The top 3 things you did for better handling?

[2Gunz]

Basically the short list of your favorite handling upgrades.

Im looking to make my Charger handle better and want to start with the most effective stuff first.

Im sure allot of other people will also be interested in this as well.


1.

2.

3.


Thanks!!

[mikepmcs]

PM Mikey Musto with that question.  site name NYCMILLE

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=69

v/r
Mike

[69bronzeT5]

Your gonna need to add more numbers if you want to know what Mikey's done to Mr.Angry.

I doubt 3 is enough

[2Gunz]

lol I'm sure.


Im just looking for a place to start.  Kinda the most bang for the buck thing.

[Joshua]

Shocks
Springs/torsion bars
Tires

[Troy]

Hmmm, tough question because it depends on time and effort. I'd say the "most effective" modification is stiffening the body because every other upgrade will only make the body flex worse. Frame connectors are the first step but boxing the control arms, welding the k-frame, and strengthening the rad support area also help. This can be expensive, messy, labor intensive, and time consuming. Other than that...

Ok, I made a list but it had a lot more than three things. I'd say the best place to start is suspension/steering rebuild and new tires (in either order). Even stock rubber bushings are a huge improvement over 40 year old, rotted and crumbling stuff. Don't forget tie rods, the pitman arm, and the rear end. Substitute poly where you really want things tightened up but be prepared to deal with squeaks. Energy suspension has some good package deals and their bushings are black. Low(er) profile tires will have a stiffer sidewall and, usually, stickier rubber. So now that you've spent $2,000...

Torsion bars, rear springs, and sway bars are probably the next step I'd take - but only if the chassis has already been stiffened. The difference will probably be greater with a big block. I've been told to wait until the car is mostly dialed in before adding the rear bar or it will have a tendency to "step out". Good shocks (not KYB) will make these upgrades that much better.

There's a longer list for sure but this should get you started. A good place to look is the Firm Feel website. It's easy to spend $3,000-3,500 and then you'll find out your brakes are woefully inadequate.

Troy

[RD]

bought her a smaller bra, installed hand grips on her thong, and taught her how to hold 4 steiner's in each hand 

okay okay,

polygraph bushings all around, wider tires...  still handles like a 35 year old musclecar...  still on jack stands hehe

[1BAD68]

Here's what I did...

1. Leaf springs (made a huge difference)
2. Tires (noticeable difference)
3. Shocks (hardly noticeable)

[69bronzeT5]

 

bought her a smaller bra, installed hand grips on her thong, and taught her how to hold 4 steiner's in each hand 

[moparguy01]

polygraphite bushings, firm feel stage 3 steering box, and wider tires. it sure as hell made a difference.

[Rolling_Thunder]

subframe connectors, leaf springs/torsion bars, rebuild suspension with new bushings

[Dans 68]

1. Subframe connectors
2. See above
3. Did I mention subframe connectors?

As this is the only modification done to my stock '73SE, aside from BF Goodriches all around, I whole-heartedly endorse them. A must do.

Dan

[dukeboy_318]

1. Subframe connectors
2. See above
3. Did I mention subframe connectors?

As this is the only modification done to my stock '73SE, aside from BF Goodriches all around, I whole-heartedly endorse them. A must do.

Dan

where would you reccomend getting those from??

[Dans 68]

1. Subframe connectors
2. See above
3. Did I mention subframe connectors?

As this is the only modification done to my stock '73SE, aside from BF Goodriches all around, I whole-heartedly endorse them. A must do.

Dan

where would you reccomend getting those from??

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,19941.msg217630.html#msg217630

[Old Moparz]

Since tires & springs were mentioned already, I'd add anti-sway bars to the short list of 3 if you don't have them already. I put one on the front of my Scamp & it felt like a different car.

[69bronzeT5]

Just make sure your front end dosent look like this

[SeattleCharger]

 

[Nacho-RT74]

amazing, not to much ppl make sway bar mention

[RTPTRON]

1. Alloy Wheels
2. Edlebrock IAS Shocks
3. Front end rebuild

[2Gunz]

Looking good....

How about some links for good places to buy this stuff?

[six-tee-nine]

I'm intersted in more specific info on body stiffening. OK Hemi torque boxes are maybe a good start, but any other detailed things that improve body flexing?

Any links or pictures from who has done it?

It's nice to spin the tires once and a while but a 500 hp stroker is also meant to get somewhere fast without doing anything BUT roasting your tires...

[zerfetzen]

  In the future, I'm going to XV MotorSports (http://xvmotorsports.com/) and buying their:

Subframe Connectors: $180
Radiator Support: $90
Inner Fender Braces: $180

That engine brace is probably great, but probably too expensive for its own benefit, in my opinion, so I'll pass on that one.  Here are some other places I'll dump money, and why my project will take years to complete :

Firm Feel (http://www.firmfeel.com/)
Reinforced K-Frame
Tubular Upper Control Arms
Reinforced Lower Control Arms
Sway Bar Kits
.96" Torsion Bars
Suspension Rebuild Kit
Heavy Duty Tie Rod Kit

Summit Racing (http://www.summitracing.com/)
Koni Shocks

ESPO (http://www.espo.com/)
Leaf Springs
Leaf Spring Shackles
Leaf Spring U-Bolts
Leaf Spring Bushings

[plum500]

Shocks/springs
Sway bars
Wheels/tires (directional, 255/50s all around)
Bushings/suspension rebuild
Lower ride height where possible

[NYCMille]

Dude, this is a BIG list and it's not so much the parts but how you get all the parts to work in conjunction with eachother when they are installed. If you just want some imediate results (not BIG results) just results, I would do the following:

1. Good rubber - take off the Cooper Cobra's or Radial T/As and throw them in the trash - they're garbage.
2. Stiffen up the frame: Sub-frame connectors - welded, not bolted in, Inner fender well braces and beefed up radiator support.
3. Torsion bars/Sway bars - they work together which is why I am listing them together. Do not modify one without the other.

If you want a FULL list just let me know.

Mike

[1st_charger]

I'd like a full list Mike!

Thanks