Lowering my Magnum. Advice? (Coilovers vs. Bags?)

[Sevenernine]

Okay, so I ended up buying low profile tires, and it makes my car look ridiculous (at least, to me). The gap between fender and tire is just too great now.

This picture kind of shows what I'm talking about... although it may be hard to tell:


So, my solution was to lower it. I was going to go with coilovers, hands down. It seems like a very worthwhile performance/aesthetic mod. Here's what I'm starting to wonder though.

I've seen bag kits for sale twice in the last few months for prices very similar to what a coilover kit would cost. If i can get bags for the same price (roughly) as coilovers, should I do it?


If not, what coilover kits are going to be the best bang for my buck. I drive hard, but don't road race (not that I wouldn't... Just wouldn't know where to start). I want it to be very low in the front, and a little higher in back (raked look), and eventually I'll be putting new wheels on it.


So, what kits would you suggest? How much do they lower? How much do they cost? Build quality? etc.



Bags seem neat, but I'm worried about the height at regular travel. Some of the pics i've seen of bags when they're fully inflated make the car look tall, which is the opposite of what I'm looking for.


So, bag owners, am I mistaken?

This message is poorly organized, and i apologize for that; I spent the weekend drunk on a lake, so my brain isn't quite back to 100% yet. :P

[Shane B]

Imo you need to put the right size tires on there or bigger wheels.Ive just got the eibach pro kit springs and I scrape the underside once in a while and Ive got the stock 18's with the 225/60/18.

[fireman2118]

First, you need to break down what you really want. Everything you want or get comes with trade offs.
The lower you go, the ride will usually get firmer. You need to stiffen your suspension (eliminate the bounce), as you reduce your verticle travel. Once you decide on what you want, then you need to figure out how your going to get there.
What kind of money do you want to spend? Do you have a need or a desire to adjust the height of your vehicle? Do you want a car the handles as good as it looks or are you wanting "the lowered look with a comfy ride?"

So lets go with your options:

Money is not really an issue, you might consider air bags. The ride quality is good from what I understand and you have the option of "slamming" your car to the ground. At around $3000.00 + or -, it's an expensive option that has it's usefulness if you are into showing your car. IMO - you can't drive with your car "slammed" on the ground so what's the point?

Then there are Coilovers. Coilovers are a very good option IMO because you can Adjust the height of your car, adjust the dampening of the shocks (firmness) and have very good handling. At $1200.00 - $1400.00, they're also expensive.

If you want a lowered look with anywhere from stock to performance type handling, then there are Spring/Damper combinations by many different manufacturers that are available. The most common, just to give you an example would be 2 springs made by Eibach. Pro-kit springs and Sportline-kit springs. The pro springs have a 1" -1.5" drop and a moderate spring rate. Not a lot firmer than stock. The Sportline-kit springs have a 2" drop and a much firmer spring rate. Both of these spring kits would benefit from Eibach pro-dampers. The pro dampers are a performance shock made for use with lowering springs, in particular Eibach springs. (they can be used with any springs) With a moderate drop, say 1"-1.5", you might get away with your stock shocks saving you money and leaving your ride more like a stock ride. Keep in mind that with a higher spring rate, if you keep stock shocks, things may be bouncy. It all depends on your tolerance and again, what your looking for. Anything lower than pro-springs, (like sportlines 2" drop) almost require pro dampers because the ride would be too rough and way too bouncy. Expect to pay around $230.00 + for springs and $400.00 + for dampers. There are package deals, so shop around.

"Strut bar", "Strut brace" and "Strut tower brace" refer to the same kind of device, a bar mounted between the front strut towers. The purpose of this bar is to reduce the flex that these towers experience during hard cornering. Reducing the flex will keep the wheels in position and in the desired position on the road, allowing the suspension to work as engineered without chassis flex changing camber and caster settings. This will help to improve traction on the turns, increasing turn-in response, and help to reduce understeer.
By solidifying and isolating the struts in their original configuration, it allows the suspension components (stock or modified) to retain their geometry and to function as designed. Typically, steering will seem quicker and more responsive, but in reality, it is the suspension doing its job properly. These devices typically cost around $300.00


Sway bars are a torsion spring that resists body roll motions. Anti-roll bars (sway bars) provide two main functions. The first function is the reduction of body lean. The other function of anti-roll bars is to tune the handling balance of a car. Sway bars are one of the more noticable upgrades that can be made to a car. Expect to pay from $250.00 - $350.00 for a front and rear sway bar set.

Well that's it for starters.Those are some of the basics. If you have questions, I'm sure that anyone on these forums or myself would be glad to help.

[Sevenernine]

Imo you need to put the right size tires on there or bigger wheels.Ive just got the eibach pro kit springs and I scrape the underside once in a while and Ive got the stock 18's with the 225/60/18.

The tires aren't very much smaller, in the sense that it's going to cause me to scrape. It's just that the minor difference in size is evident when looking at the fender to tire ratio. They're Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 255/45R18s.

First, you need to break down what you really want. Everything you want or get comes with trade offs.
The lower you go, the ride will usually get firmer. You need to stiffen your suspension (eliminate the bounce), as you reduce your verticle travel. Once you decide on what you want, then you need to figure out how your going to get there.
What kind of money do you want to spend? Do you have a need or a desire to adjust the height of your vehicle? Do you want a car the handles as good as it looks or are you wanting "the lowered look with a comfy ride?"

So lets go with your options:

Money is not really an issue, you might consider air bags. The ride quality is good from what I understand and you have the option of "slamming" your car to the ground. At around $3000.00 + or -, it's an expensive option that has it's usefulness if you are into showing your car. IMO - you can't drive with your car "slammed" on the ground so what's the point?

Then there are Coilovers. Coilovers are a very good option IMO because you can Adjust the height of your car, adjust the dampening of the shocks (firmness) and have very good handling. At $1200.00 - $1400.00, they're also expensive.

If you want a lowered look with anywhere from stock to performance type handling, then there are Spring/Damper combinations by many different manufacturers that are available. The most common, just to give you an example would be 2 springs made by Eibach. Pro-kit springs and Sportline-kit springs. The pro springs have a 1" -1.5" drop and a moderate spring rate. Not a lot firmer than stock. The Sportline-kit springs have a 2" drop and a much firmer spring rate. Both of these spring kits would benefit from Eibach pro-dampers. The pro dampers are a performance shock made for use with lowering springs, in particular Eibach springs. (they can be used with any springs) With a moderate drop, say 1"-1.5", you might get away with your stock shocks saving you money and leaving your ride more like a stock ride. Keep in mind that with a higher spring rate, if you keep stock shocks, things may be bouncy. It all depends on your tolerance and again, what your looking for. Anything lower than pro-springs, (like sportlines 2" drop) almost require pro dampers because the ride would be too rough and way too bouncy. Expect to pay around $230.00 + for springs and $400.00 + for dampers. There are package deals, so shop around.

"Strut bar", "Strut brace" and "Strut tower brace" refer to the same kind of device, a bar mounted between the front strut towers. The purpose of this bar is to reduce the flex that these towers experience during hard cornering. Reducing the flex will keep the wheels in position and in the desired position on the road, allowing the suspension to work as engineered without chassis flex changing camber and caster settings. This will help to improve traction on the turns, increasing turn-in response, and help to reduce understeer.
By solidifying and isolating the struts in their original configuration, it allows the suspension components (stock or modified) to retain their geometry and to function as designed. Typically, steering will seem quicker and more responsive, but in reality, it is the suspension doing its job properly. These devices typically cost around $300.00


Sway bars are a torsion spring that resists body roll motions. Anti-roll bars (sway bars) provide two main functions. The first function is the reduction of body lean. The other function of anti-roll bars is to tune the handling balance of a car. Sway bars are one of the more noticable upgrades that can be made to a car. Expect to pay from $250.00 - $350.00 for a front and rear sway bar set.

Well that's it for starters.Those are some of the basics. If you have questions, I'm sure that anyone on these forums or myself would be glad to help.

Wow. A lot of useful info in there!

The reason I was even considering bags was because I saw them for sale used for just over $1k. That's what I intend on spending, right in the $1k range. So, I think what i was asking was whether or not the airbags are better than coilovers, or whether they just -look- better for showing.


Lowering springs are out of the question, because I have nivomats in the rear. If I'm going to have to replace my shocks and buy springs, and still spend 600 bucks with only minor performance gains, I'd rather spend the grand on coilovers, I think.


I don't mind a firm ride at all, so long as it isn't super rough, and I've driven Boggarts car, which has coilovers, and I didn't find it much stiffer at all.


I'd like the car to handle better, ultimately, and have less body roll. Obviously the aesthetic appeal was the catalyst to this change, but it isn't the most important aspect of it now that I'm planning on doing it.


Money is limited, so that's why I'm looking for options and opinions on all of the coilover kits out there and what they cost, as well as whether or not they have worked out for people.

[LiLbuddha]

I'm bagged well was,
With my Stock rt wheels my ride height was set at just about to tuck rubber but on highway I'd raise it a little bit, when you see fully aired up no one drives like that cause it's so firm,
There is a dude selling his kit for 600 it's a air bag it kit I don't lime the company as I used to deal alot with them but it still works, I'm selling my kit for 1500obo now I love my air ride to death I used to have the sportline kit and I beat up the underside of my car so much, I love the feeling of if I know it's a bad road just air up abit and your fine.
Once you go with air you will wonder why you ever even messed around with static height cars

[bigal470]

bags only make your car look high if you have a lot of air in them you can adjust them to any height you want which makes it perfect for driveways, speed bumps, etc etc... on that note i have bags in both the mag and the 300 and would never go back to springs and would never use any kit but UAS

[MOL SRT-8]

just so somebody says it (and not to knock the seller) but with most bag kits you get what you pay for. imo any bag kit for around $1k will either need to be repaired or is beyond repair.

[Sevenernine]

I'm bagged well was,
With my Stock rt wheels my ride height was set at just about to tuck rubber but on highway I'd raise it a little bit, when you see fully aired up no one drives like that cause it's so firm,
There is a dude selling his kit for 600 it's a air bag it kit I don't lime the company as I used to deal alot with them but it still works, I'm selling my kit for 1500obo now I love my air ride to death I used to have the sportline kit and I beat up the underside of my car so much, I love the feeling of if I know it's a bad road just air up abit and your fine.
Once you go with air you will wonder why you ever even messed around with static height cars

bags only make your car look high if you have a lot of air in them you can adjust them to any height you want which makes it perfect for driveways, speed bumps, etc etc... on that note i have bags in both the mag and the 300 and would never go back to springs and would never use any kit but UAS

So to you two with bags, how is the cornering? I've always known bags were comfy, but whether or not they'll handle my driving is my concern at this point. Also, I haul a lot of sound equipment (why I bought the car), and I need to make sure whatever suspension I go with is going to be able to handle that. This concern applies to both bags and coilovers, and actually, moreso to the coilovers. When I load this car down, there's probably an additional 500-800 lbs of equipment sitting directly on top of the rear axle, basically.

Also, MOL SRT's point, as listed below? LiLbuddha, your kit being sold was one of the ones I was looking at. Is that an issue? Is the kit in fully functional, ready to go, not in need of repair condition?

Also, what's the expected lifespan of an air suspension kit? If they're going to be in need of repairs every year, then the cumulative cost is probably going to be more than I want to pay. This car is a daily driver, and, being in two bands, I travel a lot. I've put almost 10k miles on this car since I bought it in Feb. I need to know that I'm not going to end up stranded somewhere because a bag won't inflate.

Just asking. Better to be safe than sorry.

just so somebody says it (and not to knock the seller) but with most bag kits you get what you pay for. imo any bag kit for around $1k will either need to be repaired or is beyond repair.

Thank you, MOL, that's a very good point.

[Sevenernine]

Sorry, but i have to bump this for myself

[CircuitMotorsports]

Bags are good if you really want to be able to slam the car to the ground, but raise it up to drive around. They will be a bit worse for tire wear, and require a lot more equipment and maintenance. You will be adding more weight to the car.

Coilovers are good if you want ot get ti at a set height you want and leave it for awhilw. They are much easier to setup and maintain and weigh less than the stock stuff. Most coilovers will still allow you to lower or slam the car pretty low.

BCR coilovers are probably the best bang for the buck. They allow you to go really low, they are dual height adjustable, so you can get the height where you want it exactly and not lose strut travel and they have 30 adjustable damping settings. Good stuff for under a grand.

Feel free to PM us for more info or questions.

[scoot13]

just so somebody says it (and not to knock the seller) but with most bag kits you get what you pay for. imo any bag kit for around $1k will either need to be repaired or is beyond repair.

exactly right ^^...... you can get a used kit for 1k or 1500, but if you have to replace parts or you want different features...and if you do not plan on installing it yourself then your about 800 to 1k for installation.

its the best of all the worlds...adjustability, ride, and the UAS quality. But your going to end up being cheaper money wise with coilovers...and you can usually do them yourself. You still have adjustability but maxium performance as well. my two cents.

[HBADGE]

Just wanna throw this out there for anyone up north:

What coilovers will be good enough to withstand winter temps?

Posted via LXFMobile

[LiLbuddha]

Well there are no repairs ever needed sometimes a compressor will die and valves will stick but, my mazda minitruck has been on the road almost daily for the last 5 years now on bags and it has all the same bags and valves as the first day I rolled it to a show on air you do it right the first time you will never have issues,
Then I'm selling my kit for 1500 cause we'll it's used I can't say anything about anyone elses used kits but I'm selling with brand new struts brand new bags all around all new airline, I threw the old digital controller in my mazda so this one is a month old nothing needs work besides being bolted in, Everything else is less then 6 months old now, there's no reason to sell and try an make a buck lose money help some other dude out and just get it out of my garage.

Now for weight I have towed my sea doo's around easily have 2 12's in the back and have never had a issue also a reason I like the easystreet kit alot If I'm driving with my old lady I soften up the struts I have autocrossed this. Car and just turned up the struts and was alot of fun,
I have had the eibach kit, I had the uas on my old sxt awesome kit, got the easystreet kit on this rt I love it, only reason at all is for me Is air doesn't go low enough for me, I gotta lose ride quality and do hydraulics,

Last point I have, I roll totally layed out alot or you can ride
Like a donk so the people who say you air is only for parked, people from alx can tell you I played with the air ride the whole time on our 1 1/2 hour cruise on the highway

[MikeE]

if you have the $$ just bag it. magnums, 300's and chargers all look killer bagged.

[Sevenernine]

Bags are good if you really want to be able to slam the car to the ground, but raise it up to drive around. They will be a bit worse for tire wear, and require a lot more equipment and maintenance. You will be adding more weight to the car.

Coilovers are good if you want ot get ti at a set height you want and leave it for awhilw. They are much easier to setup and maintain and weigh less than the stock stuff. Most coilovers will still allow you to lower or slam the car pretty low.

BCR coilovers are probably the best bang for the buck. They allow you to go really low, they are dual height adjustable, so you can get the height where you want it exactly and not lose strut travel and they have 30 adjustable damping settings. Good stuff for under a grand.

Feel free to PM us for more info or questions.

Oh really, swan?


I may have to check those out. I haven't heard of anyone using them, but I'll definitely look into that. That sounds about like what I'd like.