By RON CERIDONO Photography by MATT JONES

hile quarter-mile elapsed times were once a hot rodder’s chief factor in assessing a car’s performance, today we expect a more well-rounded approach—we want them to go fast in a straight line, negotiate corners like they are on ’rails, and stop on the proverbial dime. While that sounds like a tall order for vintage Mopar aficionados, Art Morrison Enterprises (AME) now makes all that possible with their new suspension upgrade for ’66-70 Mopar B-body platforms.

Known for their superior chassis and suspension components, AME’s new bolt-in K-member assembly follows their well-established reputation and comes with rack-and-pinion steering, tubular control arms, Strange Engineering coilover shocks, and C6 Corvette–style knuckle assemblies. According to AME, the tall, forged knuckle assemblies provide several suspension geometry benefits—the lateral roll center migration is minimal, while the negative camber gain is aggressive enough for high-performance driving and autocross. As Matt Jones, president of AME, explains it, “Put simply, this means the car will have excellent grip while corning and feel stable to the driver from the initial turn-in to corner exit.” Jones adds, “AME’s Mopar K-member is a 100 percent bolt-on assembly that can be easily installed by any competent do-it-yourselfer.”

Follow along with Tom Smith of AME and Aaron Porter of Horsepower Northwest as they perform the first installation of the new AME Mopar B-body IFS crossmember. To make installation even easier, a steering shaft kit is available for factory or aftermarket steering columns. The engine mounts accommodate 383s, 426s, and 440s in the stock location with factory engine brackets and a rear sump oil pan. Gen III engines can be installed with AME-manufactured adapter brackets and no firewall mods are required even for the fire-breathing Hellcat. However, a Milodon rear sump pan or custom Stef’s pan (Stef’s has the drawing to make the proper pan) will be required, along with a 90-degree oil filter adapter or remote filter kit.

For outstanding performance AME incorporated their proven Sport C6 suspension geometry with only minor adjustments to work with the Mopar B-body’s original upper control arm attachment points. To simplify installation, the K-member comes partially assembled with only the coilovers, knuckles, and upper control arms to be attached—and the only modification required to the car is the drilling of four holes per side. Like all AME components, their new B-body suspension kit is well designed and beautifully executed, plus it’s easy to install. There’s no better way to perform Mopar magic.

3. Note the two holes in the front of the shock towers (arrows) for the front caster/camber eccentrics. No modifications are necessary to the inner front fenders; the cardboard templates are for smooth panels that Horsepower Northwest will be fabricating.

5. A transmission jack works well for removing the stock crossmember and installing the AME assembly. The new K-member should be installed with the steering rack, sway bar, and lower control arms bolted in place.

7. Two mounting bolts attach the new K-member to the factory framerails. They are installed at this point but not tightened completely.

9. The location of the K-member is adjusted until the measurements from both sides are within 1/8 inch.

11. To keep the car flat when cornering, an antiroll bar is part of the suspension package. Note the three holes in the attachment link that provides suspension “tuning.”

13. After the holes are drilled the supplied steel sleeves are inserted to keep the framerails from collapsing when the bolts are tightened.

15. Factory-style eccentric washers are used at all four control arm attachment points to adjust caster and camber. Shown is one of the bolts and eccentrics in the structure on the outside of the inner fender panel.

17. The Strange Engineering coilovers are installed using the supplied hardware. Spacers are used to properly position the coilover in the upper bracket.

19. The C6 Corvette-style forged aluminum knuckle assembly is significantly taller than other designs, requiring a minimum 18-inch wheel. Rather than a conventional spindle, the Corvette uses a modular hub/bearing that fits in the knuckle and is bolted in place.

21. Typical of AME products, the design and welding are superb. For the straightest possible alignment with the steering column, the rack-and-pinion unit tucks under the engine mount.