M Body handling improvements

Posted By: 440PURSUIT

M Body handling improvements - 09/09/13 04:22 PM

Just scored a clean 1980 Diplomat 2 door.

What would be some good improvements to this car?

Cop Parts or aftermarket?

Thanks

Posted By: 67autocross

Re: M Body handling improvements - 09/09/13 04:23 PM

1980 or 1990? I think the last year for the M was 89

Posted By: Supercuda

Re: M Body handling improvements - 09/09/13 04:23 PM

You mean 80?

Cop stuff, if you can find it, is usually cheap. Firm Feel makes some stuff for them, not cheap but quality.

I believe Mopar Muscle had a series on upgrading the M some years ago. Finally, www.dippy.org is a good resource.

Posted By: Supercuda

Re: M Body handling improvements - 09/09/13 04:24 PM

Quote:

1980 or 1990? I think the last year for the M was 89

Got to be 80, 81 was the last year of the 2 door I believe.

Posted By: 67autocross

Re: M Body handling improvements - 09/09/13 04:30 PM

Next question how much do you want to spend?

Posted By: 440PURSUIT

Re: M Body handling improvements - 09/09/13 05:39 PM

1980

Posted By: 440PURSUIT

Re: M Body handling improvements - 09/09/13 05:43 PM

Wow, my iPhone did some nasty Spell changes.

I would want to be conservative spending. Other muscle projects take precedence.

C

Posted By: 67autocross

Re: M Body handling improvements - 09/09/13 06:08 PM

Solid K member mounts and good front shocks would be my first items.

Posted By: Supercuda

Re: M Body handling improvements - 09/10/13 12:55 AM

http://firmfeel.com/fmj.htm

A god place to look around

Posted By: MarkZ

Re: M Body handling improvements - 09/17/13 04:43 AM

How crazy are you looking to get? The weakest part of the entire package are the torsion bars in my opinion. I've got a Fifth Avenue that I pretty much did everything to and still wasn't very happy with it until I put new bars in it.

Cop sway bars, frame ties, and modifying the power steering pump will give you the biggest improvement (providing everything else is straight) for the least amount on money spent. If you really want to make it handle:

-FF 300# torsion bars
-FF aluminum K frame biscuits
-Cop 1 1/8" front sway bar (civy is only 1 1/16") with poly bushings
-Cop 3/4" rear bar with poly bushings
-Frame ties
-5 leaf rear springs
-Dump the ISO setup in the rear and run B-body shock plates
-Bilstein shocks on all four corners
-11/16" tie rods
-Modify the stock power steering pump regulator valve to turn down the pressure
-Decent tires

This is what I did to my Fifth and it handles like it's on rails now.