suspension upgrade
What's your budget like? Here are some hints on maybe where to go...
1) A '73 Dart has torsion bars and they're the same length as all other A-bodies. I would get mine from http://firmfeel.com/a_body_mopar_parts.html. I would get something around a 1"-1.06" bar. I believe PST sells a decent bar as well. Make sure you get a decent set of leaf springs.
2) Hellwig is a good option as they're adjustabe. Firm Feel also has a decent non-adjustable one as well and if you really want to get pricey you can go with Hotchkis bars. As far as if they'll mount, check the front of your LCA's to see if there is a tab hanging off. Sometimes the sway bar supplier will send weld on tabs for you to use.
3) From what I've heard is that KYB's are awfully stiff. Monroe's are pretty generic and wouldn't really be suited for a "handling" type car. I got a set of Bilstein RCD's ($400 a set) and they were great on my stock suspension. I'm currently in the process of upgrading the rest so we'll see if it can keep up with the rest of my suspension.
4) I have no experience with them. I don't think they're very handling oriented but could be for useful for spirited fun.
5) You don't need a panhard bar
6) A tower brace will most likely have to be custom made if you want one. It's arguable if it would benefit in a mopar. I've heard some say it does and others say it doesn't. I don't recall the reasons at the moment.
7) That's a good reference to use. I haven't done an alignment job to give you specifics. You can't really set camber for the rear as it's a solid axle. There's no cv joints to adjust.
8.) Some affordable wheels in small and big bolt pattern are Coy's ( http://www.coyswheel.com/coys.html ) and Motech Performance's ( http://motechperformance.com/store/ ). I'd recommend at least a 17" wheel but the most you'll probably be able to fit on the front is a 225/45/17 tire with little mods.
What are your current plans for brakes?
Okay, I have a 73 dart custom looking to upgrade the handling like a lot. Its all stock with 14" wheels (not rims:protest:). I have been reading a lot of post on here and have a good set of knowledge about upgrading modern cars. Now here's a list of some things I would like to know.
1.) Upgrade torsion bars, does a 73 dart have them? If so what size? Is there a stock part from another dart or another mopar that can be ordered, like off rockauto that will be larger?
2.) Front sway bar I want a good one that will work and bolt in from what i gathered that would be hellwig. Is there a chance I'll need to buy new lower control arms to use it? What should I look for on mine to see if it will mount up?
3.) Shocks looks like most people like the monroe brand and I see rockauto sells KYB gas-a-just which I use in my other car anyone used them on their mopar and like them?
4.) Traction bars? Are they wort it for spirited street and some track use.
5.) Pan hard bars? Do I even need them?
6.) Strut tower brace? Is there even one for a dart cause the ones I found look like spaghetti noodles? I love it in my other car firmed up the front a lot.
7.) Alignment. How do I set the camber and caster in the front and camber in the rear? Do I need to buy washers, spacers, adjustable parts or what? I'm going to but it up on a rack and set it to pro-street once I figure this out. I got this to go by.
http://i.imgur.com/UjdyUai.jpg
8.) And what are some good cheap wheels? I'd like to get some aluminum wheels to drop the unsprung weight would they be okay for my weekend driver dart?
What's your budget like? Here are some hints on maybe where to go...
1) A '73 Dart has torsion bars and they're the same length as all other A-bodies. I would get mine from http://firmfeel.com/a_body_mopar_parts.html. I would get something around a 1"-1.06" bar. I believe PST sells a decent bar as well. Make sure you get a decent set of leaf springs.
2) Hellwig is a good option as they're adjustabe. Firm Feel also has a decent non-adjustable one as well and if you really want to get pricey you can go with Hotchkis bars. As far as if they'll mount, check the front of your LCA's to see if there is a tab hanging off. Sometimes the sway bar supplier will send weld on tabs for you to use.
3) From what I've heard is that KYB's are awfully stiff. Monroe's are pretty generic and wouldn't really be suited for a "handling" type car. I got a set of Bilstein RCD's ($400 a set) and they were great on my stock suspension. I'm currently in the process of upgrading the rest so we'll see if it can keep up with the rest of my suspension.
4) I have no experience with them. I don't think they're very handling oriented but could be for useful for spirited fun.
5) You don't need a panhard bar
6) A tower brace will most likely have to be custom made if you want one. It's arguable if it would benefit in a mopar. I've heard some say it does and others say it doesn't. I don't recall the reasons at the moment.
7) That's a good reference to use. I haven't done an alignment job to give you specifics. You can't really set camber for the rear as it's a solid axle. There's no cv joints to adjust.
8.) Some affordable wheels in small and big bolt pattern are Coy's ( http://www.coyswheel.com/coys.html ) and Motech Performance's ( http://motechperformance.com/store/ ). I'd recommend at least a 17" wheel but the most you'll probably be able to fit on the front is a 225/45/17 tire with little mods.
What are your current plans for brakes?