Suspension Best Bang for the buck?

[Fleck 5]

What is the best bang for the buck in suspension upgrades for a 300C?

I would like to improve the handling of my stock 300C but I am not going to spend $1,400-$2,000 on KW's or an air bag suspension. For those of you who have lowered the car, what type of spring did you use and are you happy with them? Are the sway bars worth it? Is is worth upgrading to the SRT-8 suspension since I can get a used SRT-8 suspension for around $400?

Currently I am debating on getting the used SRT-8 springs and shocks vs. getting new Hotchkis springs. I am on the fence and I am looking for feedback from people who have already tried different suspension components.

[jjs]

Originally Posted by Fleck 5

What is the best bang for the buck in suspension upgrades for a 300C?

I would like to improve the handling of my stock 300C but I am not going to spend $1,400-$2,000 on KW's or an air bag suspension. For those of you who have lowered the car, what type of spring did you use and are you happy with them? Are the sway bars worth it? Is is worth upgrading to the SRT-8 suspension since I can get a used SRT-8 suspension for around $400?

Currently I am debating on getting the used SRT-8 springs and shocks vs. getting new Hotchkis springs. I am on the fence and I am looking for feedback from people who have already tried different suspension components.

If you are running stock Conti tires, the best bang for the buck is dump them and get some real rubber.

[pmpn8ez]

Im with you Fleck....hopefully someone can elaborate on this topic.....I too am curious about about a srt8 upgrade vs. others.

I know there is an in depth topic on the srt8 install over at the lxforums site, but I was looking for feedback from someone with a C.

As well as the stance achieved with this type of swap. Ive heard the drop only gives about a 1/2" compared to stock......any truth to this?

[Midnightsun300c]

Fleck5:
Having just put the Eibach Pro-Kit on my AWD I can tell you it was a tremendous improvement to the handling and stability at high speed. It dropped the car about 1.5" and really firmed up the cornering, eliminated the bounce and cost $276 with handling charge from Summit Racing. Eibach makes a Sportsline that will not fit an AWD, (found out the hard way) but you shouldn't have a problem, that drops the car 2" and is stiffer yet for the same price.

[Meister]

Originally Posted by Fleck 5

What is the best bang for the buck in suspension upgrades for a 300C?

I would like to improve the handling of my stock 300C but I am not going to spend $1,400-$2,000 on KW's or an air bag suspension. For those of you who have lowered the car, what type of spring did you use and are you happy with them? Are the sway bars worth it? Is is worth upgrading to the SRT-8 suspension since I can get a used SRT-8 suspension for around $400?

Currently I am debating on getting the used SRT-8 springs and shocks vs. getting new Hotchkis springs. I am on the fence and I am looking for feedback from people who have already tried different suspension components.

Given that you have eliminated the best suspension option (KW V2s aggressively priced), the SRT option you're looking at is your best alternative, Fleck 5.

The SRT8 shocks and springs will get you roughly half way to what you'd have with the KWs, performance wise, minus the ability to adjust rebound damping and ride height.

It will be a noticeable improvement over what you now have, and lowers you a bit.

(Don't bother installing the sway bars if they're part of the package, BTW - they're identical to what you're already running.)

The primary problem with lowering springs alone is that they prematurely age your stock shocks, as they have a reduced range of operation. At the point they fail you're hosed, because no one makes aftermarket shocks for the 300.

Now you get to buy the KWs afterall, and have less money to do it with.

[Fleck 5]

Meister - that is a good point about the shocks. I had never looked at it that way.

Now it looks like I am leaning towards the SRT-8 set up. Later I am thinking about upgrading to some 22" tires and rims when my current tires have more miles on them and I have the money to get them. I might also upgrade to the Hotchkis antisway bars later on.

[Meister]

The Hotchkis anti-sway bars are well worth the money, even if you don't plan on doing "enthusiastic" cornering. Their primary value, IMO, lies in the increased safety margin they give you.

When, not if, you have to take emergency evasive action on the highway you car will much more likely to remain in control because of reduced body roll.

[JeDiHemi]

how is that hotchkis kit with the bumps of the road? if it doesn't, what kit or springs would eliminate other than bags?

[Meister]

Originally Posted by JeDiHemi

how is that hotchkis kit with the bumps of the road? if it doesn't, what kit or springs would eliminate other than bags?

The KW V2 coilovers are the ultimate suspension package for the LXes, JeDiHemi, especially when teamed with the Hotchkis anti-sway bars front & rear.

The ride in general, and precision handling in particular, is transformed from annoying to amazing.

[JeDiHemi]

Originally Posted by Meister

The KW V2 coilovers are the ultimate suspension package for the LXes, JeDiHemi, especially when teamed with the Hotchkis anti-sway bars front & rear.

The ride in general, and precision handling in particular, is transformed from annoying to amazing.

are we talking a bumpless ride like i hate to say it, but a cadilac's suspension or what? also, how much for this system... i've heard and read various posts on it... do our vendors supply it? i'll do some searching if i don't hear back too...