I am going to try and get a set tomorrow, and need to know what you guys would recommend. With my /6 in the 62 Lancer, I don't want to get bars that are too stiff.

I may lower the car a very small amount as well. Its got a 225 up front.

# .830" 100#/in (2535888-9) slant six bars
# .850" 110#/in (2535890-1) slant six w/ air--318 w/o air )
# .870" 120#/in p5249149 (2535892-3) 318 w/ air--340 std bars
# .890" 130#/in p5249150 383 std bars

I was thinking of the 892 bars (.870") but wanted to know if the slight upgrade ot the .890" bars is too stiff. Anyone have some thoughts.

MJ

I have some bars out of a 318 car in my Duster... Don't remember the dia. etc, they are stock. Rides pretty tight, even w/o a sway bar. That may not help you with an early Valiant or Lancer.... Do they share length with the later "A-bodies"?

D/W

_________________

If it ain't broke, fix it!

I've got the .890" bars on mine with KYBs, and the front end is lowered (but not "slammed"). The ride is certainly not firm, but bumps can be pretty harsh. I'm not sure if it's the bars, the KYBs, or both, but I haven't had the $$$ to experiment with different shocks yet. I'd suspect that you could easily go to .890" or even .920" bars without it being too firm, unless you have your bars adjusted to make the car sit a mile off the ground in front.

VM

Dennis--from what I have read, all A body torsion bars are the same length.

vynn, thanks for the info. That is the same setup I'm going to have, but if its a little harsh I think I'll dial back one step and go with the .87. Thanks everyone for your responses!

MJ

I dunno, I strongly suspect the harshness is from the KYBs, not the bigger bars. And I'm kinda old, too, so maybe that has something to do with it...

VM

H'm. The ride on my (departed) '65 got noticeably *smoother* and *less harsh* when I went to the KYBs, 892-3 torsion bars and 14" wheels/tires. The same thing happened on my '62 in response to the same mods. I suspect the difference is in the definition of "harsh". The 6-cylinder bars, 13" wheels and OE or standard replacement shocks give a very jiggly, tippy, "busy" ride. The upgrades give a steadier, more stable, calmer ride.

Sold! Will give it a whirl. Dan btw are you using the 4509s in the front?

MJ

I believe the bars you currently have (62 lancer) are the "Drag race " specials .810, I don't know when they changed to .830 bars--- but any bar you change to is an upgrade!! by the way I have another pair of .810 if you know any drag racers!!!

Yeh, 4509 sounds familiar up front. Not too sure, I just went with the ones that were catalogued for the application up front and out back.

On my 65 dart I upgraded to .890"s with kyb's and 14" wheels.Drives excellent.If you like a firm feel and not a bouncy bouncy ride I would go with .890"s

JZ

I have .920" bars on my Dart with Edelbrock IAS shocks, and the ride isn't too bad. Very firm, and pretty good handing without swaybars. From my experience, good shocks are the biggest contributor to a smooth ride.

Pat

Great! This is exactly the info that I needed. I'm putting in the KYBs, so I'll just have to decide whether I want .890 or .870. But if the ones I do have are truly those .810s, i'll be happy no matter what!

You guys are the best. Thanks again!

MJ

Got a good place to crossreference my numbers? I have 4509 for fronts and 5511 I believe for the rears. I found that someplace, but I can't find a good reference for checking.

KYB's site only has the "new" Lancer from the 80s, which I guess with that mitsubishi one out now....blah blah

I put in a 63 Dart, and got the P/Ns I listed above. So that should be the same as my 62 Lancer correct?

Link to Chart at KYB

Thx!

MJ

Yep (I went and checked), 4509/5511 is correct. (And yes, all A-bodies use the same shocks from '60-'76, front and rear.)

perfecto, they are sitting in the trunk of the lancer waiting to go on. $27.99/ea worked out great. I was curious to try the Edelbrock IAS, but at $70 per, I figured I'll go with the KYB

MJ