Challenger Stocker front suspension advice

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

Larry Hill · 08-05-2014, 11:04 AM

that's the bars I would start with, you should be able to adjust ride height with preload and control extension with shocks. I sure hope the frame is tied together and is very stiff. Now all there is to do is listen to the car and give it what it wants.

Almost forgot get the toe correct through the full range of travel,
it tells you how to do it in the "Big Book"

Hope this helps

08-04-2014, 08:17 PM	#1
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	#2
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,637 Likes: 1,929 Liked 10,702 Times in 2,228 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	#3
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	#4
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,637 Likes: 1,929 Liked 10,702 Times in 2,228 Posts	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice What class? __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

08-05-2014, 08:05 AM	#5
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	#6
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.

08-05-2014, 11:04 AM	#7
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,637 Likes: 1,929 Liked 10,702 Times in 2,228 Posts	Re: Challenger Stocker front suspension advice that's the bars I would start with, you should be able to adjust ride height with preload and control extension with shocks. I sure hope the frame is tied together and is very stiff. Now all there is to do is listen to the car and give it what it wants. Almost forgot get the toe correct through the full range of travel, it tells you how to do it in the "Big Book" Hope this helps __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817