Old guy here. Just got a 2023 Challenger Scat Pack and would like to make the ride a bit more comfortable (not as rough).

I thought about replacing F&R shocks, springs and maybe sway bar with parts from a plain (non-scat pack) Challenger. I'm assuming they'd a bit softer. But rather than doing that, I might be better off replacing these parts with aftermarket parts that are adjustable. Problem is, lots of folks want to lower their car and have "race" suspension. I want neither.

I could go with 2-way adjustable struts/shocks with adjustable springs, front and rear.

As to the sway bars, since they do nothing on more or less flat roads, maybe fitting smaller ones wouldn't be necessary.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanx, guys.

20" wheels all around. I'm looking for a softer ride and have had good results changing from 19" to 18" tires on other cars, so I thought I'd do the same here.

I assume that 19" wheels/tires would fit just fine, assuming I kept the same back spacing. 18s, I dunno. Also, the car with 18" wheels might look weird.

If I kept the stock 20" wheels, I may be able to find a good tire that has more ride comfort, but I suspect that most people aren't looking for comfort.

Thoughts, suggestions and even brickbats welcome. Thanx.

 

Old guy here. Just got a 2023 Challenger Scat Pack and would like to make the ride a bit more comfortable (not as rough).

I thought about replacing F&R shocks, springs and maybe sway bar with parts from a plain (non-scat pack) Challenger. I'm assuming they'd a bit softer. But rather than doing that, I might be better off replacing these parts with aftermarket parts that are adjustable. Problem is, lots of folks want to lower their car and have "race" suspension. I want neither.

I could go with 2-way adjustable struts/shocks with adjustable springs, front and rear.

As to the sway bars, since they do nothing on more or less flat roads, maybe fitting smaller ones wouldn't be necessary.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanx, guys.

Really??????????????????

 

Thoughts, suggestions and even brickbats welcome. Thanx.

Well….it’s obvious you purchased the wrong trim level of Challenger….or didn’t take it for a long enough test drive to determine the ride characteristics adequately.

Handling, traction, and performance are all trade offs. Upon reading your other thread regarding swapping of springs, to sway bars, to adjustable suspension dampers, I just moved on to the next new post.

I wouldn’t trade anything for the planted, well handling suspension my Scat Pack has. Of course…..driving between 2,500 miles to 3,000 miles per week in a 2022 RAM 5500 Cab & Chassis, with a mixture of about 50% somewhat heavily loaded, and the remaining 50% bobtail, almost anything rides great in comparison.

I’m guessing that any “adjustable” dampers you purchase will also be a trade off, and I highly doubt you’ll get that cushy ride you are seeking. Going to 18” or 19” wheels may be a challenge, as it will be dependent as to clearance with either the four piston Brembo brakes or if you have the six piston Brembo brakes.

At this juncture…..all I could add is verify your tire pressure, and start out around 2 psi to 3 psi lower (cold) than the door placard calls for.

 

Well, I find the Challenger R/T I own extremely comfortable, but compared to the Mustang and Trans Am I also own, perhaps that should be expected. The 20" wheels are fine. Mine came equipped with the Goodyear tires that are medium quality, and on a really long vacation last year, no complaints at all.
I just bought a better set quality Goodyear (Exhilarate) tires last month and the ride is still fantastic. I guess it depends what you are used to riding. I imagine going from a Lincoln or Caddy or similar luxury ride to a Challenger would disappoint.

 

Well, I asked for the brickbats.

Anyway, does anyone have relevant experience regarding adjustable shocks and struts?

 

TIL:
"brickbats"

Good luck on your search for more "comfy" tires. I can relate. My Challenger's GT trim will allow me to downsize the wheel to an 18" from what I've read and then larger tires if I want to. Not sure if I'll go that route or not, but it's an option.

 

Just got a 2023 Challenger Scat Pack with 20" wheels all around. I'm looking for a softer ride and have had good results changing from 19" to 18" tires on other cars, so I thought I'd do the same here.

I assume that 19" wheels/tires would fit just fine, assuming I kept the same back spacing. 18s, I dunno. Also, the car with 18" wheels might look weird.

If I kept the stock 20" wheels, I may be able to find a good tire that has more ride comfort, but I suspect that most people aren't looking for comfort.

Thoughts, suggestions and even brickbats welcome. Thanx.

Are you kidding? You should have bought a Prius.

 

I have some useful info.

One easy way to improve ride quality is to bump up the aspect ratio on the tires so they have more sidewall.

If you have the non adjustable "2011 SRT" suspension, personally I preferred the "2010 SRT" settings for the street, it is a touch more composed over bumps. I can't remember the spring rates off the top of my head but recall the SRT engineers stiffened them up in 2011+.

Adding the factory dynamic adjustable "2012+ SRT" suspension to your car gets the best of both worlds but is complicated. You will need the continental control unit, the accelerometers for each wheel, and the shocks/struts themselves. You would need to add the wiring to the harness, complicated expensive effort and better to just buy a dynamic suspension car.

I have done all of the above in the past. So this is experience talking, not just opinion.

The guy telling you to buy a prius has the dynamic suspension package (all WB come with it), so seems a bit disingenuous.

Anyways... Many have used BC coilovers for better suspension fidelity and I have looked into it but never done it due to concerns of noise. Google coilovers squeaking.

 

You don't buy a challenger for comfort, with my 23 spwb if i have it in track mode you feel literally everything on the road. street mode is not as bad but still remember its a big ol boat. try running it in street mode, might help you out some

 

Just got a 2023 Challenger Scat Pack with 20" wheels all around. I'm looking for a softer ride and have had good results changing from 19" to 18" tires on other cars, so I thought I'd do the same here.

I assume that 19" wheels/tires would fit just fine, assuming I kept the same back spacing. 18s, I dunno. Also, the car with 18" wheels might look weird.

If I kept the stock 20" wheels, I may be able to find a good tire that has more ride comfort, but I suspect that most people aren't looking for comfort.

Thoughts, suggestions and even brickbats welcome. Thanx.

I currently have an R/T with 225/60R18 snow tires. I love the ride comfort.

I had a 3.5 V6 and put high performance 225/60R18's, and it was too stiff.

Tires also act as "springs" when you think about suspension. A balance between springs, shocks and tire stiffness

 

I don't have any experience with the 4-pot front calipers, but if yours has the 6-piston Brembos, 18" wheels WILL NOT clear the calipers.

 

Purchasing a factory hot rod with the expectation of a cushy ride is not very realistic. Heaven knows what expense and risk of screwing the car up could result from your thoughts. Based on your comments I'm thinking you probably don't have any use for the 6.4 or other performance equipment. Probably best to trade the car for another model Challenger with a 5.7 or 3.6.

 

Probably best to trade the car for another model Challenger with a 5.7 or 3.6.

This is correct. In essence you are trying got "reverse engineer" everything that has gone into the Challenger balanced suspension. For example, your engine power and suspension work together to give the best optimized (performance) from each. If you "detune" your suspension and leave your SP at full power, your car (and you) might not handle the power that is being put out- you will over drive your car.

Simply put, you could get yourself in an accident in your search for "comfort." Best to trade your SP for a Challenger that fits your comfort needs.

 

Get a comfy pillow and put it on the driver's seat. Seriously, one doesn't really expect a plush ride out of a Scat Pack or Hellcat. You definitely got the wrong car.

 

Yes get smaller wheels and more tire so the bumps wont be as harsh. Thats about all id do.

 

For the Scat, if you have the dynamic suspension option, don't use Sport Mode. Sport Mode does the oppostite of what you seek.

From previous cars, and feeling the ride on my '18 Scat (narrow body), I do look forward to replacing the tires at some point with Continental DWS 06. I expect a comfort improvement from the change just like I have experienced in the past on other cars. I did not swap for comfort, I swapped for better traction, improved handling (particularly predictability), some other characteristics of the better tires. But they were also quieter and more comfortable. This might be the best you can do without compromising safety.

My Scat is a toy, not a daily driver. I just drove a Charger SXT and GT; the GT had handling/suspension sport options and I prefer them. I have never driven a Challenger SXT in base trim, but would expect it to also not have the same ride firmness/tightness/responsiveness when compared to sport options. As one steps up in power options, firmer suspensions (including tires with less flex and more footprint) are needed for control.

 

From previous cars, and feeling the ride on my '18 Scat (narrow body), I do look forward to replacing the tires at some point with Continental DWS 06. I expect a comfort improvement from the change just like I have experienced in the past on other cars.

When I changed from the optional OE Goodyear Super car tires to DWS 06+ almost all characteristics related to tires improved but it still rides like a buckboard. I still highly recommend the DWS 06+.

 

No offense, but it sounds like you bought the wrong Challenger. If it has the dynamics package, that is for performance and racing, not comfort.

 

Helpful replies. Thank you.

 

These cars are too comfortable from the factory and stand too tall. It’s going to be pretty hard to improve stock without spending good $$.

 

First, keep your tires on the low end regarding tire pressure.

If that doesn't do it, get 18 inch wheels. A set of Falken passenger car all season tires....cheapest they have will do.
Pretty sure you can get 18's on there, at least on the rear end anyway.

 

Dude didn't ask what he should have bought.

 

The sidewall height is what's going to add that squishy factor you guys are looking for. A 275/40/20 still has a fairly short sidewall. To achieve a "comfort" level of ride, you'd have to almost go back to the old school days and put on a 15 or 16" wheel with a much taller sidewall. Something like a 275/60/16 or 275/70/15. To be fair, I'm almost certain wheels of that size won't clear the brakes.

That being said, I don't believe it's possible to achieve noticeable results in terms of eliminating road harshness with tires alone. Simply changing out shocks/springs won't help much either. You'd have to look at the whole rear geometry/rear cradle and redo it all. Just so we're clear, at this point you're talking well north of $10k in rear end mods. It's just not viable.

If someone were to ever try and do that, and if I owned the shop, I'd tell them to sell the car and go buy a Lexus. As far as sports/muscle cars go, the Challenger is supremely comfortable as-is. But, it's still a muscle car and it has a definite sport feel. There's no escaping it. If you want something cushy and SUPREMELY comfortable, you have to step over to something else. I personally love the Lexus LC500. NOT a cheap car, but it's a RWD V8 semi-sporty ultra luxury. It's got the best interior I've ever sat in and one of the most comfortable rides I've ever felt. It's also slow as piss. So, there's that.

 

Smaller wheels with bigger tires is a good suggestion, but they need to be big enough to fit the brakes. How small can we go - 18"?