My suspension mods so far are KWv2's, Hotchkis sways, front and rear STB's. I'm thinking about getting adjustable sway bar endlinks, adjustable control arms, and a bump steer correction kit. Would you recommend these items and what exactly will these help with? Are these performance mods or preventative mods, or both? What other suspension mods would you recommend....tie rods?
Well I have heard of hotchkis sway bars and they seem to be pretty good. If it was me that is the way I would go. Since I have the 22's I still hit my front fenders with the stock suspension so I wont be changing unless I get rid of the rims.
Suspension mods Well, you asked! My opinion is I wouldn't do anything to degrade the ride. I considered the Hotchkis sway bars but the rear is too big in diameter compared with the front. The last thing I need is to come out of turn 9 at Willow Springs at close to 100 mph and have the rear end come out on me when I apply the throttle. Springs into the corner, bars coming out. I already have too much throttle oversteer in my 300 SRT-8 with the 5.7 rear bar. I don't need or want anymore. In addition ESP will not allow you to explore the limits of your car anyway so why change bars. I know you already have the bars, I just don't like the engineering done on them. When I called the manufacturer, the sales guy didn't even know what stock diameter was. It just sounded like, well if big is good, bigger is better and I don't buy into that. You haven't mentioned springs or I don't recognize the manufacturer. Lower is better for sure so long as the spring rates front to rear are the same percentage wise as stock. Chrysler engineers achieved a pretty well balanced car with the stock spring rates. Keeping that balance with lower springs would be a good idea, especially if the ride wasn't degraded too much. I am having the Pedders springs and shocks put in my car. Car will be lower so I can get more negative camber, lower center of gravity, and lower front roll center (as well as rear roll center). I will be anxious to test them on my next open track day at Willow and I will let everyone know how they work. I like the strut bars front and rear. Does not degrade performance, makes the car tighter, good mod. The only thing adjustable sway bar end links are good for is to balance the car. To do that you need you in the car, someone on the floor or a platform lift to adjust the links so they are all 4 neutral at ride height with no pre-load. This is mandatory in a race car, a bit overkill in a street car. I have done it on my 68 Bararcuda but it wasn't worth it in lap times and it definitely degraded the ride. The bump steer kit is a must. Doesn't degrade the ride and improves the handling a lot in my opinion. The only advantage I can see with adjustable control arms is the ability to adjust camber and possibly caster. Our cars need more negative camber for sure so this might be a worthwhile mod and I would like feedback if you do it.
Rick, what about the Pedders stuff??? They sure seem like they know their shiat, you know?? See what they suggest.
when lowered, does the width of tires or the overall diameter become a problem as far as rubbing? I'm running the 275 vreds on stock rims?
No they don't! I have the V's 275 on my stock rims and my car is "WAY" too low and they haven't rubbed at all. Sorry, Ricky, I know this isn't answering your thread question:whistle:
I would go with a Peddlers kit. I think you wiil really tell the diff with better bushings. Bump Steeer for sure.
Really, "WHY"! I've heard good and bad about it! Do you notice a difference at lower vs. higher speeds or do you notice a difference no matter the speed?:getlost:
http://www.razorsedgemotorsports.com/raedbukit.html "Definition: Bumpsteer is a change in toe* angle caused by the suspension moving up or down. Bumpsteer is built into the geometry of the suspension and steering system, and has nothing to do with turning the steering wheel. The effect of bumpsteer is for the wheel to toe-in or toe-out when the suspension moves up or down. This toe change or “steering†occurs any time the suspension moves, whether it is from body roll, brake-dive, or hitting a bump in the road. Bumpsteer is undesirable because the suspension is steering the car instead of the driver." This is the bump steer kit I plan on going with. From everything I've read this kit makes the most sense to me.
