Challenger Stocker front suspension advice

GallopinGhost · 08-04-2014, 04:07 PM

Building a 1970 challenger and working on front suspension, and would appreciate some advice. First the old direct connection books recommend an .840" dia torsion bar, which as far as I can tell isn' t made anymore, or if it is, it's pricy. I'm considering turning down my originals to that diameter. I can't think why that wouldn't work. Thoughts ? Question 2, strut rod bushings. I've read the previous posts on it, and I didn't see a consensus on bushing/bearing. I'm looking for a good working suspension, not the most expensive solution. I do all my own work and can fab most anything. Thanks in advance.

Brian

426Fred · 08-04-2014, 06:26 PM

Contact Firm Feel

http://www.firmfeel.com/b_body_mopar_torsion_bars.html

They make an .820 drag racing torsion bar. If they are a little pricy then look for a 6 cylinder bar for an e-body. I don't think it would be a good idea to turn down a torsion bar. You would ruin the integrity of the properties of the bar itself and it would probably snap under load like coming down from a wheel stand. Just my two cents.

Toddwell · 08-04-2014, 06:47 PM

B and E body, same torsion bar...B-body might be easier to find with a slant 6

Greg Hill · 08-04-2014, 07:57 PM

Larry Hill posts on here all the time. He has a 70 Cuda that works pretty well. Send him a pm, he might be able to help.

GallopinGhost · 08-04-2014, 08:17 PM

Thanks all for the tips, I'll PM Larry. Any other ideas, please post or send a PM. thanks

Larry Hill · 08-04-2014, 10:55 PM

What combination do you plan to run. Weight will determine how much stored energy you will need to transfer the weight to the rear tires.

GallopinGhost · 08-05-2014, 05:25 AM

Plan is to run the 383/335

Larry Hill · 08-05-2014, 07:36 AM

What class?

Jim B · 08-05-2014, 08:05 AM

Back in the day Ed Hamburger's team cars had the torsion bar diameter ground down in increments and track tested to fine tune the spring rate. I remember a very generous radius in the hex to bar diameter area when lower class cars were involved. I wouldn't think a 383 combo with todays rear suspension technology would be in this category. I'd be pretty sure with 4 wheel scale numbers and feedback from this forum you could get a stock bar that's pretty close to what you need. Don't forget there's left and right....Reversing the side can end up with a bar snapping at unopportune times. The 3 digit number at the end of the bar is even for right and odd for left. (ie, 774 is right and 775 is left.....780 is right and 781 is left, etc.) The bars are thicker as the paired number increases.

GallopinGhost · 08-05-2014, 08:28 AM

From what I've seen, it's a natural F car. The T bars that came with the car are .940", it's a factory 383 car. The car is being painted now and I want to get the front suspension done and installed on the k-member while that's happening. I guess the bars can wait a while.

Jim, thanks for that info

08-04-2014, 04:07 PM	#1
GallopinGhost Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: VA Posts: 230 Likes: 23 Liked 21 Times in 13 Posts	Challenger Stocker front suspension advice Building a 1970 challenger and working on front suspension, and would appreciate some advice. First the old direct connection books recommend an .840" dia torsion bar, which as far as I can tell isn' t made anymore, or if it is, it's pricy. I'm considering turning down my originals to that diameter. I can't think why that wouldn't work. Thoughts ? Question 2, strut rod bushings. I've read the previous posts on it, and I didn't see a consensus on bushing/bearing. I'm looking for a good working suspension, not the most expensive solution. I do all my own work and can fab most anything. Thanks in advance. Brian __________________ Brian Carpenter Stock 1358

08-04-2014, 06:26 PM	#2
426Fred Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sewell, New Jersey Posts: 74 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice Contact Firm Feel http://www.firmfeel.com/b_body_mopar_torsion_bars.html They make an .820 drag racing torsion bar. If they are a little pricy then look for a 6 cylinder bar for an e-body. I don't think it would be a good idea to turn down a torsion bar. You would ruin the integrity of the properties of the bar itself and it would probably snap under load like coming down from a wheel stand. Just my two cents. __________________ Fred Palumbo 1025 STK

08-04-2014, 06:47 PM	#3
Toddwell Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 21 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice B and E body, same torsion bar...B-body might be easier to find with a slant 6

08-04-2014, 07:57 PM	#4
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,995 Likes: 68 Liked 279 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice Larry Hill posts on here all the time. He has a 70 Cuda that works pretty well. Send him a pm, he might be able to help. __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK

08-04-2014, 08:17 PM	#5
GallopinGhost Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: VA Posts: 230 Likes: 23 Liked 21 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice Thanks all for the tips, I'll PM Larry. Any other ideas, please post or send a PM. thanks __________________ Brian Carpenter Stock 1358

08-04-2014, 10:55 PM	#6
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,629 Likes: 1,922 Liked 10,681 Times in 2,222 Posts	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice What combination do you plan to run. Weight will determine how much stored energy you will need to transfer the weight to the rear tires. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

08-05-2014, 05:25 AM	#7
GallopinGhost Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: VA Posts: 230 Likes: 23 Liked 21 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice Plan is to run the 383/335 __________________ Brian Carpenter Stock 1358

08-05-2014, 07:36 AM	#8
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,629 Likes: 1,922 Liked 10,681 Times in 2,222 Posts	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice What class? __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

08-05-2014, 08:05 AM	#9
Jim B Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 100 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice Back in the day Ed Hamburger's team cars had the torsion bar diameter ground down in increments and track tested to fine tune the spring rate. I remember a very generous radius in the hex to bar diameter area when lower class cars were involved. I wouldn't think a 383 combo with todays rear suspension technology would be in this category. I'd be pretty sure with 4 wheel scale numbers and feedback from this forum you could get a stock bar that's pretty close to what you need. Don't forget there's left and right....Reversing the side can end up with a bar snapping at unopportune times. The 3 digit number at the end of the bar is even for right and odd for left. (ie, 774 is right and 775 is left.....780 is right and 781 is left, etc.) The bars are thicker as the paired number increases. Last edited by Jim B; 08-05-2014 at 08:22 AM.

08-05-2014, 08:28 AM	#10
GallopinGhost Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: VA Posts: 230 Likes: 23 Liked 21 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice From what I've seen, it's a natural F car. The T bars that came with the car are .940", it's a factory 383 car. The car is being painted now and I want to get the front suspension done and installed on the k-member while that's happening. I guess the bars can wait a while. Jim, thanks for that info __________________ Brian Carpenter Stock 1358 Last edited by GallopinGhost; 08-05-2014 at 08:48 AM.