Suspension suggestions and comments please

[Zshowket]

It's time to rebuild the suspension on my 1970 Challenger, she is a 440 convertible. Not a matching number car so we are building a driver here. She is a street machine and I would like a nice handling feel with a harsh ride, think sport touring.

I see kits and combos from QA1 and Hotchkis in various shapes and configurations. What did you put together that worked or you were not happy with?  Ant suggestions or guidance from those who have already delved into this would be appreciated. I am the builder myself.

Thanks!

[Dakota]

If ever there was a prime category for "mission creep" where large amounts of money can be spent over time on Mopars, suspension upgrades would be it.  My list is below.  I have a "sunny day" driver strictly for street use.   As with all aspects of restoring a classic car, this is mostly a matter of balancing what you truly need to get rolling, what you ultimately want from the car and what you can afford. 

Read through the suspension threads for more details and ideas. 

Was it all necessary in my car?  No.   Would I do it all again?  Probably.  Could I have spent even more?  You betcha. 

Used all of the available US Car Tool chassis stiffening products including the torque boxes and K member stiffening.  At a minimum, I'd suggest installing subframe connectors.   USCT has them as do several other vendors, and other members here have made their own.

Firm Feel Stage 3 rebuild of steering box, plus used their sector support bearing.

Moog offset bushings for stock upper control arms.  Also replaced ball joints.   

Stiffening plates for lower control arms (don't remember which vendor, several sources are available).

QA1 Strut bars

Billstein shocks all around (mine are non-adjustable).   

Replaced rear leaf springs and torsion bars

Added a stock rear sway bar

Nitto 555 tires

[dodj]

Mine is a non vert 440.
If it was my car I would
Replace the K member with the QA1 piece. Makes a noticeable difference stiffening the front end.
Replace the torsion bars with at least the P-S-T 1.03" bars. That's what I have but if buying again..probably go a bit bigger.
You will need more caster. You can buy upper control arms that accomplish this but I went with Moog offset bushings for $40-$50 a side. Hotchkis UCA's are $700..didn't think they were worth it.
Replace the steering box with a stage three stock box rebuild or Borgeson if you like.
Fat front sway bar and complementing rear bar.
Single or double adjustable shocks depending on your wallet. I have QA1 and am happy with them. I hear Viking are good as well.
Put as much aluminium on the 440 as possible to lighten the nose. I have Al heads, intake, water pump and housing.

[torredcuda]

I just went from stock HD suspension, stock front and rear sway bars and cheap KYB shocks to my current set up and vastly improved handling and overall it actually rides better. Here is what I have now, done on a tight budget - USCT frame connectors, home made inner fender braces, boxed lower arms, PST tubular upper arms, PST 1.03" torsion bars, Mopar HD leafs, Firm Feel 1 1/4" front sway bar, factory rear sway bar, solid tie rod sleeves, Bilstein shocks, still on stock k-frame. My shop had trouble getting all the caster I wanted ( I thought the PST uppers would give me more than stock, guess not?) , only 1 1/2 degrees but I am going to help that but shimming out using harderned washers on the lower control arms and re-align, otherwise I am very happy with how it turned out.