Hotchkis TVS for A-Body's!
i guess if you have the proper size t bars already it might work but most of us are doing engine swaps too and factory bars are less than ideal if you are looking to handle. just thinking if you start with a slant six small bolt pattern a body, the alter k is a no brainer if you are spending money.
Not so sure about that....
Here's a list that includes all the similar parts to the Hotchkis system
Magnumforce Double Adjustable UCA's............................................$399
Adjustable strut rods (RMS #RMS2020)...........................................$199
Mopar XHD leaf springs (mancini #MRE19811982)............................$215
Steel tie rod adjusting sleeve (Mancini #MRE-34561).........................$60
Spring Hanger set (Mancini #MREAR0077).......................................$65
Adco 150 front sway bar kit (Summit #ACO-150)..............................$161
Adco 675 rear sway bar kit (Summit #ACO-675)..............................$135
Moog tie rod ends (Summit MOG-ES401R, MOG-ES401L)...................$96
U bolts, 7" (Mancini #MRE271)......................................................$30
Total : $1,360
Now, this is not the Hotchkis system, and my above comments stand. This setup will be heavier, but should be in the same ballpark handling-wise
Now, to complete the setup above to finish out the front suspension
Just Suspension 1" Torsion Bar.......................................................$180
Magnuforce 2" Drop spindles.........................................................$440
Flaming River 16:1 manual steering box..........................................$500
Moog Idler arm (Mancini #MOGK7086)...........................................$47
Moog Pitman Arm (Mancini #MOGK7075)........................................$47
RCD tuned bilstien shocks (Hotchkiss RCD-70-56665)........................$400
Moog Lower ball joints (Summit MOG-K781, MOG-K783)...................$96
LCA boxing plates (mancini #MREAR319).......................................$23
Total : $1,733
Grand Total : $3,093
So, at this point you're still $900 cheaper than the AlterK front suspension set up, and you've done the rear suspension as well. That will easily pay for a set of 11 3/4" front rotors (since you have a 73-76 pattern now), a set of 11 3/4 caliper brackets (~$100) and, if you really want, cover the new axles ($300) so you're LBP front and rear. Not to mention SUBFRAME CONNECTORS. You'd probably have enough left over to finish replacing any bushings etc that got missed here. And it can be done cheaper, you can save $200 right off the bat by using a Firm Feel power steering box, or rebuilding your manual box with a 20:1 ratio worm gear (available from Mancini). You can save another $120 by using stock spindles (available new at Summit for $320,CLP-6474SP-M) or even more if you can find a good set of used '73-76 spindles on eBay (usually ~$150-$200).
I'm not going to say that this set up will out-handle either the Hotchkis TVS or the RMS's AlterK, or that its equivalent to either. Both are really nice set-ups, and I'd be happy to run either of them if I could afford it. But, it will make your A-body (or any musclecar era mopar for that matter) handle pretty darn well for less than either of those set ups, and still remain fairly stock in appearance.
