Rear spring replacements

[Banana]

Once you have the new rear springs on, and the wheels and tires you want, can't you then lower or raise the front a bit to get the car rake as you like?

Of course you may need to re-align the front end if you mess with the front height, but isn't this an option?

[HP2]

I've been putting this off personally...I think changing springs should be done when you are absolutely and positively sure of your final tire/wheel combination that will remain throughout the rest of time! You'd be sorely upset to estimate a good height with 225 tires, then throw on 275 tires a year down the road.

Opinions vary on looks, but I don't think a challenger looks good raked due to the center body-line element. That horizontal line looks best when it's flat. If you look at the body line, it already has a "raked" profile built in. As soon as you rake the rear end, now the front-to-mid line doesn't look flat anymore, the rear section of the line gets angled. This makes the car look stubby. For me, it completely ruins the visual flow of the car.

Cudas from a design perspective seem to get away with more rake or larger tires since the center line is more faint and it runs through the entire length of the car at the same height.

Spend 40 hours like I have looking at wheel/tire and spring heights on the internet. Like others have been saying, you can lower it with the plates if it's too much, but it's really best to start with exactly what you want to begin with.

I agree with the general notion (unless your springs are sagged out like crazy) to use tires and torsion bars (within reason) to create the look you want.

My personal take is +.5" is the maximum I would ever do on a a challenger...much of that has been influenced by the tire/wheel size as well.

My challenger has helper springs on probably worn-out springs, and I find my height is perfect right now with 235 tires, so I never cared to fuss with it. Problem is, I don't have an accurate baseline, so I don't really have a clue on where to start. I will say that I have seen PLENTY of "+1" pictures of challengers on the internet and most if not all look too raked for me. Obviously people that grew up int he 60s/70s think differently, but I stand by my opinion as a designer regarding the center body-line section.

Separate but a related topic: I also don't think 275s look good on a Challengers, either. Maybe I've seen 1 out of 500 pictures where I thought it might look good, but that was only one angle. Again, it gets back to destroying the body line element which is what sets these cars apart from the rest.

I do agree that the design line of a Challenger is a huge influence in its look. Setting this design element level means the deck lid will actually slope down as the Challenger has it has a bit of a boat-tail design to the rear of it. This seem to really catch some owners unaware who then raise the rear up to level the deck.

There is also the practical aspects of Direct Connection recommending all competition cars should have a 2-3* rake for maximum performance, which then bleeds over into street car set ups.

ok i am looking at some QA1 shocks  that come with a much higher price tag then common Monros.  Is there a noticeable difference?

Absolutely. Shocks are to the suspension like a cam is to the engine. They determine how well everything works together.

Here is my car with the espo +1 springs. My car sat un even in the rear with the old worn out springs. I figured new springs would solve that. It still sit uneven by about 1/2 an inch.

You want to slightly raise the opposing front corner to level the rear. Lift the front, turn the adjusting bolt in one turn, drop, bounce, see how it sits. Repeat until your happy.

Once you have the new rear springs on, and the wheels and tires you want, can't you then lower or raise the front a bit to get the car rake as you like?

Of course you may need to re-align the front end if you mess with the front height, but isn't this an option?

Absolutely. Setting ride height is the very first step in alignment. If you are happy with this, tell the alignment shop not to change it.

[dodj]

Here is my car with the espo +1 springs. My car sat un even in the rear with the old worn out springs. I figured new springs would solve that. It still sit uneven by about 1/2 an inch.

Adjusting your torsion bars will even that out.

[Rosco234]

Here is my car with the espo +1 springs. My car sat un even in the rear with the old worn out springs. I figured new springs would solve that. It still sit uneven by about 1/2 an inch.

Adjusting your torsion bars will even that out.

Ill give that a try. The measurement from ground to front fender lip on each side in front seemed pretty close.   I'll try raising up the drivers side front a bit and check to see if that evens out the back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kawahonda]

I hear it's better to base your your measurement on the suspension/frame, and not on a body panel?

[kawahonda]

@HP2 
Here's my stance....factory A66 springs + helper springs. You can see why I would have my hands full trying to figure out what size to get. Best I could gather is +.5" would probably mimic what I have now, which IMO is perfect.

Challengers should keep the horizontal lines perfectly flat for the car to really do itself justice IMO!

[DeathProofCuda]

Kawahonda, that is a good looking Challenger 

[FSHTAIL]

Any pictures of your wheel/tire setup?

I just finished installing espo +1 yesterday. With a 275/40/17 tire i measure about 25 
1/2 inches from ground to fender edge. They should end up settling a bit lower. Mancini racing also sells front spring brackets that have two sets of mounting holes. So you can go higher or lower by changing which hole you mount the spring to. I am using the lower hole.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rosco234]

Any pictures of your wheel/tire setup?

I just finished installing espo +1 yesterday. With a 275/40/17 tire i measure about 25 
1/2 inches from ground to fender edge. They should end up settling a bit lower. Mancini racing also sells front spring brackets that have two sets of mounting holes. So you can go higher or lower by changing which hole you mount the spring to. I am using the lower hole.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't have any real close up pics. They are Year One Rallye's.  Fronts are 245/45/17. Rear are 275/40/17. They fit good. I just finished adding PST torsion bars in front with the espo springs out back. Rides nice and tight down the road now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk