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Re: 66 valiant Wagon 440 W2 - Best handling OEM based parts
[Re: Streetwize]
#1692593
11/01/14 07:11 PM
11/01/14 07:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,875
Weddington, N.C.
Streetwize
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,875
Weddington, N.C.
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Regarding the LCA's, Has anyone but me ever just drilled a couple holes and then bridge the LCA's perpendicularly with cross bolted steel sleeves? Its real easy and adds nearly (though not quite as much) as much strength as welding them with plates. Not everybody had access to a machine shop to fab the plates.... or a welder, not 20 yrs ago, and not in my garage anyway. Its also a fairly common 'backyard' hop up on gm and ford cars with stamped U type lower trailing arms to add torsional rigidity, dead simple fix with a drill and about $5 worth of materials 
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Re: 66 valiant Wagon 440 W2 - Best handling OEM based parts
[Re: Streetwize]
#1692594
11/01/14 07:13 PM
11/01/14 07:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,692
Seattle WA
RichV
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,692
Seattle WA
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Quote:
I basically want a sub 3000 pound 66 wagon with the best overall handling and braking using (primarily )OEM-sourced parts and assuming 15" Max wheels (15 x 8 cop wheels most likely). Only exception may be the rear brake discs which I'll probably do a Dr diff kit.
Probably 11.75" Cordoba rotors, 340 A body .870 torsion bars (or slightly larger since I've got some fatter tires), XHD (340) springs in back with bolt on swaybars.
This is not gonna be a drag car, I want this one to drive and drive often. 5500 max RPM, 10:1 and "only" about 525 hp with crushing torque curve all through the powerband. 3.23 or 3.55 gears, shift kit. Motor is already sorted and ready to go.
So basically I want a slightly improved police type ride in a ~1000 pound lighter and better weight distributed package.
The cop car wheels are really heavy, probably not the best choice for handling. They are probably a good choice if you are going to hop curbs or drive through potholes.
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Re: 66 valiant Wagon 440 W2 - Best handling OEM based parts
[Re: Streetwize]
#1692597
11/01/14 07:36 PM
11/01/14 07:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
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Quote:
Regarding the LCA's,
Has anyone but me ever just drilled a couple holes and then bridge the LCA's perpendicularly with cross bolted steel sleeves? Its real easy and adds nearly (though not quite as much) as much strength as welding them with plates. Not everybody had access to a machine shop to fab the plates.... or a welder, not 20 yrs ago, and not in my garage anyway.
Its also a fairly common 'backyard' hop up on gm and ford cars with stamped U type lower trailing arms to add torsional rigidity, dead simple fix with a drill and about $5 worth of materials
Seems like a good idea for the guy without access to a welder or knows someone with a welder.
I don't weld. But I just got these 1" wide steel strap and braced mine. No added weight for overlapping metal and I didn't want them too obvious. Thought about sinking the ones on the bottom 1/2" or so you couldn't see them well.
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Re: 66 valiant Wagon 440 W2 - Best handling OEM based parts
[Re: Streetwize]
#1692600
11/01/14 08:34 PM
11/01/14 08:34 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,147
Mesa, Arizona
dart4forte
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,147
Mesa, Arizona
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Quote:
@ dart4forte,
Thanks for that link! Very cool car, I forwarded the link to Stephen to check out. 
Jim is actually are pretty talented guy with lots of A body experience. Drop him a line and pick his brain.
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Re: 66 valiant Wagon 440 W2 - Best handling OEM based parts
[Re: Streetwize]
#1692602
11/02/14 01:27 PM
11/02/14 01:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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Quote:
Regarding the LCA's,
Has anyone but me ever just drilled a couple holes and then bridge the LCA's perpendicularly with cross bolted steel sleeves? Its real easy and adds nearly (though not quite as much) as much strength as welding them with plates. Not everybody had access to a machine shop to fab the plates.... or a welder, not 20 yrs ago, and not in my garage anyway.
Its also a fairly common 'backyard' hop up on gm and ford cars with stamped U type lower trailing arms to add torsional rigidity, dead simple fix with a drill and about $5 worth of materials
And I quote "Monkey see, monkey do"
Its not a problem that needs to be solved, and no one on this site on their best day could notice an improvement by this mod, or substantiate a failure w/O it.
Want a banana? 
I am also leery of usefulness of "bone crushing" torque in a relative light stock suspension 15"x8 tired car on the street. HP yes.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: 66 valiant Wagon 440 W2 - Best handling OEM based parts
[Re: jcc]
#1692603
11/02/14 01:55 PM
11/02/14 01:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,875
Weddington, N.C.
Streetwize
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,875
Weddington, N.C.
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JCC, I'm looking for a specific power/torque curve for the combo, I've had big block powered A body cars that were a blast to drive straight but were extremely (as you can imagine) nose heavy. The small block and the wagon body combined with at least 250/300 pounds less weight should help offset that a lot. And i agree that the gusseted LCA's probably dont do much with an otherwise stock suspension (modt notably OEM rubber bushed) Mopar, but if it may help any at the limit to me it's worth trying. As for bone crushing torque in a light car, I have a 427" stroker small block in a 2400 pound Cobra....and for years I rode a Yamaha V-Max.....it's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but the adrenaline rush of power oversteer works for me. If i owned a road race course i would probably prefer a smaller, higher winding motor better balanced chassis combo...so I do understand and respect your point. I'll pass on the banana though, I reckon the wagon's got enough yellow as it is! 
Last edited by Streetwize; 11/02/14 02:01 PM.
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Re: 66 valiant Wagon 440 W2 - Best handling OEM based parts
[Re: Streetwize]
#1692604
11/03/14 11:15 PM
11/03/14 11:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
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I have discovered that all my customers are happier with way to much TQ. Me too!
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
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Re: 66 valiant Wagon 440 W2 - Best handling OEM based parts
[Re: amxautox]
#1692606
11/04/14 07:46 AM
11/04/14 07:46 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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Torque with out adequate traction moves little but the excitement meter.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: 66 valiant Wagon 440 W2 - Best handling OEM based parts
[Re: 72Swinger]
#1877171
07/24/15 12:08 PM
07/24/15 12:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,875
Weddington, N.C.
Streetwize
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,875
Weddington, N.C.
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Thanks,
for right now I think I'll just go with the 340 .87 T bars , a pair of Helwig bolt-on sways, XHD springs and a good set of Bilstiens. I can always upgrade once it's on the road, I want a decent ride for now until I see how the reinforced chassis deals with all the 440" W2 torque. I don't want a super stiff slot car ride, I want it to feel balanced, as light and nimble as I can without killing the ride.
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