Too many times when I was younger I followed what people told me had to be done only to find it was either not necessary or counter productive.
if your going to quote me, at least make sure you interpreted right. I didn't call you a dumbass. I said your going to look back and think it to yourself, just as I did. Now put your big boy britches back on.One thing I never do is go on internet forms and call someone a dumass and/or post pictures I found on the net to further assert the name calling. It's stupid and immature to do so. I prefer to keep forums like this technical and not resort to school kid mud slinging. I have a good memory also and at some point you may be looking for info or a part that I have. I like helping people but will not help you or others like you.3
Actually there is no extra energy stored vs a thicker bar; stored energy is the same for both. The large upward motion from the /6 bar is caused by it having to untwist more to release the same amount of energy. The lighter bar also works better with a low rebound rate shock.I've been swapping 6 cyl. bars INTO all sorts of Mopars since the 70's, and would never consider any other way. Here's why. The 6 cylinder bar has to be twisted tighter to maintain the weight of a Big Block or Hemi at normal ride height. When you hit the gas, that extra stored energy in the bar will spring the front end higher the instant torque is applied to the rear axle.
The lighter bars have to twist more to support the same amount of weight. In the world of materials science, this greater twist for a given load results in a high level of what is termed 'strain' in the material. Higher strain levels fatigues parts more and distorts them more. So, there is some truth to the lighter bars being more prone to sagging and breaking. BUT, on the other hand a T-bar is a spring like any other spring. (In fact, a coil spring is just a t-bar in a sprial shape....) Strain exists in all springs: broken leafs and coils are not at all unusual.Ok this thread has me worried now did Mopar make a very sub standard front suspension that made all their cars a danger to drive? If so why were they allowed to be put on the road ! Let's look at this from a numbers poimt and I want real advice not you home grown bull **** opinion! 6 cyl bars are .830 diam / 100lb/inch rate 340 bars are .870 diam/ 120lb/inch rate 383 bars are .890 diam/ 130/inch rate Now my bigblock is 500 lbs 25 more than the advertised weight of the 6 cyl! I am also. Running a glass pun on hood another 30 lb saving! I see no reason to run anything more than the 340 torsion bars on this car!! Any serious input and reasoning would be appreciated! This car will be street driven as if it was 1971!
The lighter bars have to twist more to support the same amount of weight. In the world of materials science, this greater twist for a given load results in a high level of what is termed 'strain' in the material. Higher strain levels fatigues parts more and distorts them more. So, there is some truth to the lighter bars being more prone to sagging and breaking. BUT, on the other hand a T-bar is a spring like any other spring. (In fact, a coil spring is just a t-bar in a sprial shape....) Strain exists in all springs: broken leafs and coils are not at all unusual.
No, the Mopar suspension is not substandard. In fact F1 cars went to T-bars some years back! Don't sweat that part.
The selection of spring rate in any car depends on weight AND application. The use of the 1.12" diameter T-bar is for a specific handling use. The application depends on what you want. I live in the rural Appalachians, and rally is my motorsport 'fix'. I would not have any use for the 1.12" T-bar on the local roads here (very bumpy in spots, and lots of sudden camber changes that require a lot of suspension travel to maintain traction). Ditto for rally use.
So you need to look at your roads and your intended use to decide. BTW, the standards of 'good' handling have increased somewhat from 1971!
Too many people use bigger brakes and so called upgrades to compensate for lack of driving skill. Just know your car inside out and backwards and don't try to drive it like a Ferrari that its not and you will be fine. I have driven slant six drums in Denver traffic and I found that when you pay attention, you wont run into anything.
Actually there is no extra energy stored vs a thicker bar; stored energy is the same for both. The large upward motion from the /6 bar is caused by it having to untwist more to release the same amount of energy. The lighter bar also works better with a low rebound rate shock.
I'm guessing that you've never felt the bumpers hit because you are sitting on them. That would make them feel adequate because the bars wouldn't be doing anything...