Front suspension swap 66 charger to rack and pinion

[Roadrage]

I am currently re doing a 66 charger, I bought it from someone that has hacked everything possible on the car. It will never be original again, so that's fine. It was an original 66 4 speed charger and they swapped out to auto, and put a 440 in it and I guess raced it. Great till I was trying to pull the motor and trans, what a b@#@h, and then the headers, they actually smashed the sides of them in to get to fit. Also the disc front brake conversion I think hits the control arm, not the right setup.
I am looking remove the stock torsion bars, k-member and steering box, and replacing them with rack & pinion steering and upper and lower control arms with coil over shocks. Also comes with disc breaks, all in one.
Has any one done this or know who does the best setup and reasonably (cheapest price). When I say that between 3500 and 4500.00, so yes cheapest.
That should fix a lot of the problems that I am having. I guess...
any thoughts

Thanks in advance
Jason

 

[Photon440]

If you're willing to go higher than your price point, you can get a complete package from XV Motorsports:
http://www.xvmotorsports.com/products/detail/index.cfm?nPID=66&cid=38&cdesc=B-Body Products

 

[Budnicks]

I am currently re doing a 66 charger, I bought it from someone that has hacked everything possible on the car. It will never be original again, so that's fine. It was an original 66 4 speed charger and they swapped out to auto, and put a 440 in it and I guess raced it. Great till I was trying to pull the motor and trans, what a b@#@h, and then the headers, they actually smashed the sides of them in to get to fit. Also the disc front brake conversion I think hits the control arm, not the right setup.
I am looking remove the stock torsion bars, k-member and steering box, and replacing them with rack & pinion steering and upper and lower control arms with coil over shocks. Also comes with disc breaks, all in one.
Has any one done this or know who does the best setup and reasonably (cheapest price). When I say that between 3500 and 4500.00, so yes cheapest.
That should fix a lot of the problems that I am having. I guess...
any thoughts

Thanks in advance
Jason

Magnum Force Racing {have drop spindle option too}, Reilly Motorsports/RMS {both MFR & RMS have square tube sub-frame/round tube k-members, with front steer rack & pinions with various brake options} & XV Motorsports {square tube sub-frame & square tube k-member} & QA1 what use to be the old Capps Automotive MP suspension parts {square tube sub-frame & round tube k-member}, all 4 have various different versions, at various different price levels... I've used the Magnum Force & the old Capps Automotive stuff {now owned by QA1}, QA1 is probably the least expensive, I've used them with relatively good success on a couple 68-70 RR's & Chargers... There's also RideTech air ride &/or coil-overs too, I can't remember if they have the K-Members or not thou, all the others do thou... Hotchkis Suspension's full kit is another good option too maybe... I've never used the XV stuff, but have seen a few, it looks ok too... try going to Mancini Racing for the QA1 stuff & other suspension parts... It really depends on how much you want to spend & how much adjustability your looking for, what brake & spindle packages or steering packages you ultimately choose... That will determine which one would be the best bang for the buck... They start at about $3500 & go up from there, depending on what all actual parts & options you choose or add or weather you reuse your spindles etc....

 

[YY1]

Isn't there an R&P that doesn't require a different front suspension.

..and wasn't it something like $1200?

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Sorry, didn't see that wasn't an issue.

I personally LOVE torsion bars, and would never put coils on.

 

[Roadrage]

I agree would like to leave it, headers don't fit in without a lot of hassle, and what can I use for front disc conversion, trying to get the 440 in and headers is like trying to put a football in a garden hose...not complaining by all means, just trying to get the right setup.
thanks

 

[Budnicks]

Isn't there an R&P that doesn't require a different front suspension.

..and wasn't it something like $1200?

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Sorry, didn't see that wasn't an issue.

I personally LOVE torsion bars, and would never put coils on.

Yeah I don't know about in a 66 Charger, there's the Unisteer bolt-in rack & pinion... I have one in my 68 RR, but I wouldn't recommend it thou...

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you have a select few headers that will work like a TTI383178c is the only one I know of

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mine was purchased in 2005, I paid $999 from Year One, it's a power rack & I have converted my car to serpentine belts & an electric water pump too, I had to add a idler pulley to do my conversion & they are also limited in turning ratious, unless you do a bump-steer kit & lower-ball joint/steering arm mods to correct it...

 

[YY1]

Carefully choosing somewhat expensive headers is IMO, a minor issue compared to the handling quality and tunability of T bars, not to mention if you have a problem with $700 plus headers, how do you justify the coil-over conversion cost?

My 70 383 Bee had Hookers, and after I fixed the leaking issue (sawed the flanges), they were great, including routing and starter access. I would have NEVER done anything to change the way that car handled. It was like driving a go-kart on a dirt track. EASY to steer with the throttle, and made lots of "handling" cars chicken out on s curves.