Dodge Caliber SRT-4 Forums - View Single Post

danteneon · 04-11-2008, 01:54 PM

Shyla got her new stance on Saturday. Let me tell ya...not only did it improve her handling like would be expected, but some things improved that I wasn't expecting. More on that in a bit.

This isn't a full blow-by-blow write-up, but there are some good reference shots and tips to help you along with the instuctions they give you.

Here are some pics of the stock struts and springs as a comparison

Front...

In the car...

Rear...

And in the car...

The rear would be cake to install, however, the strut mount bolts are behind the trim panel...

The front bolt is on the other side of the bulge.

As a side note, be VERY careful when pulling the panel out! It is very easy to crack the plastic!!!

Don't ask me how I know this...

And now the before and after stance shots.

Before I started

After the springs were installed and driven around the lot a little

Doesn't look much different, does it? The springs didn't have much of a chance to settle yet. So we drove her home (and gave her a much needed bath as well) making sure to use the suspension as much as possible. Here she sits after about 20 miles.

The springs should settle a bit more. Now for the improvements. As I said before, handing is much improved. The ride hasn't suffered at all. It is still very compliant during regular driving. But when the springs are pushed past the "normal" area of travel, they firm up and provide a much firmer level of damping. This is the way the R/T suspension should be from the factory.

The surprise came when I first started shifting through the gears under load (dogging it). The Cali has had a problem since we got her with not always wanting to go into gear when you really get on her. The older guys here (as well as the younger guys that still play with the older Mopars) will remember the rod operated shifters on the pre '85 Omni's that just wouldn't go into 3rd if you were romping it. The Caliber wasn't quite that bad, but in a race, many times the shifter would just bounce of 2nd or 3rd gear rather than engaging.

Not only did the springs stop the R/T from squatting the rear on accelerating, and nose diving on stops, but I haven't had a problem with shifting at all! The car used to dive/squat during shifts, but no longer.

So that's the assessment so far. Now, about the sway bar kit.....

04-11-2008, 01:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
danteneon Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Haymarket VA Posts: 83	Shyla got her new stance on Saturday. Let me tell ya...not only did it improve her handling like would be expected, but some things improved that I wasn't expecting. More on that in a bit. This isn't a full blow-by-blow write-up, but there are some good reference shots and tips to help you along with the instuctions they give you. Here are some pics of the stock struts and springs as a comparison Front... In the car... Rear... And in the car... The rear would be cake to install, however, the strut mount bolts are behind the trim panel... The front bolt is on the other side of the bulge. As a side note, be VERY careful when pulling the panel out! It is very easy to crack the plastic!!! Don't ask me how I know this... And now the before and after stance shots. Before I started After the springs were installed and driven around the lot a little Doesn't look much different, does it? The springs didn't have much of a chance to settle yet. So we drove her home (and gave her a much needed bath as well) making sure to use the suspension as much as possible. Here she sits after about 20 miles. The springs should settle a bit more. Now for the improvements. As I said before, handing is much improved. The ride hasn't suffered at all. It is still very compliant during regular driving. But when the springs are pushed past the "normal" area of travel, they firm up and provide a much firmer level of damping. This is the way the R/T suspension should be from the factory. The surprise came when I first started shifting through the gears under load (dogging it). The Cali has had a problem since we got her with not always wanting to go into gear when you really get on her. The older guys here (as well as the younger guys that still play with the older Mopars) will remember the rod operated shifters on the pre '85 Omni's that just wouldn't go into 3rd if you were romping it. The Caliber wasn't quite that bad, but in a race, many times the shifter would just bounce of 2nd or 3rd gear rather than engaging. Not only did the springs stop the R/T from squatting the rear on accelerating, and nose diving on stops, but I haven't had a problem with shifting at all! The car used to dive/squat during shifts, but no longer. So that's the assessment so far. Now, about the sway bar kit..... __________________ 07 Caliber R/T 5sp fwd...M.P. CAI, M.P. Cat-back, M.P. header, SRT hood and front bumper, Dub side skirts and rear bumper, more mods to come 02 Neon ACR (1 of31)...All Mopar goodies...cai, SRT cat back exhaust, stage 3 coil overs, frt & rear strut tower braces, adjustable camber/caster strut mounts, poly suspension and engine mount bushings, 05 SRT-4 pedals, shifter, wheels, etc, etc...