I want it all!

[challengermaniac]

Hi everyone,

I have a 1970 Challenger Convertible currently with a 318 to be swapped with a 340 including a Holley Sniper EFI and 904 to be swapped with a 727. 

I would like to put a plan together for improving the current stock drum brakes, 14" wheels, steering and suspension using tried and true remedies.  I'm sure a lot of this comes down to how much money you are willing to spend, although I don't want that number to impact suggestions other than to say it would be great for a build at half the cost of a complete aftermarket full suspension replacement.  Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[Skdmark]

I'm in a similar situation with my 71 Barracuda. It's a 318,  904, 10" manual drum, 7-1/4" rear end, PS and no sway bars.
Looking to upgrade to a stroker small block with sniper efi,  OD trans and 8 3/4 rear end. I want to improve over what I have in braking and handling for street use. Not going to be used for auto cross. Trying to keep it 90% stock appearing.

Here's what I've planned.

Front Suspension
1.03 torsion bars
Factory lower control arms with sway bar tabs and stiffening plates
Add an 1-1/4" front sway bar
K frame with welded reinforcements
Adjustable strut rods with heim joints
QA1 single adjustable shocks
Poly bushings
Eccentric camber adjustment bolts

Steering
Firm Feel Stage 3 with quick ratio idler and pittman arms OR  Borgeson conversion

Brakes
Add power disc brakes
Front disc brake conversion
Convert from the 10" rear drums to 11x2-1/2" drums (sim to T/A and AAR)

Rear Suspension
HD leaf springs with a plus 1 inch arch
Frame hung rear sway bar
QA1 single adjustable shocks

Will keep a set of 15" Rallyes (dress shoes) and 17" aftermarket rims (gym shoes)

[Dakota]

I used all the US Cartool stiffening products along with a k member plate kit from Firm Feel and am happy that I did.   Front and rear sway bars, stock or larger are a great add.  I replaced my front drums (11x3 power) with with a basic disc kit and kept the rear drums.  Stopping power is really good so I don't see going to discs in the rear any time soon.  I also used the Firm Feel products for the lower control arm stiffening plates, sector support bearing for the Pitman arm and the needle bearing upgrade for the idler arm - all of which are probably in the "nice to do" category vs "gotta do". 

If you look around the site, you'll see lots of recommendations for going with larger torsion bars... I don't remember the exact sizes but I recall seeing a lot of advocacy for going to 1" diameter or larger. 

[1 Wild R/T]

On a vert frame connectors are always a good idea....   

If the 904 is good consider keeping it, it uses less HP.....  Better yet consider a later 998 which has a lower 1st & 2nd gear.... Don't get me wrong, the 727 is stronger but if the 904 is strong enough & uses less power why run the 727?

Hellwig sway bars, less than half the cost of Hotchkis & designed the same...  Not as polished but I drive my car, I don't spend time looking at how pretty the sway bars are...

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16955

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10103&gclid=Cj0KCQiAh4j-BRCsARIsAGeV12DBiSuLHBZ-NQSjRR0-iguGRsm_o7OuZf6X5WR1WHgV-nfeDm9AEXUaAtTFEALw_wcB

Spend the extra $$$ get good shocks.... I run the Bilstiens which I highly recommend but there are other good options...

Rebuild the suspension, use the offset upper bushings.. Add disc brakes in the front for sure... Rear discs are more about bling than stopping 70+% of the braking is done by the front brakes..

Good performance tires, If your will to go to 17's there are plenty of good options, in the 15" size tires are gonna be a compromise but many of us insist on the visual over performance....

[Chryco Psycho]

I would look into the 500 trans / 904 + OD

[1 Wild R/T]

I would look into the 500 trans / 904 + OD

I'm in the process of putting one behind a big block...

[MoparLeo]

The 340 always came from the factory with a SB727, no guessing. You are losing a lot more hp through a hundred other things. this is not a class race car where you are going to notice tenths of a second performance loss/gains. Get a good foundation and then drive it a lot to get the experience that will help you make good performance decisions. Practice is cheaper than spending money on parts you might not need. Consistency only comes with experience.

[challengermaniac]

Thanks for the replies........ keep them coming!  I should have clarified that I already have the 340 and 727 and just looking for recommendations regarding improving the stock suspension with brakes, steering, shocks, sway bars, frame connectors, reinforcing the K member (great idea), ball joints, pitman and idler, A arms, etc.  Hopeful of putting a list of best recommended parts together in order to improve handing before the new motor and trans are installed.  Specific part recommendations of what has worked well for you will greatly help.

[nsmall]

On a vert frame connectors are always a good idea....   



Hellwig sway bars, less than half the cost of Hotchkis & designed the same...  Not as polished but I drive my car, I don't spend time looking at how pretty the sway bars are...

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16955

Bought that hellwing front sway and really liked it.

Bought this kit and like it too https://p-s-t.com/c-1145188-suspension-front-end-rebuild-kits.html

[Scooter]

Thanks for the replies........ keep them coming!  I should have clarified that I already have the 340 and 727 and just looking for recommendations regarding improving the stock suspension with brakes, steering, shocks, sway bars, frame connectors, reinforcing the K member (great idea), ball joints, pitman and idler, A arms, etc.  Hopeful of putting a list of best recommended parts together in order to improve handing before the new motor and trans are installed.  Specific part recommendations of what has worked well for you will greatly help.

Of all the upgrades to my Challenger (360 & 727) suspension I'd have to say putting a set of QA1 single adjustable shocks on all 4 corners yielded the most noticeable change/improvement.

[HP2]

Simple answer is call a Hotchkis distributor and order their complete E body kit.

Another alternative is to call the guys at Firm Feel and have them spec out all the pieces you need.

If you have a shopping list of items, you can browse around looking for sales on individual pieces.