What diameter Torsion bar?

[FLG]

Looking for some opinions. I need new torsion bars and wanted some opinions on what diameter bar to go with (73 charger BB). I want something better then stock but not too rough. Debating between HD Street or HD Police bars from FirmFeel. Im in NY so streets are pretty bad around here and im tired of whacking my already bent K-Frame on dips in the road.

Thanks,

Frank

[Nacho-RT74]

just got 1.06 from them.. mounted and I'm PRETTY HAPPY... got lots better handling and still feels lot streetable like the originals.

IMHO still will need the propper shocks!

I bet Venezuelan streets are even worst than NY

[FLG]

hmm Thanks Nacho..prob will work for me to.

Just using Monroe-matic shocks, think they will be fine??

And from what you have told me...yep your streets are probably much worse

[Mike DC]

I gotta disagree here.

I wouldn't go that high. 
It'll corner like it's on rails, but it'll be a pretty rough ride compared to stock. 

(I think it was RallyeMike that described the 1.12 torsion bars this way: "About the only cushioning in the front end is the tire sidewall flex.")


0.88 - stock B-body, 6cyl Charger
0.90 - 318/383 Charger
0.92 - Charger R/T 440/Hemi


I swapped in a set of 0.96 bars a few years ago (383 '69 car).  Loved it that way.  They felt little or no stiffer than the stock 0.90's over bumps, but the body roll was definitely reduced. 


If I was doing it again, I probably would get something in the 0.92-0.98 range again.  I wouldn't go higher than about 1.00 at the most.  Street cruisers need a little give.  If the body roll is still THAT bad, then it's time to leave the torsion bars alone and start increasing sway bar sizes.   




(BTW:  The stiffness increase isn't a straight line up the chart, it goes up multiple amounts as the numbers get higher.)

[FLG]

Thanks mike. Would like to hear some other opinions on this. Not it a huge rush but my front end parts should be here within a week or so and i want to just install everything in one shot. Then i figure when i have more cash and i start building my engine ill get reinforced LCA's and FF's reinforced K-Frame. Also would i see any gain in running there tubular UCA's??

Im leaning twards my original choice of 1.00 bars

[Chryco Psycho]

the 1.25 bar don`t move only the tire sidewall , 1.12 will not be that stiff

[myaerocars]

I went with the Firm Feeel 1.06 on my Superbird clone 440 with a/C. Much improved handling without any side effects of a rough ride. Best money I've spent on my car since I built it.  I have a 15/16 front bar with poly bushings on front and no rear bar.   I will add a rear bar sometime soon or step up to a bigger front bar and rear bar at the same time.
Godspeed,
JON

[Mike DC]

 
I don't see how you can go from stock 0.92 bars to 1.06 and not feel a difference from stock.  I know other people who've got from stock Charger bars to 1.00+ and they said they could TOTALLY feel it.  I could feel at least a slight difference in the bump effects just going from 0.90 to 0.96 bars.


Maybe the 1.00+ bars aren't a bad ride depending on your viewpoint.  But I don't see how they could possibly qualify as "feels like stock" regardless of whether you love them or hate them. 



(Did you also change the front shocks at the same time as the torsion bars by any chance?  A shock absorber with less compression damping would have made the torsion bars feel softer on bumps.)

 

[FLG]

Interesting, Anyone want to give me a ride with the 1.06 bars?? 

I wont mind if the ride is a little harsh, but i dont want to be chattering my teeth and again my poor K-Frame needs a break from acting as a skid plate.

 

[RallyeMike]

This is a hard one because everyone has their own idea of what a nice ride is, but, if you have crappy, potholed streets, I think you'd actually prefer a performance bar on the soft end (1.00) and use the biggest sway bar around. That should give you enough spring rate to keep the K off the ground, enough give to not rattle your fillings out, and plenty of help with the body roll and general handling feel.

[gordo1968charger]

i have 0.96 and a big fat hellwig sway bar and i m happy

[FLG]

Firm feel sells front bars for 73's. Might consider going with a new bar when money permits. Firm feel sells 1 1/4 bars or 1 1/8th, would a 1 1/8th bar be OK with 1.06 torsion bars?

[Rolling_Thunder]

i have 0.96 and a big fat hellwig sway bar and i m happy

mine's fatter!         1 3/8" diamiter


As for the question - I have driven a cuda with 1.22" bars and it was not all that hash (IMO) - but opinions vary...    I am running .96" bars with a 1 3/8" swap bar...     if this does not work well I will step up to bigger T-bars

[gordo1968charger]

if i had a 12 inch sausage you d have a 13 inch frying pan

[hemi-hampton]

 

[acelondon]

what size bars would you guys use in a 74 charger with a 318/727 setup?

im also putting new leafs on the back. Firm Feel OEM HD's are the current plan!

[FI-Charger73SE]

Ordered half a year ago 1.06 but firmheel seems to have issues and promised 1,12 faster so take those with their adjustable struts and both front and rear sway bars. K-Frame fully restored and Energy's polyurethane used in every place and full calvert racing caltrack and leaf spring to the rear, both side has adjustable shocks - let's see how it handles. Engine 440 with 8/71 in the future and battery moved to back.  Have you had issues to get orders out form firmfeel, ordered last April or something and still waiting.

Cheers