converting...well, for this one anyway!
#1270877
07/20/12 01:08 PM
07/20/12 01:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,362 Out of the State of Confusion
blue_stocker
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,362
Out of the State of Confusion
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Well, this is different and certainly should be interesting! I've been around the MOPARTS forums since the very early days but have been (so-to-speak) stuck in the drag racing 'groove'. Having been a drag racer (stock & super stock since '71), and not being able to sell this car as it was, it's being converted to street-duty, and up-to-this-point has been an intersting and somewhat disappointing adventure, but that seems to be changing. All of the hard-core racing parts and suspension have been removed/sold and the 'tamer' street-type components have begun to appear, BUT...the competitive spirit seems to have raised it's ugly little head once again; you know, the one that wants to twist the wheel under power, so I could be in a heap a trouble here too!
So wheel-twisters, here's what I've got and here's what I need from this 'handlers' forum: a good handling package for this old 1971 B-body. As it sits, the car's a former stock eliminator drag car, frames tied (quite well), 8 pt roll bar (a new mild steel cage in the basement, oh oh!), new 1.03" torsion bars, LCA stiffener plates, torque boxes, removed the D60 and am currently building an 8-3/4 w/powr-lok and after-market axles, looking at 16x8 steel wheels and Z-rated Falken 255-50-16 tires. Since this will be a 'street car' I opted to NOT go the 'pro street' route as I want good handling not insanity with the real 450-475 hp 440/4 spd that should give adaquate performance. You may have noticed I didn't fill in the suspension blanks, that's where y'all come in. BTW being as I DO like to lean on the loud pedal, there's a good possibility this old girl will see the likes of Thunder Hill and maybe some autocross action, so by-all-means, add your .02! Thanks...wb
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Re: converting...well, for this one anyway!
[Re: blue_stocker]
#1270879
07/20/12 01:22 PM
07/20/12 01:22 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649 On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
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The 8pt cage ---it's a NOT roll bar--- would be fine if you take out a bar or two, and put in the proper bars for corners. How many attach points on the new cage?
Tom
"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."
-Henry David Thoreau
Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths
author unknown
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Re: converting...well, for this one anyway!
[Re: autoxcuda]
#1270881
07/20/12 04:42 PM
07/20/12 04:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302 Nebraska
72Swinger
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
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My car was initially a street/strip bracket car with everything that went with that except a cage. My first couple upgrades were some RMS control arms and a fat Hotchkis swaybar along with swapping drag shocks for some Monroes. I have been hooked ever since, which was only last year. I have done a ton of other stuff since then as well and it keeps getting better and better.
Mopar to the bone!!!
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Re: converting...well, for this one anyway!
[Re: amxautox]
#1270882
07/20/12 05:13 PM
07/20/12 05:13 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,362 Out of the State of Confusion
blue_stocker
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,362
Out of the State of Confusion
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Thanks for responding guys. As for the 'roll bar', yes it IS a roll bar w/hoop, side bars and 2 rear bars intersecting in the trunk and 2 more extending from the cross bar of the hoop diagonally to the frame connectors=8 pt. The new cage is a 12 pt with bars connecting to the front longitudinals to the A-pillars, the A-pillar bars, an under-dash bar and one tube connecting the overhead to the A-pillars, side bars, the rear 'X' from the hoop to the rear shock towers and trunk bars so it should make the triangulation substantial. The D60 IS stronger but the reality is sprung/un-sprung weight and since the car's not really needing that much additional strength (from the brute force of a 6500 rpm static launch in a drag car), the 8-3/4 should do well and have the added bonus of quick gear changing at the track, if needed. I am planning on poly bushings and some Firm Feel components but am not sure which direction to go with shocks?! Being a little 'overkill' oriented, I admit I must be a little more conservative but that balance point is new to me...HA!
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Re: converting...well, for this one anyway!
[Re: blue_stocker]
#1270884
07/20/12 06:02 PM
07/20/12 06:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,386 Pikes Peak Country
TC@HP2
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,386
Pikes Peak Country
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The simples, easiest, best bang for the buck would be to pick up the XV Level 1 kit. It is $2250 for new t-bars, springs, front and rear sway bars and rate matched shocks.
If you want to build it in sections as time/money are available and retaining some of your current parts, then the Hotchkis TVS set up is a nice package that can be purchased individually with an end goal that they will acheive. Overall will run you around $2500, give or take depending on your source for buys.
Either of these get you in the game without the need to dig into analysis of what works well together, what are good mods vs great mods vs incremental mods, or the headache of parts that don't play well together.
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Re: converting...well, for this one anyway!
[Re: dangina]
#1270890
07/23/12 06:21 PM
07/23/12 06:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263 Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
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Quote:
if you want a great deal on tubular adjustable sway bars for our runners - this is what i found, you can't beat the price!
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16954 http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10105
Thanks for the tip, Just ordered the tubular 1 1/4 for $150, ($161.20 shipped). I wanted a Hotchkis, but this should do until I'm rich. I contacted them again and they lowered the shipping $10 or so. So that should make it $151.20 to match or beat Amazon.
Last edited by racealittle; 07/23/12 07:10 PM.
Too many cars, too many parts, too little coin, too little space to work in, too little time left to make it all happen!
Update: down to one ride, still too many parts, a little more jingle in the pocket, gaining space, and it's going to happen this year!
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Re: converting...well, for this one anyway!
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1270893
07/23/12 11:28 PM
07/23/12 11:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302 Nebraska
72Swinger
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
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I usually just google the Hellwig part # and see what comes up. I think I paid $140 shipped for my Hellwig rear bar.AMAZON rules......
Mopar to the bone!!!
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Re: converting...well, for this one anyway!
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1270895
07/25/12 01:04 PM
07/25/12 01:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,386 Pikes Peak Country
TC@HP2
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,386
Pikes Peak Country
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Quote:
That link lists the tubular bar for 71-72, but the 1970 models should have been included since they are the same. I wish that they would have listed the wall thickness. That really helps determine if it is any better than a 1 1/8" solid. Weight savings is nice, but if the performance is a step backwards , then where is the benefit?
I've never had a '70 B body to verify, but as a transitional year, I thought late production year models MAY be able to use the 71+ bar, but might, depending on the pass through in the K frame, may be required to use the '69 and older bar, especially in early production year versions.
This is an important distinction as the pre '70 bar has much longer arms than the post '71 bar and will have differing applied rates between the two, even if they are the same diameter material.
I guess bottom line is if you have a '70, you'd better verify. In wb's case, his car is a '71 so it will use the short arm version like those found in E bodies. So, since I haven't shopped tubular anti -bars, is their a diameter difference between the cut off years as I've seen guys on here talking about 1.38" and 1.25" tubular versions.
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Re: converting...well, for this one anyway!
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1270896
07/31/12 11:25 AM
07/31/12 11:25 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,362 Out of the State of Confusion
blue_stocker
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,362
Out of the State of Confusion
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Quote:
That link lists the tubular bar for 71-72, but the 1970 models should have been included since they are the same. I wish that they would have listed the wall thickness. That really helps determine if it is any better than a 1 1/8" solid. Weight savings is nice, but if the performance is a step backwards , then where is the benefit?
I called Hellwig Monday morning and talked to an engineer who claimed these 1-1/4" front tubular sway bars have .180" wall thickness, if that helps at all.
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