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lazySOB
Cruiser Newbie
Posted: Apr 5, 2008, 10:11 AM
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suspension and performance
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bare with me as i'm new to the pt cruisers. my wife was looking for another car that got better mpg than her trailblazer so i found her her a 01 limited edition pt. me being a chevy diehard it was tough, but it turns out i like the car. so first thing is it has a blown rear shock. i was going to just go to the local napa and buy the monroe sensa tracs for 30 each. but i thought i remembered that these have a touring suspension. so wouldn't they have stiffer valving? none of the parts stores list a different shock/strut for the pt, just a one shock fits all. i was thinking then if they were different i would just replace all 4 with the monroes. is there another brand like the kyb or tokico that would be a better choice.price is important.
onto the second part of the questions. whats the most common/proven mods to give this thing more go power. i'm already planning on either dropping in a k&n filter(and maybe opening up the bottom of the airbox some) or doing a shortram with a k&n filter.i'm just holding out till we see what the average mpg is we are getting so i can tell if it improves or not. how about the computer. what's the most common route on the computer also.
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Posts: 2 | From: latrobe,pa
| Registered: Apr 5, 2008, 9:43 AM
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mean green
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Apr 6, 2008, 12:09 AM
Post #2 of 5
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Re: [lazySOB] suspension and performance
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Not much you can do for more power that'd be too noticeable. A great cruiser, though.
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2005 Stone White SRT4
2004 Graphite Auto
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Posts: 821 | From: Oregon
| Registered: Feb 19, 2002, 12:00 AM
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sent1
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Apr 6, 2008, 7:22 AM
Post #3 of 5
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Re: [lazySOB] suspension and performance
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I have tokicos all the way around. I managed to find a deal from a guy that put only 4k miles on them then was returning the cruiser to stock to sell. I got the tokicos and lowering springs for $250. Since the fronts are struts, unless you are mechanically inclined and have the tools you are going to pay for the labor. Yes, there are plenty of brand options and ride quality to choose from. The main thing probably is to keep from prematurely wearing the tires if you don't want to spend too much. Search the internet, you never know what you might find. Just found a complete set of Gabriels on ebay: http://cgi.ebay. com/ebaymotors/GABRIEL-SHOCKS-STRUTS-CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER-01-07_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ010QQitemZ200212048406QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
As for the K&N, the dorp in filter would really be just fine. K&N claims a 6 hp gain. Other than that, making sure its got good plugs (like ngk iridiums), wires (I got taylor thundervolt 8.2) and maybe switching to synthetic oil would be about the best you could do. Some claim a 1-3 hp increase in making the synthetic switch. I can't say exactly what the improvements were in my wife cruiser for instance, I can honestly say it ran ran a lot better just after changing to the ngk's, then again after putting in the K&N.
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DC1 #1610--5-speed. Its got some stuff.
'03 Inferno Red--Its getting some stuff too!
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Posts: 424 | From: Salem, Oregon
| Registered: Apr 14, 2007, 8:56 AM
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lazySOB
Cruiser Newbie
Posted: Apr 6, 2008, 8:37 AM
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Re: [sent1] suspension and performance
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i do most of the mechanical work on our fleet of trucks and equipment for our landscaping company so yeah i can work on it. i have yet to put it up on a jack to check for any loosness anywhere. i'm just gonna do all the struts/shocks and guessing i may find some bushing here and there that need replaced.
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Posts: 2 | From: latrobe,pa
| Registered: Apr 5, 2008, 9:43 AM
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rsobhian
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Apr 6, 2008, 6:48 PM
Post #5 of 5
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Re: [lazySOB] suspension and performance
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Welcome to the forum.
I have put Tokico HP (aka Tockico blue) struts/shocks all around in our '01 LE and have been pretty happy with them. They are fairly inexpensive and when used with stock springs firm up the ride nicely without making it too harsh.
Since our PT is used for family duty, I did not go with lowering the car. If you plan to lower the car then the HP series would not be a good choice. You should opt for other sport shocks/struts with shortened stroke.
If you start seeing bushings that need to be replaced (especially the rear ones on the front control arms), I recommend getting the Energy Suspension poly ones. That way you'll do the job once and be done with it.
I've also put in the K&N drop in filter, and do think there was a noticeable difference in the throttle response (all be it slightly noticeable  ) so I recommend that.
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2001 silver Limited-Touring (leather/suede, 4W disk, traction, heated mirrors & all :-)
Mods: Tokico HP all around / Energy Suspension Master Kit / K&N drop-in / R1 Concepts drilled & slotte disks all around / Enkei RPF1 16x7 wheels & Conti Extreme Contact rubber / Prestige APS620 remote starter
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Posts: 425 | From: MA
| Registered: Aug 2, 2007, 7:47 PM
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