Had my 300 2.7 for 3 yrs now, time to make updates!

[Acanthastrea]

I've read a lot on this thread for a while now, and finally joined up. First I'd like to say, what a great resource!

I need some advice on what to do, so I'm going to tell you some history first. I've had my 300 for 3 years now, and have 69K on it. Overall, it's been pretty good. I've had both my rear window ele motors replaced, the front end aligned 4 times, and fuel system unclogged twice. All was done under warrenty. I haven't done much since then.

The past 33K I've run royal purple on mobil 1 filters, changed every 3K. Actuallly today I took it in to get the plugs replaced and trans serviced. In the meantime, my dealer found my inner and outer tie-rods were bad on the drivers side (had over an inch play each way) and the outer side on the passengers side. Great, more money, but got them fixed. Well, it's safe to say after sinking $800 in it today that I'm going to drive it a lot longer than expected, so why not do some upgrades.

I'd like some basic/easy things I can do myself, that'll make some improvements. So my question is, what filter to change to? K&N has 2 options, then there's the Secret Weapon option. Which is best? Also, I want to do some exhaust upgrades, but my wife in the main driver so I don't want it loud, I just want performance for when I get to drive. Should I replace the stock muffler with a 40 series flowmaster and leave the rest stock, go with some kit and replace the entire thing? I've looked at the magna flow system, but I didn't know if I could get some performance with just replacing the muffler.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[357[dodge]magnum]

well first off welcome to the forums!

i am new at LX's but in no way am i new to modifying cars.

change the exhaust first. you will love your car that much more and you will be able to hear the difference the rest of any power plant mods make. i suggest IMO a Blastin Bobs setup for 1: sound, two, a tad bit more power, and 3, the amaxing amount of choices you can make about how loud you want to make your car. just replacing the stock muffler wont do squat until you remove the resonator. oh and the price is amazing also. check him out at blastinbob.com

next as for an intake, the Airhammer is the most popular and best looking for our rides, but it looks like it would suck too much hot air in from the engine bay. check out AFE's stage 2 kit. but there are so many options here its funny.

a computer chip is always something to consider, i am sorry to say that the almighty predator is not for your engine so a Jet chip might help you out.

happy modding!
Chase

[Acanthastrea]

What about the Secret Weapon Cold Air Intake? Is it any good, or is one of the 2 K&N intakes better?

[EMPEROR8]

I believe airhammer does not have an intake for 2.7, I'm on the same boat right now looking for an Intake. There is not much choices out there for the 2.7. Good luck bud.

[KsMagnum]

the 3.5 kit works on the 2.7 i believe. The air hammer is what I'm currently using in my magnum

[Acanthastrea]

Has anyone done any suspension mods?

[KsMagnum]

I also have Eibach Prokit (1 1/2" drop) installed with the adjustable A-arms, and magnaflow exhaust

[Acanthastrea]

I think I'm going to go with the magna exhaust from allied. Is it really loud, as in would my wife really notice it if I go with that system and did it make any performance difference? How bout the suspension, does it ride better? Are you running 20's or stock wheels? I was just wondering if it looked good with the stocks. I was going to run 20's until I felt how much they weigh, so I just got some aluminum's off a touring and like them. I also went with the goodyear assurance triple tread and love them! I have 15k on them and they still look new!

On that note, I went on a short trip today (250miles) after getting my plugs and trans serviced and went from 22mpg up to 29 almost 30 running the air which is what I used to get after I hit 14k, so it was nice to get that. I can also tell that the car is running smoother and a lot better. I looked at the plugs at the dealership and they needed to be replaced. I talked with the service manager who I'm friends with and he said Chrysler was crazy to say the plugs are a 100k in the maintance book. Also, the car actually drives straighter than ever. I don't know if that has to do with the new inner and outer tie rods, but it didn't drive this good new. I had that sucker alligned 4 times before the warrenty was up and they never good get it right. I wonder if they were just bad from the get go, and now that it's fixed I can actually let go of the wheel and it goes straight, so that's a plus.

Thanks for all the help with the suggestions. I look forward to hearing about your exhaust and suspension.

[KsMagnum]

I have the single exhaust from magnaflow, if i were to do it again i would get the dual. it isnt really very load, but you definatly notice the change. it has a small drone ant about 60-70 MPH while on the highway but nothing that is distracting.

I finally heard my car from the out side when i got dropped off at the airport for a trip and have to say for a v6 with the exhaust it sounds really good

The ride with the new springs is awesome i have some suspension noise in the front which i dont think are from the springs, just need to get time to check everything out. I'm still running stock steel wheels because I havent had the cash to buy 20"s yet. Even with stock wheels it looks good the lower stance is awesome.

[formerice]

A 180 degree thermostat and removing the cover over the brake fluid resevoir will help keep under hood temps down, also remove the baffle on the drivers side of the radiator will ram more outside air under the hood. While your not gonna get huge power from the 2.7, that don't mean that she's gotta be a wallflower, lots of suspension mods and wheel tire combos to make her a fun to own car. You could always put nitrous on her for more power! I agree with you on keeping her, I've got 133,000 on my Magnum!

[Acanthastrea]

Has anyone put 20's on a 2.7? If so any issues, power differences, is it a bad idea? I've been looking at some dub shorelines, just didn't know if the car would be a complete pooch. Don't have the cash for forged, but those would be nice!

[KsMagnum]

most likely your overall circumfrence will be close to the same so i dont see why there would be much of a performance change.

[Acanthastrea]

I just didn't know about weight.

[N-Da-Ring]

I have 24"s on my 2.7 no problems.

[thelastgoodbrother]

Performance wise we all know that there isn't much out there. I have a CAI and a custom bent exhaust w/ 40series flowmaster. I was running the Jetchip Stage 2, but with the price of gas is so high I pulled it out. There is a member on the chargerforums that install a low pressure turbo one his and another that installed the Thomas Knight supercharger. Even a full Hemi swap has been done for $6000. $$$ can make mostly anything happen.

Cosmetics are where your car will shine. With the 300 platform you have all sorts of great bodykits and grills to choose from. Personally, on my Magnum I have run the full gambit. I am well past the point of trading my car in. Shop the LX classifieds often for some great deals.