Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
A-body torsion bar question #2960345
09/02/21 04:10 PM
09/02/21 04:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 939
Metro Detroit
1
1970RT Offline OP
super stock
1970RT  Offline OP
super stock
1

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 939
Metro Detroit
I was originally going to put a 340 in my Dart (original 225) and bought a pair of 892/893 small block torsion bars. I ended up changing my plans and am going with a 400 big block instead. In doing some research, I found that a stock 400 is about 95 lbs. heavier than a stock 340. However, my 400 will have aluminum heads. intake and water pump so it should be somewhat lighter. Do you think the 892/893 torsion bars will be O.K. or should I look for a pair of 894/895 383/440 bars?

Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: 1970RT] #2960410
09/02/21 07:37 PM
09/02/21 07:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,707
Moved to N.E. Tennessee
GomangoCuda Offline
master
GomangoCuda  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,707
Moved to N.E. Tennessee
Either way will be fine. twocents


In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.
Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: 1970RT] #2960441
09/02/21 09:06 PM
09/02/21 09:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
J
jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
J

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
Kinda need to know your intended use.

For non drag use, ANYTHING under 1" dia is a waste of time and rather 70ish, IMO

Just hang around , there many others who originally saw the light on this topic.

Over a decade back, many here were concerned about the "harshness" of going to "HD V8" bars over stock, and that was soon found to be a zero concern.


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: GomangoCuda] #2960449
09/02/21 09:10 PM
09/02/21 09:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,483
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
I Live Here
poorboy  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,483
Freeport IL USA
The old Mopar speed books, for drag racing purposes, used to advise using smaller diameter torsion bars on the front end to assist in a faster lift of the front end. On a street driven ride, that probably isn't a good plan.
I would think the larger small block bars would support the extra 95 lbs of the big block pretty easily. If your adding anything aluminum, you are reducing the big block's weight to even closer to the SB weight. I don't see a problem either way.

Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: 1970RT] #2960455
09/02/21 09:23 PM
09/02/21 09:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,945
Oregon
A
AndyF Offline
I Win
AndyF  Offline
I Win
A

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,945
Oregon
Originally Posted by 1970RT
I was originally going to put a 340 in my Dart (original 225) and bought a pair of 892/893 small block torsion bars. I ended up changing my plans and am going with a 400 big block instead. In doing some research, I found that a stock 400 is about 95 lbs. heavier than a stock 340. However, my 400 will have aluminum heads. intake and water pump so it should be somewhat lighter. Do you think the 892/893 torsion bars will be O.K. or should I look for a pair of 894/895 383/440 bars?


I used a set of 340 bars in my BB Duster. They worked great on the street and the car launched hard.

DSC_4649 (Large).JPG
Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: AndyF] #2960461
09/02/21 09:32 PM
09/02/21 09:32 PM
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,174
nowhere
S
Sniper Offline
master
Sniper  Offline
master
S

Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,174
nowhere
When I slid a 360 in place of the 225 in my 72 Dart I just ran the /6 bars. Didn't seem to be an issue for a daily driver. But I did add a 1.125" front sway bar. I prefer the big sway bar, not so big T bar combo.

I'd start there and you can always upsize if you feel the need.

Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: Sniper] #2960466
09/02/21 09:42 PM
09/02/21 09:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,458
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline
Rhinotruck
Rhinodart  Offline
Rhinotruck

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,458
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
In 1967 when they put the first 383's in the A-Body's they used the 892-893 torsion bars and only upgraded them in 1968, so they must have worked OK, but wanted better cornering and went bigger. You will be fine with what you have... twocents


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!
Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: 1970RT] #2960478
09/02/21 10:16 PM
09/02/21 10:16 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
Cab_Burge  Offline
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
I kept the six cylinder bars in my old pump gas Duster with a 400 stoker 517 C.I. motor, they work fine for me but I'm a old time drag racer that doesn't like getting beat at the track or the street.
It ran a best of 9.993 at 134.?? (CRS) MPH with the full 3.0 inch exhaust system on to the rear bumper with the air cleaner on weighing 3450 Lbs. with me in it on 10.x31x15 slicks on ten inch rims, it ran a bunch of 10.00 at 134.+ MPH on a set of M/T ET Street Radials on 12.0 inch rims also up
I am not a roundy round racer and I don't try to go around every corner faster than the other guys do shruggy


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: 1970RT] #2960515
09/03/21 05:48 AM
09/03/21 05:48 AM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
DrCharles Offline
master
DrCharles  Offline
master

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
I have PST 1.03" bars in my 451 (lowdeck) A-body. They feel great on the street, firm but not harsh. up the 892/3 bars (0.89"?) were way too soft and the front end wallowed.

The stiffer bars probably hamper the launch a little despite the Caltracs, but I don't do WOT on public roads anyway.
If anyone is watching. drive

Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: DrCharles] #2960536
09/03/21 08:12 AM
09/03/21 08:12 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,458
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline
Rhinotruck
Rhinodart  Offline
Rhinotruck

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,458
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Originally Posted by DrCharles
I have PST 1.03" bars in my 451 (lowdeck) A-body. They feel great on the street, firm but not harsh. up the 892/3 bars (0.89"?) were way too soft and the front end wallowed.

The stiffer bars probably hamper the launch a little despite the Caltracs, but I don't do WOT on public roads anyway.
If anyone is watching. drive


The small block bars are .87 the big block are .89 and are 894-895. You can't get the .89 anymore, so the 1.03 are the only ones I can find available and are great especially if you have a full iron 440...


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!
Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: Rhinodart] #2960630
09/03/21 12:37 PM
09/03/21 12:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,348
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Offline
The Doctor is in.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,348
Eagle, Idaho
Firm Feel has t-bars in a variety of sizes just in case someone is looking.

http://www.firmfeel.com/a_body_mopar_torsion_bars.html

Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: Neil] #2960695
09/03/21 03:36 PM
09/03/21 03:36 PM
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 277
lino lakes, mn
S
Schultz62 Offline
enthusiast
Schultz62  Offline
enthusiast
S

Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 277
lino lakes, mn
You can run even the smallish bars on your car. No worries. My old Dart had the 6cyl bars when I put in a 360/380 crate motor. Just cranked up the screws. Then when I sold the 6 cyl bars, and they sold within 5 minutes at a swap, I put in 340 bars I got new at the time from Chrysler. My bigger concern was the cradle. The thing was cracked around the lower bolting holes. The car would slide off an on ramp as the wheels changed degrees.
p.s I had no front sway bar on my old Dart. It lifted the front tires marginally when leaving from a stoplight. That is after hitting the line loc to annialate the rear tires to get grip. Before taking off. 4 Speed.

Last edited by Schultz62; 09/03/21 03:44 PM.
Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: Schultz62] #2960701
09/03/21 03:43 PM
09/03/21 03:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,945
Oregon
A
AndyF Offline
I Win
AndyF  Offline
I Win
A

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,945
Oregon
Besides the 340 bars, my BB Duster had a big anti-sway bar, big brakes and Koni shocks. That combination worked really well. The ride was firm but smooth and it went around corners really well.

DSC_4144 (Large).JPG
Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: AndyF] #2960824
09/03/21 11:12 PM
09/03/21 11:12 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,677
Fresno, CA
Jim_Lusk Offline
I Live Here
Jim_Lusk  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,677
Fresno, CA
My old '67 fastback had complete small block handling package stuff (340 torsion bars/sway bar). It also had power steering and AC along with an all iron 383 backed by a 727. While the handling was not superb, it was plenty good enough for a street cruiser. Shocks were standard issue Monroe gas units.

Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: Neil] #2960826
09/03/21 11:22 PM
09/03/21 11:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,458
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline
Rhinotruck
Rhinodart  Offline
Rhinotruck

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,458
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Originally Posted by Neil
Firm Feel has t-bars in a variety of sizes just in case someone is looking.

http://www.firmfeel.com/a_body_mopar_torsion_bars.html


That would work if they were IN STOCK! A buddy got a hole of me for some big block bars, and I told him to go to Firm Feel. They said no problem in 6-8 weeks, and that was last year, he is still waiting...


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!
Re: A-body torsion bar question [Re: Rhinodart] #2960884
09/04/21 09:10 AM
09/04/21 09:10 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,520
West Palm Beach, Florida
Copper Dart Offline
pro stock
Copper Dart  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,520
West Palm Beach, Florida
For what it's worth and for what you're paying for grin, I swapped a bone stock 273/904 2 bbl iron manifolds a/c p/s etc. I installed a 440/727 with aluminum water pump housing, water pump, intake manifold, cylinder heads removed the a/c system up to the firewall and im running headers of course. I did not touch the torsion bar settings and the front end of my '67 Satellite was noticeably higher than before the swap. I dont know the difference in weight but i can imagine it must be substantial to be a visible difference, kinda like when my overweight date gets out and my tires dont rub anymore noticeable lol. whistling
Copper


Common sense, the least common of all the senses.
Mom.

For fear of ridicule, society stifles creativity.
Ricky Valdes






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1