Interesting, maybe it's because of how Brutal our roads are around here. I felt the difference the first time I drove it down the side street (actually a 90KM/hr RD) about 5 miles long, but in fairly rough shape.
Going from the 250lb springs to the 350's/ struts remained the same I would say that the old set-up was softer, but harsher if that makes any sense. That is to say that it was too soft of a front suspension for my liking but when you hit a bad strech of road it would give a bang and rough feel as well as big bumps would give a jownsy feel that I now realise was the urathane bushings flexing one way, then the other.
The car is stiffer now, which is great, but it's not harsh at all. I hit a bad part of road and it's like the car absorbes it instead of impacts it. I'm guessing it's a combo of the instant response of the hiem joints + the fact that the springs are now working to a much higher degree. To me (and ppl can think I'm exaggerating all they want) it's the difference of the K-based car it use to be vs the European feeling car it now is (BMW/ Volvo/ Porche) It's stiff and Tight, but increadibly responsive and comfortable.
Now, most ppl don't pay enough attention when they drive to pick 1/2 of this stuff up so I can deff understand them not "getting" how this much could change. There are ppl out there that prefer the "floatation" feel over the feel of a car that gives accurate feedback from the road, so for those ppl they would prob Not like this.
The best way I can sum it up is this; I have a pair of 14lb racing seats that are made of a hard plastic and covered with the S/C seat covers. (so no added foam, just covers and hard plastic seat) I put them in the car when I'm racing it and remove them when I'm driving it on the street because they are brutally harsh on the roads around here. I remember one time several years ago, I went for a quick blast down the side road before heading to the track and the race seats were already in the car. Just driving 5 miles down that road and back was brutal and uncomfortable enough to tell me I would Never run these for any amount of time on the street.
Fast forward to SDAC 21. I installed the seats before I left because there was no way I'm dragging an extra set of buckets with me and swapping them there. Now I should have realised this the first time I took the car up the side street and drove it on the trailor, but it didn't even dawn on me. The race seats don't bother me at all anymore!
I drove the car around at SDAC, took several ppl for a ride in the car (wonder what they thought?) and never was bothered by the harshness of the seats. So much so, that when I got home I drove the car for the rest of the summer that way, including several 300km round trips to the cabin and every time I go into Winnipeg it's a 100km trip + driving around in town. The factory buckets have yet to go back in.
So, take it however you want, I'm just trying to give honest feedback for what I've Experienced, which is what I've always tried to do. I would imagine results may vary because different ppl like different rides (stiff/ floating/ spongy) and have different opinions of things.
To me, these pieces absolutly enhanced every aspect of the cars suspension exactly the way I could have wished for. (picture a wish list and I'm checking everything off here)
Now to the track results; Everything here is based on a good hooking track where the car has netted it's best average 60"s.
Before the tubular crossmember and DJ's hiem joint a-arms; Average good 60's were mid 1.7's with 1.72 being my best average (did this multyple times) and a couple 1.69 and one 1.67.
After the swap and without an alignment (still haven't got in and almost afraid to now); Average good 60's are mid 1.6's with 1.63 being my best average so far and a couple 1.62's and a 1.59 And 1.56! (and I was just getting things sorted out)
So, when I invested in these pieces I was hoping to drop 1 tenth off my 60' And hoping I could get into the 1.5X's. (realistically a 1.58-1.59) Had no idea it would happen this fast, but it did! (really glad I cut that 1.59 60' on my last run or else there would be those who would scream "foul" and say that the 1.56 was just a timing glitch! lol)
I knew that the stars would have to align and several things would have to work out 100% for me to achieve my goal of going 9's with the Charger, specially keeping it a street driver. This is Deff one of the pieces of that puzzle that has worked out 100%+! One of the best investments I've made in the car and I'm just glad that we have members who are willing to make stuff like this available to a small community like ours where "cheap" is the average mid-set!
These pieces were a bargain at this price and I just hope ppl out there realise that!
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Originally Posted by Reeves
