help: making the MM handle better

[midnyht]

OK Fellows. A short story for ya:
I was burning up 285 in the Atl eastside in the hammer lane running with the traffic about 70 - 80 MPH. The car in front of me suddenly slammed on the brakes and I was gonna NAIL 'em. I executed an abrupt lane change and the back end stepped out a little and the semi in the next lane was certain I was gonna hit him as he locked up the trailer brakes. But a flip of the wheel and the car straightened up after the back end stepped out again as I corrected to avoid the semi....then i saw the reason the car in front of me was on the brakes so hard. The car in my new lane was STOPPED. There was enough room for me to scoot into the emergency lane ( another abrupt 2 lane change) and bypass the whole thing. Again, the rear came out and said WTF. WHEW. Again at around 50 -60 MPH by this time.
I have found the handling limit of my MM. (80 MPH hard lane changes) And bear in mind, i had to move the car over 8 feet and no more, to avoid the semi. The front stayed planted and the car performed beautifuly, even under HARD braking. Except for the rear end.
I now call on you all. How is this corrected?
Thank you for reading and responding.
MIDNYHT

[Black_Noise]

what do you expect with a 4300 pound butt being swung 8 ft in a fraction of a second at 70-80 mph?

[Blk Mamba]

Fun wasn't it, I think the balance of this car is wrong, not enough weight over the rear wheels, or too much on the fronts, no control arms, or sway bars will cure your ill. Maybe three inches lower in the rear would help a little. JMHHO.

[Local Boy]

Welcome to the club, Brutha...

Been there...

Addco sway bars will help in reducing body roll...

Body roll contributes to the tail jumping out on ya...

But, the reality is when you hit the brakes HARD, there is a wieght transfer - to the front - This lightens up the rear, reducing the rear tires lateral traction when turning...

Wider tires dosen't hurt either...

ALOHA

[ImpalaSlayer]

get the sway bars they provide an amazing difference

[TAKEDOWN]

welcome to the club, brutha...

Been there...

Addco sway bars will help in reducing body roll...

Body roll contributes to the tail jumping out on ya...

But, the reality is when you hit the brakes hard, there is a wieght transfer - to the front - this lightens up the rear, reducing the rear tires lateral traction when turning...

Wider tires dosen't hurt either...

Aloha
or add a couple healthy heavy samoans to sit in your back seat!

[justbob]

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Taemian]

Naakes out back help with nose dive as well, just set the rebound stiffer than the compression.

[2,4shofast]

A lower center of gravity wouldnt be a bad idea either, springs for the front are pretty inexpensive and its free to lower the rear;)

[Bluerauder]

OK Fellows. A short story for ya:
I was burning up 285 in the Atl eastside in the hammer lane running with the traffic about 70 - 80 MPH. The car in front of me suddenly slammed on the brakes and I was gonna NAIL 'em. I executed an abrupt lane change and the back end stepped out a little and the semi in the next lane was certain I was gonna hit him as he locked up the trailer brakes.
MIDNYHT
Glad you were able to avoid a problem in this instance. However, you may wish to consider adjusting your driving habits.... especially in heavy traffic. Not allowing enough space to stop (for any reason) and abrupt lanes changes will put you at risk every time. I wouldn't rely solely on control arms ... or more weight in the rear. "A man has got to know his limitations" ... and those of his car. Luckily this didn't end in a multi-car pile up with the tractor trailer. JMHO.

[Hotrauder]

All of the above are remarkable improvements to handling, however you might consider that the capability of the car is secondary to the judgement of the operator. You were inattentive or following to closely and there is only one modification that you can depend on to save your Marauder and you...and you are it. :)Dennis

[LVMarauder]

+1 to the immediate above, dont drive a 18 wheeler like a ferrari and viceversa. Dont get me wrong, I have every suspension mod done and it handles like cars its size shouldn't , but dont break the enevelope of G forces, physics never lie.

[magindat]

Sway bars front and rear.

Greaseable front sway bar bushings

Stiff control arms (several brands to choose from)

Lower CG - Naake or Cut front springs

Shocks - Naake - some like Gabriel - I like Monroe

Wider wheels/tires

Lower rear air suspension

Modified or replacement shorter rear bump stops

Junk in the trunk - stereo - stuff - bodies - whatever - about 150-200lbs.

Most important - ANY driver training course - I did SVTOA courtesy of HotRauder (thank you sir) and learned to DRIVE the car with the rear end (Thank you Shakes26)

[Blk Mamba]

Sway bars front and rear.

Greaseable front sway bar bushings

Stiff control arms (several brands to choose from)

Lower CG - Naake or Cut front springs

Shocks - Naake - some like Gabriel - I like Monroe

Wider wheels/tires

Lower rear air suspension

Modified or replacement shorter rear bump stops

Junk in the trunk - stereo - stuff - bodies - whatever - about 150-200lbs.

Most important - ANY driver training course - I did SVTOA courtesy of HotRauder (thank you sir) and learned to DRIVE the car with the rear end (Thank you Shakes26)


The only part I disagree with is to lower the front end, it seems to drive into the ground as it is, (i would stiffen the front end) like nascar running on the bump stops. It is still a big heavy car, and it is always going to handle like it weighs 4400, just a little sharper.

I agree with everything said here, (LEO's) included, but we all know that it's easy to get caught up in the moment, and sometimes overload our abilities, it is always nice to have just a little bit extra in reserve.

(BTW, don't flame me but a wing would put that 200 lbs over the rear wheels, and only add 30 lbs to the weight of the car, it also minimally increases fuel economy)

[justbob]

You should just count your blessings that you were piloting a vehicle that has the ability over many other cars to perform how it did and keep the scene accident free. There is a reason why panthers are great police cars right out of the box.

[Ms. Denmark]

You should just count your blessings that you were piloting a vehicle that has the ability over many other cars to perform how it did and keep the scene accident free. There is a reason why panthers are great police cars right out of the box. That was my first thought, too. Every once in awhile (actually every morning while commuting LOL) there is the potential for disaster. It can be very hard to maintain safe following distances when someone else decides they need to squeeze into your " cushion" and traffic is moving along at breakneck speed. Slowing down only creates other hazards and incites the wrath of everyone behind you as they would rather get by at all cost. In general the car has performed reliably in crisis situations. Yes, the rear end can kick out, but it corrects nicely.

[Blk Mamba]

I'm sure we can all think of ways to improve the handling to our own personal touch, but all-in-all it is a fine automobile.

I am also glad we now have the new suspension section, and thanks to all who helped make it happen.

[justbob]

Try that move in a second gen camaro and tell us how you well you handled the 180. That is what i'm used to, these cars are like being on rails.