what is a good drop?

[anointedgts]

i was just wondering what springs are good for my 2002 celica gts? also what isa good drop for my car? i was thinking 1.5 or 1.7 in the front and 1.5 in the back. i just dont want it to be slammed.

[Blue Bomber]

Anything 1.5" and higher is safe for the stock struts. Anything lower will reduce their life significantly. This will lead to a more harsh and bouncy ride over time

[anointedgts]

Thanks Blue Bomber I was thinking of getting the S-Tech Springs but do you have any pics of the drop on your car? Thanks.

[Blue Bomber]

These are the only pics I have right now of my car:

http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/587My_Car_7-20-03.jpg

[wisin]

No complains here on my eibach sportlines :thumbup: :bowdown:

[F35-JSF]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
Anything 1.5" and higher is safe for the stock struts. Anything lower will reduce their life significantly. This will lead to a more harsh and bouncy ride over time

I seen them turn to crap with TRD springs.

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by F35-JSF
I seen them turn to crap with TRD springs. Well, after a while, all lowering springs will kill struts, but the less the drop is, the longer the struts will survive. Also, TRD has questionable build consistancy, since their springs do not give a reliable drop. People have had their cars dropped from 1-1.5" with TRD springs...

[thadru2001]

I'm lead to believe that every car is different. I've had the Tanabe 2" drop on my GTS for over a year now with stock struts. I consider myself to be an aggressive driver and push my car to its limits. Stock struts are still tight and hold the car around turns like it is brand new. Pennsylvania also has some $hitty roads and the 2" drop is nowhere near rough. If you want to close up your wheelwells as much as possible, go w/ the Tanabe's. You can get them cheap through Bottle if he has any left.

[F35-JSF]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
Well, after a while, all lowering springs will kill struts, but the less the drop is, the longer the struts will survive. Also, TRD has questionable build consistancy, since their springs do not give a reliable drop. People have had their cars dropped from 1-1.5" with TRD springs...


I guess that's why one friends shocks lasted 8 months and another 3-4.

[FloWin_Celica]

I got H&R spring...droped my car 1.5" now and I feels real good!

[Spoon]

I dropped mines with Tanabe Springs (1.4" Drop) and it still looks like stock, but the ride is good though. Theres no gap in the back, but the front has like a 2 1/2 finger gap on 18s..

I wish I had gone lower though, hehe. If you want to drive wreckless go for the 1.5, otherwise go for a 2" drop.

[Red01GTS]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
Well, after a while, all lowering springs will kill struts, but the less the drop is, the longer the struts will survive. Also, TRD has questionable build consistancy, since their springs do not give a reliable drop. People have had their cars dropped from 1-1.5" with TRD springs...

I don't know about that one....I would seriously look at the instal before I went looking at TRD (Eibach) for fault.

I personally know a person at Eibach (not just the guy who sweeps the floor too) and let me say that their stuff is TOP NOTCH.

As I say in most posts, look at your suspension and decide on what parts to modify and purchase using a "systems approach". Don't buy one brand of this piece and one brand of that piece when each hasn't been tested or designed to work together, it may never work correctly!

Spring rates will change with ANY drop, period. Your stock struts are valved to work with the stock spring rates. Lower your car and the struts are working harder at some points and softer at others. Go too low and it will totally destroy the thing!

Modify your car with matched parts that work correctly "together". I have both Complete suspension kits from Eibach right now (Sportline kit and Pro kit. incld: Springs, sway bars, struts, etc...), I just need to decide how far down I want to go.

Enjoy!

[KSilver2000]

Get full coilovers. Then you can set the drop to whatever you want and not have to worry about shocks busting from incorrect pairing of struts/springs from 2 different companies. Also you can adjust the shock setting. :)

[2kcelicaGT]

i have goldline springs that lower the car quite a bit, I would guess at least 2" all around, I think even more in the back in that I am tucking tire (which is even too low for me). The ride can be a bit rougher, but isnt bad, and stock shocks do an ok job with handling a lowering job.

http://2kcelicagt.50megs.com/celi7.jpg

http://2kcelicagt.50megs.com/celi6.jpg

[evil eye]

My TRD springs and stock struts have lasted 2+ years now and still going. The ride is just starting to get a lil more bouncier than normal, but can still go a few 1000 more miles. :) I'll be upgrading shortly.

The way you drive plays a very big factor in the life of your car and its parts.

[kdawg]

2kcelicagt, are you riding on 215/35/18's?

[2kcelicaGT]

225/35/18 I think, either that or 225/40/18 and slightly rubbin the plastic of my inner wheel well when turning all the way in that it was cut when the previous owner had the blitz front bumper, aside from that, working fine with my low drop, which is about as low as you can go with a daily driver.

TIM

[SatansLilCelica]

Performance??? Eibach is the only way!!!!!

[evil eye]

The only way? :rolleyes:

How about Hotchkis, Tein, etc.

[kdawg]

I'm looking for new springs myself, that's why I ask. Most of the guys I know with Goldlines have 17's not 18's, so there's a little difference. I'm looking to get enough of a drop where the wheel well is *just* above the top of the rear wheel.

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by SatansLilCelica
Performance??? Eibach is the only way!!!!! Originally posted by evil eye
The only way? :rolleyes:

How about Hotchkis, Tein, etc. Actually, Hotchkis is the only true performance spring for our car that I'm aware of. The rest are mainly for looks with a slight gain in performance due to the lower center of gravity and less compression room. Hotchkis has much higher spring rates than any other spring, which is what you'd look for in a performance spring. Pair them with stiffer struts and you'll handle better than other springs with a similar drop and the same struts.

[evil eye]

Chris, would the hotchkis springs be better, performance wise, than a coilover system such as Tein or JIC?

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by evil eye
Chris, would the hotchkis springs be better, performance wise, than a coilover system such as Tein or JIC? Very doubtful. You'd have to get struts matched to the spring rates of the Hotchkis springs (think custom Konis), and even then, the spring rates don't compare to that of true coilovers.

Adjustable springs (also called coilovers) like Ground Control or Skunk 2 would perform better than Hotchkis springs with custom matched struts. They're linear rate (just like true coilovers), which is better for performance. They should also have spring rates equal to or higher than Hotchkis springs. Lowering springs for our car are only progressive rate, which means they start out soft for daily driving comfort, then as they get compressed on a turn, their spring rate increases. One of the reasons adjustable spring coilovers have a bad reputation is because the stock and aftermarket struts for our cars can't handle their spring rates, so they result in a harsh and bouncy ride. I have heard Koni yellows work well with them on the track, but I'm not sure about as a daily driver.

[SatansLilCelica]

Now we are getting outta control!!

I am not goung to dispute the performance of what Hotchkis has produced (outside) for them. But, I know as a fact that they dont make it! The reason why I would say Eibach is the "ONLY WAY TO GO" is due to the fact they engineer, manufacture, and track test what they make!!!!! I know it must suck living on the East Coast and not 10 min away form Hotchkis/ 30 min away from Eibach to know more about how performance producs are produced... I am glad you are satisfied with what you have, I just dont recommend speaking bad about a company that produces a complete system. Do you have any idea how much cash it casts to produce dampners, springs, or sway bars??? Or to engineer them to both ride good on the streets and kill everyone on the track??? When you have time, come to Cali... I can arrange track time for you and see how well you and your (blue berry) can perform with a system of mis-matched (Custom?) products and not a complete with an engineered system..........

Its an open door, just take the talk to the track!

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by SatansLilCelica
I am not goung to dispute the performance of what Hotchkis has produced (outside) for them. But, I know as a fact that they dont make it!Don't make what? I'm confused. :confused: Originally posted by SatansLilCelica
I just dont recommend speaking bad about a company that produces a complete system. Just because a company produces a complete suspension system doesn't automatically make them good at producing everything. Like I said, the TRD springs give a pretty unreliable drop. I don't know if the Eibach springs have the same problem, since most people get the TRD ones instead. Originally posted by SatansLilCelica
see how well you and your (blue berry) can perform with a system of mis-matched (Custom?) products and not a complete with an engineered system..........When did I ever say my car was so great? If I had the money, I'd have a turbo and JIC coilovers, and would be saving for the upcoming c2gas tranny and LSD because the turbo would've already owned my stock tranny. ;) The only things that could be considered mismatched on my car are my springs to my sway bars, but does that really have much of an effect? My sway bars may be different brands, but the ST rear bar has the same stiffness rating as the Hotchkis rear Competition sway (+123%), so there is no differenece in performance between the two. No company but Hypermotive and C-One make both front and rear strut bars/braces, and C-One doesn't even make most of the items it sells as their own (like TRD). And no, none of my suspension parts are custom made. :wtf:

[coledesign]

i have hotchkis with stock shocks for a couple months now,

ride quality is very responsive and handles good

[evil eye]

Originally posted by SatansLilCelica
Now we are getting outta control!!

I am not goung to dispute the performance of what Hotchkis has produced (outside) for them. But, I know as a fact that they dont make it! The reason why I would say Eibach is the "ONLY WAY TO GO" is due to the fact they engineer, manufacture, and track test what they make!!!!! I know it must suck living on the East Coast and not 10 min away form Hotchkis/ 30 min away from Eibach to know more about how performance producs are produced... I am glad you are satisfied with what you have, I just dont recommend speaking bad about a company that produces a complete system. Do you have any idea how much cash it casts to produce dampners, springs, or sway bars??? Or to engineer them to both ride good on the streets and kill everyone on the track??? When you have time, come to Cali... I can arrange track time for you and see how well you and your (blue berry) can perform with a system of mis-matched (Custom?) products and not a complete with an engineered system..........

Its an open door, just take the talk to the track!

Dude, I'm not debating you. I have TRD springs (made by Eibach). I'm not knocking them at all. But you said that for performance they are the only way to go... and I don't believe in that statement as much as you do. :)

[evil eye]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
If I had the money, I'd have a turbo and JIC coilovers,

:werd:

[Red01GTS]

Originally posted by SatansLilCelica
Now we are getting outta control!!

I am not goung to dispute the performance of what Hotchkis has produced (outside) for them. But, I know as a fact that they dont make it! The reason why I would say Eibach is the "ONLY WAY TO GO" is due to the fact they engineer, manufacture, and track test what they make!!!!! I know it must suck living on the East Coast and not 10 min away form Hotchkis/ 30 min away from Eibach to know more about how performance producs are produced... I am glad you are satisfied with what you have, I just dont recommend speaking bad about a company that produces a complete system. Do you have any idea how much cash it casts to produce dampners, springs, or sway bars??? Or to engineer them to both ride good on the streets and kill everyone on the track??? When you have time, come to Cali... I can arrange track time for you and see how well you and your (blue berry) can perform with a system of mis-matched (Custom?) products and not a complete with an engineered system..........

Its an open door, just take the talk to the track!

You think you're so tough! I bet you can't get a picture of yourself on Eibach's roof top!

You wanna know whats funny Satanslilcelica, I bet half of them would crap if they knew who makes the springs for Hotchkis! I'm curious if Scott over there wants everyone to know the truth? :evil:

Even better, how many people on this forum would get their @$$ handed to them by the Eibach ford Ranger on the track?!? It's stock powered too! And before someone says they'll take it on, it has a tuned Eibach suspension package and SPANKS Porsches and other exotic/race vehicles on the track.....stock powered Ford Ranger with Eibach tuned suspension......Horsepower for the turns!

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by Red01GTS
Even better, how many people on this forum would get their @$$ handed to them by the Eibach ford Ranger on the track?!? It's stock powered too! And before someone says they'll take it on, it has a tuned Eibach suspension package and SPANKS Porsches and other exotic/race vehicles on the track.....stock powered Ford Ranger with Eibach tuned suspension......Horsepower for the turns! Kinda like how the Hotchkis Celica beat an Evo on the track. :) I belive the only mods were Hotchkis suspension, better tires, upgraded brakes, and an exhaust. The car was pulling like 1.04Gs, and I can only imagine what the slalom speeds were... :drool:

[fraugts]

looking for some reviews for the B&G springs (drop)...anyone?

[SatansLilCelica]

Let me clear the air with what I know as FACTS:

There are quite a few companies that make performance you may like... But, when I say you are making custom systems, I am in reference of mix matched components. Taking different companies (not nessasary manufactures) products and making a combination that you hear of or just trying to prove works. There are so many factors past spring rate and dampaner valving (or rate + or -) to factor with suspension....

What is unknow (or the public just closes it ears) is that many companies based out the USA (Japan, China, or Europe) use there domestic cars to measure and spec products.... Hmmm, why can this be an industries ongoing problem? That is because the cars in different countries weights differ drastically form ours due to "emission standards." So, what you buy from them is basically not working to the specs you read or feel is true!!

Other then ride height, how many here can properly "tune" (not adjust) the ride of their car???

Basically, what I am expressing is the dominance of 1 MANUFACTURER (not just a company boxing what they dont make) within the entire motorsports industry!!!! Eibach produces items for IRL, NASCAR, SCCA , and numerous off road racing teams.... Can JIC, Tein, or any other "Over seas company" meet this fact? NOPE, that is why Toyota went to the best international manufacturer of spings and developed a spring for their TRD badging.

Unlike others on this forum, I dont appreciate the production of performance products over seas... It may save you a buck, but when it screws up quality control of a performance piece and makes Americans lose jobs>>>> That is up to you!!!!

Now, enjoy the fantacy performance suspension world... When you need the real stuff ("The Only Suspension Company") look at Eibach!!!! They measure all the products they produce in each market ( North America, South America, Europe, and Asia!) Unlike the rest, so enjoy what you buy and look into who employees engineers and manufactring equiptment that can produce what the PROS (you and I included) need!!!!!!!!

PS- Thats not all I have, do you need more????

[Red01GTS]

Originally posted by SatansLilCelica
Let me clear the air with what I know as FACTS:

There are quite a few companies that make performance you may like... But, when I say you are making custom systems, I am in reference of mix matched components. Taking different companies (not nessasary manufactures) products and making a combination that you hear of or just trying to prove works. There are so many factors past spring rate and dampaner valving (or rate + or -) to factor with suspension....

What is unknow (or the public just closes it ears) is that many companies based out the USA (Japan, China, or Europe) use there domestic cars to measure and spec products.... Hmmm, why can this be an industries ongoing problem? That is because the cars in different countries weights differ drastically form ours due to "emission standards." So, what you buy from them is basically not working to the specs you read or feel is true!!

Other then ride height, how many here can properly "tune" (not adjust) the ride of their car???

Basically, what I am expressing is the dominance of 1 MANUFACTURER (not just a company boxing what they dont make) within the entire motorsports industry!!!! Eibach produces items for IRL, NASCAR, SCCA , and numerous off road racing teams.... Can JIC, Tein, or any other "Over seas company" meet this fact? NOPE, that is why Toyota went to the best international manufacturer of spings and developed a spring for their TRD badging.

Unlike others on this forum, I dont appreciate the production of performance products over seas... It may save you a buck, but when it screws up quality control of a performance piece and makes Americans lose jobs>>>> That is up to you!!!!

Now, enjoy the fantacy performance suspension world... When you need the real stuff ("The Only Suspension Company") look at Eibach!!!! They measure all the products they produce in each market ( North America, South America, Europe, and Asia!) Unlike the rest, so enjoy what you buy and look into who employees engineers and manufactring equiptment that can produce what the PROS (you and I included) need!!!!!!!!

PS- Thats not all I have, do you need more????

What you say is 100% true preacher boi, but my word, I thought I was drunk just reading your post!

[CelicaRcr01]

Anything 1.5" and higher is safe for the stock struts. Anything lower will reduce their life significantly. This will lead to a more harsh and bouncy ride over time

what about air bags, if you have a low drop with airbags will it wear on the stock struts as well. I wouldn't think so since you wouldn't be driving with the car slammed.

[CelicaRcr01]

Anything 1.5" and higher is safe for the stock struts. Anything lower will reduce their life significantly. This will lead to a more harsh and bouncy ride over time

what about air bags, if you have a low drop with airbags will it wear on the stock struts as well. I wouldn't think so since you wouldn't be driving with the car slammed

[2003CBGTS]

first pic ive seen of your car blue. :thumbup: looks great. how much are struts anyway? oem preferably