Ugrading my stock suspension, any thoughts, Change shocks+springs or go for coilovers Options

[coneyre]

Hey can anyone help me. I'm looking to upgrage my stock suspension and I'm at a bit of a crossroads.

I'm not looking for high performance or it to be dropped really low I'm looking more for a comfortable ride and good handling. The roads are quite bumpy over here and its getting very frustrating. I was thinking of going for new shocks and springs as I here coilovers are a bit harsh.

I was looking at kyb gr2's and tein s-tech springs.

What do you think????

[BonzaiCelica]

always try to use the search button in the top right hand corner before posting anything. I believe there is quite a few posts about shocks and springs but not sure haven't looked myself. but anways from what i've heard tiens s tech springs can be pretty darn stiff. I personally have tanabe df210 and i think they are really nice becuase anything more stiff for me would be uncomfortable and they have a nice drop.

2.2 inch in front and 1.5 in rear. If you can look up the different types of springs rates. compare different ones to others. I believe spring rating is measured in kg. but not quite sure.

always try to use the search button in the top right hand corner before posting anything. I believe there is quite a few posts about shocks and springs but not sure haven't looked myself. but anways from what i've heard tiens s tech springs can be pretty darn stiff. I personally have tanabe df210 and i think they are really nice becuase anything more stiff for me would be uncomfortable and they have a nice drop.


This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Dec 9, 2008 - 1:38 AM

[808celica]

just go/buy full coils.

unless you get bilstein inserts and ground control coilovers since your an ST model

[Nial]

If you want comfort then dont buy coilovers...christ...you`ll loose your teeth within a week from the vibrations.....KYB GR2`s are a good shock absorber for the price and are set up well for the road with a good balance between comfort and drivability...combine that with Tein, TRD or whatever springs and you will feel a vast improvment over the standard set up.

[BonzaiCelica]

haha ya i'd listen to Nial. He sure knows what he's talking about. Either kyb or blisten shocks. Or go with koni adjustables with any lowering springs. and you are set!!

[coneyre]

I found a set of Kyb gr2 on ebay for 250 bucks. Does that sound right?

Thanks for the replies

[Nial]

I found a set of Kyb gr2 on ebay for 250 bucks. Does that sound right?

Thanks for the replies

Sounds cheap to me...quick..grab a bargin while you can ...just check the mileage and condition before you hand over your hard earned cash.

[playr158]

If you want comfort then dont buy coilovers...christ...you`ll loose your teeth within a week from the vibrations.....

only if its a poor setup or not correctly set...

[Tigawoods]

yes^
u can soften dampening and raise her up a lil and you'll have a less stiff setup. or just try ad squeeze and edfc unit between your hood and your tein coilover top mounts and u would be able to control the dampening from the comfort of you drivers seat

[jason]

sounds to me like he just wants an inexpensive, yet still good setup

coilovers are not the way for him to go

get the gr2's and find any progressive spring that drops the car no more than 2" and you will be happy for about $500 buying new parts.

[GriffGirl]

It's my understanding that Eibach Pro or TRD springs will actually provide a more comfortable ride than the Teins will, as the Tein springs are a bit stiffer

[DEATH]

Eibach Sportlines are the smoothest lowering springs I've ever felt - very much like stock comfort. Teins are harsh but worth it IMO [most days anyway].

[coneyre]

Well as I said the most import thing to me is the comfort of the ride. Im not really looking to lower the car that much, as long as it glides through bumps and holes I'm happy.

So Eibach sportlines and kyb gr2's are the way to go?

[Nial]

Well as I said the most import thing to me is the comfort of the ride. Im not really looking to lower the car that much, as long as it glides through bumps and holes I'm happy.

So Eibach sportlines and kyb gr2's are the way to go?

Definately...I used to have that set up on my 4 and it was very comfortable.....Eibach has to be my fave springs.....which is very odd as I run TRD springs now

[DEATH]

Not really - TRD springs are made by Eibach [At least they used to be back in the day - for the ST-204/AT200 at least]

[playr158]

^yup TRD springs are made by Eibach and many of toyotas shocks were/might still be made by KYB

[Nial]

Not really - TRD springs are made by Eibach [At least they used to be back in the day - for the ST-204/AT200 at least]

Cool..I didnt know that

[luka]

I have a set of KYB GR2 struts, Eibach sportlines and new KYB strut mounts in the mail. gogo shipping to hawaii

[BonzaiCelica]

Hey everybody since i dont want to start another topic im going to continue on this one...

Well at the moment i do not have stock suspension. I am running kyb gr-2 with tanabe df210 with about 6,000 miles on this setup. I have bottomed out front left shock 3 times and bottom right front shock 5 times. This happend to me becuase i drive my car aggressively and the main reason y they bottomed out is because of careless driving and most important no bump stops in the front. When i was installing this setup back in july my front bump stops totally fell apart. when i took apart the front suspension. I didnt know any better and my friend who was helping me, told me i didnt need bump stops. (my mistake for not doing my research).

When i swerving aggresively on the road my front right strut feels very lazy and doesnt respond as fast as when i make right turns( right turns being that all the weight transfers to the left strut, the good strut that still feels normal, like it did when i first installed it).

Dont get me wrong kyb gr-2 are good struts, i just didnt install the new bump stops, so i pretty much threw my money away for the front shocks.

Now i plan on getting koni adjustable but wow they are expensive. $345 shipped to my door, vs getting blisten $200 shipped.

How much stiffer are blisten vs my kyb gr2. I know they are german and dont the germans make ohlins. basically the best suspension in the world???

also when taking out the inserts in the front what kind of oil do you use to keep the inserts from moving. Anybody have any bump stops???

[playr158]

Hahaha Ohlins are money.

But anyways Konis are by far the best things you can buy for this car (which is why i'm getting them). and Bilsteins are probably midway between KYB and Konis.
KYBs are just OEM spec replacements.

Koni > Bilstein > kyb

bump stops are cheap and available at your local dealership