I started a thread about the LX cars earlier this year, might have bought one (probably a mid 2000s) if a good deal on a supercharged Buick hadn't popped up. The main weak point that popped up in that thread was to watch out for front suspension issues.
In reply to MadScientistMatt:
I know to stay far, far away from the AWD ones. I think those have some issues up front. I'll have to dig into the RWD ones' suspension issues as well.
For anyone looking here's an added choice to consider.
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/misc/vehicles-for-sale/
Not a bad price
In reply to SilverFleet:
I don't know if the later ones, like you're thinking about, have the front suspension issues, but the early ones sure did, even the RWD models.
About a year ago The Mag had a long, helpful, and very detailed article about the LX-platform cars. I guess it's too new to be online yet...? Hint, hint.
Are you referring to GRM? I don't remember that. If you know the issue or general area of what issue it is in I have archives I would like to check out.
In reply to Stealthtercel:
I remember that article, but I think it was geared toward the Challenger. A lot of it does apply, but there are some differences.
If you plan on modifying it, dont get an lx. Tuning options are pretty much limited to handheld tuners, diffs are E36 M3 and expensive, unless they changed them in the later models, trans are strong but very expensive to build/rebuild, aftermarket is lacking and expensive.
Buddy just sold his and bought a gm, his was an 09 we did a cam and heads swap on. The headers were the hardest set ive ever installed, and i come from working on fbodies, vettes and foxbodys, so that says alot, we even had a lift. His cam was in the 220 duration range and was consider a larger cam, because tuning options suck. A 220 in an ls is a small cam. It ran great when we were done, but he was constantly chasing cels and oil control issues. Cam swapped cars with a bad tune routinely break pistons, even na.
The ls isnt the strongest motor and has its fair share of broken pistons when you tinker with them, but it seem pretty common on the 5.7 hemis.
If you want to do bolt ons and maybe some suspension work, my money would be on a g8 gt. Might have to pay a little extra for suspension components like the gto, but engine stuff would be a lot more accesible and cheaper.
Plus, last I looked gbs were holding their valie much better than 4 door lxs.
Opti wrote: If you plan on modifying it, dont get an lx. Tuning options are pretty much limited to handheld tuners, diffs are E36 M3 and expensive, unless they changed them in the later models, trans are strong but very expensive to build/rebuild, aftermarket is lacking and expensive. Buddy just sold his and bought a gm, his was an 09 we did a cam and heads swap on. The headers were the hardest set ive ever installed, and i come from working on fbodies, vettes and foxbodys, so that says alot, we even had a lift. His cam was in the 220 duration range and was consider a larger cam, because tuning options suck. A 220 in an ls is a small cam. It ran great when we were done, but he was constantly chasing cels and oil control issues. Cam swapped cars with a bad tune routinely break pistons, even na. The ls isnt the strongest motor and has its fair share of broken pistons when you tinker with them, but it seem pretty common on the 5.7 hemis. If you want to do bolt ons and maybe some suspension work, my money would be on a g8 gt. Might have to pay a little extra for suspension components like the gto, but engine stuff would be a lot more accesible and cheaper. Plus, last I looked gbs were holding their valie much better than 4 door lxs.
The LXs and Mopars in general are going to be more expensive than GM and LS stuff just based on the number of them compared to each other and the aftermarket support.
Gen 3 Hemis have a couple good handheld tuners and HP Tuner suite which is quite capable. I haven't heard of any diffs going on the few LX forums I visit but it may be. The Hellcat diff is $1400 from Dodge new and is 9.3" ring gear or 230mm. Stock SRT and RT diffs are 215mm.
The gen 3 Hemi 09+ use VVT which limits cam duration on the cam itself because the VVT extends duration quite a bit. More cam duration can be had on the cam itself by limiting VVT movement. Comparing it to an LS or other non VVT engine is apples to oranges when looking at cam specs.
LS and Gen 3 Hemis have a fair amount of good things in common. Both have deep skirt block with crossbolt mains,fully counter weighted crank,powder metal fracture end rods,hypereutectic cast pistons,shaft mounted rocker arms,roller cam/lifters high in the block,similar design plastic intake manifolds, one piece rear main seal and O ring style gaskets plus a front of crank mounted oil pump. Price for parts and availability of a variety are always going to be in GM engines favor.
Every platform and engine has strengths and weaknesses but it is just like flavors of ice cream, not everyone wants vanilla.
The best I can do right now about the GRM article is that I think it was in the then-current issue when I was at my nephew's wedding in October 2015. Real helpful, I know. However, I did locate an article in HR about the 08-11 Dodges that may be helpful: http://www.hotrod.com/articles/hrdp-1105-what-breaks-on-2008-to-2011-dodges/
His was a non VVT, so must have been older than 09. After looking, looks like hptuners is coming around on the Mopars, when he contacted the local tuners, who use HPtuners, about a year ago, they all told him to tune the mopars he had to buy a diablo tuner.
Your right, different strokes. If you want to modify a LX or LD platform, its definitely possible and they can make tons of power. Do whatever makes you happy.
I just mention the G8 GT as it is a very similar car, and much cheaper to modify, well the engine (i dont know of much suspension stuff for LX cars but the G8 suspension components from pedders are expensive) that is in about the same price range, at least last time I looked. Ive only driven the earlier LXs in a spirited manner, and the G8s handled and stopped better and felt more like a drivers car. Plus its a big bore LS so L92 heads can be used, and thats always a plus, 400whp is probably attainable with a baby cam, even through the auto. Speaking of the auto Id take the 6L80E over the Mopar 5 speed.
My money to leave stock in this price range. Older LX SRT8 or newer RT or G8 GT Modify beyond a catback G8 GT
I like the G8, and I concur that it's more of a driver's car than the LX cars, but there are issues. They have the problematic AFM system that a lot of LS engines of that era had. People think they are made of gold, it's much easier to find a cheap LX than a cheap G8. And they only made them for two years. The interior in a 2012-up Charger is quite a lot nicer and has way more options available than a G8.
You'll need to log in to post.
