Lowered SRT-8 makes for interesting oil change

**CVP33** · 05-20-2006, 09:49 PM

As most of you know I just had the KW's installed. Approximately 1" lower front and rear. I just finished my first oil change since the coilovers and had to find a new way to jack up the car.

I started with my small (2 ton) jack in the back and lifted up to the maximum. It gave me just barely enough room to get my 4 ton jack under the tranny mount plate. I then jacked up the entire front of the car from there. No biggie just a minor inconvenience.

Had some bad luck yesterday though. My exhaust clamps were installed (by me) with the bolts hanging down. Much easier to put on this way. Unfortunately they hang another inch below the exhaust. No big deal on a stock vehicle, but on a lowered vehicle it's just a matter of time. I ran over a rather large piece of plastic on the highway and quickly checked my rear view mirror. To my horror no plastic comes out. I already know what's happened and quickly make for the nearest exit. Sure enough, I look under the car and there's the plastic melting to my beautiful Magnaflow exhaust. CRAP-TASTIC!

I was able to get most of it off but there is some burnt plastic residue aft of the first set of clamps back to the resonator, but not on the resonator. So tonight, after my oil change, I loosened all the clamps and rolled them up and had just enough room to tighten them from the top of the exhaust. No more clamps to catch rogue pieces of plastic.

**7thS0N** · 05-20-2006, 09:59 PM

I got me one o them low profile Craftsman jacks a la the ones they use in NASCAR (only not as fast!). I wonder if that would do the trick for you instead of having to use two?

Also, you can raise the car by the tranny mount plate? I wasn't aware of that. I'd be too skeeeeered to do it, afraid something would crack (I got bad luck like that).

Anywho - good move with the clamps - did you already remove that tunnel reinforcement? That would be the next thing I'd be afraid of hitting... (because I did! And my car isn't even lowered...)

**CVP33** · 05-20-2006, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by 7thS0N

I got me one o them low profile Craftsman jacks a la the ones they use in NASCAR (only not as fast!). I wonder if that would do the trick for you instead of having to use two?

Also, you can raise the car by the tranny mount plate? I wasn't aware of that. I'd be too skeeeeered to do it, afraid something would crack (I got bad luck like that).

Anywho - good move with the clamps - did you already remove that tunnel reinforcement? That would be the next thing I'd be afraid of hitting... (because I did! And my car isn't even lowered...)

Cross brace came off when the Magnaflow went on. And for the record the DC tech's told me the trans mount was an "approved" jack point. Did I get bad info?

**boschargerrt** · 05-20-2006, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by CVP33

Cross brace came off when the Magnaflow went on. And for the record the DC tech's told me the trans mount was an "approved" jack point. Did I get bad info?

chris, why did they take the cross brace off...my 1st exhaust on my R/T was a magnaflow and i didn't have to remove the cross brace...jimmy

**CVP33** · 05-20-2006, 10:09 PM

It's not needed. It probably won't fit below the exhaust now anywho. And finally it made me angry.

**boschargerrt** · 05-20-2006, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by CVP33

It's not needed. It probably won't fit below the exhaust now anywho. And finally it made me angry.

i don't recall anyone mentioning removal of brace w/ magnaflow install...the only one i recall was the corsa...i'll have to dbl check on that, but i know for a fact that it dosn't have to be removed...

**inferna** · 05-20-2006, 10:15 PM

just buy some rhino ramps!

**CVP33** · 05-20-2006, 10:17 PM

I could post some pics but once under the car today is enough for me. Fairly certain that it won't fit anymore. The exhaust is hanging just a tad below the mount point for the cross brace. I'd need spacers to make it work, so why bother.

On a side note, I took one of my favorite exits tonight. 25mph highway exit at 65 mph! It's a decreasing radius turn, off camber, really use to upset the car. Not anymore. Now I need to better guage where I can apply the throttle coming out of the corner. Anyone else struggle with throttle "tip-in"? Mine's like all or nothing, especially when it down-shifts at the same time. That'll throw yer' head back a bit.

**fnkychkn** · 05-20-2006, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by CVP33

Cross brace came off when the Magnaflow went on. And for the record the DC tech's told me the trans mount was an "approved" jack point. Did I get bad info?

definite bad info. the only "approved" jacking points are the triangle stamps on the bottom of front frame rails.

**MikeEast** · 05-20-2006, 10:42 PM

Maybe lay down a couple of 2x8's and drive up on them first?

Mike

**7thS0N** · 05-20-2006, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by inferna

just buy some rhino ramps!

Word to that, it's what I use... probably still have to lay some boards down to get up onto the ramps without scrapping the chin of that SRT though.

**BBSRT8** · 05-20-2006, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by MikeEast

Maybe lay down a couple of 2x8's and drive up on them first?

Mike

That's what I do to get the jack under mine.

CVP33- I also removed the cross brace. And I have to do what you did with the clamps (Yes, I "caught" a plastic bag too and it was hell getting that burnt plastic off).

**jconnolly1119** · 05-22-2006, 11:09 PM

I got rid of my crossbrace as well..............only purpose it evidently served was for assembly.........per DCX..............

in additon to the fact that if you add the HF cats and mid-pipes they will rattle against the brace at times..........

been sitting in a box along with all of my original parts for the car................

**CVP33** · 05-22-2006, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by jconnolly1119

I got rid of my crossbrace as well..............only purpose it evidently served was for assembly.........per DCX..............

in additon to the fact that if you add the HF cats and mid-pipes they will rattle against the brace at times..........

been sitting in a box along with all of my original parts for the car................

And here I thought I was the only one that saved all that crap. I have the air box, exhaust, cross brace, shocks, sways and original floor mats all boxed or bagged up in the garage attic. One day they'll all go back on when I trade it in, but not anytime soon. I'm just starting to enjoy this thing, especially with the new found handling. Pure joy!