Hotchkiss leaf springs

[Reddartowner]

I have an opportunity to replace the leaf springs on my '68 Dart. I have seen the Hotchkiss leaf springs at Year One and Classic Industries. Anyone have experience with these springs.? I'm setting the car up for street driving with occasional autocross outings.

TIA,

Mark.

 

[1968FormulaS340]

Hotchkiss leaf springs are just one part of a system. Without a doubt they are a good spring but they alone will not turn an a-body into a corner carver.

Their spring rate may also require a shock upgrade.

 

[mopardude318]

yep what he said...but yes, theyre a good spring....i have a set not installed yet, but will soon. i have QA-1 12 way adjustable shocks.....those or either the bilstein shocks are good to use...
as always im sure steve will chime in

 

[Reddartowner]

Yeah, I understand the balanced approach. Currently I'm pulling the rear for an overhaul, and I went..."well, gee, since the rear is out, now would be a good time to replace those old leaf springs......." I'm also planning to replace the front suspension with a complete '73 disc brake setup with urethane bushings after I'm done with the rear. Probably go with KYB shocks........ This is a car I only picked up in August, so I'm at the front end of the upgrade cycle..................$$$$$$$ The car came with the disc brake setup in the trunk, plus a complete 383 and 727 trans. So I've got lots of things to fill my spare time and empty my wallet.......

 

[mopardude318]

if you want a nice handling car for the street...have you thought about 1" torsion bars? front and rear sway bars? 17 inch wheels? if you want something like this, i wouldn't use the KYB shocks with this setup and the hotchkis springs..get a better shock...but ya don't have to go super agressive

 

[Reddartowner]

I was planning on eventually upgrading the torsion bars, but not immediately. Figured I'd see where the car was with the stock ones first. If not KYB's, then what would you suggest.....Bilsteins perhaps..? Sway bars are on the agenda also....Firm Feel seems to have a well-figured out setup..... And I'm planning on going to 225/55R16 front and 245/50R16 rear tires on Torq Thrust 2's (16x7 front, 16x8 rear).

 

[mopardude318]

yes bilstein

shockshttp://www.hotchkis.net/rcd_shocks_dodge_a_e_body_4_pack_lowered_cars.html

....or, QA-1 which i have on my car

http://www.reillymotorsports.com/store/home.php?cat=267

on the sway bar, although firm feel have very nice products....try hellwig sway bars....contact fabo member "Dave @ Hellwig". He will set you up on some very nice sway bars. I have a front bar from them and its a very nice piece. looking into getting a rear bar from them as well, but dont need it quite yet...

 

[1968FormulaS340]

Just a note...... Your suspension should be looked at and up graded as a system.

If you simply pile on roll stiffness to the rear you will adding oversteer. In the real world of most "normal" drivers, excessive oversteer means it won't be long before you run into something.

 

[mopardude318]

Just a note...... Your suspension should be looked at and up graded as a system.

If you simply pile on roll stiffness to the rear you will adding oversteer. In the real world of most "normal" drivers, excessive oversteer means it won't be long before you run into something.

x2


try to upgrade everything together...that will net you the best results...but it wont be cheap..

 

[Reddartowner]

Good advice.....thanks everyone.

Mark.

 

[autoxcuda]

Just a note...... Your suspension should be looked at and up graded as a system.

If you simply pile on roll stiffness to the rear you will adding oversteer. In the real world of most "normal" drivers, excessive oversteer means it won't be long before you run into something.

They are not that stiff a spring in regards to lbs/in. IIRC, they are 130 or 140 lbs/in. Where MP Super Stock springs are 180 lbs/in!

Stock Formula S and GTS 340 leafs are 110 lbs/in, 383's are 130 lbs/in

Not everyone can tackle the cost and time of a whole system at one time. The car is not going to be dangerous with these springs. The stock front ends roll and understeer a ton. I think the understeer/oversteer would be less than adding a rear sway bar to car with a factory front bar.

But they have a flat like arch, lowered front hangers for height and more anti squat, a stiff front segment to resist axle wrap under acceration, front and rear "mid-eye" to lower them, and a added upper front segment to resist axle hop under heavy braking. And they are lighter than stock springs.

 

[1968FormulaS340]

They are not that stiff a spring in regards to lbs/in. IIRC, they are 130 or 140 lbs/in. Where MP Super Stock springs are 180 lbs/in!

Stock Formula S and GTS 340 leafs are 110 lbs/in, 383's are 130 lbs/in

But they have a flat like arch, lowered front hangers for height and more anti squat, a stuff front segment to resist axle wrap under acceration, front and rear "mid-eye" to lower them, and a added upper front segment to resist axle hop under heavy braking. And they are lighter than stock springs.

That's some good and useful info. I was under the impression they were much stiffer.

 

[autoxcuda]

That's some good and useful info. I was under the impression they were much stiffer.

I think they are on the softer side to get the car to plant comming off the corner.

 

[wracks71]

I was planning on eventually upgrading the torsion bars, but not immediately. Figured I'd see where the car was with the stock ones first. If not KYB's, then what would you suggest.....Bilsteins perhaps..? Sway bars are on the agenda also....Firm Feel seems to have a well-figured out setup..... And I'm planning on going to 225/55R16 front and 245/50R16 rear tires on Torq Thrust 2's (16x7 front, 16x8 rear).

i am running firm feel bars front and rear and i love them,really nice parts. the best thing is,the rear is set up like the t/a challengers,so you don't even see the bar hanging down and it puts less stress on the chassis. i just installed a set of fiberglass leafs from flex form in my duster,looking forward to seeing how they do.
you might also want to think about going up to 17" wheels since bigger brakes will go in them down the road. i have 13" viper fronts in my bullits. if your gonna spend the money,plan ahead!