Best 1inch Lowering Springs, Re-doing my suspension ....again Options

[UTSlickVic]

Hi all,

Once again my suspension is just utter ****. 8-9 years ago I started off with Eibach ProKit Springs (1inch drop), with stock struts. Those road fine but noticed the travel of the suspension was causing my tires to bottom. Ok, so I wanted some stiffer aftermarket struts.... order blistein struts; bad choice. Waaay to stiff and always klunking (and yes replaced the strut mounts). At this point I don't know what to blame the springs or the struts..... but enough is enough.

I would like to have my suspension feel "stock" (i.e not stiff), without changing my ride height from the 1" drop. I realize that having 18" wheels introduces it's own problems, I accept that.
So my plan is to order either KYB or Monroe struts, and replace my springs with 1" drop aftermarket springs. The problem is Eibach doesn't make the 1" drop ProKit Springs anymore. So, does anyone have recommendations on a Very Good aftermarket spring brand (that offers 1" drop)? Want a brand that'll last for years and not give me a "harsh" ride quality.

If this makes a night/day difference, I'll proceed to replace all the suspension bushings (no poly... just new stock parts).

Thanks,

utslickvic

[PegGTS]

Why not coilovers?

[UTSlickVic]

Why not coilovers?

I haven't ruled them out. But my take on coilovers is that meant for performance (i.e. inherently stiffer ride quality vs. "stock"). I might be wrong.... but again that's my take.

I'm at the point on my life where I know what my car is used for.... to look nice, get me to work, grocery store, gym, and occasional road trip. I don't want or my passengers nor me to have a unpleasant/rough ride.

If there are coilovers out there that you've (or any other members) have had personal experience with, that achieve said requirements above..... I'm all ears.

thanks!

[Box]

The thing being with coil-overs it won't be that much more over getting new struts, springs, and mounts. The advantage with coil-overs being you can set the dampening amount, and of course get the perfect amount of drop you're wanting. Megan has the EZ Street series that is $600 or so shipped off eBay, I want to say those here that have them like them. There's a suspension review thread around here somewhere.

[UTSlickVic]

The thing being with coil-overs it won't be that much more over getting new struts, springs, and mounts. The advantage with coil-overs being you can set the dampening amount, and of course get the perfect amount of drop you're wanting. Megan has the EZ Street series that is $600 or so shipped off eBay, I want to say those here that have them like them. There's a suspension review thread around here somewhere.

I understand. Again, obtaining a comfortable/stock ride quality is 1 of 2 requirements (other being not much lower than 1" drop). Are you saying coilovers adjusted to their "softest" setting will give a ride quality equal to stock? I would think not... but I'm not sure and that's why I ask.

[Box]

It would just vary from brand to brand, and I never had coil-overs on mine. Plenty of people here have them though and some even have tried multiple sets, so they'd be the ones to ask for sure. There are the TRD springs, but they can be hard to find. Part of the problem is/could be the 18" rims and the tire that's on them as well. You wouldn't think tires would make that big of a difference, but they do. Another thing could be your seats, if they're worn out they'll just make it worse. I had Tein springs with KYB struts and it rode rough with the stock seats, once I put in newer seats from an anniversary car it was much better.

[Jmk91]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/271652105083?nav=SEARCH

Here you go sir! Brand new TRD springs for our celica. I ordered mine a few months ago I have not yet installed them I also ordered KYB g2 struts all 4 for 212$ via Amazon. Ordered all strut mounts KYB replacements for under 200$ via eBay. They are legit TRD sprigs as well. Better get them fast before they all are gone!

[Lamont]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/271652105083?nav=SEARCH

Here you go sir! Brand new TRD springs for our celica. I ordered mine a few months ago I have not yet installed them I also ordered KYB g2 struts all 4 for 212$ via Amazon. Ordered all strut mounts KYB replacements for under 200$ via eBay. They are legit TRD sprigs as well. Better get them fast before they all are gone!

Don't take this the wrong way, but for this price why not go with Meagan E-Z coil-overs. I'm sure your ride will be good with all new KYB struts/mounts and TRD springs, but you will have zero adjustability. I just think if you are going to replace everything why not go for a better upgrade?

[Jmk91]

I'm not a fan of coilovers. I'd rather have springs. I had similar set up on my 91 mr2 and loved it. Just had h and r springs vs TRD.

[BonzaiCelica]

i would buy these in a heartbeat but im not made of money.

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=94815

[Box]

THe stiffness is a mystery though.

[UTSlickVic]

Thanks all for the replies. I appreciate everyone's inputs.

Lamont: The TRD springs intrigue me! but do seem a bit pricey, nevertheless great recommendation. I would think TRD makes a trusted/quality spring.

BUT I'm starting to realize a possible cause of my suspension woes: Pairing Lowering springs with a "stock replacement strut" or a strut not designed to take a lowered ride. Which is now why I'm looking into coilovers or (if they exist) a aftermarket street spring/strut pairing.
Problem with coilovers is that buying "cheap" ones cause bigger problems. So ok, if I go coilovers they will need to be a top 4 brand. Now the other question I have is: will good coilovers, set a it's softest setting, give a comfortable/stock ride?

Jmk91, just curious why don't you like coilovers? What brand have you used to give you that opinion?


This video helped me consider some things.
Coilovers_vs_Springs

[Jmk91]

I've used skunk2 and eibach on my Del sols. Also KYB g2 are fine for anything under 1.5 inch drop. If it is within the 1.5 inch drop the warranty is still good. So no worries on stock strut unless you go past that 1.5 marker. Problem with coilovers is getting all 4 aligned up correctly. Every time you adjust them you need a damn alignment and I blew out my eibach ones in a few years... So thus being said the TRD springs are designed for our celica to give the best Suspension results possible.. I mean they did develop our Cars so why not use the springs. If car is lowered to much it actually makes handling WORSE. Its just all for looks... That's why I choose TRD springs... I care more about how my car is going to handle vs look. So TRD springs was my choice.

[Box]

KYB's struts USED to be rated for a 1.5" drop, but apparently they changed their mind and they're not anymore. It's what I had with my Celica along with the Tein springs and once I had decent seats it rode nice, better than my stock Miata anyway.

[Jmk91]

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/art...g-your-car.aspx

Here is a great information on lowering car. Its also in the stickies. Also helped me choose TRD springs over coilovers.

[DoYouEvenLIFT]

Just out of curiousity, I saw the trd springs are made for 94-96 celicas. Would they still fit the 97? (sorry for thread jacking)

[UTSlickVic]

I've used skunk2 and eibach on my Del sols. Also KYB g2 are fine for anything under 1.5 inch drop. If it is within the 1.5 inch drop the warranty is still good. So no worries on stock strut unless you go past that 1.5 marker. Problem with coilovers is getting all 4 aligned up correctly. Every time you adjust them you need a damn alignment and I blew out my eibach ones in a few years... So thus being said the TRD springs are designed for our celica to give the best Suspension results possible.. I mean they did develop our Cars so why not use the springs. If car is lowered to much it actually makes handling WORSE. Its just all for looks... That's why I choose TRD springs... I care more about how my car is going to handle vs look. So TRD springs was my choice.

Thanks for the Info.
When you get them installed Id love to know how much of a drop the TRD springs actually gave you. Been reading some older posts and some people mention its more like a 1" drop (which would be perfect/inline with my current Eibachs). Also wonder about the kyb g2s. Heard thay are stiffer tham stock... but agian l love to get a review after you intall them.

[Jmk91]

I'll let you know I'll have it done by Sunday hopefully. Also I'm not sure if the springs work on 96+ I'm sure they do but I'd ask the eBay seller maybe 94-96 has a different part number than 96+ but I'm not sure I have a 95.

[Box]

'94-99 is the same.