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Explanation of "performance" suspension on the 20-Inch Wheel Sport Appearance pkg

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#1 ·
Explanation of "performance" suspension on the 20-Inch Wheel Sport Appearance pkg

So I bought my 2014 SE with the 8-speed auto transmission and the 20" Wheel Sport Appearance package but I cannot find (because I suck at the google I guess) where it tells me what specifically is different on the "performance" suspension on this package. Is it some sort of stabilizer bar, stiffer suspension, and or height reduction?

Can anyone help me on this?
 
#2 ·
So I bought my 2014 SE with the 8-speed auto transmission and the 20" Wheel Sport Appearance package but I cannot find (because I suck at the google I guess) where it tells me what specifically is different on the "performance" suspension on this package. Is it some sort of stabilizer bar, stiffer suspension, and or height reduction?

Can anyone help me on this?
20-Inch Wheel Sport Appearance Group
•20-Inch Chrome-Clad Aluminum Wheels
•245/45R20 BSW All Season Performance Tires
•Compact Spare Tire
•Performance Suspension
•Rear Body-Color Spoiler


Yeah, I glanced on the dodge website too, and didn't see much info either!

It might be a little "stiffer" shocks/struts/springs to reduce the softness of the ride!
 
#3 ·
When I got mine I did a lot of research and came up empty handed. The morons at the dealership didn't know either. If you find something post it up here, I'm still curious.
 
#7 ·
I know a lot more about 1st gen but I think it might have the 30mm front sway bar. It is performance suspension instead of regular touring.

If you could try to put calipers on your front sway bar. 1st gen R/T R&T cars the only suspension upgrade was the 30mm bar vs. a stock R/Ts 27mm bar.

Just a guess but I don't think the springs/shocks/struts are any different as far as I know any car with the 20 inch wheels has the same springs/shocks/struts.
 
#10 ·
Seriously? :rolleyes:

Sigh.

The V6 charger is a fine machine and there is no reason to disrespect it...or it's owners.

OP, I've searched high and low and I can't find any further details on what the "performance suspension" includes. Perhaps someone with a shop manual can look up the details. I'm sure they will be in there along with the various part numbers.
 
#15 ·
Awesome, thank you for that. :)

This would be my guess as well. Seems like Dodge would do this instead of engineer a whole new suspension for an option package.
I would agree, I wouldn't think Dodge would do that either.

Put calipers on the front sway bar, see if it is 30mm.

I don't think the v6s with 20s had a different suspension then an r/t anyway, if it corners flatter that would be a bigger front roll bar.
That makes sense.

In the first gen there were three roll bars up front 25mm (came with no rear bar) was only on the most base model. SXT and R/T had touring which was 27mm front and I think 15mm rear. Then the AWT package cars (R/T R&T plus Daytonas) had 30mm up front.

There was no spring/shock change other than the early AWT cars getting Nivomat rears.

Maybe someone can chime in on 2nd gen a bit more but the easiest way to sport up from the Touring set up is to add the bigger front bar off the shelf.
I would be interested in hearing that as well.
 
#16 ·
A BIG thank you goes out to the member DodgeCares for providing me the answer to my question. :D

-Front Independent SLA (short long arms suspension) with high upper “A” arm, coil spring over gas-charged monotube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
-Rear Five-link independent with coil springs, gas-charged monotube shock absorbers, stabilizer bar and isolated suspension cradle
^ That explains why my car corners so flat dispite being ~4,000lbs. :)
 
#17 ·
A BIG thank you goes out to the member DodgeCares for providing me the answer to my question. :D



^ That explains why my car corners so flat dispite being ~4,000lbs. :)
Well he kinda just described every model there not yours in particular. Sometimes it is very hard to get the actual part numbers that differ between models. Of everything he described there are several part numbers for springs, shocks, struts, sway bars etc. the devil is in the details.
 
#22 ·
As far as I know the Road and Track RT has only thicker sway bars. Not sure about the 3.6. I think the only RTs that came w/ a 3.06 LSD were the 2010 year models. Which is a bummer as that should be standard issue.
 
#23 ·
My 2011 R/T Road & Track build sheet claims "performance brakes", "performance suspension" and "performance exhaust". I can't for the life of me find any difference between the "performance" parts and none performance parts, if there is such a thing. The salesman couldn't explain the difference either.

Maybe just a marketing thing.
 
#25 ·
I'm not an expert on 2nd gen but on 1st gen suspension meant the 30 mm front sway bar, brakes meant a different pad compound IIRC and exhaust was a single pass center muffler that was freer flowing. That along with the SRT style airbox is how that 1st gen car got to 350 hp from 340.

For 2nd gen the difference was only 4 hp from 368 to 372 IIRC and I'm pretty sure the mods were similar for the R&T package.
 
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#27 ·
The regular hemi cars (Charger, Magnum, 300) all had a triple pass center suitcase muffler. The R&T cars (AWT package) which came as Chargers and later Magnums as well as the Heritage edition 300 and the SRT Design edition 300 from what I remember all had the single pass center muffler as well as the deeply bolstered seats and probably the 9 land steering as well.

Early AWT cars had Nivomat rear shocks as well. The Daytona had all of that plus a slightly different single pass center muffler with less perforations so it had a deeper rumble.

On 2006s it was a great package only $1,600 and it also came with all the stuff in what I think was convenience group 2 (auto climate, adjustable pedals etc.) It was worth it just for the seats and steering, most folks change out exhaust and intake anyway but the steering felt better and the seats were great.

Starting in 2007 it started coming with the 20 inch chrome clads and the rear spoiler and heritage badges with a chin spoiler and body colored grille on Chargers. It also was prices over $3k!
 
#28 ·
I went to another dealer and they ran my VIN in the service dept computers and they couldn't even find the AAQ 20" wheel sport appearance group. He told me to call Chrysler. Maybe this is a sign I need to give up and accept all of the mention of sport suspension as typos. :(
 
#30 ·
That's always tricky when you look at the sticker, the first bit shows "standard" equipment which remains unless upgraded with optional equipment. So many times you'll see two sets of things. So very well your car probably said Touring Suspension and then in option package it listed Sport.
 
#53 ·
Reread OP's first post, there is a distinction made between the Sport and 20 Inch Wheel Sport groups. See page 13 for the latter.
 
#59 ·
I got my answer from Chrysler which I will quote below :)

Dear James:

Thank you for contacting the Dodge Customer Assistance Center.

According to our records, the AAQ 20-Inch Wheel Sport Appearance Group
includes the following equipment:

? 20X8.0 ALUMINUM CHROME CLAD WHEELS (WPG)
? 245/45R20 BSW AS PERFORMANCE TIRES (TVJ)
? COMPACT SPARE TIRE (TBC)
? PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION (SDD)
? REAR BODYCOLOR SPOILER (MXX)

According to available information, the Performance Suspension consists
of performance tuned springs and shocks. The Performance Suspension
provides a stiffer/firmer ride and less body roll.

Thanks again for your email.

Sincerely,

Tony

Customer Service Representative
Dodge Customer Assistance Center
 
#61 ·
That really doesn't sound convincing... according to what? His guess heh! Honestly I haven't seen part numbers for springs/shocks/struts that vary so again I think it is the regular touring suspension with a 30 mm front sway bar but that's just my semi educated guess.

Maybe in 2nd gen they started having multiple spring and shock packages but it would be new to me.
 
#60 ·
Well, you are getting closer...

Sales codes: [SDC]=Touring Suspension [SDD]=Performance Suspension [SDG]=4-Wheel Independent Suspension [SDX]=High Performance Suspension.

The next question is which vehicle trims got sales code SDD to get more information on what exactly the parts are.
 
#67 ·
I am looking to upgrade my sway bars on my '13 R/T AWD. I found this info on another forum. I have the SDA suspension now.

SDA = Normal Duty
SDD = Performance
SDC = Touring
SDB = Heavy Duty
SDE = Sport
SDX = High Performance

For the Rear Sway Bar here are the correlating part numbers:
SDB, SDE 68184227AA
SDD, SDC, SDA 5180016AA
SDX 68184226AA


For the Front Sway Bar here are the correlating part numbers:
SDA 4782950AC
SDB 68206426AA

Also I think measuring with a caliper might not tell the whole story on sway bars. It seems on the current generation, both fronts are nearly the same diameter, but one shows a shipping weight of 10 lbs and the other 24 lbs. Hollow vs solid?
 
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