GT w/ Sports option suspension, SUSPENION OPTIONS Options

[operative]

I have done my research and have come to the following conclusions regarding my suspension options.

From 6gc info page (http://www.6gc.net/index.php?action=information&itu=4): “The GT hatchback does has the option of having the Sports Package on it, which utilizes special shock absorbers with two-stage valves, which give the car better dampening force for better handling stability. The Sports Package is not available on the ST model.”

I have a 97 GT with the sports option. (Toyota dealer told me so)

I have purchased the KYB GR2 from tirerack. $220
I have purchased the Tein S Tech springs from Ebay. $140

Now realizing that the KYB front inserts wont fit.

I have the following options (correct me if Im wrong):

1. Buy additional Brand new struts without sports package (UNSEALED) from partznet.com for 115.81 a piece(x2) = $232. Or used struts for $$??. Im guessing this will fit my car. Total parts cost $600. handling will be great, but ride will be bumpy.

2. Buy brand new struts with sports package (SEALED) for 115.81 x2 = $232, and lower the car with stock sports package struts. Return the KYB front inserts. Total parts cost = $490.
Have anyone lowered their car with the sports package struts??? Maybe I’ll be the first. Who knows what problems lay ahead, but will be better ride quality than KYB front inserts.

3. Faak KYB, get Tein SS coilovers and not have these problems. Total cost = $1250. Good handling and ride quality but double the price.

I am mainly interested in Have anyone lowered their car with the sports package struts??? and Is my options correct.
I also have 225/45/17 tires, I am assuming that the 1.5 drop in front wont scrap based on conversations with many 6gc member.


Thanks for the help.

This post has been edited by operative: Dec 26, 2005 - 4:13 PM

[Batman722]

Daniel's car doesn't have sport suspension.
Stef looked up the vin at the dealership (as she did with our Beams and Manny's car). Manny's and our car had the sport supension listed as an option, Daniel's car didn't. Eod.

Here are some pics of the 96+ sport suspension sperical bushings in the trailing arms.
The arms on the top are the non-adjustable and the bottom are the (camber) adjustable.



2 things about the arms:
1. there are sperical bearings in them with a small rubber boot over them for protection.
2. the adjustable arm's heads are smaller than the non. Look at the width of the heads.

Here's another shot.

and the poly bushings


Look at the size of the bushing in the adjustable trailing arm (left) and the size of the bushing in the non (right), the holes in the arm heads are different sizes.

Now, for 94-95 non sport suspension (or STs too), all of the bushings are rubber. The heads of the trailing arms are the same size and the poly bushings fit in perfectly.
For 94-95 w/SS, the heads are the same size but you have sperical bearings, not rubber. They need to be pressed out and the poly bushings fit perfectly.

96+ w/SS, you have sperical bearings, and your adjustable trailing arms are different. They suck, the poly bushings won't fit.
96+ w/o SS (or STs) I assume you have the same size heads on the trailing arms and rubber bushings, poly bushing fit perfectly (Stef has a 97 ST and that was the case, no issues with poly bushings.

FYI here's pics of the poly bushings in the Beams (94 GT w/SS)









Here's a link to Manny's pics, 94 GT w/SS and now poly bushings
Notice all of his trailing arm heads are the same size)
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=90536

And Stef's link to her poly bushings
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...amp;hl=hurley97

And moar !
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...mp;#entry860146

If anyone needs more clarification, post up some questions.

This post has been edited by Batman722: Sep 12, 2013 - 5:57 PM