I will readily admit that I have been pretty harsh on these aftermarket suspension kits. My opinions are not based on any examples of reported failures, just my own common sense. The words and opinions of guys like Rick Ehrenberg from Mopar Action magazine reinforced what I already felt. The factory torsion bar arrangement really is a great feat of engineering in stock form especially compared to a Ford or GM of the same era. Take a 70-81 Camaro or Firebird for example. Coil springs, huge lower control arms, front mounted steering box. Now look at a Mopar: Torsion bar "springs" mounted horizontally and lower to the ground. Smaller lower control arms with a strut rod. Rear mounted steering gear. These differences move some of the weight lower and rearward for better handling and balance.
Now...You want to install a big block or headers, right? Uhhh.... THAT is where it gets problematic. Those torsion bars occupy space that is where the headers want to be.
My buddy Mike with the 64 Valiant has talked about wanting headers for the car for years. I really don't know why he was willing to drop so much money for the Magnum Force (Or any other) kit for this car. A Flaming River 16 to 1 manual steering box and TTI headers would have cost less than a third of the MF kit.
Again, I did appreciate the thought they put into adding reinforcement to an area that will see a dramatic increase in load application.
- - - Updated - - -
Viper V 10???
Or a really weird V8 with an extra pipe on each side???
