I know this is a hot topic, so lets get to work. I would like to also refer you to read this post by Fireman2118 who is very knowledgeable with suspension.
Us people with the AWD Magnums are in a tough spot. Because RWD cars are most prevalent, most of the aftermarket companies have been reluctant to develop solutions for the AWD cars.
Generally speaking, the rears of the RWD vs AWD cars are the same. It consists of the spring and shock. If you have Nivomat rear dampers, you will still need to change them out because they will hinder the ride height, keeping the rear sitting high. These are a self leveling system and are designed this way to prevent the rear from sagging when you have a load in the rear.
For the fronts, we do have a few options. Not as many as our RWD friends, but a couple.
Coilovers: Right now, KW are one of the only ones who make coilover suspension for the AWD LX platform. From what I hear from those who have them, they perform well. Prices vary, so check around. According to their website, the V1 are not available for the AWD. The V2 are, but the website says they are for the 300C AWD, and also for the V8 R/T Magnum. There's probably other configurations, just run the website and check for yourself. The MSRP is $1895.
Circuit Motorsports in Florida have developed a coilover with BCRacing for the AWD LX platform. They are about $500 less than KW, and will have 30 levels of adjustment for dampness along with ride height. There is a group buy over at LX Forums and I got in on it, so when they get done developing them, I'll be able to fully evaluate them for custommagnums.com. *UPDATE* I have them and they are awesome. My car is real low and it rides like stock. I couldn't be happier. Check it out here- http://www.custommagnums.com/forums/awd/28609-awd-coilovers.html
Lowering Springs: We also have this option. Lets start with these because they are most mentioned in the forums:
Mopar Springs: These springs will bring you down around 1". They are made by KW and branded Mopar. With these, you do not need to replace your factory dampers because they don't come down to a low enough level to really change the travel of the factory dampers. Make sure you get Item#P5153327, which is Magnum specific. I recently learned that Item#P4510854 is not the right spring. It is Charger/Challenger specific, and your Magnum rear end is heavier. With the wrong springs, you may sag in the rear, so get the Magnum specific springs.
Eibach Pro-Kit: The Eibachs can be run on the AWD. You can expect these to bring you down around 1.5" on a ballpark average. There are mixed results with these and the factory dampers. Some will say that their ride quality is pretty good with the factory dampers, and some will say it's a tad harsh. But we don't have any option for aftermarket dampers for our cars so if you use these, you are at the mercy of any degredation of ride quality.
Eibach Sportlines: These springs will bring you down an average of 2". However, these springs really do benefit from the use of a performance damper, but again, we don't have any. 2WD drivers can use the Eibach Pro-Damper's to really improve their ride quality, but we can't. Eibach does NOT make a damper for AWD. Some drivers have used the Sportlines with their stock dampers, but have also said the ride quality is greatly reduced. It may be bouncy and/or harsh and you need to avoid the potholes. The stock dampers have too much travel in them to be able to appropriately handle these springs.
Dropzone Springs: Some users have these, myself included for now untill the Circuit Motorsports are done. These are a bit bouncy. To help fix this, I purchased the Eibach Pro-Dampers and am just using the rear dampers, which has helped tremendously. The car doesn't have the "see-saw" motion you get with the springs alone. The rear is smoothed out and feels great. Keeping the rear grounded has helped out the front a bit, there's still some bounce, but the front bounce doesn't feed off the rear bounce. These are the cheapest option by far, and will work in a pinch. And I got an easy 2" drop, and have 4" of clearance between my rockers and the pavement.
TEIN STECH springs: I have no experience with these springs, if anyone can vouch for them post it.
5.7L vs 3.5L Springs: Please be advised there is a difference. The 5.7L motor is heavier. So springs for the 5.7 will take more weight, and those who put springs for a 5.7L in the 3.5 or 2.7L motor will most likely not experience the drop up front they wanted, because of the lighter motors. So when shopping for springs, get a spring set matched to your motor size.
Airbags: Yes, the AWD car will accept airbags. But also, it would benefit from a performance damper, and there are none. With the stock dampers, even with airbags, you run into the same problems with bottoming out if you are driving with a 2" drop, for example. Raise it up and the shock will be extended, thus not bottoming out. DeadDog has airbags in his AWD.
I think that's all for now. I can always amend this post later on if needed.
Us people with the AWD Magnums are in a tough spot. Because RWD cars are most prevalent, most of the aftermarket companies have been reluctant to develop solutions for the AWD cars.
Generally speaking, the rears of the RWD vs AWD cars are the same. It consists of the spring and shock. If you have Nivomat rear dampers, you will still need to change them out because they will hinder the ride height, keeping the rear sitting high. These are a self leveling system and are designed this way to prevent the rear from sagging when you have a load in the rear.
For the fronts, we do have a few options. Not as many as our RWD friends, but a couple.
Coilovers: Right now, KW are one of the only ones who make coilover suspension for the AWD LX platform. From what I hear from those who have them, they perform well. Prices vary, so check around. According to their website, the V1 are not available for the AWD. The V2 are, but the website says they are for the 300C AWD, and also for the V8 R/T Magnum. There's probably other configurations, just run the website and check for yourself. The MSRP is $1895.
Circuit Motorsports in Florida have developed a coilover with BCRacing for the AWD LX platform. They are about $500 less than KW, and will have 30 levels of adjustment for dampness along with ride height. There is a group buy over at LX Forums and I got in on it, so when they get done developing them, I'll be able to fully evaluate them for custommagnums.com. *UPDATE* I have them and they are awesome. My car is real low and it rides like stock. I couldn't be happier. Check it out here- http://www.custommagnums.com/forums/awd/28609-awd-coilovers.html
Lowering Springs: We also have this option. Lets start with these because they are most mentioned in the forums:
Mopar Springs: These springs will bring you down around 1". They are made by KW and branded Mopar. With these, you do not need to replace your factory dampers because they don't come down to a low enough level to really change the travel of the factory dampers. Make sure you get Item#P5153327, which is Magnum specific. I recently learned that Item#P4510854 is not the right spring. It is Charger/Challenger specific, and your Magnum rear end is heavier. With the wrong springs, you may sag in the rear, so get the Magnum specific springs.
Eibach Pro-Kit: The Eibachs can be run on the AWD. You can expect these to bring you down around 1.5" on a ballpark average. There are mixed results with these and the factory dampers. Some will say that their ride quality is pretty good with the factory dampers, and some will say it's a tad harsh. But we don't have any option for aftermarket dampers for our cars so if you use these, you are at the mercy of any degredation of ride quality.
Eibach Sportlines: These springs will bring you down an average of 2". However, these springs really do benefit from the use of a performance damper, but again, we don't have any. 2WD drivers can use the Eibach Pro-Damper's to really improve their ride quality, but we can't. Eibach does NOT make a damper for AWD. Some drivers have used the Sportlines with their stock dampers, but have also said the ride quality is greatly reduced. It may be bouncy and/or harsh and you need to avoid the potholes. The stock dampers have too much travel in them to be able to appropriately handle these springs.
Dropzone Springs: Some users have these, myself included for now untill the Circuit Motorsports are done. These are a bit bouncy. To help fix this, I purchased the Eibach Pro-Dampers and am just using the rear dampers, which has helped tremendously. The car doesn't have the "see-saw" motion you get with the springs alone. The rear is smoothed out and feels great. Keeping the rear grounded has helped out the front a bit, there's still some bounce, but the front bounce doesn't feed off the rear bounce. These are the cheapest option by far, and will work in a pinch. And I got an easy 2" drop, and have 4" of clearance between my rockers and the pavement.
TEIN STECH springs: I have no experience with these springs, if anyone can vouch for them post it.
5.7L vs 3.5L Springs: Please be advised there is a difference. The 5.7L motor is heavier. So springs for the 5.7 will take more weight, and those who put springs for a 5.7L in the 3.5 or 2.7L motor will most likely not experience the drop up front they wanted, because of the lighter motors. So when shopping for springs, get a spring set matched to your motor size.
Airbags: Yes, the AWD car will accept airbags. But also, it would benefit from a performance damper, and there are none. With the stock dampers, even with airbags, you run into the same problems with bottoming out if you are driving with a 2" drop, for example. Raise it up and the shock will be extended, thus not bottoming out. DeadDog has airbags in his AWD.
I think that's all for now. I can always amend this post later on if needed.
