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

[69bronzeT5]

1. Good rubber - take off the Cooper Cobra's or Radial T/As and throw them in the trash - they're garbage.

What kinda tires do you use?

[Ghoste]

I'm another one who found the biggest three were tires, shocks, and springs.  I'd have to say the front end rebuild is tied with springs for the number 3 spot though. 

[2Gunz]

Anybody else?

[69bronzeT5]

Anybody else?

Im still wondering what Mike uses for tires

[mikepmcs]

Cody,
I think he likes dunlop sp series tires.

v/r
Mike

[HITMAN 149]

nitto's ??  i think i remember him saying that?!?!?

[HITMAN 149]

not that i would be able to compare before N after (as i've only driven the car about 15 miles in the year that i've had it) as it's been in the shop since last jan 21st!!!  .. but i've done (all  brand new..)
*poly/graph front & rear sway bars...(pst kit.. i
*KYB's all around (wish i had known about the eelbrock's before i did the kyb's) oh well... maybe later???
*ALL new poly/graph front suspension kit w/ heavy duty tie rods...(pst)
i'm going to do 18x10's out back & 17x8 or9's up front.... haven't decided on which wheels or rubber yet???

[RallyeMike]

To best answer the question, how is Gunz car set up right now?

Assuming the suspension is in reasonable stock condition, if there are no sway bars, I'd add those as #1. If there are sway bars, I'd upgrade them as #1. Second would be bigger spring rates front and rear. Third would be subframe connectors. Subframe connectors don't do that much until the supsension is at the point where it flexes the body a lot.

[Ghoste]

Don't they flex quite a bit even in a dead stock tame application?

[autodynamics]

well guys allot can be done with making this car handle. i would put edelbrock ias shocks in. Eaton springs out back. in the front tubular uppers, reinforced lowers new bushing kit throughout, a hotchkis front sway bar, firm feel stage 3 box, a 17" or 18" wheel combo. i would use .96 torsion bars as well. keep in mind all these mods have to compliment each other and dialing in your suspension takes time. as far as brakes are concerned i would use a willwood or bear set up. BUT u HAVE TO USE A HYDROBOOST system to make these brakes really shine. otherwise they will not perform like you think. me and mike (NYCMILLE) have been through allot of testing more so him than me but i can say with my combo i love my ride/ performance/ overall feel of the car. i would also sound deaden the entire car and make your car more enjoyable to drive especially if your going to be "driving" it. i would also use the xv rad support.i don't think i would use the inner fender braces if your not going to do a after market front end. i don't think there necessary. all the tension of the suspension is on the torsion bars on a after market front end all the stress is on the stock towers, that were all the load is going.keep in mind also which tire wheel combo your doing because you might have some tire fender brace issues to contend with.  i definitely with out a doubt put in sub frame connectors. also i would get a good driving seat the factory mopar seats are terrible for driving. they offer no support. i would do all this and take some time to use your car and get your package working together. then sit back and enjoy and let'r rip...... ohhhhhh AND DO NOT PUT KYB'S IN              THERE TERRIBLE

[RallyeMike]

... and which ones were the top three?   

Don't they flex quite a bit even in a dead stock tame application?

Sure. But If your car is rolling over on its door handles because of lack of sway bars or small bars, and/or mushy spring rates, subframe connectors are really not much of an improvement. Bang for the buck, start with sway bars, torsion bars, and springs.

[TK73]

Funny how KYB's are getting absolutely slammed now, a few years ago the were the shee-it...

[Ghoste]

This is the first I've read of them not being the shee-it.  Have they lagged that far behind their competitiors or outsource the manufacture to the cheapest bidder or what?

[autodynamics]

the kyb's are equivalent to crap.... they are so bad when you put a real shock in your like what the hell was i thinking

[Ghoste]

So how did they get such a reputation for handling?