Lowering the Challenger R/T

[M3SMG02]

Not a big fan of modifying suspensions of cars, but, one thing the R/T needs, IMHO, is to be lowered 1", mayber even 2".

I'm pondering a 6 speed R/T with 18" Rims. Looking at one on the sales floor, and I can't get over how tall it looks, and how much space is betwixt the wheels and the fender openings.

I don't want a low rider, but, I can't help thinking how much better the R/T would look lowered (front & rear) 2".

Is it feasible? What about clearance and rebound? Anybody do it yet?

LJB

[subzero05]

Eibach pro kit is a nice choice!. One of the guys in the SRT forum just did his with the Eibach kit and it looks very nice!.. They make really nice suspension stuff. That will be the one I go with. Ride is generally firm but not overdone!

[JayR04]

To me it's not the actual height of the car, it's the huge wheel wells. Mopar lowering springs are at the top of my wish list.

[izzypizzy]

Lowering springs: they work as intended on these cars but we expect that the Challenger will face the same dilemma that the LX cars have and that is that there is no good lowering shock/strut on the market. Lowering the LX's results in blown shocks after about 6 months to a year and the drive on heavier cars such as these leaves a little to the imagination. Our recommendation is to either go with coilovers (combined spring/shock) which will run the same price in the long run as lowering springs and shocks or to at a minimum upgrade to the SRT-8 suspension which assuming all things being equal, will have probably about an inch drop off the R/T's stance.

This statement from HHP has me worried. This means that the 1" lowering springs from Eibach that moparsupercenter has for $200-300 will result in eventually blown shocks? Are we limited to spending $1k+ on some coilovers just to get the 1" drop?

[lupoman]

I like the lowered look, just worry about the ride quality. I installed a cup kit on my 97 Jetta (dont laugh!) while it handled like a slot car, the top speed lowered, mostly due to my shear terror while bouncing around at 105 mph. The Hawaii roads arnt exactly smooth, but i could go faster with stock suspension!

[HemiEd]

I read somewhere, that there are several thicknesses of coil spring cushions for these cars. It said that the Challenger has the thickest ones, and a thin one will give considerable drop. Is this just too simple, or incorrect? Anyone know the part numbers of spring cushions?

[Dodgeram44]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

I read somewhere, that there are several thicknesses of coil spring cushions for these cars. It said that the Challenger has the thickest ones, and a thin one will give considerable drop. Is this just too simple, or incorrect? Anyone know the part numbers of spring cushions?

You'd still have the problem of blown shocks even if you did that.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Dodgeram44

You'd still have the problem of blown shocks even if you did that.

You know, I have thought about this since reading the earlier post stating this. I gotta call :BS: until I see something that proves it. So one inch lower in the travel area is going to blow it up? I think that design might be a little tight, don't you think?
Who said it would, have there been any cases of it? Or is someone trying to sell more product?
I will gladly accept any proof and eat crow.

[Dodgeram44]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

You know, I have thought about this since reading the earlier post stating this. I gotta call :BS: until I see something that proves it. So one inch lower in the travel area is going to blow it up? I think that design might be a little tight, don't you think?
Who said it would, have there been any cases of it? Or is someone trying to sell more product?
I will gladly accept any proof and eat crow.

I know what you mean about someone trying to sell their product, that happens all the time. But I'm tempted to believe it because these shocks are gas pressurized, and with the lowering kit, you are forcing them to be compressed by one inch more all of the time. That puts a lot of stress on the seals in the shock. And then when you go over bumps, the shock bottoms out or is very close to it.

I should also mention that I have 2 friends with lowered cars, and both of their shocks blew out at about 6 months as was stated previously.

[Hal H]

The best approach is to get sport shocks specifically designed for lowered cars that have been modified with higher performance springs.

I've seen this issue crop up with other makes, where the stiffer springs
put more demand on the shocks and the added friction and heat on the shock will create failures. These generally are designed for shorter travel and have different compression and rebound rates factored around stiffer suspension springs.