Springs/shocks combo?

I have a set of 1.08” torsion bars on order...which based on everything I read, should provide the balance of ride and handling that I’m looking for. Hard but not not punishing...

I still need to select leaf springs and shocks. Emphasis on handling, of course.

It seems like the Hotchkis springs are a good pick offering a lower ride height and an appropriate rate...is there any competing product out there that I should check out?

What do you guys like for shocks?

I had 1.06" T-bars, Hotchkis TVS, and Hotchkis adjustable shocks in my '68 Dart and it was a smooth ride. I now have 1.18" T-bars and the car handles a lot better with no compromise in comfort IMO.

Thanks....most folks seem to say that bars that big are mostly for track-driven cars...but if they’re actually not too rough for street use, I maybe have a regret setting in. That’s the problem with not being able to actually try out a suspension set up before buying/installing stuff.

How did you go about matching with your rear springs in either case?

I think the Koni shocks are the best value available but the rears require some mods before you can install them. The fronts should bolt on.

Rear springs are a compromise of course. A matched pair of Super Stock springs is a cost effective way to go but they are heavy and require different front hangers. You might be better off these days with a leaf spring designed for handling.

I haven't spent any time on rear springs in a few years. These days I'd probably start with the Hotchkis springs and go from there. Maybe try a set of split mono leafs from Calvert or take a look at the fiberglass springs that some circle track guys run.

anyone tried caltracks and sliders for a handling setup? I've been curious if it would help plant the car out of the corners without causing crazy understeer.

MrGTX, don't forget there's also a (slight) difference in springrates between A and B-body torsion bars because of their difference in length.

I've got 1" bars on my dailydriven '73 Dart, but I'm considering 1.14" bars now.
Hotchkis adjustable shocks up front and adjustable QA1 shocks on the rear with 7-blades per side.

I didn't. It was trial and error. In my opinion, the A-body Hotchkis leaf springs are a little too soft for how much it lowers the car. I'm thinking about adding a cheapo helper spring on them to prevent them from sagging when my trunk has a bunch of stuff in it. God forbid right now I even think about fitting a spare tire in the back. Part of the problem has to do with the offset wheels I have, but still.

MRGTX -- Your 1.08 TBs will be slight noticeable difference, but you'll probably realize that you could have gone a little stiffer with them, such as about 1.14-1.18, and you'll still have reasonable comfort. But, what tire aspect ratio are you going to run?... that'll make a difference in itself... 35-40-45-50-60-70 series tires? shorter aspect ratio sidewalls make for stiffer rides.

For leaf springs, either the Firm Feel handling leafs, or the Hothckis. If you get more serious for handling, you'll eventually make them stiffer.

For shocks, I'd highly recommend any of the multi-adjustable shocks (double adjustables) such as Viking, QA1, etc.... you won't regret it, and, you can fine-tune the ride and handling as you find best in comfort and, perhaps, occasional track lapping events.

Thanks so much for all of the help and insight.

The 1.08" bars are here and I'm going to give them a shot. At some point I may go for the 1.14" if these don't work out. I have to guess that someone will want the 1.08" bars if I need to sell them to recoup some of the costs. In any case, compared to 45 year old stock bars, it should be a huge step up.

The next question I have is about the leaf springs...if the Hotchkis ones are too soft (and need a helper) is there an option that provides both a drop and an adequate spring rate?

Any concerns about matching the front and rear spring rates?

You should be fine with this setup... (1.08 TBs and Hotchkis leafs) the Hotchkis leafs are suppoosed to guive a slight drop in ride height (check your snubber clearance in rear... probably OK.... but you'll really want to fine tune to your liking... so.. highly consider the double adjustable shocks (Viking, QA1, etc)... giving you the final say to suite your comfort. Also, pending how low you may go in the front with the TBS height adjustment, you may need to slightly shorten (cut) the front rubber snubbers on the LCAs.

My rear springs were a trial and error deal. I started with re-pop XHD leafs on an E. As new they sat too high. With time they sagged low and I realized spring rate was too low. A full leaf added to both sides by my local spring shop fixed both problems. Happy now. FWIW, spring rates in round numbers are 140 lb/in for XHD's and 170 lb/in for XHD + a full leaf.

have you ever though about running fiberglass leaf springs? you can then pick your rear rate you want I run hyperco 200lbs rears with sliders, only because I didn't know about the flex-forms that offer more customization than the hyperco.

As some of you know, I run the Flex-a-Form fiberglass leafs... mono-design, lightweight (approx 10 pounds each)... I discussed with Flex-a-Form my desires and intentions (SCCA autocrossing... national-level competition, class E/SP)... they wanted the 4-corner weights of the car particularly as I'd be driving/competing. From that figure, they recommended 225 pounds per inch, with a 5" in free arch (uncompressed)... settled at about 1-1/2" arch (compressed, but later settled flatter after a few months. Poly front/rear bushings. If I'd do it again, I would go slightly stiffer (~250 with a 4" arch, which would still settle close to flat after a while. The fiberglass leafs are supposed to give quicker response/reaction. I've been pleased... have run these on the car since mid-late 1980s.

Keep in mind, that I also run 1.24" diameter torsion bars (rated at 425 pounds per inch... after trying several smaller TBs), and I have adjustable Koni shocks, and the car's main intention is competition autocrossing (pylon and hi-speed tracks)... and its still comfortble on the highway cruising (avoiding streets with rough surfaces).