Mopar Muscle Association UK

I have a 1966 Belvedere with 440 engine.

Suspension wise it's completely standard.

Part of the fun is the ship like handling, but I wondered what the simplest things you can do to improve it a little are.

At one extreme I see there are Hotchkis total kits etc.

I have stock shocks and no ARB's.

I was thinking that some new shocks and perhaps an ARB would make quite a difference?

If you are going to use it a lot for RWYB's at the Drag Strip then an ARB is a disadvantage as it binds the front end up too much...

This then begs the question of the intended primary use of the car.

Does it have manual or Power steering?

Hotchkis big-fat-hemi-plus bars at front, Hotchkis leafs at rear AND (most importantly) proper geometry from Roger (monkfish) have transformed my car. Not cheap but I love the result.

I believe to get the front geometry spot on, you have to go the whole hog and install Adjustable top "A" Arms - not cheap but a big impact.

If on a budget, just check out all the Lower Control Arm and Upper Control Arm bushes which wear pretty badly. Even getting that done could transform the car...........

Road car only really, so I want a good ride but also tauter handling. Has manual steering.

First of all you want to make sure what you have is in reasonable shape. Lower control arm bushes being the favourite to be knackered. Along with checking the numerous ball joints for play.

Some decent shocks, especially at the front want to be on the shopping list. Antiroll bar will help on a street car too.

More castor, which Morgan refers to, might not be so good on a manual steer car. Will make the steering very heavy. But it certainly helps to stop that classic mopar "wander".

Plus of course some decent alignment, but that comes last!