Newbie Suspension Question

[babolatt16]

I currently have stock suspension and want to lower the car a few inches, and have better handeling. I know some strut bars is probably what I need first, but what springs should I use to lower it? I hear Eibach, Tein, and GE make some nice kits, and as the strut bars go it seems Hotchkis is the favored brand for us.

Being a newbie I don't know the difference between all the suspension parts. For example, lowering springs, vs coilovers, etc. I also have read on the fourm that lowering it can put much wear on the struts. What should I start with for the specific parts and brands. Thanks.

:)

[Blue Bomber]

Good springs: TRD, Eibach Pro Kit, Tein S-Tech (all safe for any strut out there)
Good strut bars: RMM/APC, Carbing, APR

Springs vs coilovers: Springs are just that, springs. Coilovers are a tuned spring and strut combo, usually height and damping (strut stiffness) adjustable, and much lower than ordinary springs can safely go.

Starters: if you have the money, I'd go with springs and struts in the beginning. Our struts need to be removed to take off the springs, so you'll be saving money on the install by only having the process done once (unless you plan on installing them yourself). I'd go with any of the springs listed, and KYB GR-2 (stiffer than stock), or KYB AGX (stiffer and adjustable) if you can afford them. They'll give a nice lowered stance, better handling, and will have minimal effect on ride comfort. As for strut bars, they do make a difference, but nowhere near as much as springs or struts.

[dmaxd03]

Strut bars? If you mean the strut tower bars they will help a bit but sway bars are the big fix for body roll. After (or even before ) springs and struts I would get new sway bars as they make a huge difference. Also with strut tower bars I would get a rear tower brace first as ust a front would prolly just make understter more of a problem.

[bronzerleaf]

umm, I'm too lazy to explain... if you do a search, you'll be surprised about all the cool stuff about the suspension setups. I'd say that you should first lower your car and get struts if you want to do suspension mods. Then move on to strut bars, sways, etc...

So far, I have kyb-agx struts and tein s tech springs. Its a daily driver and the handling is much better. Cost me a pretty penny. -about 675 dollars if I remember correctly (after install and parts). Its a budget setup... If you want something more pricey, get coilovers.

[babolatt16]

Are the coilovers on ebay so cheap b/c they only come with the springs in the kit? For example this Skunk2 kit is only $225. I thought coilovers were more pricy than springs and struts??
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7972098623&category=33582

[Blue Bomber]

Are the coilovers on ebay so cheap b/c they only come with the springs in the kit? For example this Skunk2 kit is only $225. I thought coilovers were more pricy than springs and struts??
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7972098623&category=33582
They're more like adjustable springs than coilovers.

[babolatt16]

Blue bomber, you seem very well read...in your opinion what would be a good brand for the coilover springs ? I realize the best route would be for starters would be to get the springs and struts, but i can't afford everything. I am planning on getting a blitz body kit in a few months which might require me to lift it a little before the install if I drop it now, so I would prolly need adjustable springs if I can't get the springs + struts.

[Blue Bomber]

If you want the coilover/adjustable springs, the best brands are Ground Control and Skunk2. However, you'll need stiff struts to match them, or you'll be bouncing all over the road. Koni Yellows work well, but shouldn't be lowered more than 1.5" from stock. The advantage to getting the adjustable springs is that you can get different spring rates to suit your performance/comfort needs. I believe you can get universal springs from Eibach, and a few other companies out there.

[babolatt16]

Do you know some good sites I can order them from?

[dmaxd03]

Feel free to ignore this but hold on the kit till you see your car lowered. It looks rediculously better (imho at least) and for the price of the kit you can pretty much have a pimp suspension, weigh less, and not be stressed out every time you try to pull into any type of driveway. (scraping sucks)

[babolatt16]

Thanks...that's what most of my friends and my mechanic said. They told me just get some nice springs and struts and forget the body kit b/c the celica looks aggressive enough w/o it. What springs (no coilovers) give you the best drop w/o the kit?