abodyjoe
Well-Known Member
i'd rather have the rack. just no comparison.. my shitbox 71 dart felt like a modern car around town and on the highway.. it was just so nice to drive. have a stock style front end in jamies dart and hate it..
Coil Over vs Torsion Bar
- Thread starter MrJLR
- Start date
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abodyjoe
Well-Known Member
like i stated earlier .. the two are a lot closer in price then many think..
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Signetroar
horsepower rules,build to drive
Thanks for that pic,looks a good fit.Familiar w/Appliance.Remember,I have side exhaust,may give in and exit inner fenders to join side pipes.(potential conflict with laws regarding external pipes)So ---have options to consider.Basic concern c/o verses t/b was space limitations,removed p/s to install 340 stock manifolds,want more power thus headers etc.66 chassis limitations concerning width or lack thereof.Have not had flex prob that am aware,but have very stiff B body bellhousing and clutch setup,my 340 is very stout,mild mods,was out of 70 Dart only 5k miles,hit cement barn,LOL,has dbl vale springs,big valve heads,have only 600cfm Holly and needs bigger fuel lines,runs out of fuel around 10k rpms.Hence my interest in beefing up chassis etc.MUST HAVE MORE! Thanks again,S
Signetroar
horsepower rules,build to drive
Good comparo about capabilities,but even the Polara could be made to handle relevent to the amount of $ thrown into it,right? Not being cynical,almost anything can be improved with enough resources,well maybe not a 2Cv !
Geri
Active Member
well now I'm confused- I've been seriously considering the coil over front suspension, but the argument for the torsion bar which I've always seen as awesome suspension, looking like a keeper.
my issue is-I have 2-1/8" headers for a '64 B body and I don't think they will clear on the A body platform, any comment on that? (comment meaning help)
mopowers
Well-Known Member
Time for new headers.
Geri
Active Member
yeh- easy for you to say these are brand new- still have that fresh welded smell . I'm $800.00 into non returnable headers- I just changed what car they'd be used in. think ahead??me? never
abodyjoe
Well-Known Member
oh man a year later and this is gonna start allover again..lol
mopowers
Well-Known Member
replicaracer43
Grumpy Old Man
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Are you thinking a coil over suspension conversion is gonna be cheaper than headers that fit?
70chall440
Mopar or No Car...
That was going to be my question. Look if you want coil over, its your car, do what you want. There are all the reasons in the world online (on this forum/thread) why coil over either is or isn't the way to go. Personally, I would say that if you are willing to do the reengineering necessary to make the front end strong enough for coil over then roll with it, but I would just as quickly say that the car was not designed for it and IMO you are not gaining enough to make it worth the expense and effort. However the "sex" appeal might make it worth it to others. I get the header issue, but as alluded to here, are you willing to spend $4K+ so that your $800 headers fit or would you rather sell them off at say $600 and then add $400 and get headers that do fit.
mopowers
Well-Known Member
In all fairness, it doesn't have to take $4000 to switch to coilovers. I switched to coilovers on my 66 for pretty much the same price as it would've cost as if I purchased new torsion bars and decent shocks.
70chall440
Mopar or No Car...
Not trying to be argumentative or a dick, but I would be very interested in seeing the numbers on this. Again, not saying it isn't true, just that I would like to understand the details.
mopowers
Well-Known Member
Sure! The single adjustable Strange coilovers and coil springs were about $440. Oh yeah, forgot the tubular uppers as well - paid a couple hundred for those. There was a little bit of fabrication involved of course with the upper mounts, lower control arms and supports, etc. On my 66, I'm fighting for every ounce of space as I can get to make some headers, with the big block and mid plate in the way.
70chall440
Mopar or No Car...
Thats cool, but you have to admit that it wasn't really "close" to retaining the T bar system, in fact I think you could argue that going that route actually cost 2 to 3 times more. Not hating on your system and it sounds cool, but to make the argument it should be a "apples to apples" comparison. That said, it sounds like a neat setup overall.
mopowers
Well-Known Member
Not sure I understand that. What's a set of torsion bars and decent shocks run these days? For what I'm doing with my car anyway, the cost difference was a wash. Unless of course you wanna count my labor. I like to think that part is worthless though
70chall440
Mopar or No Car...
A set of FF bars are like $330, so thats pretty much a wash with your coil overs, however you said you bought tubular UCAs which run around $400 (from FF), but if you got a deal on them then yeah I can agree with your statement. Again, not trying to start any crap, just trying to see how it was done. Thanks for the responses, I might look into this when I do my 68 Cuda.
Dartsun
Mopar Dude
To me shocks and T bars cost about 6-700$. Your setup seems like a great deal. Dustin.Not sure I understand that. What's a set of torsion bars and decent shocks run these days? For what I'm doing with my car anyway, the cost difference was a wash. Unless of course you wanna count my labor. I like to think that part is worthless though
Geri
Active Member
bu
but,but, but I just got this one.Well, in that case, buy a different car to fit the headers.
Geri
Active Member
Geri
Active Member
I sold my '64 B body 330 Dodge and got a '67 Barracuda fast back, always loved them bought a pre owned '69 Cuda 440 in 1970, $1600.00, dealer couldn't get rid of it, I seen it, no problem, it's gone.
service man back east bought it new drove it to calif and traded it for?? had less than 3000 miles on it.
service man back east bought it new drove it to calif and traded it for?? had less than 3000 miles on it.
Sell 'em - even if its a break even or small loss in money. Even if you have to be patient to find a buyer.
There's no guarentee that even with all the time and money to change suspension that headers intended for a B-body will fit an A-body.
Then get headers and suspension that are oriented toward the intended use, whether its street driving or drag racing.
There's no guarentee that even with all the time and money to change suspension that headers intended for a B-body will fit an A-body.
Then get headers and suspension that are oriented toward the intended use, whether its street driving or drag racing.
Geri
Active Member
thats all good advice and I agree- however I find myself in a situation in which if I sell these buying others may be impossible because of $$$. I live on SS only.the cost of headers is around $800.00 and that is half a month of SS.
however- coil over front suspension answers the problem, by getting rid of the torsion bars- which I agree are one of best suspension made. whats worse due to health issue I may have to farm most of the work out.
however- coil over front suspension answers the problem, by getting rid of the torsion bars- which I agree are one of best suspension made. whats worse due to health issue I may have to farm most of the work out.
You talkin about ole yeller? It sure was a shitbox, but man that car was cool. I still caint believe you got rid of it. I wouldda drove it till it fell apart......wait.......maybe you did. lol
abodyjoe
Well-Known Member
Lol. Yes that's the **** box.
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