Handling...Magnum R/T vs. Magnum SXT?

[MagNite]

Question to Magnum R/T owners that owned a Magnum SXT and traded up to a Magnum R/T .....

How do they compare in handling? Have to be honest here, the Magnum SXT can't take a corner for sh**. My base Intrepid SE was a much better handler. My Magnum SXT is fine in a straight away or a gentle curve, but a good curve, forget it. The thing wallows like a pregnant pig. Putting the 18" R/T Rims on over the 17"s helps slightly, but still.... I'd like to start upgrading the suspension by adding a sway bar kit. Don't know if I want to sink thousands of $$$ though by going the whole 9 yards with struts and lowering. My Magnum tracks straight as a pin, never had a right pull issue, so I'm kinda reluctant to have a shop start messing with the suspension and perhaps throw it out of whack besides. So I'm assuming the R/T is a much better handler with the stiffer suspension and larger (and rear) sway bars. How big a difference is there?

Just previous SXT owners please. Someone that actually owned an SXT and can give a real comparison....

[formerice]

I'd advise you to try the Hotchkis sway bars first. Take the roll right out. Next would be better shocks/struts. I like the SRT8 ones, I kept my RT springs and the ride is very firm! After that , it would be tires or wheels and tires.

[dudeiwin86]

id skip on hotchkis unless you like squeeky sways after the bushings dry up... high maintenance on keeping em greasy.. and then they start slipping...
at least in my experience, a local SRT owner is having problems with his.

but yea..... the factory suspension is less than impressive on all models really.... a *good* set of sways will fix that without creating problems in the long run for the most part.... but that is really only body roll as far as im concerned.

if youre looking for a better all around ride and feel, you have to swap the struts/springs.... which (read: if they are a good brand) can almost negate the need for sway bars unless youre pretty serious about the handling.

*edit*
if memory serves, the sxt does not come with a rear sway bar at all... while the r/t does... i think you can get a rear sway on the v6 touring model or whatever it is.. but not base models... cant remember

if you are shopping to upgrade with factory parts from higher models... skip the r/t and replace with srt parts/suspension... you can find take offs for really good prices!

[MagNite]

Not looking to get a real firm ride. Just want to try to get some of that roll out. When I take a corner sometimes ...like just making a turn down a side street, stuff on my passenger seat will slide sideways right off the seat and down between the passenger seat and the door. Very annoying. Yeah, the SXT Magnum comes with no rear sway bar and I think the front one is thinner than an R/T's. So how about the Eibach sway bar kit? Better than the Hotchkis?

[boggart]

Having had both, I recommend installing the SRT suspension on the SXT. Still drives nice, and removes most of the body roll. (I did just the springs/struts on my SXT)

[Junior]

I've got a number of miles on my Mom's 300 Touring (basically an SXT), versus my Daytona, and I can confirm what you're feeling in the corners. Being used to mine, when I drive hers I notice it immediately, especially as you say, in the corners.

I would recommend heavier sway bars as your first course. Shocks/springs won't help the body roll all that much, compared to a good stiff sway bar.

[CDesmondO]

Sorry, don't own a SXt, but rented one for a long time (Charger).

Your intrepid handled better because of the dynamics of it. It sits lower. Bottom line. Wanna make the SXT handle better ina turn? Drop it. If you do it properly, you are talking $$$$! You wanna do a quick fix? Still takin $$$. In the long run it is better to do it right. If you don't, you will spend money on tires and suspension parts.

You can try some sways, but that will just make you wanna spend more money on the whole setup. Just save some money and do it all properly the first time.

Oh, and yes, it seems like my RT handles much netter than the SXT.

[shagmag07]

I Have an SXT Magnum and I understand everything ur sayin about the roll, but i upgraded twice, from 17" hubbies, to 18" R/T wheels and now i have 20" Chrome Clads(MUCH BETTER HANDLING), im also upgrading to the SRT suspension, its on the way but i wont have it for another couple of days, also it was cheap...u just gotta keep an eye out, i know this thread is kind of old, i just searched for it in the lx database, but maybe i can reach u before it gets too late, go with ur bigger sways and compliment them with a cheap good alternative to save$$$ and get the SRT spring and shocks and struts.

[2005rtmag]

My rt swayed like the fat pig when I first got it. Just changing the tires from those soft walled continentals to Michelin 235/55x18 MXV4 Energy tires made a tremendous difference. Now, I think just a larger rear sway bar is all it needs. The front bar keeps the front end flat. It's the rear that wags now.

[TTMR]

You could also try a front strut brace if you don't have one yet. I knew it would make a difference when I installed it but holy poop I wasn't expecting what I got. MUCH more sure footed.

Granted being an AWD I already have the sways etc.

[shagmag07]

Im gettin front and rear strut braces...LATER on im gonna try the autocross thing for awhile...i've already prevailed at the drag racing thing with the fastest N/A V-6 stang in lower alabama

[shagmag07]

oh yea now i know what i was gonna say, is the rear strut tower brace worth the money for the maggies?