Front coil over conversion??

[professor-patrick]

Anyone know of, or done a front coilover conversion to get rid of the torsion bars?  Does anyone make a kit for this?  Thanks.

[Blown70]

http://www.magnumforceracing.com/store4/magnumforce_kmember.htm

This is one company.

[Brock Samson]

 See the Boyd's building a Mopar thread on Gen. Disc. On the show they show the inital fitting which "looks" to be a snap...
I've been to Magnum Force and I'd love to have them go to town on my ride.. 

I'm taking donations... 

[Chryco Psycho]

I would Only recommend Magnum force for track use , the only street setup that is decent is Alter-K-Tion
basicallt the front frame is not designed to support coilovers & will twist , you may need to ruan a traingualr bar over the engine to stifen the suspension/ frame enough 

[Ghoste]

As a rule then CP, you prefer to stick with the t bar setup on our cars?

[Silver R/T]

whats alter-k-tion site address?

[CFMopar]

Torsion bars arnt the disadvantage they used to be with all the new ones to choose from MP.

[NorwayCharger]

whats alter-k-tion site address?

www.reillymotorsports.com
Bill Reilly is a GREAT guy making quality stuff

And it looks like this

[Ghoste]

I agree with Thread Marshall.  In fact, for many applications they can be an advantage.

[Blown70]

I agree with Thread Marshall.   In fact, for many applications they can be an advantage.

I agree with you all as well The only reason I cannot is I would have to get innter fenders front unibody.  The cross frame etc.  I am actually going with an ALSTON chassis works front end on mine..... Only one that will work reasonably

The one above is the otherone I did see.... To mee they will work maybe slightly better than the link I left.  I could not find them as I was on a differnt computer.

[phat69charger]

whats alter-k-tion site address?

http://www.reillymotorsports.com/alterktion.html

Sorry NorwayCharger I see you already got it posted!

[Steve P.]

I have looked into the ALTER-K-TION and love it.. Also watched one in action at the Mopars At The Strip last spring....   No tire deflection or shaky front wheels on impact.. Bill did all his homework on this one and it is not only super strong, it is much lighter than your stock set up..

Did I mention all the ROOM gained with the Alter-K-tion??? Or that it uses a rack and pinion instead of the heavy mopar monster?

Both thumbs way up for Alter-K-Tion...........

[Ghoste]

Oh, don't misunderstand me Steve.  I am by no means implying that the stock setup is superior.  I just think that the torsion bar is not the limitation some would make it out to be.  For a some applications, I even think it could be an advantage.  If I were building a drag car, I wouldn't hesitate to spend the money for the aftermarket unit at all.

[phat69charger]

They also have instructions for his products on this page: https://www.reillymotorsports.com/instructionsheets.html

[RallyeMike]

I still havnt figured out why people want to do this. If youre building an all-out drag car, an Alston-style set up is the way to go.  Seems like an awful lot of money just to get rack and pinion steering and save a few pounds. T-bars suspensions have definite advantages and are one of the cool things that sets Mopar's apart from brands X and F$%!. 

[Steve P.]

It's way more than a FEW POUNDS. Depending on what you are replacing, (power or not), you could be talking 150 lbs....  That's a bunch.. Also the room you gain under the block for a rear sump oil pan and better room for headers.. No wheel flare when you launch and land. I think it's a hell of a deal if you have the money and have the need..

To drop 150#s and go with a better oil pan is enough reason for a drag racer.. Your 7 qt. pan that hangs below the factory K would be 2 inches higher at the same capacity.. That's a good enough reason..

Don't get me wrong. Mopar made a hell of a system with the t-bars. But,,, what's to say something can't be better??

PS. I don't remember who makes it now, but there is another tubular K being made that is all round tube.. I hear they are junk.. Too thin and badly welded..  Neil may remember. We discused this a while back..

[Ghoste]

Why would anyone market a control arm made of tubing that was too thin?

(that's just a rhetorical question by the way)

[Chryco Psycho]

I tend agree with Mike , the K frame weighes almost nothing , but does limit oil pan clearance , I far prefer the T bars , they are adjustable & it puts the weight in the best possible location [low & in the center of the car ] , the Alter - K - tion has no provision for a sway bar but is a decent system

[NorwayCharger]

I tend agree with Mike , the K frame weighes almost nothing , but does limit oil pan clearance , I far prefer the T bars , they are adjustable & it puts the weight in the best possible location [low & in the center of the car ] , the Alter - K - tion has no provision for a sway bar but is a decent system

Hmmm, the Alterktion system uses adjustable coilovers, and you could have it with swaybar if you want..

[Blown70]

I still havnt figured out why people want to do this. If youre building an all-out drag car, an Alston-style set up is the way to go.   Seems like an awful lot of money just to get rack and pinion steering and save a few pounds. T-bars suspensions have definite advantages and are one of the cool things that sets Mopar's apart from brands X and F$%!.  

Well if this IS directed at me I have NO CHOICE.   Other than to sell or scrap the car.  I traded a guy for this car and was already done.  I want to drive it on the street.  Tell me PLEASE what other option DO I HAVE?

I would have rather not be going through the work TRUST ME......  I also do need to oil pan space but again.... I am only working with what I have.

BLOWN70

[CFMopar]

If you could get a sway bar on it as it appears you can. Then you could probley get some handling benifits out of it aswell. I would like one but the cost to benift ratio is not good enough for be to justify one just now. Down the road when I get more money maybe. But now... meh rather get a keisler 5 speed swap.

[Steve P.]

Don't worry Blown,, you are going to love it....     Many people STILL don't like injection.. Look how long it took for people to except turbo's!!   Now even people on this site drool about putting twin turbo's under the hood...

[CFMopar]

   here we go

[Steve P.]

Hehehehe.........

[Ghoste]

   I saw that.

[Steve P.]

  I saw that.

[RallyeMike]

Well if this IS directed at me I have NO CHOICE.

If you had no choice, then that may or may not put you in the category of "want to do this".   I don't know the history of the predicament you are in.....     it was a general comment. Sounds like you inherited quite a project.


I can definitely see 150lbs saved by the time you add losing the t-bars, swapping out the old K for the tubular set up, and of course, all the weight reduced form the RIGHT REAR POCKET OF YOUR PANTS!        (Sorry, couldnt resist)

Certainly anything that was engineered 40 or so years ago can be improved. I appreciate modifications for performance as much as anyone, and more than most. This one just doesnt float my boat. For a street car, or street/strip car, I would rather spend my money on something else and utilize the pretty damn good set up that Mopar gave the car in the first place, and leave the character of your classic car intact. For drag racing, a set up with down hoops to the front rails with solid connection points at the top of the shock/spring would be much stronger and safer than the design of the AlterKation or other models. Somewhere in between these is a niche for these set ups I guess. To each his own!  

[Steve P.]

Mopars K member is plenty strong.. That's not a reason for ME to change it out!! The big things for me are :

1) weight
2) space for huge safe oil pan
3) space for headers
4) no tire wobble upon re-entry..
5) weight
6) weight

A down hood at the shock tower is a given on a racer.. Sure will help out your 40 year old sheet metal..

Absolutely to each his or her own!!!  No question.. I'm not forcing this on anyone.. I would not force a turbo or a blower on you either... I merely expressed my opinion on what I concider a great product that I wish I could afford..

[Blown70]

Well if this IS directed at me I have NO CHOICE.

If you had no choice, then that may or may not put you in the category of "want to do this".   I don't know the history of the predicament you are in.....     it was a general comment. Sounds like you inherited quite a project.


I can definitely see 150lbs saved by the time you add losing the t-bars, swapping out the old K for the tubular set up, and of course, all the weight reduced form the RIGHT REAR POCKET OF YOUR PANTS!        (Sorry, couldnt resist)

Certainly anything that was engineered 40 or so years ago can be improved. I appreciate modifications for performance as much as anyone, and more than most. This one just doesnt float my boat. For a street car, or street/strip car, I would rather spend my money on something else and utilize the pretty damn good set up that Mopar gave the car in the first place, and leave the character of your classic car intact. For drag racing, a set up with down hoops to the front rails with solid connection points at the top of the shock/spring would be much stronger and safer than the design of the AlterKation or other models. Somewhere in between these is a niche for these set ups I guess. To each his own!  

Well if I was to drag race only I would leave the set up on the car that is there.   In Fact it will be for sale (the strange Coil overs) when I get the "hot rod" front end from Alston.....

This car currently has a Strange Strut front end..... I personally THINK, I can get her back to the street..... FUN times ahead


BLOWN70

[Steve P.]

Wow.. I like it...    I'm not trying to be an idiot about any of this. I just wonder why you are changing what you have?? Do you want more of a stock look, or is your set up a pain to work around?? That looks nice and stiff to me!!

Obviously I don't know the story behind your car, but,,, it looks damn nice to me... 

[Blown70]

Well this front end is just not made for the street.  I would love to keep it I guess we are HIJACKING this thread but,  The brakes on this STRANGE front are tiny.  I could get you  a close up but they are not for street driving... ESP. with the Elephant that will be in her I would like to have some better braking.....

The car was done very professionally and I still am in contact with the guy that built the chassis.....  It has a Alston 4 link in the rear.

Blown70

[Steve P.]

So you can't put a bigger brake set up on it??  It looks great!! 


Sorry about the thread robbery.....

[Blown70]

So you can't put a bigger brake set up on it??   It looks great!!  


Sorry about the thread robbery.....

Not from what I can tell,  Strange does ont have any other setups for this and I dont think any wildwood will fit these hubs.  I Alston I would have 4 piston wilwoods to match the rear.  I would be using the front I-beam type was called at one time "street rod front end"

As far as I know that would be the easiest.  I have to get a mock up engine in with the hemi heads and the pan to see the measurements.

Blown70

[Steve P.]

Damn, it's rather strange that Strange doesn't have a big brake set up fot their spindle.. If the brakes are the reason for the change, I think I would contact them again and ask them what they would suggest... It just seems like a bunch of work and money for something that Strange (should) allready have..

Maybe we should make this a post. I think it's well worth it.....

Come to think of it, I believe FAT MAN suspension uses Strange also.. Maybe a call to them.. I don't remember why I thank that!! Maybe one of the street rods at our local cruise in...

[professor-patrick]

OK, to bring this thread back to my original question.  I've been working on these chargers for the last couple of years, and after years of building drag race set-ups, I just like front coil overs for a number of reasons.  I recently had a torsion bar break on me, which really freaked me out - almost sent me into the ditch.  I've designed a four-link rear suspension already for the car, and am looking to gain some more room and handling.  I've seen chargers taken through hard corners and never liked the way the outside squats while the inside almost lifts off the ground -  thought a coil over would give me some more discretion on adjusting it to make it stiffer.  My first idea was to replace the shock with a coilover and add a stiffer attachment by way of a drop down bar from the firewall to the front frame (with some crossbars under the dash linking into the front of the rollcage.  Anybody done this - real similar to the full on drag race setup- but keeping the inner fenders intact.

[Blown70]

OK, to bring this thread back to my original question.   I've been working on these chargers for the last couple of years, and after years of building drag race set-ups, I just like front coil overs for a number of reasons.   I recently had a torsion bar break on me, which really freaked me out - almost sent me into the ditch.   I've designed a four-link rear suspension already for the car, and am looking to gain some more room and handling.   I've seen chargers taken through hard corners and never liked the way the outside squats while the inside almost lifts off the ground -   thought a coil over would give me some more discretion on adjusting it to make it stiffer.   My first idea was to replace the shock with a coilover and add a stiffer attachment by way of a drop down bar from the firewall to the front frame (with some crossbars under the dash linking into the front of the rollcage.   Anybody done this - real similar to the full on drag race setup- but keeping the inner fenders intact.

SORRY TO HAVE GONE OFF TOPIC .   I do not know why you could not use the strange set up I have again however it was not built for extreme braking.  I can show it to you via pics if you want.  You would have to modify the top shock mount and have a place for the lower mounts  But IT "COULD" work on a street car.   Just not good for breaking.....

Wanna buy my used one?

Blown70

[Chryco Psycho]

OK, to bring this thread back to my original question.   I've been working on these chargers for the last couple of years, and after years of building drag race set-ups, I just like front coil overs for a number of reasons.   I recently had a torsion bar break on me, which really freaked me out - almost sent me into the ditch.   I've designed a four-link rear suspension already for the car, and am looking to gain some more room and handling.   I've seen chargers taken through hard corners and never liked the way the outside squats while the inside almost lifts off the ground -   thought a coil over would give me some more discretion on adjusting it to make it stiffer.   My first idea was to replace the shock with a coilover and add a stiffer attachment by way of a drop down bar from the firewall to the front frame (with some crossbars under the dash linking into the front of the rollcage.   Anybody done this - real similar to the full on drag race setup- but keeping the inner fenders intact.

it definatly can be done without removing the inner fenders , I have done it 

[Silver R/T]

so can you lower front of the car with AlterKtion like you could with T-bars?

[Johnny SixPack]

so can you lower front of the car with AlterKtion like you could with T-bars?

Yes.

Everyting on it is designed to be adjustable.

[Silver R/T]

how? I could imagine you would need different springs to have it lowered. Do they carry different height springs?

[Johnny SixPack]

how? I could imagine you would need different springs to have it lowered. Do they carry different height springs?

"Adjustable coil-over shocks replace the torsion bar system..."

The coilovers themselves are height adjustable from my understanding.

Don't know enough about the system to say for sure, that's my take.

[Chryco Psycho]

there is a threaded collar on the outside of the shock body to allow height adjustment on a coil over