Big Block Suspension Question

roccodart440 said
Keep in mind I was comparing stock suspension to the alterK. Now 100% of what I said is true.

I'm personally very happy with the AlterKation. I agree stock suspension can be upgraded, to get the job done, or even do it better. In regards to looks, why do people paint or powdercoat suspension parts?

Now here is the part that gets me...we are here talking about QA1 setups and other aftermarket parts. Some of these setups, while retaining the torsion bars, replaces every part of the stock system. Some guys go one step further and replace the stock steering box too.

Another thing I despised about the stock setup was the early style biscuit mounts. They left alot to be desired, especially after hacking the drivers side mount for the schumacher conversion mounts. YEs, you can make your own DC K-member or get yourself a 73 and newer K-member. Maybe i'm just lazy but parts are harder to find and my time is valuable, so again, for me, I like the alterKtion.

If you are going this far, I preffer the ALterKtion. THat is my opinion based on my experience.

See, that is exactly the problem I have with the coilover conversions. People always do what you suggest, which is compare their brand new coilover conversion to the worn out stock suspension that was on their car before and say "it's a night and day difference!!!"

Well of course it is! You're comparing worn out factory stuff to brand new aftermarket parts. It's also a "night and day" difference if you rebuild the torsion bar suspension with aftermarket parts and compare that to the original worn out suspension.

Would you do a front suspension swap with a Pinto and use all the components you got out of the wrecking yard? Of course not. And I don't see anyone comparing their stock Mopar suspension to stock Pinto suspension and using that as the reason they're doing a suspension conversion. But if you replace all the original Pinto components with aftermarket parts, well, you basically have an Alterkation don't you? It's just a Mustang II set up with a custom crossmember. Coilovers are just a spring and a shock. Torsion bars are just a spring and a shock.

You can in fact replace everything in the torsion bar suspension system with aftermarket parts, this is no different than using an AlterK with completely aftermarket parts. The parts aren't hard to find, I can give you a list with everything you need. Even if you replace everything and replace the stock parts with improved aftermarket stuff you can do it for significantly less money than what a AlterK will cost you. And when you're done you'll have a more adjustable system that works better with the chassis. I know because I have done it. Coilover conversions have a couple of "pros", but so do the torsion bars. Every suspension system has pros and cons, they're all a compromise and they all have trade offs.