CONTROL FREAKS IFS A-Body 440 setup

dodge71demon said
All very good but you still have the k frame - steering box - torsion bars - steering linkage etc taking up a lot of space the tubular set up is a lot cleaner looking

$3,500 is a lot of money to look a little cleaner. And since I wouldn't install a CF system at all, let alone a used one, you're really talking about $4,240 for an RMS system. That's a ton of money.

Don't get me wrong, the RMS Alterkation is a great set up. But I personally don't think it gets you anything from a handling standpoint that you can't accomplish with torsion bars. Coilovers are just springs and shocks. Torsion bars and shocks are just springs and shocks too, and all suspension designs have their advantages and disadvantages. Yes, coilovers are easier to tune with the aftermarket support they have, and leave you more space under the car. But using most of the parts I listed above, plus a few extras like torque boxes, subframe connectors, J bars, and a reinforced and braced K frame, my Duster handles just like a modern car too, IMHO. Maybe the 16:1 Flaming river manual steering box in my car isn't as plush, but that's fine by me.

Another member here, tomswheels, has used his torsion bar suspended barracuda to outdrive art morrison chassied cars at the GoodGuys autocross. By his description, it's even more simply set up than what I described. It doesn't take a full suspension conversion to have well handling car. And for a car that will mostly see street use, and only an occasional track day or autocross, your money is better spent on other parts.

Here's a quote from him, and the link to the source http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=227771&page=2

tomswheels said
Hey I know I'm a little late adding my 2 cents, but it really is all about what you want to spend. I'm sure a car with coil overs and a rack and pinion will be EASIER to drive quickly on an autocross, and if you have the money to do it, great. I don't have the money so my 69 Barracuda convertible runs torsion bars, leaf springs, $14.95 Gabriel gas shocks, a firm feel box, front sway bar, and subframe connectors. That's it. Less than $1000 in suspension/steering. At the last Goodguys Autocross in Del Mar it beat the $150k Camaro that just got invited to Optima (Alcala) and Steven Rupps "Bad Penny" Camaro. Just goes to show you torsion bars can still surprise the big-bucks guys....

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