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F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...?

Posted By: Diplomat360

F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/27/15 02:17 AM

I'm considering the upgrade to the stiffer FirmFeel Transverse torsion bars for the F/M/J body cars.

Specifically, looking to install these in my '80 Diplomat coupe. Car is a weekend driver, primarily street, occasional strip pass. My focus is really on doing away with that floaty/plowing front-end feeling. I do have a new set of KONI adjustable shocks that are on the car already. Remainder of the suspension is all brand new, poly K-frame bushings, etc, etc.

I'm curious if anyone has installed these and what your results were.

I personally know one other M-body guy who's very happy with them. Unfortunately we never got a chance to meet up locally for me to experience the new ride in his car.

Thanks!
Posted By: MarkZ

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/27/15 03:18 AM

Dude, you work up the road from me. Block out some time and stop by after work in a week or two (still haven't pulled the car out of storage).
Posted By: 67autocross

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/27/15 05:00 PM

If I ever pick up another Dippy I would give them a try, no car in the mopar world needs front end help more than the FJM. You would also need some good shocks with the increased spring rate which may be a pain finding.

Attached picture 8472506-P1010177.JPG
Posted By: Diplomat360

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/27/15 05:27 PM

Quote:

Dude, you work up the road from me. Block out some time and stop by after work in a week or two (still haven't pulled the car out of storage).



Mark,

Buddy, I would not dare ask you to do something with your ride that I would be un-willing to do with mine, ie take it out on the nasty Michigan roads so early on in the apocaliptic post-Winter season

...but...if you're willing and sure about it, I'm all for it... let's meet up, I'll shoot you an IM to set this up.
Posted By: Diplomat360

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/27/15 05:29 PM

Quote:

If I ever pick up another Dippy I would give them a try, no car in the mopar world needs front end help more than the FJM. You would also need some good shocks with the increased spring rate which may be a pain finding.



I think I'm all good with regards to shocks. Currently on my ride I have the full set of older KONI adjustables. Pretty nice pieces, even with the spongy OEM bars they made quite the difference. I suspect that once the new bars go on I may want to back them off a bit...
Posted By: 67autocross

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/27/15 09:03 PM

Quote:

Quote:

If I ever pick up another Dippy I would give them a try, no car in the mopar world needs front end help more than the FJM. You would also need some good shocks with the increased spring rate which may be a pain finding.



I think I'm all good with regards to shocks. Currently on my ride I have the full set of older KONI adjustables. Pretty nice pieces, even with the spongy OEM bars they made quite the difference. I suspect that once the new bars go on I may want to back them off a bit...



Are the Konis compression or rebound adjustable? I would think think with more spring rate you would be looking for more rebound damping.
Posted By: Diplomat360

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/28/15 04:10 PM

Quote:

Are the Konis compression or rebound adjustable? I would think think with more spring rate you would be looking for more rebound damping.



Judging by the instructions they appear to be rebound adjustable. Which in this case means that the shocks should have the capacity to deal with the stronger T-bar feedback (as they unwind and snap back following a return from the compression motion).

Attached picture 8473429-KONI-Shock_Adjustment_Procedure.jpg
Posted By: Supercuda

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/28/15 09:38 PM

What do you have for swaybars?

Years ago when I had my 87 Diplmat the 'yards were full of Cop Ciplomats and they have larger front bar than the civvie ones, and a rear bars too.
Posted By: Diplomat360

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/29/15 11:14 PM

Quote:

What do you have for swaybars?...



I have the larger fleet/HD bar up front, but just the regular sized one at the back. I've looked around for the bigger one, never really found one.

Yeah, the days of the M-bodies littering the yards are gone around here...LOL...good ol' days for sure...
Posted By: TC@HP2

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/30/15 03:37 PM

Yea, the FJM cars are in that three decade range where they are actually getting difficult to find in some yards. Any volume yard has turned these over to scrap 10-15 years ago.
Posted By: 67autocross

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 03/30/15 05:02 PM

Adco still makes bars for them, not sure if the front is any bigger than a factory taxi/cop bar.

Adco still makes bars for them, if you can’t find them in a yard.
Posted By: Diplomat360

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 04/01/15 01:49 AM

Quote:

Adco still makes bars for them, not sure if the front is any bigger than a factory taxi/cop bar...



Yes, but if I'm not mistaken (I had an old Adco rear bar once in a box) they mount differently from the OEM setups. Hmm...worth a 2nd look though...let me check it out..thanks!
Posted By: 67autocross

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 04/01/15 04:01 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Adco still makes bars for them, not sure if the front is any bigger than a factory taxi/cop bar...



Yes, but if I'm not mistaken (I had an old Adco rear bar once in a box) they mount differently from the OEM setups. Hmm...worth a 2nd look though...let me check it out..thanks!



I put one on the front of my 88 dippy at one time, I think it was 1/8 bigger than a cop bar. It mounted in the same location as stock. After about 10,000 miles one of the end links ripped out of the lower control arms so you might think about bracing them.
Posted By: 67autocross

Re: F-M-J body FirmFeel transverse torsion bar results...? - 04/07/15 11:50 PM

Picture of Addco bar, I measured it and it is 1 & 1/8" same size as a cop bar.

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