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Better ride quality for HEMI B body #2916708
04/29/21 08:37 PM
04/29/21 08:37 PM
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Tennessee
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Hemi ragtop Offline OP
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I’ve put almost 10,000 miles on my 66’ Dodge Coronet convertable, (4,175lb.). I have aftermarket .960” torsion bars, Firm Feel 1.25” front sway bar, rear sway bar and “Firm Feel” Bilstien gas shocks, (which helped).
The car corners very flat, but has a “dump truck” ride. I am considering changing the torsion bars from .960, to .900 (440 B body).
The car is a cruiser, not a slalom racer. What do you think?

B4BD874C-5E1F-416C-902C-23FDA5651E9D.jpeg
Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2916750
04/29/21 09:55 PM
04/29/21 09:55 PM
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So Near, Yet So Far
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The Hemi bars (.920) in my Hemi RR gave a firm but compliant ride, Stock rear springs, too, and nothing special with the shocks, Monroes.
Put the same spec bars & springs & shocks on my current 383 RR, same deal.
I've no intent on pitching B-bodies around, though; I have another car better suited to that.

Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2916782
04/29/21 11:09 PM
04/29/21 11:09 PM
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New York
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64 Sportfury Offline
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My 64 Sport Fury convertible has .920 torsion bars, QA 1 single adjustable shocks front and rear, tubular upper control arms, 15x6 205/70 front wheels and tires, hellwig front sway 1 1/8" and 7/8" rear and frame connectors and a 5 speed. I am amazed at the road handling for a Gen II Hemi (iron heads and a Lakewood scattershield) she has. I have refurbished (new foam and covers) stock seats and she is as comfortable as a living room sofa. Without side bolstering in the stock seats, there is a little missing for cornering but it works for me.

Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2916795
04/30/21 12:22 AM
04/30/21 12:22 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
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Originally Posted by Hemi ragtop
I’ve put almost 10,000 miles on my 66’ Dodge Coronet convertable, (4,175lb.). I have aftermarket .960” torsion bars, Firm Feel 1.25” front sway bar, rear sway bar and “Firm Feel” Bilstien gas shocks, (which helped).
The car corners very flat, but has a “dump truck” ride. I am considering changing the torsion bars from .960, to .900 (440 B body).
The car is a cruiser, not a slalom racer. What do you think?


I think that would be a very good idea.

I have 1.12” t-bars (350 lbs/in wheel rate) in my 3209 lbs digital scaled 68 Barracuda Coupe. A-body t-bars are shorter. That stiffness is equal to a 1.22” B/E body t-bar.

BUT...

I run stock .87” t-bars in my 68 Dart conv. With front and rear sway bars, rubber bushings except front sway bar frame bushings. It’s a convertible. They do not have the body stiffness as a car with a roof. And the convertible top mechanism are rattle points, a piece of vinyl separates trunk noise from interior, etc, etc.

Yes frame connectors help. But they don’t replace a roof.

If you think it’s still too stiff, buy HD Monroe shocks

Last edited by autoxcuda; 04/30/21 12:33 AM.
Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: autoxcuda] #2916833
04/30/21 07:12 AM
04/30/21 07:12 AM
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ruderunner Offline
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Play with tire pressure. Lower it some all around, just don't go too low.


Angry white pureblood male
Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2916851
04/30/21 08:50 AM
04/30/21 08:50 AM
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central CT
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I had the Bilstein's on my Challenger. 1" T-bars and 1.125" sway bar rode like a truck.
Changed to QA1 Shocks, now controlling 1.18 t-bars and 1.25 sway bar and the harshness is gone (although it corners much flatter)
My money is on the shocks that's making your ride unpleasant.


1971 Challenger
Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: autoxcuda] #2917051
04/30/21 04:55 PM
04/30/21 04:55 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
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Originally Posted by autoxcuda
Originally Posted by Hemi ragtop
I’ve put almost 10,000 miles on my 66’ Dodge Coronet convertable, (4,175lb.). I have aftermarket .960” torsion bars, Firm Feel 1.25” front sway bar, rear sway bar and “Firm Feel” Bilstien gas shocks, (which helped).
The car corners very flat, but has a “dump truck” ride. I am considering changing the torsion bars from .960, to .900 (440 B body).
The car is a cruiser, not a slalom racer. What do you think?


I think that would be a very good idea.

I have 1.12” t-bars (350 lbs/in wheel rate) in my 3209 lbs digital scaled 68 Barracuda Coupe. A-body t-bars are shorter. That stiffness is equal to a 1.22” B/E body t-bar.



I'd like to see the actual calculations on that. The A body LCA is slightly longer than the B and E so that skews the numbers a bit.

I have 1.15" bars in my Charger, 1 1/4" front bar, 6 stage leafs with a 3/4" bar, Bilstein shocks and my car rides firm but in no way harsh...This is with 40 series tires up front and 45 series out back. Mine weighs just under 4000 lbs.



Folsom 10.JPGFolsom 11.JPG
Last edited by Frankenduster; 04/30/21 05:00 PM.
Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: ruderunner] #2917168
04/30/21 10:14 PM
04/30/21 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ruderunner
Play with tire pressure. Lower it some all around, just don't go too low.


Agree with this!
A co worker with a miata was complaining about tire wear. The center of her tires were worn much more than the edges.
She said "i don't understand, I'm running 32lbs." I checked the pressure sticker on the car, recommended pressure for her car was 25!
Her other complaint was about the rough ride, gee I wonder why?

I also wonder if you're still on your original rear springs, If they've sagged much it can make for a brutal ride on big bumps.
They're forced to flex in the opposite direction.
I'd leave the torsion bars alone, the rear springs, and dampers are much more critical to a good ride.

Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Kern Dog] #2917188
04/30/21 11:22 PM
04/30/21 11:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
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Originally Posted by Frankenduster
Originally Posted by autoxcuda
Originally Posted by Hemi ragtop
I’ve put almost 10,000 miles on my 66’ Dodge Coronet convertable, (4,175lb.). I have aftermarket .960” torsion bars, Firm Feel 1.25” front sway bar, rear sway bar and “Firm Feel” Bilstien gas shocks, (which helped).
The car corners very flat, but has a “dump truck” ride. I am considering changing the torsion bars from .960, to .900 (440 B body).
The car is a cruiser, not a slalom racer. What do you think?


I think that would be a very good idea.

I have 1.12” t-bars (350 lbs/in wheel rate) in my 3209 lbs digital scaled 68 Barracuda Coupe. A-body t-bars are shorter. That stiffness is equal to a 1.22” B/E body t-bar.



I'd like to see the actual calculations on that. The A body LCA is slightly longer than the B and E so that skews the numbers a bit.

I have 1.15" bars in my Charger, 1 1/4" front bar, 6 stage leafs with a 3/4" bar, Bilstein shocks and my car rides firm but in no way harsh...This is with 40 series tires up front and 45 series out back. Mine weighs just under 4000 lbs.



From the MP chassis catalog


9C25FDA3-54AB-4AB6-9D0B-FD9104C2BBC2.jpeg
Last edited by autoxcuda; 04/30/21 11:26 PM.
Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2917203
05/01/21 12:22 AM
05/01/21 12:22 AM
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Oregon
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Originally Posted by Hemi ragtop
I’ve put almost 10,000 miles on my 66’ Dodge Coronet convertable, (4,175lb.). I have aftermarket .960” torsion bars, Firm Feel 1.25” front sway bar, rear sway bar and “Firm Feel” Bilstien gas shocks, (which helped).
The car corners very flat, but has a “dump truck” ride. I am considering changing the torsion bars from .960, to .900 (440 B body).
The car is a cruiser, not a slalom racer. What do you think?


Depends on how much money you're willing to throw at it. If it was my car I'd put a pair of Koni shocks on the front and see if that helps. The Koni shocks are adjustable so you have several different valve settings to try. I've found that the Koni shocks provide the best ride with big torsion bars. The other thing to look at is your suspension bushings. If they aren't all new rubber bushings then maybe think about replacing them. Delrin or Poly bushings will ride harsher than OEM rubber bushings.

Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: AndyF] #2917414
05/01/21 03:49 PM
05/01/21 03:49 PM
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Wonder if the OP has installed any type of traction aid on the rear suspension, if that's binding, that could make the ride harsher.

Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Kern Dog] #2917793
05/02/21 06:57 PM
05/02/21 06:57 PM
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Tennessee
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Hemi ragtop Offline OP
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Beautiful Charger!

Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: AndyF] #2917794
05/02/21 07:01 PM
05/02/21 07:01 PM
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Tennessee
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Hemi ragtop Offline OP
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I have Poly bushings all around, also use Caltrac mono leafs in the rear. (That vastly improved the ride).

Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2917801
05/02/21 07:32 PM
05/02/21 07:32 PM
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Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
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Originally Posted by Hemi ragtop
Beautiful Charger!


Thank you. I USED to have a Gear Vendors overdrive in it......I wonder WHO has it now?? work
I recently swapped in a Tremec 5 speed.....What a HUGE difference in how the car feels at freeway speeds!

Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2917831
05/02/21 08:36 PM
05/02/21 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Hemi ragtop
I have Poly bushings all around, also use Caltrac mono leafs in the rear. (That vastly improved the ride).


Yep, that is part of your problem. If you want a softer ride then you'll need to go back to rubber bushings. I have rubber bushings in my Duster with a split mono leaf Calvert setup out back. I use Calvert shocks in the rear and Koni shocks up front with a very big anti-sway bar. I use fairly soft torsion bars. The soft spring big bar approach was popular years ago and I still find it works on the street. My Duster is more of a Pro Street car than a road racer, but it rides nice and it goes around corners just fine. It won't hang with a Porsche around the corners but it will keep up with most daily drivers.

DSC_4142 (Large).JPG
Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: AndyF] #2917859
05/02/21 09:50 PM
05/02/21 09:50 PM
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Granite Bay CA
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How big is the front sway bar, Andy??

FSB 3 kgkg.jpgFSB 38.jpgFSB 42 d.jpg
Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2918365
05/04/21 10:35 AM
05/04/21 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Frankenduster
Originally Posted by autoxcuda
Originally Posted by Hemi ragtop
I’ve put almost 10,000 miles on my 66’ Dodge Coronet convertable, (4,175lb.). I have aftermarket .960” torsion bars, Firm Feel 1.25” front sway bar, rear sway bar and “Firm Feel” Bilstien gas shocks, (which helped).
The car corners very flat, but has a “dump truck” ride. I am considering changing the torsion bars from .960, to .900 (440 B body).
The car is a cruiser, not a slalom racer. What do you think?


I think that would be a very good idea.

I have 1.12” t-bars (350 lbs/in wheel rate) in my 3209 lbs digital scaled 68 Barracuda Coupe. A-body t-bars are shorter. That stiffness is equal to a 1.22” B/E body t-bar.



I'd like to see the actual calculations on that. The A body LCA is slightly longer than the B and E so that skews the numbers a bit.

I have 1.15" bars in my Charger, 1 1/4" front bar, 6 stage leafs with a 3/4" bar, Bilstein shocks and my car rides firm but in no way harsh...This is with 40 series tires up front and 45 series out back. Mine weighs just under 4000 lbs.




Factory rates were calculated with the factory control arms for a 1:1 ratio of torsion bar rate to wheel rate. Put an A body arm in a B body, then you will alter the rate slightly.

Originally Posted by Hemi ragtop
I have Poly bushings all around, also use Caltrac mono leafs in the rear. (That vastly improved the ride).


Poly bushings to transmit a considerable amount of Noise, Vibration, Harshness. If you prefer less NVH and a more factory like ride, then rubber will produce this.

Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2918456
05/04/21 02:18 PM
05/04/21 02:18 PM
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NW Chicago suburban area
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Hemi Ragtop -- You didn't mention anything about your rear suspension. What setup (leafs?) do you have?

In my opinion, you've made a step in the correct direction by installing the .96 TBs, but, they are still relatively weak vs others. I would not reduce them in stiffness - only going to cause increased rise/lift and dive.

As others said, tune with adjustable shocks... as well as tire psi.

I have 1.24" TBs in my Challenger -- yes, intended primarily for autocross and track events -- but still completely OK on the street/highway -- just avoid the potholes and go slow over rail road crossings and speed bumps.


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!
Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Kern Dog] #2918641
05/04/21 08:43 PM
05/04/21 08:43 PM
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Tennessee
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Hemi ragtop Offline OP
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I have so much enjoyed the Gear vendor, how dow’se the wife like her new car?

Re: Better ride quality for HEMI B body [Re: Hemi ragtop] #2918644
05/04/21 08:47 PM
05/04/21 08:47 PM
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Tennessee
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I just finished the install of the .900 torsion bars. I now will adjust ride hieght and test drive,, I will report findings after the rain leaves!

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