Great handling! how would you do it?

[bbscamp]

Here's the car:  Stock  (early or late) A-body, auto, ps, manual disk/drum, SB motor, 3.55 sure-grip, no sway bars front or rear.  Assume all stock parts are in NEW condition.  How would you make this car a great handling street car?  By this I mean flat in the turns and smooth on the highway.  Total budget allowance:  $1500.   Items can only be bolt-ons.   How would you do it?    list parts and costs.  My guess, Bill will come up with the best combo!   

[abodyjoe]

jim lusk will be able to tell you...  i would say heavy duty leaf springs,atleast .920 torsion bars and front and rear sway bars....  i would think that would be the cheapest and easiest way to do it...

[wilddriver]

yep abodyjoe said  do that, for a start and see what if any you got left I KNOW I GOT A SET OF BB TBARS FOR (USED) FOR AROUND A 100  SHIPPING INCLUDE

[70 Dustpan]

Ok this is what I got for the Valiant:

Bills upper control arms: $300
Bills strut rods: $200
.920 T bars: $150
Boxed lower control arms: $10 ( $16 new stock bushings )
1 1/8" front away bar: $15 junk yard (new $150)
B body spindles: $40 junk yard
11 3/4" rotors and brackets: $50 junk yard
11/16" C body tie rod ends with solid alum. sleeves: $80
Boxed and reinforced K frame: $10 + 5 hours of work
Front 1 5/8" tube bar to connect front frame rails together under the Rad: $10
Power steering box from 69 charger: Free form old parts car
New pitman and idler arm: $60
KYB shocks 4 : $40 ( junk yard )
340 leaf spring: off old car ( Alum. front bushings free -friend made- $40 new
Leaf spring sliders: $100
11 X 3" rear brakes: $50 junk yard ( $20 for new shoes )
factory 3/4" rear sway bar: $15 junk yard ( $150 new )
Frame connectors: homemade: $40

Looking at rear disc brake set-up $300 to $350
Still looking for wheels and tires: $??

[slow_motion]

Here is what i did for my slant six 74, i'll try to post the correct from my memory prices.

Here was the base line

74 /6 dart swinger, already had:
-power steering--id keep that
-Disk brakes (depends if you have to buy--we'll say $500 for used setup)
-1 1/4" front sway bar (approx $150 new)
-3/4" rear sway bar (approx $150 new)
-15x7 cop wheels (approx $100 set)

what i changed

-225/50r15 dunlops tires, ($320)
-.920 t-bars ($120)
-Bills upper arms ($300)
-New lower bushings/strut rod bushings ($40)
-heavy duty aluminum tie-rod sleeves($50)
-Alighnment ($80--i got a deal because i helped--car was wwaaaayyy out of spec)
-Cal trac mono leaf rear springs (approx $320--i had a used set around)
-rear shocks (approx $60---had them from another car)
-front shocks ($10 swap meet)


The car handles REALLY good, I have been considering going to a slightly taller tire to get a little ride quality back, but i am satisfied as of now with it. I have experienced a slight oversteer with the car when i really push it, but i cant go fast enough on public roads to see if i can correct the problems---some say the rear sway bar is doing it it and i dont really need it.

--chad

[slow_motion]

Just a thought on your $1500 budget

Bills upper arms    $300
.990 T-bars          $150
Sway bar front     $150
Shocks set of 4     $150
Tires/wheels         $500

Im at $1250 and its on its way to good handleing already.

Do you have a car yet? your post didnt really say.........

--chad

[70 Dustpan]

Here's some pics of how to reinforce the K frame. Everything Iv'e heard says that it helps a lot with flex in the lowers and steering box.

http://www.firmfeel.com/reinfkfram_a.htm

And the lowers. This too helps stop flex in them. I made my own plate.

http://www.firmfeel.com/reinlca_a.htm


Here's a few sites with some info:

http://waywardmusclecars.com/tech/MoparSuspension.html

http://www.moparts.com/Tech/Archive/susp/17.html

[jamesdart]

springs n things can make you a set of hd leafs and you can have them de arched as much as youd like.

[abodyjoe]

you can buy those lower control arm plates pretty cheap..  i forget who sells them.  then just weld them on yourself..  i welded a set to a friends rr arms.. real easy to do ..

[Jim_Lusk]

You don't need $550 shocks. KYB's are fine for about 1/4 (or less) of that. I'd keep it simple.
.920 or .990 torsion bars.
Aftermarket sway bars front and rear.
KYB shocks
Good 15 or 16 inch wheels (I'd go with 15s)
"H" rated or better tires. Kuhmo has some good offerings for a good price.
Frame connectors.

Everything else is nice, but for a great street handler you won't notice much difference. You may notice the difference on a race track, though.

[abodyjoe]

how do you box in a LCA? picts?  thx

  here are the lower control arm plates..  looks like they are only $20...

http://www.magnumhp.com/showdetails.php?ITEM=ARE-16





.

[70 Dustpan]

how do you box in a LCA? picts? thx

 here are the lower control arm plates.. looks like they are only $20...

http://www.magnumhp.com/showdetails.php?ITEM=ARE-16

.

There not that hard to make either. I did mine with a cut-off wheel and a hole-saw.

[BIGFISH]

You don't need $550 shocks. KYB's are fine for about 1/4 (or less) of that. I'd keep it simple.
.920 or .990 torsion bars.
Aftermarket sway bars front and rear.
KYB shocks
Good 15 or 16 inch wheels (I'd go with 15s)
"H" rated or better tires. Kuhmo has some good offerings for a good price.
Frame connectors.

Everything else is nice, but for a great street handler you won't notice much difference. You may notice the difference on a race track, though.

other than what Jim has listed here, which is a great package, i'd upgrade to some good brake pads and rear shoes. might not hurt to run braided steel brake lines and some high end brake fluid. i've boiled mine from running it hard. 

[(Neil) NChap4012]

Mancini racing also sells the LCA plates  $22.95

[dennis]

 dstrmtrinstalldo you use these LCA plates ontop/bottom and what purpose do they do? dennis

[Jim_Lusk]

The LCA plates limit the flex in the LCA. They go on the bottom.