Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: 67autocross]
#1805696
04/17/15 04:28 PM
04/17/15 04:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,577 Long Island, NY USA
BergmanAutoCraft
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Long Island, NY USA
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Seeing the extremely reasonable prices of the BAC torsion bars, I've decided to order a set of the 1.15s and some Bilstien shocks. I'm about to put some 1.14 bars in one of my A body cars and have started looking into shocks, do you think the Bilstien shocks have enough rebound damping for bars that large? I have considered the Viking double adjustable shocks but have not heard any feed back on these. I have had good luck with Bilsteins in general, but on mine I run a specially valved one that feels great with a 300lb bar. I had to make special bushings to adapt it for this application but it was worthwhile.
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: BergmanAutoCraft]
#1805710
04/17/15 04:51 PM
04/17/15 04:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,074 Manitoba Canada
67autocross
super stock
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Manitoba Canada
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Seeing the extremely reasonable prices of the BAC torsion bars, I've decided to order a set of the 1.15s and some Bilstien shocks. I'm about to put some 1.14 bars in one of my A body cars and have started looking into shocks, do you think the Bilstien shocks have enough rebound damping for bars that large? I have considered the Viking double adjustable shocks but have not heard any feed back on these. I have had good luck with Bilsteins in general, but on mine I run a specially valved one that feels great with a 300lb bar. I had to make special bushings to adapt it for this application but it was worthwhile. I have Bilstien's on my Chevy truck and they do work great, but I'm not sure that the off the shelf ones would work with 1.14 bars in a A body. Sounds like you modified yours to work, I want to get something that I can adjust externally for the car and just bolt on.
A new iron curtain drawn across the 49th parallel
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: 67autocross]
#1806717
04/19/15 04:59 AM
04/19/15 04:59 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 65 Victoria B. C Canada
gold66cuda
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Victoria B. C Canada
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Seeing the extremely reasonable prices of the BAC torsion bars, I've decided to order a set of the 1.15s and some Bilstien shocks. I'm about to put some 1.14 bars in one of my A body cars and have started looking into shocks, do you think the Bilstien shocks have enough rebound damping for bars that large? I have considered the Viking double adjustable shocks but have not heard any feed back on these. I have had good luck with Bilsteins in general, but on mine I run a specially valved one that feels great with a 300lb bar. I had to make special bushings to adapt it for this application but it was worthwhile. I have Bilstien's on my Chevy truck and they do work great, but I'm not sure that the off the shelf ones would work with 1.14 bars in a A body. Sounds like you modified yours to work, I want to get something that I can adjust externally for the car and just bolt on. I have the 1.14 bars in an a body and ran the Bilsteins and they were ok, then I installed the Hotchkis/Fox adjustable and they were a lot better, they take the harshness out of the heavily spring in a light car, much smoother. Having said that I would say if you go with the Bilsteins you will not be disappointed they are a decent shock for sure.
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1807144
04/19/15 07:27 PM
04/19/15 07:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,074 Manitoba Canada
67autocross
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super stock
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Manitoba Canada
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Yea I think i'm going to go with the Fox shocks, plus if I need to I could always rip apart the Fox shocks and tweak them. I won't be getting the car out this week...looks like we might get snow in the next few days.
A new iron curtain drawn across the 49th parallel
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1807876
04/20/15 05:01 PM
04/20/15 05:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442 NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch
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The Viking dbl-adjust shocks are probably the best bet... fully adjustable... lower cost that the QA1 of same/similar design. In fact, the Vikings are made by the original pre-owners of QA1.. there was a recent split in personnell and the President of QA1 founded Viking. Viking only makes dbl-adj shocks and thereby keeops the cost down. Viking also has some slight different design thsatis patented, per my discuissikn with the curent Pres of Viking at a recent trade show.
Mopar Mitch
"Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers!
Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1808548
04/21/15 12:35 PM
04/21/15 12:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,074 Manitoba Canada
67autocross
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super stock
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Manitoba Canada
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I think you make a good point, the Vikings are double adjustable which could really help tune the front of the car. The other advantage I see is I could change torsion bar sizes and keep the same shock, I’m going to start with 1.14s on this car but if they are too stiff I’ll drop to 1.06s. What was the price point on them?
A new iron curtain drawn across the 49th parallel
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: 67autocross]
#1808556
04/21/15 12:44 PM
04/21/15 12:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442 NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch
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I think the Vikings dbl adj are ~$160 US each.
Don't be afraid of the 1.14 tbs for your BCuda... John Sandberg runs them on his original owner 67 BCuda fb and they are great for the stret, and improves handling overall. stiffer leafs, an better shocks are needed to help balance the package.
Mopar Mitch
"Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers!
Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1808588
04/21/15 01:26 PM
04/21/15 01:26 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,074 Manitoba Canada
67autocross
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I'm not to worried about the spring rate, the car is a 68 Plymouth Valiant with a all iron 340, other than the intake. I want this car to be a good all round driver not a full blown race car. The biggest problem I'm having is what to do with wheels and tires, I would really love to stick to 15" steel wheels and some 225/50 and 275/50 tires but I can't find anything that would work in those sizes. If I do have to move up to lager rims I will most likely go to the 18" FR500s that Bergman sells with 255 tires on all 4 corners.
A new iron curtain drawn across the 49th parallel
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1808698
04/21/15 04:14 PM
04/21/15 04:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,785 Utah and Alaska
astjp2
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Keep the front and rears the same size for improved handling, that has been recommended by a lot of people on here for most cars including street cars. Tim
1941 Taylorcraft 1968 Charger 1994 Wrangler 1998 Wrangler 2008 Kia Rio 2017 Jetta
I didn't do 4 years and 9 months of Graduate School to be called Mister!
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1815325
04/30/15 12:30 PM
04/30/15 12:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442 NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch
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You've made good choices.. Enjoy the ride!
Mopar Mitch
"Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers!
Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1815416
04/30/15 02:11 PM
04/30/15 02:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,444 Indiana
YO7_A66
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""I just finished the installation of a pair of 1.15 T bars from Bergman Auto Craft along with a set of Bilstein RCD shocks. The ride is great, NOT at all harsh.""
Can you tell us what size tires you are using all around and what car is this on?
Thanks for your feedback!
Last edited by YO7_A66; 04/30/15 02:36 PM.
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger 340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1815440
04/30/15 02:38 PM
04/30/15 02:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302 Nebraska
72Swinger
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1.18's will be in the Dart by the end of next week.
Mopar to the bone!!!
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: YO7_A66]
#1815836
04/30/15 09:52 PM
04/30/15 09:52 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog
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Granite Bay CA
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Can you tell us what size tires you are using all around and what car is this on?
Thanks for your feedback! The car is a 1970 Charger. 440/493, 727 and an 8 3/4 axle. 4 wheel disc brakes, welded in frame connectors and torque boxes, welded K member with gussets at steering box mounts. Firm Feel Stage 3 steering chuck with Fast Ratio Idler and Pitman. As far as wheels and tires, I run a staggered size to fit the biggest tires in the car that I could without interference. Fronts are 18x9 wheels 4.75 BS. 275/40/18 Nitto 555. Rear are 18x10s with 4.75 BS on a 66 B body axle (Narrower than a 68-70 housing by 3/8" per side) Rear tires are 295/45/18 Nitto 555. The tires are 12 years old and should be replaced. I will go with a 200 TW tire next time since I'd rather wear them out rather than replace them due to age!
Last edited by Frankenduster; 04/30/15 09:55 PM.
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Re: Torsion bar size: How big is TOO big?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1815939
04/30/15 11:52 PM
04/30/15 11:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,444 Indiana
YO7_A66
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Not at all harsh with 1.15" torsion bars and 40/45 series tires is mind boggling to me. It makes me wonder what my sb challenger would feel like with the same 1.15" bars and Hotchkis/Fox shocks with 60 series tires! Thanks for the update!!
1970 YO7 A66 [Canadian Export] F8 Challenger 340 (Currently in shop for stroker assy.)
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