Torsion Bar Upgrade for '65 Barracuda Formula S
I really appreciate the torsion bar feedback. To add perspective, (I'm in a reflective mood so skip to the bottom if easily bored) allow me to share a little bit of history of this car and how I came to own it. In April 2002, I found it sitting in an industrial park in Newark California, with "For Sale $2000" written across the windshield. I saw the tach in the dash and the FS badges. I took pictures of it and the fender tag, went home and did some research. I determined it was a real Formula S, and called the phone # on the windshield. He bought the car from the original San Jose owner, cut one side of the inner fender for a planned header installation and a built 340. His wife got pregnant and the car had to go. He included a full Legendary interior kit, front/back seats and full carpet, and extra parts. I offered him $1500 and he had to deliver it to my house, he agreed.
I enjoy rare cars, I own a 300G convert as an example, this FS was rare. Up to this point, I had owned 17 Plymouths, from a '48 to a '75. Deluxes, Furys, Sport Furys, Belvederes, Satellites, sedans, convertibles, wagons, 2 dr hardtops, never an A body, never even driven an A body, to this day. So, my goal for the car was a restoration, not a "build project". Didn't care to drop in a 340, hey, its already a factory performance car right? Well, I sent for a copy of Tom Condran's (then) recent book "Performance Handling for Classic Mopars". It really inspired me to give thought to minor upgrades that would "enhance" the handing experience of an already well handling car, albeit one that came new with skinny bias ply tires, but hey, they had blue streaks, so there's that right?
Well, that was 20 years ago, and the body and paint is now finished, only waiting for the headliner to be installed at the shop (my avatar will change soon I promise) . The original engine is rebuilt, .040" over, domed pistons, etc. It's mounted on the K frame and will be installed from below (I have a lift). The factory sway bar is going back in, and I'm ordering a new set of rear springs from Espo. I've followed Condran's advice and installed Moog offset bushings in the UCAs, and have a KH disc brake setup ready to go in. I'm going to 15" radials with new rallyes. This car will be driven to shows and weekend getaways in the wine country and coastal hiways, twisty roads, that sort of thing. I actually have a set of new KYBs, but if they don't work out they're easy to change. Does it make sense to put the original torsion bars back in? I think not.
72nuNblu says "I'd go 1.03", MVH says he likes his .89". So far, no one is telling me to stay with the original .87" bars. I'm going to call PST and discuss it with them. I'm leaning toward the 1.03" at this point. The KYBs can change but the factory sway bar stays.