A-Body Autocross?

Yes, I seriously said that, and I seriously mean it too. Just because your car runs faster now doesn't mean its running a better design, it just means it wasn't set up properly with torsion bars.

A torsion bar design is not inherently worse than a coil over set up. The MII design that is so common with coilover set ups is not the end all be all of suspension designs. It is extremely common, and it is easily adapted to multiple platforms, which makes it popular. Now, the biggest advantage of the coilover set ups out there is that they're more easily tuned because there are more options available in the form of aftermarket coilovers. Which is a big advantage, because it makes it easier to tune the car for the proper set up. The range of spring rates and shock valving out there is much better for a coilover car, which makes tuning easier.

But, there's absolutely no reason why a well tuned torsion bar equipped car can't be just as fast, or faster, than one that's been converted to coilovers. None. That's not to say that it wouldn't be harder to get the torsion bar car tuned to that level with the parts that are out there. The range of torsion bar spring rates is limited, and so is the number of shocks out there. On the other hand, $7k buys a lot of different sized torsion bars, and a custom valved set of shocks is well in that price range.

But honestly, it is not a design issue. If there were a few dozen torsion bar spring rates available and more custom valved shock options, it would be just as easy to get a torsion bar car to go fast as it is a coilover car. Its just physics, plain and simple.

Besides that, its ridiculous to suggest that you have to spend $7k and completely swap your suspension over to have fun autocrossing one of these cars, which is what the OP was asking about. Are you going to be the fastest car on the track with the set up I suggested? Probably not. But you don't have to write RMS a $7k check to be competitive either.

brother,i have been on both sides of this fence. i had done everything i could to get my car up to speed with some of the best cars in the country,spent more than a alter-k would cost,and STILL did not get the performance. it is BETTER by design! that's why people that know that,run it! i will agree that depending on you level of driving,cash flow,and class restrictions anyone will be limited and have just as much fun. BUT! you are no going to come close to the DSE cars,brian finch,etc. i have been doing this for quite sometime now,along with serious rockcrawling. a four link rear with coilovers rule,bottom line,thats why people use them and they are faster. from my experience,it is the people that do not want to pay for it or can't that talk it down. i tried to do just what you are talking about and run with these guys,and i done ok and gained alot of repect. but you HAVE to go to the next level to compete. i have been fortunate to team up with bill reilly,hodge restoration,rooster's rod shop,and just got Mickey Thompson as a tire sponsor. but to get there,it takes the next level.