KW 2 and 3 are fine product. They do not address the fundamental weaknesses in the LX platform suspension -- bushes. That is our challenge in the LX community. We have to explain why we designed our LX package the we did and why you should spend your hard earned dollars allocated for modifications on something as mundane as bushes. What Paul has is his car is the foundation for a performance suspension -- it is solid. Paul was very disappointed when he learned we only did bushes on his car at SEMA. Then he drove it. His disappointment turned to a rather large SEG.
How many of you experience bumpsteer and rear end step out in you SRT8? If you own an LX -- you have this. If you doubt it let me take you for a test drive. Ask Paul about his test ride!!! Upgrading the dampers or coils improves the performance in one respect -- rates -- but actually makes the fundamental flaws worse -- bush mush and bumpsteer.
Bumpsteer can be corrected at the foundational level by repositioning the steering rack using Pedders Bumpsteer Correction Kit EP2113. By lowering the mounting hole we raise the rack. Bumpsteer in OE trim is measured at 9mm and is reduced to 3mm with our eccentric mount installed. This is a foundational difference and would improve the steering and performance on any LX vehicle with OE or aftermarket suspension.
The upper control arm wishbone bushes are super soft by our measure. The bushes are the same across the LCX in OE trim from base to SRT8. Pedders views these as a foundational limitation contributing to tire wear issues. There is another aftermarket replacement arm solution available as a stand alone product. That is better than nothing. Pedders takes a very different approach. We have engineered a complete system for the LX that includes urethane bushes EP6570 for the wishbones that add castor and camber adjustment range while limiting motion.
YouTube Video Link
This test is done with a LITTLE finger -- the arm failed the pinkie test. Imagine the movement with a four thousadn pound vehicle on the other end. In fairness, the arm is m ounted to a system with multiple control points. It isn't a test as much as a demonstration. The point is that instability in these bushes is a core / foundational issue. Adding firm dampers, higher on the critical damping scale magnifies the bush mush. In a limited range higher rate dampers and coils limit motion delivering the appearance if improvement. When pushed, the instability in the foundation is worse because the loads are increased. This is the exact opposite reaction desired. Look at this diagram.
Addressing each interconnected component creates a result that is greater than any individual component. By working with these as a group ride quality can be retained while control is dramatically improved. Think of it this way, no one component is strong enough to compensate for all the other components. If it were possible to jack one component up to that level it would comparatively make all the remaining components weaker. That is why we use a systematic integrated approach to improving a platform. We tune each component to compliment the other. The LX system includes everything from bushes to endlinks to sway bars to dampers to coils.
The biggest weakness in the LX system is are the four sub-frame bushes. The OE bushes use a raised rubber bump ridges on only a portion of the steel-jacketed bush. The squirm is so intense they leave rubber burns on the monocoque. Look at these pictures from an SRT8. You can see the rubber score marks as well as the metal-to-metal contact points.
We replace the ridge points of contact with much larger urethane plates EP1172. The larger mounting surface increase the stability of the IRS mount. By using voids in the molding process we can create a progressive reaction from a material that is not progressive.
The key is compliance and control. Aluminum milled bushes will provide incredible control but transfer incredible amounts of noise and vibration. Racers have milled bushes out of many materials in search of ultimate control. The down side is always durability and ride quality. The ride quality of a Pedderised LX is excellant. Our warranty is to my knowledge the only one in the world that covers bits used in speed contests or racing. Yep you read that right, there is no racing exclusion.
So you took a different direction and purchased after market sway bars in search of stability. The bars you installed are stiffer than OE. So after all your hard work you completed the installation of the bars by connecting them to the vehicle with the OE endlinks. The same soda straw pencil stick rear OE endlinks with rubber bushes top and bottom???? To complete the job you need a more robust link -- Pedders 424120.
The complete cost of an
INSTALLED full suspension swap including 30 some odd pressed out / in bushes, sway bars, endlinks, coils, dampers labor and alignment is roughly $5,800 dollars. Our labor rates vary by region with real estate, property taxes and local wage rates being the variables. In New York or San Fran it will be a higher while in Mountain Home Arkansas it will be lower. Of course, nobody lives any near our Dealer in Mountain home.
Any suspension modifications you make will only be as good as the weakest link in the system. That is why we use the approach we do and offer the ranges of bits designed for the LX. A complete system will yield the most predictable results. The biggest difference with Pedders is that we don't ask anyone to buy based on what we post or advertise. Our Dealers will either provide a vehicle or hook you up with a customer vehicle to evaluate in person. I just spent two days at Anthem Motors in Phoenix doing just that. More than one SRT8 owner with engine mods said the same thing -- I didn't understand why I should spend my mod money on bushes. I do now. Ride before you buy.
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