Re: ALTERKATION HATED BY MOPAR ACTION??
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1228647
05/07/12 06:17 PM
05/07/12 06:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,079 Berlin, N.J.
abodyjoe
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,079
Berlin, N.J.
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Quote:
I'll add that I also agree that the means RMS used to eliminate bump steer seemed odd. Rick referred to it as a "cantilevered" design. In smoothe surfaces, the design probably works fine. Imagine taking it on the neglected roads that we drive on every day. The dips, cracks, ruts and potholes would certainly take a toll.
my alter-k has been in my dart since july of 2006. its all crappy pot hole (should see my road. wish they would fix the damn thing soon) dip all over south jersey/pa roads driven. system has held up fine. all original heim joints and all. i grease everything every spring while i'm checking the car over for the summer season. if it wasn't a 80 mile round trip for work or gas was $1 a gallon again i would daily drive the car. no doubts in my mind that the system would hold up to daily abuse. only issue i have is that the paint i used on it when it was new is falling the hell off. that pisses me off..
It's better to keep your mouth shut and give the impression that you're stupid than to open it and remove all doubt. www.MoparMisfits.com
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Re: ALTERKATION HATED BY MOPAR ACTION??
[Re: Jim_Lusk]
#1228651
05/07/12 09:38 PM
05/07/12 09:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,581 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,581
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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I have driven several cars with the Alter-K and the Mr. Norms design plus a few other of the designs, and all were based off the Alter-K except the Magnum Force. I have been over 150 MPH and through the twisties a few times at speed and my opinion is the Alter-K is the best. Yes there is some bump steer with some of the designs, but the Alter-K seems to have the least IMHO. The main difference between stock k-frames and Alter-K types are the removal of the torsion bars and addition of coil overs, less weight, better brakes, plus rack and pinion steering. I do agree that the unibody was not designed for the loads on the shock towers that the coil overs have and to be honest tying the frames and gusseting the shock towers should be done if the car is to be street driven alot. Son't forget the infinite adjustability of the new suspensions to your taste, while the stock suspensions are very limited.
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
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Re: ALTERKATION HATED BY MOPAR ACTION??
[Re: savoy64]
#1228653
05/07/12 10:04 PM
05/07/12 10:04 PM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I totally agree with Rick on all the points he made.
However...
Rick is all about making things "bomb proof" and I can see where the RMS may have it's shortcoming in an application that sees thousands of street miles in all conditions.
The factory Mopar design is very hard to improve upon when you think about it in that application.
If you're after weight reduction and something that free's up space for headers in a drag-type application then the RMS K is your ticket.
I thought he was very fair in his analogy.
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Re: ALTERKATION HATED BY MOPAR ACTION??
[Re: savoy64]
#1228654
05/07/12 10:25 PM
05/07/12 10:25 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,684 W. Kentucky
justinp61
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,684
W. Kentucky
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I have looked at the Alterk kit for my street/strip Dart. It's a very nice set up for sure, but honestly I think my money is better spent elsewhere. As it's set up now it runs high 1.30 60' foot range. I run skinnies up front with Cal-Tracs and monos on the rear so it's set up more to go in a straight line. That being said it doesn't handle bad and is very predictable in the curves. The only front end upgrades I'm looking at now is a set of adjustable upper control arms with heim ends and adjustable strut rods. The car already has Strange disk on the front, Wilwoods on the rear and will stop on a dime. Nice front end set up, but not worth the $$$ to me. I like to see more return for the investment on the parts I buy. .
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Re: ALTERKATION HATED BY MOPAR ACTION??
[Re: cudaboone]
#1228658
05/07/12 10:50 PM
05/07/12 10:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,079 Berlin, N.J.
abodyjoe
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,079
Berlin, N.J.
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Quote:
Did not mean to start a firestorm. I just feel that if you knock something, you should have some facts to back up any and all of your statements. It's no different that any other scientific or professional statement. You have to have data to back them up good or bad. Expecially when it is someone's business/livelyhood. Hated might have been a little harsh, but he did seem to zero in on alterkation. If i do get one, it looks like a will have to come up with a way to beef up the frame. It looks enticing when you think of the room you will gain.
its a lot more enticing if you have ever driven a car with one. i'm working on selling a few thing and saving so i can buy a second one to install in jamies dart.
It's better to keep your mouth shut and give the impression that you're stupid than to open it and remove all doubt. www.MoparMisfits.com
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Re: ALTERKATION HATED BY MOPAR ACTION??
[Re: RUNCHARGER]
#1228659
05/07/12 10:53 PM
05/07/12 10:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,185 Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,185
Park Forest, IL
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If you really take a look at how a stock Mopar front suspension works you'd realize what a piece of crap it is. The upper A-arm moves in so many different directions there is no way it can not bump steer. Watch any stock suspension Mopar (especially an A body) come down from a wheelstand at the drag strip. The front wheel moves more directions than Shakira's azz.
You think just because you don't wheelstand you've got nothing to worry about? That's just an example of what the geometry looks like going through it's travel. Yours will do the same thing hitting bumps on the highway at speed.
Will it affect most people? No, but an AlterK-Tion addresses the real issues for those who want a suspension that works properly.
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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Re: ALTERKATION HATED BY MOPAR ACTION??
[Re: RodStRace]
#1228662
05/08/12 12:27 AM
05/08/12 12:27 AM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
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Quote:
Slant, while I don't have the heavy background to give either design the nod, I will say that your example is a simplification. By that measure, a straight axle is great!
..if you're into Conestoga's.
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