Joined: Thu Feb 12 2009, 02:56AM
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 690
Has anyone explored the use of coil overs? I want to firm up the ride and increase spring rate at the same time. Is it posible to fit them in the front? or is the mount strong enough? Probly better to just get the FF torsion bars huh? Also toying with the idea of going to a Compition Engineering ladder bar set up in the rear to control axle wrap. But also using the axle floater kit so the leafs will still hold the wieght and help with lateral stebility. Then use a track bar to locate it, or maybe a wats link . Nah thats a little to high tech. Considering my partner at the shop painted MoRat on bolth front fenders yesterday while I wasent looking. Had my head buried under the hood installing the new Accel plug wires. Did I mention hes sneaky, LOL.
Joined: Thu May 01 2008, 11:15AM
Location: Chicago,IL
Posts: 2868
In the same spirit, we swapped parts store shocks for KYB's all around on my dad's small block 72 Satellite and they made a big difference in stability, I can imagine the bilsteins are great. I have the KYB's for my Fury, haven't installed yet, but with the firmer T-bars the parts store shocks are not up to the task!
I doubt front coil overs are an option, there is no way they will work on a fusey car. The front shock towers don't have the room to accommodate much more than the stock diameter.
I have been on the fence on the shocks on my Fury, at first I really loved the KYBs. I still think they are an excellent choice for the majority of C's. However my Fury is heavily modified and I really enjoy putting it through the paces, much like Nick. I have even had it on a high bank NASCAR track several times. Most of the time I am very happy, but occasionally it feels like it could use just a little more shock up front. I could see some tubular arms and Bilsteins up front on my Fury in the coming years.
The larger torsions bars, rear springs, and frame connectors are probably the biggest contributors to my handling improvements, but all the changes, even the smaller ones do add up.
I have some Rancho 5000 shocks on the front of my 70 CrewCab, I think it could really benefit from something like a Bilstein!
Joined: Fri Dec 22 2006, 08:41PM
Location: Warrenton, Virginia
Posts: 1366
Yeah, it's kinda funny; I modified my suspension slowly, piece by piece over a couple of years. Yes, each of the changes, including the small ones made a difference. I suppose most people would have been satisfied with how the car was a year ago, and just DRove it !driving
Most of the time, though, in the back of my mind, I remembered how these cars rode and handled back in the day. My memories were of a "rock steady" ride, very good hi speed stability and accurate (if numb) steering. It took a while for my car to reach that point but now it is well beyond it!
Joined: Thu Mar 22 2007, 08:13AM
Location: In the workshop
Posts: 1063
Thats the same way that I've been modifying my car as well, one step at a time. Next step will probably be the sway bars. Which brings me to a question.
65coronet, is it possible that you can post a photo showing how the front sway bar mounts? I'm under the impression that its not the same as stock.
Joined: Fri Dec 22 2006, 08:41PM
Location: Warrenton, Virginia
Posts: 1366
Uncle Joe, I've posted pics of some of the suspension stuff before. I will try to get them posted here too..
You are correct, yhe FF front sway attaches to the lower control arm instead of the strut as on on our early C bodies.
Did some more driving on "test" roads...This time on a back road without a lot of traffic that I used to travel on a lot when my car's engine wasn't up to snuff (before overhaul). This road is good for testing as it has a variety of surfaces (smooth and bumpy sections) and has curves and long straights. Since there is not much traffic you can try the car at any speed you like without the distraction of other cars and drivers.
I was quite impressed with the way the car handled this road. In the past, you could drive the car kinda fast but the car didn't feel comfortable doing so (this was even after the JS torsion bars and FF front sway were installed). You kinda felt a lot of suspension motion and the car did not feel like it wanted to go really fast.
It is a whole 'nother story now...I can drive down this road at faster speeds and the car is totally comfortable doing so. It feels unperturbed by both the bumps and the curves. Even more impressive is the ride!! Like I said, the bumps don't faze the car much at all and the driver/passengers as a result don't even notice them!!
I'm starting to think two things: 1) The Bilsteins are really a worthwhile investment not to be missed by someone upgrading their car. 2) I wouldn't be afraid of stiffening up the car even more!!! I've got the Just Suspension 1.16" torsion bars and Firm Feels 1 1/8" front sway...FF makes 1 1/4" torsion bars and front sway bars....I actually think they are the way to go.....I really don't think you can make these cars ride too stiff!! Believe me, my '04 Honda and my dad's 95 Explorer both have almost uncomfortably busy and stiff rides...the Chrysler does NOT!
Joined: Thu Mar 22 2007, 08:13AM
Location: In the workshop
Posts: 1063
If you can give me a link to the photos, I can look at them there, no problem.
Over the past couple of weeks, I've been doing the theoretical calculation as regards spring rates for mine. These will probably vary for other cars though. The changes that you have done, or could think of doing to yours are pretty near the results that I got.
Joined: Fri Dec 22 2006, 08:41PM
Location: Warrenton, Virginia
Posts: 1366
I looked for the thread with the pictures in it Uncle Joe but couldn't find it...I believe I just sent a link to my Picassa (digital image processing) site....I will look into this and see if I can post them again.......