Whats a good way to go when upgrading torsion bars on an early (66) A body? 340? 383? any suggestions?

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go fast, turn left, don't screw up.
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I like a stiff sprung car so for me, the bigger the better, if you can find the big block A-Body t. bar, use that.
The 340 "S" bar is pretty common and a big improvement over the SL6 t. bars.
DD

I have the 0.920" bars in my '64, and they aren't bad on the road. For a more pure street driver, I'd go with the 0.890" bars (383). You can get them at Mancini Racing, Koller Dodge, etc... Only about $120/pr + ship.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

My Dart has 0.870" (340-spec) torsion bars up front, an Addco front swaybar, and stock 5-leaf rear springs. The ride does not feel much harsher than stock - in fact, I think it's still a little too soft and rolls a bit too much with this combination. Still, it is much less likely to bottom out with this combination. I would recommend the 0.870" bars if you want a comfortable ride. I plan to add a rear sway bar soon, but I may want to try the 0.890" or 0.920" torsion bars if I decide the rear sway bar does not do enough.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair

I've recently installed the 383 torsion rods in my Swinger, along with 11 3/4" brakes, and polygraphite bushings all around.

The snappier handling is worth it! I really don't think the ride is too terribly harsh.

The only thing I'm going to go back and change are the upper control arm bushings. I'm going to swap them out for the Moog "problem solvers," and get some more caster for better straight-line stability.

Also found out that the steering box has had it, and will swap for a rebuilt one.

Later, I might get some of those Addco swaybars, but I haven't decided if I really need them, yet.

Mark W. Marasch

Sounds great, Mark! I bet you're loving life behind the wheel even more now.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

i have used 340, .092, and 1.04 bars in my cars and installed 383 bars in my brother's 67 cuda conv. and i think my favorites are the .092s (with 1-1/8 f/7/8 r swaybars, kyb shocks, 235/60-14s.) the feel is very tight and smooth on all but the roughest roads. the 1.04s are way too harsh especially with 225/50-15 tyres, and the 340 bars really need swaybars to help them in corners.
my brother's cuda is a fine handling street car, other mods being ssbc force 10 brakes poly bushings, formula "s" swaybar, h/d rear springs and kybs. i think he runs 225/65-14s on a nice set of rallyes. he wanted an old car that rides/handles like his saab, i think we got it.

-james

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