Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable #2312373
05/28/17 01:15 PM
05/28/17 01:15 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
H
Hemi ragtop Offline OP
super stock
Hemi ragtop  Offline OP
super stock
H

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
I have driven 5,700 miles in my HEMI convertible. Now I want to improve the ride. It is harsh, especially in the rear. I am thinking about better shocks. Here is what I have:
Rear, Cal Track mono springs (Rubber bushings vs. Aluminum) and bars. Super Stock gas shocks from Mancini and a .900" rear sway bar.
Front, .970" T bars, 1.25" Firm Feel sway bar and parts store gas shocks. All mounts are urethane.
Weights:
LF 1,151 lb.
RF 1,104 lb.LR 1,057 lb.
RR 862 lb.
What do you guys suggest?

Last edited by Hemi ragtop; 05/28/17 01:16 PM. Reason: no photo
Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2312430
05/28/17 03:38 PM
05/28/17 03:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
autoxcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
Maybe.

Have you tried removing/disconnecting the cal track bars and see if there is a change?

What about putting the stock rear springs back in and see how it rides?

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2312433
05/28/17 03:52 PM
05/28/17 03:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda Offline
About to go away
Supercuda  Offline
About to go away

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
That's a pretty damned big rear bar


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2312479
05/28/17 05:25 PM
05/28/17 05:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
BigBlockMopar Offline
master
BigBlockMopar  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
IMO harshness comes from shocks.
I think a better shock will change a lot for the car.

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: BigBlockMopar] #2312489
05/28/17 05:44 PM
05/28/17 05:44 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
H
Hemi ragtop Offline OP
super stock
Hemi ragtop  Offline OP
super stock
H

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
The ride IMPROVED with the Cal Trac springs. I am wondering about the shocks and possibly rear sway bar.
I'm looking for some one who KNOWS shocks. 4 corner weight should help. This car will NOT see a dragstrip (I would have chosen a much lighter, cheaper car/engine for that! I just love to drive it!

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: BigBlockMopar] #2312490
05/28/17 05:45 PM
05/28/17 05:45 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
H
Hemi ragtop Offline OP
super stock
Hemi ragtop  Offline OP
super stock
H

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
Who would you recommend I go to for good shocks?

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2312514
05/28/17 06:31 PM
05/28/17 06:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
BigBlockMopar Offline
master
BigBlockMopar  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
I think 'autoxcuda' thinks you're running CalTrack traction bars.

My '73 Dart became a much more 'evolved'/upgraded handling car when it went from KYB gas shocks upfront and Monroe Sensatrac shocks in the rear, to adjustable Hotchkis upfront and QA1 adjustable shocks at the rear.
I also improved/upgraded the springs.

Before all that it rode kinda rough as well but I didn't really know it because I was kinda used it.
Even though my C-bodies drove much nicer.

The Dart is a pure daily driver, but it can hang in the corners with most modern cars on the roads these days.
It's a 3200 lbs car without driver.

I also always had to slow down before (smooth) speedbumps to prevent being bounched around like a toy car.
After the upgrade I can even pick up speed and the speedbumps get delt with in an almost professional way.

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2312515
05/28/17 06:32 PM
05/28/17 06:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
autoxcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
Disconnect the rear sway bar on one end. If ride doesn't change, not the issue.

You are asking for the ride and harshness to improve. High end performance shocks probably aren't going to help. They help control really stiff springs (which you don't have) and control weight transfer. You are trying to make it a little more Cadillac, not make it more Viper.

You are looking to dampen and soften the high speed shock acceleration for noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). That quick movement comes from bumps, cracks, roughness in the road.

Low speed dampening is the vehicle weight transfer/transition side to side, front to rear, or both (corner to corner)

I'd look at Bilstien RCD. Maybe an adjustable, But it would be just set on the soft settings.

Last edited by autoxcuda; 05/28/17 06:39 PM.
Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: BigBlockMopar] #2312522
05/28/17 06:45 PM
05/28/17 06:45 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
autoxcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
Originally Posted By BigBlockMopar
I think 'autoxcuda' thinks you're running CalTrack traction bars.



Yes. He said Cal Trac and bars.

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2312549
05/28/17 07:26 PM
05/28/17 07:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
BigBlockMopar Offline
master
BigBlockMopar  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
Ah, somehow missed that the first 2 times I read it.

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: BigBlockMopar] #2312907
05/29/17 12:34 PM
05/29/17 12:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
H
Hemi ragtop Offline OP
super stock
Hemi ragtop  Offline OP
super stock
H

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
Thanks for the ideas, so Bilstein adjustable set on the softest setting? Front and back?

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2318316
06/09/17 01:20 AM
06/09/17 01:20 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,538
Albany, NY
67SATisfaction Offline
The member whose name is actually Art
67SATisfaction  Offline
The member whose name is actually Art

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,538
Albany, NY
Originally Posted By Hemi ragtop
Thanks for the ideas, so Bilstein adjustable set on the softest setting? Front and back?


Good place to start softening the ride - and I'll throw in my $.02 and suggest you use rubber bushings (which you mention in your OP)... rubber bushings at the shocks will help relieve the harshness.

Best,
- Art


Last edited by 67SATisfaction; 06/09/17 01:22 AM.

65 Satellite hardtop 361/4bbl console 727 2.76
67 Satellite convert 383/2bbl column 727 3.23
67 Lancia Fulvia Sport 1.3 Zagato. Alloy body, 1.3L V4 DOHC 4-spd
67 Lancia Fulvia Rallye 1.3. Alloy panel, 1.3L V4 DOHC 4-spd
71 Alfa Romeo GT Junior 1300 Zagato, 1.3L 4cyl DOHC hemi 5-spd
82 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5L SOHC hemi V6 5-spd transaxle
75 Maserati Bora US spec 4.9L DOHC hemi V8 5-spd ZF
77 Maserati Khamsin Euro spec 4.9L DOHC hemi V8 5-spd ZF
07 Aston Martin DB9 6.0L DOHC V12 6spd transaxle
Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2319881
06/12/17 01:50 PM
06/12/17 01:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
M
minivan Offline
master
minivan  Offline
master
M

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
I know people who have had great success with some plain jane Monroe shocks you can buy at the parts store..

I have KYB on my car and they are somewhat harsh and I might try the Monroe shocks if I keep my car longer....

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2320180
06/12/17 09:34 PM
06/12/17 09:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
H
Hemi ragtop Offline OP
super stock
Hemi ragtop  Offline OP
super stock
H

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
OK, thanks for all the imput. I called several "respected" names in the business. Then I thought, "why not Firm Feel"? They provided my steering box, front sway bar and even built the Federal power steering pump for me.

I called, unlike the others, when I mentioned that I had the 4 wheel weights, they said, "let me guess them"!. They were within 100#!

They sold me Bilstiens that were modified to fit the car. After installing them, I just got to say, WHAT A RIDE!.

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2320183
06/12/17 09:39 PM
06/12/17 09:39 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
Striving for excellence
Kern Dog  Offline
Striving for excellence

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Yeah, the Bilsteins are great shocks.

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2320184
06/12/17 09:41 PM
06/12/17 09:41 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
H
Hemi ragtop Offline OP
super stock
Hemi ragtop  Offline OP
super stock
H

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
The harshness is gone, the ride is smooth. The car takes the 15 mph curves with no lean and confidence at 30 mph. I love it!

Don't forget our Mopar sponsors, they specialize in our cars and KNOW our cars!

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2320254
06/12/17 11:34 PM
06/12/17 11:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
autoxcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
Originally Posted By Hemi ragtop
The harshness is gone, the ride is smooth. The car takes the 15 mph curves with no lean and confidence at 30 mph. I love it!

Don't forget our Mopar sponsors, they specialize in our cars and KNOW our cars!


So were they bilstien RCD non adjustables?

Were they off the shelf or did he have them custom made for you?

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2320262
06/12/17 11:40 PM
06/12/17 11:40 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
Striving for excellence
Kern Dog  Offline
Striving for excellence

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
KYBs should be called:
Kill
Your
Buttocks.

Re: Improved ride, 66' Coronet convertable [Re: autoxcuda] #2320397
06/13/17 08:44 AM
06/13/17 08:44 AM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
H
Hemi ragtop Offline OP
super stock
Hemi ragtop  Offline OP
super stock
H

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 984
Tennessee
Bilstein doesn't make a shock for the car. Firm Feel uses a shock made for the WEIGHT of the car and modifies them.







Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1