First round of suspension mods/steering. Am I on track?
#1669919
09/10/14 11:26 PM
09/10/14 11:26 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 305
5th and plum
redmist
OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 305
5th and plum
|
I am looking at doing the borgeson steering box, QA1 K-Member, Hotchkis 1.03" T-bars, Magnumforce Sub frames, and QA1 Upper control arms.
I am building this car to be a very spirited/thrashing street car. Might do some auto-X with it.
Are the parts above a decent start to a good formula overall?? I have an old PTS 1&1/8" sway bar on the front right now. (I think it's 7/8, its been years.)
Last edited by redmist; 09/11/14 01:02 AM.
|
|
|
Re: First round of suspension mods/steering. Am I on track?
[Re: Dan@Hotchkis]
#1669921
09/11/14 12:54 AM
09/11/14 12:54 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 305
5th and plum
redmist
OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 305
5th and plum
|
Yup, already have a power steering box. No reason to replace K-frame other than to clean up the underside.
ETA: Looks like my front sway bar is 1&1/8"
Last edited by redmist; 09/11/14 01:01 AM.
|
|
|
Re: First round of suspension mods/steering. Am I on track?
[Re: redmist]
#1669924
09/11/14 10:34 AM
09/11/14 10:34 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,491
Lethbridge, AB, Canada
dangina
pro stock
|
pro stock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,491
Lethbridge, AB, Canada
|
Quote:
See that makes more sense. I guess I could utilize that time to add some strength to the K frame as well.
I think going stage III right out of the gate with the firm feel would be a smart option??
yes.
|
|
|
Re: First round of suspension mods/steering. Am I on track?
[Re: BergmanAutoCraft]
#1669926
09/11/14 11:09 AM
09/11/14 11:09 AM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 841
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Dan@Hotchkis
super stock
|
super stock
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 841
Santa Fe Springs, CA
|
Quote:
I beg to differ on the steering box issue. The borgeson is light years better than the factory box could ever be. To me, the steering is so important, this is not an area to skimp.
Same technology as a factory box, and the Borgesons are just rebuilt used cores as well. That plus the pitman fitment issues makes me hesitant to use them. If converting from manual to power, it's a "might as well" kind of thing. But if he's got all the junk and it just needs a freshening; might as well save 650 bucks. Once the Borgeson unit wears in the gears where they over tightened it to make the tight spot, it'll feel just like a factory box.
|
|
|
Re: First round of suspension mods/steering. Am I on track?
[Re: Dan@Hotchkis]
#1669927
09/11/14 03:05 PM
09/11/14 03:05 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,577
Long Island, NY USA
BergmanAutoCraft
master
|
master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,577
Long Island, NY USA
|
First off, I don't want to get into a pissing match with another vendor, but facts are facts.
The borg box carries a remachined pitman shaft. The tolerances between this shaft and the rack block are tighter and much more consistant than the 50 year old boxes. The valving is light years ahead as well using the same technology as rack and pinions, not reaction springs like the factory boxes. Lastly, the 14:1 ratio is another big plus. Having sold 150 boxes to happy customers and installing another dozen in the shop and having one in my own car for the past 2 years, this is a worthwhile upgrage. In fact, Kevin Westley has one going in the Dart Sport build that has been posted here several times.
|
|
|
Re: First round of suspension mods/steering. Am I on track?
[Re: BergmanAutoCraft]
#1669928
09/11/14 03:19 PM
09/11/14 03:19 PM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 841
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Dan@Hotchkis
super stock
|
super stock
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 841
Santa Fe Springs, CA
|
Quote:
In fact, Kevin Westley has one going in the Dart Sport build that has been posted here several times.
Nope, factory manual. He bought one but will not be using it.
|
|
|
Re: First round of suspension mods/steering. Am I on track?
[Re: redmist]
#1669931
09/11/14 06:26 PM
09/11/14 06:26 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 661
Iowa
jon01
mopar
|
mopar
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 661
Iowa
|
I'm in the same boat...a grand for a steering BOX is a bit hard to stomach. Has me thinking about having my manual box rebuilt with quicker ratio and ditching PS altogether. Gain header clearance and 1 less thing to go wrong.
68 Charger R/T - #'s matching car, 499/727/3.91
|
|
|
Re: First round of suspension mods/steering. Am I on track?
[Re: redmist]
#1669934
09/12/14 01:23 AM
09/12/14 01:23 AM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 841
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Dan@Hotchkis
super stock
|
super stock
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 841
Santa Fe Springs, CA
|
Quote:
Alright, I busted out the credit card (Murica!!) and ordered
Hotchkis Strut rods
Hotchkis Sub frame connectors (weld in)
Hotchkis 1.10 Torsion bars
Hotchkis 1.5 Front tuned shocks
QA1 Upper control arms
The milodon road race pan and pickup
I will drop my factory K, hack, weld, gusset
Still not sure on steering, but leaning towards Firm Feel. I know header clearance is going to be an issue as it already is a little, but damn... $370 vs $700.... Not sure.
I already have the CAS 13" cobra brakes in the front, and 11.7 cobra brakes in the back. I am going to add Hydroboost to this setup and with the above parts, the front end should be very well sorted. I will save the rear for another day.
Big step in the right direction. Don't forget, the 700.00 for the Borgeson unit only gets you the box. There is another 200.00-300.00 in parts needed to make it work in the car.(couplings, hoses, fittings)
Also, any reason for the hang up on the QA-1 arms? Our arms are the only ones on the market that correct the geometry by relocating the forward pick up point. You can accomplish the same thing the QA-1 units do by using Moog offset bushings and fresh upper ball joints. It would save a few dollars if that is the goal.
|
|
|
Re: First round of suspension mods/steering. Am I on track?
[Re: Dan@Hotchkis]
#1669936
09/12/14 01:11 PM
09/12/14 01:11 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 305
5th and plum
redmist
OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 305
5th and plum
|
Quote:
Quote:
Alright, I busted out the credit card (Murica!!) and ordered
Hotchkis Strut rods
Hotchkis Sub frame connectors (weld in)
Hotchkis 1.10 Torsion bars
Hotchkis 1.5 Front tuned shocks
QA1 Upper control arms
The milodon road race pan and pickup
I will drop my factory K, hack, weld, gusset
Still not sure on steering, but leaning towards Firm Feel. I know header clearance is going to be an issue as it already is a little, but damn... $370 vs $700.... Not sure.
I already have the CAS 13" cobra brakes in the front, and 11.7 cobra brakes in the back. I am going to add Hydroboost to this setup and with the above parts, the front end should be very well sorted. I will save the rear for another day.
Big step in the right direction. Don't forget, the 700.00 for the Borgeson unit only gets you the box. There is another 200.00-300.00 in parts needed to make it work in the car.(couplings, hoses, fittings)
Also, any reason for the hang up on the QA-1 arms? Our arms are the only ones on the market that correct the geometry by relocating the forward pick up point. You can accomplish the same thing the QA-1 units do by using Moog offset bushings and fresh upper ball joints. It would save a few dollars if that is the goal.
Only issue was price. I can tell your arms are a much better product. I am going to have to choose wisely and get the best "Bang for the Buck" to make this all work. Unless you want to trade car parts for guns, haha Interesting note on the upper point correction. That's something I did not know about. *sigh*
|
|
|
Re: First round of suspension mods/steering. Am I on track?
[Re: jon01]
#1669937
09/12/14 01:42 PM
09/12/14 01:42 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,577
Long Island, NY USA
BergmanAutoCraft
master
|
master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,577
Long Island, NY USA
|
Quote:
Quote:
The price has been tough for many, but it includes the parts necessary for a bolt in installation. Secondly, free shipping this month for Moparts members!
The price isn't the issue for me, it's the minimal improvement it offers over the stock box. 16:1 vs 14:1 = 12.5% improvement for $1,000. Marginal returns.
Boy are you missing the boat on this one. The steering is the number one thing in your hands at all times. If it was just the ratio I'd agree. The feel of the oe boxes is just dead on center, no matter what is done to them. The sharp on center feel is worth its weight in gold on these pieces.
|
|
|
|
|
