Supra Forums banner

Coilovers advice needed (pillow mounts??)

1698 Views 11 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  jkbrauch
I'm going to be getting some coilovers, I assume the Teins are the best? The HKSs have externally ajustable valving, do the Teins?

What about pillow mounts? What are they? Do they make noise? I certainly don't want to add anything that will start making some racket as I go over bumps. My lightweight flywheel is bad enough.

Thanks for any help,
Grant
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Originally posted by Grant:
<STRONG>What about pillow mounts? What are they? Do they make noise? I certainly don't want to add anything that will start making some racket as I go over bumps. My lightweight flywheel is bad enough.

Thanks for any help,
Grant</STRONG>
IMO, spherical bearings(the real name of "pillow balls") in the upper plate are overkill on cars without struts (like a mkiv) since the shock doesn't locate the suspension, and affect suspension geometry if it moves around a little. They tend to loosen up over time and make noise, so I'd avoid them. My car spends a lot of time on a racetrack, and I don't have them. My Intrax came with a plate, but it uses rubber rather than a spherical bearing.
G
I am currently working/testing on a new coilover kit for a company that will later be disclosed. It should be under $500 and will use stock or aftermarket struts. The company is already a well known company and will be a quality kit if testing proves worthy. They will be available in springs rates for drag racing also. I will let you know as soon as we are done testing them.
Grant -

I'm running TEINs with the Upper Pillow Mounts - my stock mounts we're "abused" so I needed to replace them, decided on using the pillow mounts (originally bought the TIEN setup, used w/o the mounts).

When the car comes back (again), I'll give you a shout and you can come up check 'em out (I'm in Jax Beach) - there is some noise from the rear, but it sounds like the sound of shocks compressing/expanding (a little air "swoosh" over big speed bumps.

I have the TEINs adjusted mid (click 8 from most firm) and I think they are awesome - maybe a little stiff for the street for a daily driver, but since this is my "weekend" ride. Also running TRD swaybars. I'm gonna trying running on the softest setting to see how the car feels - I understand it's still tight, but very livable.

FYI, I had to switch from a Cusco from brace to a TRD unit to clear the top of the shock - *but* the TRD car has holes across the top, and one on each side align perfect over the adjustment valve! The TRD bar is a serious piece of gear BTW, at least it _looks_ like it's 10x beefier than the Cusco.

Seeya -
See less See more
Yeah I'd love to ride in a Tein equipped Supra. I was thinking of using the same spring rates as Andi B since I have the same size wheels as him (900lbs in front). I'm worried it may be a little too stiff for daily driving. But I doubt I'm sure I'll get used to it :)

I've already got a TRD brace, altough I wonder if it does anything except get in the way of changing the plugs on strut-less cars like ours.

BTW I did get a chance to do an event at the Gainesville course, unfortunately it was Solo 2 so they put damn cones everywhere. It was much tighter than I expected, but lots of run off area and probably a 130mph (for BPU) straight. Do you ever do the porsche club autoX there in Jax on whitehouse airfield? I end up going to them every few months. Last one had a 3000ft straight :)
Originally posted by Andi:
<STRONG>Grant,

I installed the stock bumpstops back in front and have decided to stick with the regular Tein spring rates (780 and 450).

To fix the oversteer from the huge rear swaybar, we're working on getting an almost-as-aggrerssive front swaybar made for a group deal. (I say almost-as-aggressive so that we fix the oversteer PROBLEM but not bring back the slight understeer problem from stock/stock or TRD/TRD swaybars).

Andi</STRONG>
Why did you decide to do this? I thought you said it would hit the bumpstop cornering? Damn I really wish those ajustable sway bars weren't $1.3k.
Ideally, you'd like to stay off the bumpstops, but unless you run REALLY stiff springs, it isn't going to happen. I used to run 1000 lbs. springs up front, and that wasn't enough to keep the suspension from compressing enough to allow a 275/40/17 front tire to hit the top of the fenderwell, which means you'd be well into the bumpstop. I'd guess you'd need a 1200 lbs. spring or stiffer. The ride with a 1000 lbs. spring was very stiff. A car with 1200 lbs. springs would not be very streetable IMO. I'm currently running 750 lbs. springs with half of the small coilover bumpstop and the stock bumpstop. It rides fairly well, and works very well on the racetrack. It's the best compromise I've found.
Just for clarification, the stock spring rate on the Teins will hit the bump stop or rub the tire during cornering right? You not talking about hitting large bumps?
Originally posted by Grant:
<STRONG>Just for clarification, the stock spring rate on the Teins will hit the bump stop or rub the tire during cornering right? You not talking about hitting large bumps?</STRONG>
No, that is not correct. It takes a bump/dip and/or very hard braking DURING cornering to get the Teins to hit the bump stop.. and that's with them set pretty low (Eibach ride height).. You'll be fine.. just install 'em with the stock bumpstops instead of the Tein bumpstops in front..

I'm running 255/40-17's G-Force KDs in front now..

Andi
Ah, that makes more sense. I remember driving Oleg K's car, which I believe had Teins, and it didn't seem that stiff. I don't mind going a little stiffer than that if it will help, considering I have 275/40/17s as well. (Damn why can't they make 285/35/17s?)

[ May 23, 2001: Message edited by: Grant ]
Grant,

I installed the stock bumpstops back in front and have decided to stick with the regular Tein spring rates (780 and 450).

To fix the oversteer from the huge rear swaybar, we're working on getting an almost-as-aggrerssive front swaybar made for a group deal. (I say almost-as-aggressive so that we fix the oversteer PROBLEM but not bring back the slight understeer problem from stock/stock or TRD/TRD swaybars).

Andi
G
I heard Yoko makes either a 275 or 285/35-17 in the AVS intermediate. Wish I'd known before I bought my last set.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top