best springs/Coilovers?

[DIABLO6SPEED]

I use my celica for every day driving and occasionally to come home from college(3 hr highway drive). What would be the best idea for lowering my car without killing my shocks, while still having good handaling? thanks

[warpig]

Hey Bro,
I have been doing some heavy research on this subject. I have come to the personal conclusion that slip on coilovers are probably the worst thing you can do to your stock shocks. Don't get me wrong they are cost effective and they look plush, but in the long run they, most likely, will nickle and dime you with suspension problems. I cannot say this is all 100% accurate because this is hear say --- not through personal experience.
I would say if you have the money go for a full coilover setup. This is expensive ($1,100 - $2,500)---ballpark but once its done you can adjust your ride height if you choose and you can also adjust dampening in your shocks (soft to firm). There are 4 companies that I know of that make these complete setups (Hotchkis, TEIN SS, TEIN HA, Apexi, and Tanaube(cant remember the exact name) --- there are probably more companies that make the complete setup --- but these are the ones that I know of.
If you decide that a full coilover setup is too much for your taste --- go with some good old springs. TRD would be your best bet (for suspension compatibility) --- But TRD dosent have a good drop. Eibach is also a good company. As for the others --- I couldn't truthfully tell you.
Just remember when it comes to slip ons (coilovers) you should really buy an adjustable shock to help with the harshness of the ride. I almost went this route myself --- But I would rather save the money and buy a complete coilover setup --- Do it right the first time --- It's easier. Hope that helps.

[HilfigerCelica]

I agree with everything warpig said. Unless you go with Hotchkis or Tein, don't get the coilovers ( never heard any reviews of the other coilovers). If TRD isn't enough drop for you, go with Hotchkis or H&R.

[MidnightKraze]

I think you should go with Eibach Sportlines springs 2" drop.

[DIABLO6SPEED]

another point i should say is that i dont have a body kit at the moment but will have one eventually (veilside). so im not sure how much i should drop it. I have stock gts rims and like them alot, I just want to get rid of wheel gap mainly.

[QWKsilvr808]

JIC also makes a fitment for the Celica... highly reputable company in Japan. The PRO SS is a good choice, but pretty expensive once you get all the goodies with it (pillow-ball mounts, camber plates) like I did. I paid about $1800 shipped to Hawaii with everything. The TEINs feature more adjustability (the Tanabes are 4 way front, 8 way rear) but I wanted the more no-brainer approach of the PRO SS system. The PRO SS also features helper springs, like the TEIN HA, but is aluminum bodied so that it doesn't face the problem of rust that some ppl with the HAs complain of.

[MidnightKraze]

I have the Veilside kit with my Sportlines and it's pretty low. I scratch in some places, so if you don't want to scratch then you should go with something that doesn't drop that much. The kit makes car look really low, and it looks nice that way. But it's your choice of what you want. The Veilside kit's fiberglass is stronger I thought.

[charlez13]

how much of a drop do you get with trd springs and about how much do they cost?

[coOOlcelica]

u get about 1" drop with the trd springs.......and they cost around 700ish with the springs.....

[warpig]

700 ish ??? TRD springs do give about 1in drop ---- but they only cost me 179 brand new (THAT is only for the springs though --- the springs and shocks will probably be more toward the 700 ish range). Peace

[DIABLO6SPEED]

So will 1in TRD springs get mostly rid of my wheel gap on my gts 16in gts rims, or would i have to go more than that to see noticeable results?

[warpig]

I think you will have to go lower to get minimal wheel gap. I am running TRD W/ 215-40-17 --- And the wheel gap is noticeable. If you are headed in the direction of springs ONLY --- and you want to eliminate the wheel gap totally then I feel that Eibach sportlines are your safest bet --- they are a reputable company and they offer a nice drop without totally sacrificing the ride of the vehicle. I am not sure, but I believe that you will also have to get some type of camber correction kit to bring your camber back to spec --- there are stock adjusters but I really don't know if they allow you to adjust the camber all the way back with an Eibach setup.

[Coolwheels00]

I think that I'm the only one here with Drop Zone springs. They are a 1.8" drop and it looks perfect IMO. I'm also getting a kit and eventually wheels. I think it'll look perfect. I've had em' on for several months, no problems and no scrapes yet.

[DIABLO6SPEED]

did you have to caber adjust? how do they feel as far as handaling?

[CelicaNamja79]

Originally posted by coOOlcelica
u get about 1" drop with the trd springs.......and they cost around 700ish with the springs.....


I believe what he meant was the TRD sportivo kit, which has been discontinued by the TRD, but according to Dave Draper at WC Toyota, TRD USA came out with an alternative to replace it.

[Coolwheels00]

did you have to caber adjust? how do they feel as far as handaling? I guess this was to me?...Nope, the camber was fine in front. Just had to adjust the Toe for the front and the camber and toe for the back. (which adjusted out fine with the stock adj). What I didn't realize was that Toyota won't do an alignment on a suspension altered car (except TRD i guess). So I had to go to a local performance shop to get it done which was almost twice the normal cost. I love the improved handling. Definately more stiff but not bouncy at all. I think that the stock shocks will do just fine.

[DIABLO6SPEED]

what does a good alignment cost around?

[warpig]

It varies --- do you know anyone? --- If so It'll be cheaper --- If you have a repair/tire shop install your springs --- they SHOULD do an alignment included in the price of the install --- I am pretty sure that's how most shops work it in my area (people I know). Anyway if you install the springs yourself and you want to wait a few days or so to get a proper alignment --- It'll be somewhere in the ballpark of $50 - $80.