 2012 - 11:04:36 PM »
Hmm my exsisting rear has no interference, but its pretty skinny as I recall.  As you already know weight in the rear is not my problem  :bigsmile:  :roflsmiley:

Ah didn't know you had a rear bar. I wouldn't bother with a new rear bar then.
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 BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #25 on: December 23, 2012 - 11:12:02 PM »
My thought was a bigger dia bar would take out more of the "lean" on the corners... an keep the rear tires better planted or am I thinking wrong?
« Last Edit: December 23, 2012 - 11:14:23 PM by BIGSHCLUNK »
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
                                                  OO
                                                  OO 
                                              [o o o o]
https://www.aanddtruckautoparts.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-D-Truck-and-Auto-Parts/67427352555?ref=hl

Offline brads70

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #26 on: December 23, 2012 - 11:23:25 PM »
My thought was a bigger dia bar would take out more of the "lean" on the corners... an keep the rear tires better planted or am I thinking wrong?
Yes but it's the front end ( especially with the Hemi) that  needs more "control" You can always try a bigger rear bar after if you find you need it?  I'll bet it pushes like a dump truck in corners, mine did. Like REALLY bad! It doesn't now. Mine didn't have a rear sway bar and the smallest stock front bar. Can't remember what size torsion bars it had when I bought the car.... stock/small though.
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 BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #27 on: December 23, 2012 - 11:37:48 PM »
I'll bet it pushes like a dump truck in corners, mine did. Like REALLY bad!

I'm driving the same dump truck except mines got the BIG snow plow on it!  :grinyes:

Just ordered the Helwig bar for the front, we'll see about that come spring.
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
                                                  OO
                                                  OO 
                                              [o o o o]
https://www.aanddtruckautoparts.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-D-Truck-and-Auto-Parts/67427352555?ref=hl

Offline dodj

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #28 on: December 25, 2012 - 08:18:35 AM »
Ah didn't know you had a rear bar. I wouldn't bother with a new rear bar then.
:iagree:
Just go for the front sway bar and torsion bars. The rear is generally too stiff in relation to  the front.
« Last Edit: January 05, 2013 - 07:07:21 PM by dodj »
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
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Offline brads70

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Re: Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade
« Reply #29 on: December 25, 2012 - 01:59:53 PM »
:iagree:
Just go for the rear bar and torsion bars. The rear is generally toostiff in relation to  the front.


I assume you mistyped and meant front bar?
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