Author Topic: best suspension upgrade and steering upgrade  (Read 3266 times)

Offline pirate4x4

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best suspension upgrade and steering upgrade
« on: July 27, 2013 - 06:09:45 PM »
Im on look for an upgrade for my 71 440 Cuda, I have looked into XV motorsport Level one, so then you know how conservative I am.. and have a clue what Im looking for.. other better upgrades in the same range instead of the XV kit??




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: best suspension upgrade and steering upgrade
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2013 - 11:57:43 PM »
Have you read Brads thread , he did amazing stuff on a budget  :2thumbs:

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Offline HP2

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Re: best suspension upgrade and steering upgrade
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2013 - 11:36:59 AM »
I'm unsure that the status of XV is these days as they have been selling off their assets. Their Stage 1 kit is a nice single source bolt on set  up for suspension.  Other providers of similar packages would be the Hotchkis TVS kit for around $2k.  However, neither of these kits address steering which could be an upgraded Borgeson box or a Firm Feel box. Speaking of which, Firm Feel can also provide suspension components, although  they don't have a kit, per say, they can provide recommendations of a package of parts to have similar results to the two above.

Total cost for any of these kits plus a steering upgrade will be around $3000 +/- $500

Offline MizzouRT

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Re: best suspension upgrade and steering upgrade
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2013 - 12:32:34 PM »
Best price I am aware of for Hotchkis TVS for e-body is $2,715 at Summit and $2,723 at JEGS (includes S&H).  Firm Feel PS box is $359 + core + shipping on your core and return.  Shipping won't be cheap as those steering boxes are heavy.
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Offline HP2

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Offline Road_Runner

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Re: best suspension upgrade and steering upgrade
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2013 - 11:22:29 AM »
Speaking of which, Firm Feel can also provide suspension components, although  they don't have a kit, per say, they can provide recommendations of a package of parts to have similar results to the two above.



Actually I was looking at Firmfeel's website a while back and they do have kits in 3 levels:

Level 1: http://www.firmfeel.com/suspenpac_e.html

Level 2: http://www.firmfeel.com/suspenpac2_e.html

Level 3: http://www.firmfeel.com/suspenpac3_e.html

I'm thinking about their B Body LVL 3 kit for my Roadrunner and a few of their parts on the Barracuda.

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

Offline jordan

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Re: best suspension upgrade and steering upgrade
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2013 - 05:31:11 PM »
I bought the XV level 1 kit a couple of years ago.  Crappy customer service. I am just now getting the car back together so no ride report.  I did add to the kit a set of Hotchkis upper control arms and tie rod end links.  I already have a firm feel box and Tuff wheel.  I also added the sector shaft bearing to the K-frame.  I welded the K-frame too.  I optioned for the adjustable mono tube shocks.  I did the frame bracing of the floor pans, under the radiator, and used US Cartool upper inner fender braces.  This is the most work since you will have to do bodywork and repaint the engine compartment.  I boxed in the lower control arms too. 

     Remember wheels and brakes make the suspension and steering work to their potential.  And if you get the car to corner, you need better seats to hold your butt in place.  It will snowball like you cant believe.  $$$$$$!

If I had to do it over again, I probably would just go with everything Hotchkis now that you can get most all of what you need from them.  They didnt offer everything when I spent my hard earned cash. 
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Offline diyhemi.com

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Re: best suspension upgrade and steering upgrade
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2013 - 06:20:45 PM »
What is it with XV? Out of stock on nearly every item and poor customer service from my experiences.
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Offline HP2

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Re: best suspension upgrade and steering upgrade
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2013 - 09:13:15 AM »

Actually I was looking at Firmfeel's website a while back and they do have kits in 3 levels:

Level 1: http://www.firmfeel.com/suspenpac_e.html

Level 2: http://www.firmfeel.com/suspenpac2_e.html

Level 3: http://www.firmfeel.com/suspenpac3_e.html

I'm thinking about their B Body LVL 3 kit for my Roadrunner and a few of their parts on the Barracuda.

Later, Jim


I stand corrected. That is is nice to see they finally have packages as the Firm Feel guys are the godfathers of mopar handling. Not having a kit prior to this probably hurt their sales.

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: best suspension upgrade and steering upgrade
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2013 - 10:36:59 AM »
What is it with XV? Out of stock on nearly every item and poor customer service from my experiences.

Given Tony's statement about them selling off their assets, sounds like the end is nigh, maybe.


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