Good handling challenger? • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **BrianC** » 11 Jul 2004 21:56

I am looking to get a '70 challenger but I was wondering how realistic it would be to get one to handle well. If anyone knows what kind of kits or parts the aftermarket has id love to know more.

Also up until two days ago I had a 69 charger so my standards are fairly lax.

by **dave-r** » 12 Jul 2004 8:04

There are lots of suspension parts available. Just Suspension, PST, ESPO, etc. are just some of the suppliers.

Have a look at the spec of my car http://challenger.mpoli.fi/phpbb/viewto ... =6144#6144

I think my car handles really well for a 440.

There used to be a good book on the subject too. Hard to find one these days.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=books

Try looking through the posts in the suspension section and try to post your questions on this subject in there instead of just in 'General Chat'.

Thanks. :wink:

by **redchally** » 12 Jul 2004 18:17

Fiberglass could help too. If it's a 440 or smaller, just stick some fiberglass fender's and hood on it and handling should be fairly easier.

Need some fiberglass '70 Challenger parts?

http://www.up22.com/challenger70.htm#DC-107
http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/site.htm

by **Tim** » 13 Jul 2004 7:58

"I think my car handles really well for a 440."

Dave Robson- Master of the understatement. :wink:

Brian- try the simple (cheap) stuff first. A set of KYB gas shocks to replace the standard air shocks, polyurethane
bushings all round, retempered leaf springs, etc will yield a significant improvement over stock. Reducing the unsprung
weight by swapping to alloy wheels and low profile tyres is another quick way to gain improvements. Then you can
start looking at anti- sway bars, front- end rebuild kits and all the big- buck stuff.

by **Dodge74** » 05 Jan 2005 3:12

I was looking through the PST catalog for poly bushings and noted that they say for the Challenger the LCA are not poly but orignal style which I take to mean steel with a rubber insert. My car is totally disassembled now and it's time to start the front end rebuild and I'm looking for poly LCA bushings. Any thoughts on a US supplier?

Thanks.

by **dave-r** » 05 Jan 2005 8:46

Funny. I got mine from PST. :confused:

Anyway. ESPO are the main place to get suspension parts.

http://www.espo.com/

by **Dodge74** » 05 Jan 2005 19:43

Does ESPO have the polygrahpite LCA bushings? Hard to tell from their website. I went back and re-read the PST catalog and it says the same as their website, that their LCA bushings are not poly, but "original" style. I guess a couple of phone calls are in order to sort this out.

Does anyone have any experience regarding squeaking from non-graphite polyurethane bushings?

by **Dodge74** » 05 Jan 2005 21:15

For what it's worth, I called PST today to clear up the availability of polygrahpite LCA bushings and they confirmed that what they supply now is an OE style steel/rubbing bushing. They noted that high suspension loads were causing problems with the poly bushing in the E-Body and other applications for the LCA. The UCA bushings are still poly.

by **dave-r** » 05 Jan 2005 21:38

Interesting. I guess they are covering their backs against possible litigation.

I wonder if other companies have followed suit?

I have had mine in for quite a few thousand miles now and I drive it hard with stiff suspension and a heavy 440. I will check out the condition of the bushes sometime in the near future.

by **Dodge74** » 06 Jan 2005 15:23

That's what is hard to pin down, who is still suppying a polyurethane bushing for the LCA?

My Challenger wont' be driven more than a few thousand miles each year once it's back on the road so I can accept regular inspections to ensure the polygraphite LCA bushings are intact. It appears Energy Suspension still makes a polyurethane bushing for this application, but it's not graphite impregnated so I guess squeaking will be a likelihood unless I find an easy way to grease them in place.

Has anyone bought LCA polyurethane[u] bushings lately and if so, from what supplier? I think I'll put in a call to Firm Feel today as they show a poly bushing alongside their greaseable LCA pin but I don't think they sell the bushing.

by **dave-r** » 06 Jan 2005 16:00

Do ESPO not sell them? 1-800-903-9019

It says in several places on their web site that they sell only the black poly bushes which have the graphite in them.

I have always found ESPO to be the best and cheapest place to get suspension parts. The lady that usually answers the phone really knows her stuff. I mean REALLY.

by **Dodge74** » 06 Jan 2005 23:57

I didn't get as far as ESPO in tracking this down as I found the black graphite poly bushings at Suspension Restoration with comparible prices. I decided to give them a shot in the hopes of identifying a second reliable source. I'll post how it goes, but when I called to inquire about what they had, the guy answering the phone was knowledgeable and helpful. The order should ship in the same day as they are a full stocking dealer.

by **dave-r** » 07 Jan 2005 9:20

At a pinch a stock lower bushing is not too bad as long as the diagonal strut has a poly bushing. It is those struts that prevent most of the unwanted LCA movement.

by **Dodge74** » 07 Jan 2005 19:52

I did order poly bushings for the control strut to minimize the fore and aft movement.

Now for the next challenge, does anyone have any thoughts or experiences with the greaseable LCA mounting "pin" that is available from Firm Feel? Looks like the way to go if one has already decided to replace the lower control arm pins as they are about $40 more than a stock replacement and sure would make greasing the LCA bushing easier. My only question would be from the photo it appears the grease only exits the drilled pin in one location so I'm guessing cutting a groove around the inner bore of the LCA bushing would ensure even distribution of any grease that got pumped in.

by **dave-r** » 08 Jan 2005 11:49

I would be very worried about cutting a grove. This is a critical and very stressed piece. I would worry about stress cracks growing over time from the edges of the groove.