Torsion Bar Upgrade for '65 Barracuda Formula S

I put in .890s as an upgrade to the .870s in my 67. This incremental change is probably only worth doing if you already have the front end apart for a refresh. However, it is a good upgrade that helps control dive and does not result in an overly stiff ride.

It is really the sway bar that contributes to cornering performance — you don't need super-stiff springs for handling. On real-world curvy roads, which are generally secondary roads in rural areas that are not always well-maintained, extremely stiff springs will rattle your teeth out and reduce the amount of contact patch as the tires leave the road surface.

I just finished (well, almost finished — DNF'ed with a blown head gasket) a 850-mile vintage car tour on secondary and tertiary roads in Northern California. I have done this rally in one or the other of my Barracudas several times (not this occasion). The slant six convertible with the softest factory springs plus sway bar was just as capable as my tweaked Commando fastback for this kind of activity, although I wouldn't take it to track day at Willow Springs. Meanwhile, the replica Ford GT40 was crawling in low gear half the time (although as soon as the road surface smoothed out he was out of sight).

I did just install Bilstein shocks on the fastback and that seems to be an improvement over the KYBs, but I haven't had it on a rally yet.