1st/2nd Gen Barracuda Handling

comparatively speaking, a lighter car with well thought out suspension they handled quite a bit better than their counter parts. not corvette levels, but nothing to sneeze at. IMO ride quality didn't suffer much if at all. I've driven both flavors (and generations) and a car with better t-bars, springs and a sway bar handles night and day difference to a stock slop job.

on a stock car S car, without changing any suspension components, I'd up the t-bars to big block or 9.20 bars, add a slightly larger sway bar with poly mounts and run good shocks (Bilstein, QA1, etx). out back, stock S springs or circle track springs. you could upgrade to an adjustable hangar and poly bushings, but that's not strictly necessary. depending on your driving style, and overall set up you could also add a rear sway bar.

with that set up it would be a nice taut ride without being overbearing.

if you are upgrading to discs/big bolt pattern then the sky is the limit with ample offerings in the aftermarket for literally every component.