DOES THE HDK SUSPENSION K-MEMBER HANDLE BETTER THAN A T-BAR SUSPENSION?

Makes sense why you shouldn’t share mounting points and such. No argument there.

But things like a potential roll center, camber gain, scrub radius, wheel rate, etc. are all easy to calculate and validate (or invalidate) a design and make it easier to compare to other designs. Like comparing CD on different makes of cars, doesn’t expose the design but it gives hard numbers to compare when one design says “better aerodynamics“.

Certainly things like ride height, alignment and wheel/tire sizes can have a huge impact on those numbers making an apples to apples comparison hard. But honestly, if I was marketing a kit as having better geometry, first thing I would do is drag in a stock car, standarize those values and take some measurements. Then I would set up my kit the same way and if they were improved I would publish them every place I could. But I don’t see anyone doing that which makes me wonder…

I understand that you aren’t making that claim, not pointing this at you. But there are other companies that do make that claim, without anything to back it up. And based on the OP’s initial set up, I would bet at the very least the roll center is not better on those other kits.

It’s not like the stock suspension has to be all that modified either. Toss on an adjustable UCA and leave the rest alone. Bolt up a 17” or 18” tire similar to what the COC would run and match the ride height. Then give it an alignment of something like -0.5 camber and +6 caster and take measurements of the pivot points. Then cycle the suspension and measure the camber gain. With that someone would have a baseline and could set up a COC with the same values and take the same measurement and actually see if their suspension had better geometry.

I understand why they don’t though. Most people in the community believe a COC is better, so why spend time and money to prove it when it might not be true and it’s already generally accepted.

What I think you are missing is on OEM or aftermarket, there are sooooo many variables that one size (setting) will NEVER fit all. HDK offers two spindle heights and 3 different shock settings. Add that to not everybody has the same size front tire or preference in ride height. there could be a 4-5" difference in ride height alone. I will make the claim again....HDK has MORE out of the box adaptability than ANY set-up to accommodate individual needs and preferences. The fine-tuning of any package (as with other components) has always been up to the skill level of the installer and available components.

And don't forget to add several other factors like different applications, not to mention the skill, comprehension and knowledge level that changes with every individual.

for example.....I have had more than one call asking why their new front suspension is now stiff.....My first question is "what setting (compression / rebound) are your shocks on? and guess what their answer is?..."I have no idea".

Another good one.... it has been a while but I had one customer tell me he was not impressed with the way the car now drives. To be honest, and after over a decade of satisfied customers, I was surprised because I had NEVER heard that before. My first question was..."what alignment specs did you use?...and the reply...."I have not aligned it yet".

....and then you have the other side....Tim aka Race Joe, 72 Blu Blu, Peter Bergman and others all filled with extensive knowledge, not to mention skill

Please don't be too critical. Every one of us began because of our personal needs, the fact that others wanted us to build them a similar platform (regardless of each individual perfect roll center) has been a plus to the Mopar hobby.