What's the best mod to improve handling ?

[Wingdale Dave]

I'm a new GT owner (300 miles) and I've just got to know the best (That is most 'bang for the buck') handling mod I can make. It looks like springs, shocks, strut bar, sway bar(s), tires are all involved.

What should I do first to improve handling, AND still not get me killed by my wife (who already wants to know why a new, 2004 GT, needs to be improved.) "If the car is not good why did you buy it ?"
PLEASE help!

[purplept]

Well, you have a very good and common question with our "modifying oriented" PT bunch. First, let me just say that I don't think there will be any single mod that you'll end up with without going further in the handling department. But, to answer your question, I'd suggest looking at a few things. The most cost effective in my opinion would probably be going with lowering springs. The resulting lower center of gravity greatly improves handling. However, lowering springs put more stress on your existing struts and shocks causing them to wear out quicker plus the car will have more bounce especially in the rear which affects handling negatively. Brand wise, I've only used the Eibach ProKit and liked what it did. Remember, this is really a two-part process, lowering springs then new struts/shocks (be sure you upgrade beyond the stock spec). However, the better upgrade would be a set of coilovers in the front and adjustable shocks/springs in the rear. The best that I know of would be the german made KW Variant system. KW are the guys that make the Mopar Stage suspension upgrade kits. I have the KW's and love them. Not the most cost effective but the most effective handling mod.

Secondly, I'd recommend better tires. I use the Yokohama Parada Spec2 which have excellent grip on dry pavement.

Thirdly, I'd go with a strut tower brace. I only have experience with the BTG/PT-Tuning one and really like it. It made a noticable difference. This is the least expensive mod of the bunch.

Fourthly, I'd add upgraded front and new rear anti-sway bars. I use the Eibach with great success.

Finally, I'd find a nice curvey road to further hone your driving skills. This is free unless you get too aggressive. One tip is to take the play out of the suspension immediately before entering a corner.

I hope these ideas are helpful. I've enjoyed doing all of them to my PT cruisers.

[macster]

Sway bars get my vote, then shocks (Koni's what else, but pick your poison).

m~

[MEXICANPT]

I've done pretty much everything that can be done in the handling department, I have:

18x8.5 Azev Wheels
225/40-18 Ventus k104 tires
Koni adjustable shocks
Vogtland 35mm springs (I had an Eibach kit, but it rode too hard)
BTG strut bar
Koni Anti-Roll Sway Bar Kit

So far, the best bang for the buck came with the Eibach Anti-Roll Kit, it's not cheap but it makes one hell of a difference, I'd say it's a great place to start.

But PT's are not great handlers, you'll have to keep going after that, springs are a good second mod, then shocks, then.....

It never ends.

[Wingdale Dave]

Thanks for the tips so far. Maybe I can help narrow things down. I don't plan on lowering the car much, if at all, as I've got some nasty roads to drive on a regular basis. (I don't want to scrape off any needed parts on the underside of my ride.) I already discovered the tip about "taking the play out of the suspension" I usually get on the brakes pretty hard just before entering a corner then roll power on all the way through. That improved the drive a lot. I've been driving a mazda protege for 11 years, and the cruiser is just sooo different. Any more suggestions. (Best place to buy Eibach sway bars?)

[Sci-Fi]

Anti-sway bars and tower strut bar is the best bang for the buck without your wife noticing the car is lowered or rides rougher.

Several places to buy Eibach, here are 2:
http://www.genxmuscle.com/store/EI2860-320
http://truckperformance.com/products/?productID=400601

Need to purchase the Eibach rear hardware kit too, part #2860.320HKR or buy all the stock pieces from your dealer.
OEM Parts list compiled by Gear Head:

PT Cruiser GT Turbo
Parts List: Rear Sway Bar Parts needed for Aftermarket Rear Sway Bar

Part# Description QTY(ea.)

04656927AA---------RETAINER Sway Bar------------------------QTY-2
04656940AA---------RETAINER Sway Bar------------------------QTY-2
06504010-----------SCREW & WASHER Hex Head, M10x1.50x35-----QTY-2
04656934AB---------LINK Sway Eliminator---------------------QTY-2
06506496AA---------BOLT Lower Link to Sway Bar--------------QTY-2
06506509AA---------SCREW,Hex Head---------------------------QTY-2
06502696-----------NUT,Hex Flange Lock M10x1.5--------------QTY-4

The hex flange nut you do need 4 of. 2 extras for bolting the sway bar bushing bracket to the rail between the wheels.


Just FYI:
H&R Anti-Sway Bars are coming out soon and the rear is adjustable like the Eibach. Rumors has it having 3 adjustment holes for the rear bar. www.tirerack.com has them listed already for special order. But, as always, H&R will probably cost a bit more.

[Cal Cruzer]

What, are TRYING to start a fight? Any time a thread starts out with "WHAT'S THE BEST..." you are not going to get a lot of agreement and everyone will try to trump your sway bar with a set of Koni's etc. I think a request for opinions is "THE BEST" way to go.

[Wingdale Dave]

quote:Originally posted by Cal Cruzer

What, are TRYING to start a fight? Any time a thread starts out with "WHAT'S THE BEST..." you are not going to get a lot of agreement and everyone will try to trump your sway bar with a set of Koni's etc. I think a request for opinions is "THE BEST" way to go.

So, Cal... What, in your opinion, would be the most cost effective way to improve my handling.

I really was expecting that the people who have modded their GTs would give their opinion of what would be the BEST thing to do FIRST. A sort of a poll, if you will, to get an idea of how to go about getting the most from my cash and effort, from people who have been there.

Please people, don't fight.

[Cal Cruzer]

I know that some feel otherwise, but I got the most improvement with the H&R springs. Next was adding the rear sway. Between the lower center of gravity and stiffening at the corners it made a HUGE difference. I feel that the shocks and struts, especially the rear shocks, need to be upgraded too. The fronts are okay but the rears need more rebound control. Perhaps a set of adjustable rears. I ahve not installed a strut bar yet so I cannot comment other than to say that I wouldn't roadrace without one, but really, the cruiser isn't ever going to be much of a roadracer anyhow.

[Mike-in-Orange]

My mods, in order of install:

BTG Strut Tower Brace
GoldLine lowering springs (1.5"F/2"R)
Tokico gas shocks

I plan on doing the Eibach front/rear anti-sways next to really tighten things up.

My recommendations based on the above: The BTG strut brace was sort of an impulse buy one day when I was at PT Tuning - what can I say???. Did a decent job of tightening up the front end, which is nice. I lowered my car shortly thereafter because I didn't like the high stance and wanted that taken care of ASAP. A month later I couldn't deal with the bouncing so I added the Tokicos and the car rides just beautifully now. Definitely firmer, but very controlled.

It sounds to me like you might be wanting a slightly different approach (improved handling 1st, appearance 2nd), plus the very important need to keep your better half happy If I'm right, then I would agree with R_K_GT that anti-sway bars front and rear should be the first move. They'll greatly reduce torsional flex in the body/chassis and tighten things up a lot. Then add the strut tower brace, then tires (I suggest the brace before the tires strictly from a financial viewpoint - $200 for the brace, $500 or more for tires). If you add lowering springs, do yourself (and your wife) a favor and have a set of Tokico, Koni, etc gas shocks installed at the same time.

My two cents anyway.