Its lookin' like it time for an upgrade - Passed the road test!

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I'm noticing lots of goodies on sale right now and trying to figure out my next upgrade on NIKKI. So I thought SUSPENSION ( and clean up the rear lower Q's).  I'm thinking upgrading my front and rear sways (got the OEM's), torsion bars, maybe upper c a's. Shes already got the tq boxes front and rear new(er) XHD's in the rear and Upraded front brakes and a level 3 STG with sub frame connects. So  shes not bone stock.  Better handling is what I'm after, she's not straight lining anywhere. I know lots of you have already been down this road so -
What worked best?
What needs to be corrected (save me the mistep maybe?)

She's front heavy with the HEMI, and I dont want her to ride like a haywagon, recomendations, what 'cha think? 
Thanks
BIGS 

[brads70]

Especially with the Hemi, I'd get 1.120" torsion bars and the Hotchkis or PST sway bars. If you UCA's are in good shape maybe just refit them with the offset bushings to get more caster? Good shocks..?
I have the 1.120 torsion bars in mine with a 451 and the ride is NOT rough.
How's your steering box?  Power?  One of the best improvements on my bucket of bolts was the stage 3 box and the fast ratio arms ( don't know what headers you have fitment issues? check FF web site they tell you what fits)
Did you see this post? Good idea IMO a vert needs all the help it can get with flex.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=89391.0

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I figured at least 1" on the torsion bars, but am afraid of it riding like my fiat loader. As for sway bars I find so much advertised that its a "who do you believe" situation. Hence - what are people here using / like it?? Diameters?? Shocks are another thing - she had new shocks when I bought her. But these just look like some generic shocks to me. I'm sure there's better / again with all the weight up front, what may work well on another car may not on mine.  I've looked at some but....    UCA's appear to be fine, but if I'm going thru it anyway?? I know theres been posts on the UCA's that talk about the welds ect ect. Again whos got what? Granted I know your setup    As for steering gear... new level 3, maybe 3 years old now but probly only 1K miles on it. Pump and hoses too. Like that alot!  Turns quick! But shes got body roll thats for sure and you can bring the back end around easy if your not carefull.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Watched the cartool video.    Although pulling the fenders/ect this year is not in my plan/budget. Down the road when it comes time to freshen the HEMI ( which needs it believe me).  I will definetly add those braces, engine bay could use some luv anyway. 

[brads70]

Trust me  1.120 is not rough. I know that's subjective and all and I was scared to go that big too. When you figure out the wheel rate conversions to spring rates in a GM car it's still no where near as stiff as most modern spring rates in GM cars. Also figure you have at least another 200lbs over the nose than me I'm very comfortable in suggesting 1.120 t bars for Nikki.
 I'll tell ya what, I'll put my money where my mouth is, get the 1.120 torsion bars and if your not happy with them I have the new 1" bars I took off mine here that I'll trade ya for. I bought them from Just suspension made them and they are clocked properly.
I also might have the Bilstein shocks coming off mine soon too? I'm thinking of getting adjustable ridetech shocks as I'm finding the composite rear leafs react quicker than the steel and would like shocks with more dampening.

Hotchkis bar is 1 1/4" front and 3/4" rear hollow... ie. lightweight!

[brads70]

Did you see this post?....
 http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=89523.msg886699;topicseen#msg886699

I have no idea as to the quality of this brand ? Price is right!

[BIGSHCLUNK]

YES,  I saw that post. Never heard of the company, who here is using it?

Neil, whats the issue with the rear mounting?

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I gotta say the HELWIG set up for front and rear is mucho less dinero... But I wonder on the quality aspect. There's rotgut and makers mark or maybe theres a better analogy - yugo and ferrari... both will get the job done but..............    I hate for something to crack (for instance) down the line due to poor metal or to thin a wall. Maybe I'm just lazy and want to do it once? 

[Jamiez]

I did a quick search of Hellwig, they seem to get pretty good reviews as pick-up truck anti-sway bars (F150s, Tacomas, Tundras).  Didn't do a real in-depth search but it was pretty easy to find reviews.  The major complaint I found was that for a while some kits had missing parts.  Sounds like it might have just been early kits.

[MizzouRT]

I second what Brad is saying.  Have the Hotchkis torsion bar and that seems OK with a 440 despite aluminum radiator, water pump housing, intake, heads + headers to lighten the load on the front end. 

[brads70]

Neil, whats the issue with the rear mounting?

Rear bars mount either like stock (frame hung) which may inter fear with exhaust routing. Hotchkis , PST are hung under the rear end and clamp to the rear end. I liked this method better as it left plenty of room for exhaust.
Pictures of my rear bar with the Dana here...
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=89543.0

also in this link are a few other links to the stock set up which requires you to find  original parts...

[Chryco Psycho]

Brads set up seems OK with a proper frame mount , an earlier Helwig system bolted into the frame rail lower down & tore right out of the frame after a very few miles , I generally prefer frame mounted bars that link to the diff

[dodj]

Brads set up seems OK with a proper frame mount , an earlier Helwig system bolted into the frame rail lower down & tore right out of the frame after a very few miles , I generally prefer frame mounted bars that link to the diff

I'm one of those guys that tore the rear frame mount out of the frame rail. Took less than a thousand miles. I think. Repaired the frame, but I haven't reinstalled a rear bar yet.
Just have to fab up a mount similar to Brads hotchkis piece.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Well, I've been comparing frt sways. Helwig-Hotchkiss-PST there all hollow 1 1/4". Unless there's a difference in wall thickness or mounting hardware. It looks like Helwigs got the best price. On the rears Helwig and PST are 7/8" Hotchkiss is 3/4" . Price wise Helwig... performance wise .. hows muc difference is that 1/8" going to be? Any experience with the mounting hardware?

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Brad did you use Hotchkiss T-bars?