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Best bang for the buck.....suspension upgrades

superbird77

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Hello all, i am in the process of restoring my 69 roadrunner and wanted to get opinions on the best bang for the buck suspension upgrades. I want to have the car handle a bit more modern. List the parts in order you feel are most important or make the biggest impact. So you know, i am looking at new leaf springs (hotchkiss possibly) new front sway bar, new torsion bars, tubular upper control arms and new shocks.

Its a 383 / four speed car FYI.
 
I don't know how my 70 Bee will handle when I finish it but these are the parts & upgrades I am doing. These were recommended to me by fellow members here. Polyurethane bushing everywhere, lower control arm stiffening plates, new steering box(Autozone $99), quick ratio pitman arm, .096 torsion bars, fully welded & gusseted K member, U S Car Tool frame connecters, inner fender stiffeners, radiator area stiffening bar, rear sway bar, new leaf springs in rear and KYB shocks all around. As far as what makes is the best bang for the buck? Just my opinion but probably the poly bushings & frame connecters.

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Mine is also a 383 with a 4 speed but with hopes in the future of possibly a stroker motor.
 
Upgrade the tie rods to 11/16 and solid adjusting sleeve, lower control arm stiffening plates, urethane bushings, tighter steering box and the list goes on.
 
On my 66 Coroner 273 car the best thing I did was the front and rear sway bars and the 1.0 dia torsion bars. I also added KYB shocks. Made a huge difference. Not a road racer but handles more like a modern car.
Wayne
 
From your list I would say the tubular upper control arms because I think they give you more adjustment for caster than the stock ones. Also, like someone else mentioned the 11/16" tie rod ends are good bang for the buck.

For my car, which is more of a straight-line street/strip car, I didn't notice any difference at all in handling when I took off my stock front sway bar.
 
I have just redone my 69GTX, for what it is, it handles very well. Actually it took me a couple of years, but it is now done. If I ever go with a lower profile tire it will really corner nicely! Something to keep in mind, I am at the point where the 15" steel wheels, even with nice radial tire, are my week link. Anyway depending on your budget, do something with the UCAs, Tubular (I like TTI's) or at least add the offset moog bushings to your stock arms, they work pretty well, you have to get some + caster in the car. SHOCKS!! SHOCKS and SHOCKS, they make a huge differance, then front /rear sway bars. Probably torsion bars next.

As for the fast ratio pitman/idler arms, I would do those LAST. I do have them, they do feel nice, and quicken up the steering a bit, but they cause exhaust / header problems, and sometimes oil pan fitment issues.

Goodluck,

Mark
 
Lowering the pressure on the power steering pump also gives a more modern feel.
 
I rebuilt my front suspension while swapping over to disc brakes. Added in solid tie rod sleeves, front sway bar and lca stiffening plates. I just want a cruiser and I figure those 2 things should make a huge difference. We'll see in a few weeks when I take it for it's maiden voyage. Just fired up/broke in the rebuilt engine last week. Need to get exhaust, new tires and a front end alignment after I set the ride height.
 
low dough stuff everyone should do:
shocks
bushings
sway bars
after those three you need to think big picture and financing. best brakes you can afford.
 
USCartool subframe connectors.
Firm Feel steering box.
Bilstein shocks tuned by Hotchkiss - all the way around.
Tubular upper control arms PST.

These upgrades transformed the 69 Coronet. Feels as good at 118 as 70 mph. I am told...

One more thing on brakes. Everyone may suggest discs or you may have them. My 11' Hemi Drums are all the brake I need. They were upgraded with "brakes in a box by what was Praysdino with stiffer springs and a better blend of shoe material. Good straight stopping power. I don't make 3 or more high speed stops in a row or drive down the 10 mile hill into Ogden, Utah very often. Fly off a ramp too fast and the brakes are fine. For me.
 
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Like Mentioned....Sway Bars, new bushings, fresh rear springs, nice quality shocks and a set of subframe connectors will be like a night/day improvement. IMO, that combo would be the most apparent out of the box. All the others like LCA stiffeners, tubular UCA's, Solid sleeves, C-Body Tie rod's, lower profile tires...ect...ect... definitely all add to the list. Best of luck which ever route you go.
 
has anybody used [video]http://www.schwartzperformance.com/mopar-b-body-chassis-full-frame/[/video]one of there chassis kits ?
 
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