K-frame swap, is it worth it?

[Hemi-K]

OK, I've seen a lot of threads on the subject of swapping to the later double hinged A-arms and later K-frames. What is the supposed advantage over the earlier style K-frame? I would assume better handling, but has anybody gotten actual skidpad numbers to prove this theory?

After all, the earlier design was a modified L-body setup, and didn't the GLH/GLHS out-handle, out-brake, and out-accellerate a Ferrari 308 back in the day? If this is the case how bad could the original EEK setup be?

[Hemi-K]

No one has anything to say on this subject?

[Johnny]

I changed my 1986 Turbo Plymouth Reliant wagon to a 1993 Spirit front suspension. I had just rebuilt the stock suspension a couple months earlier but decided to "upgrade" to the cast arm suspension. Did I notice a big difference? No. A little yes. The stock was all polyurethane and the cast one is also. I really did not like the way the Moog polybushings fit but they were okay. No numbers or timed, controlled numbers to tell. I did add a 1-1/4" endlink style front anti-sway bar also and a rear bar. Also lowered the car 2". It handles very well. I went to a couple autocrosses last year with it. People thought it funny bringing a wagon to a autocross...untill I beat them. i got 3rd out of 14 in class AND I was only on street tires.

http://www.polybushings.com/pages/k-carwagon.html


Johnny
http://www.polybushings.com

[Hemi-K]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny I changed my 1986 Turbo Plymouth Reliant wagon to a 1993 Spirit front suspension. I had just rebuilt the stock suspension a couple months earlier but decided to "upgrade" to the cast arm suspension. Did I notice a big difference? No. A little yes. The stock was all polyurethane and the cast one is also. I really did not like the way the Moog polybushings fit but they were okay. No numbers or timed, controlled numbers to tell. I did add a 1-1/4" endlink style front anti-sway bar also and a rear bar. Also lowered the car 2". It handles very well. I went to a couple autocrosses last year with it. People thought it funny bringing a wagon to a autocross...untill I beat them. i got 3rd out of 14 in class AND I was only on street tires. http://www.polybushings.com/pages/k-carwagon.html Johnny http://www.polybushings.com

Hmmm....by the sounds of it to me, there would be no advantage to doing this swap. Sounds to me like the improved handling you saw was due to your other mods. If you did the poly bushings, beefier sway bars and heavier lowered springs on the original K-frame/A-arms I bet the result would be the same.

Can anyone else who has done this swap without other mods give me some input? I'm looking more for a back to back comparison to see if its really worth it. Obviously the other mods that Johnny did are worth the effort, I'm just trying to see if the swap to later A-arms are really worth the extra cost.

[rfb6435]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi-K Hmmm....by the sounds of it to me, there would be no advantage to doing this swap. Sounds to me like the improved handling you saw was due to your other mods. If you did the poly bushings, beefier sway bars and heavier lowered springs on the original K-frame/A-arms I bet the result would be the same. Can anyone else who has done this swap without other mods give me some input? I'm looking more for a back to back comparison to see if its really worth it. Obviously the other mods that Johnny did are worth the effort, I'm just trying to see if the swap to later A-arms are really worth the extra cost.

I am working on it more for straight ahead traction and wheel hop reduction. Some of that comes from more caster. The wheel hop improvement is something that I have just heard people say.

-Rich