Spring/Strut recommendations vs TRD combo

2489 Views 14 Replies 4 Participants Last post by greensoup, Apr 4, 2001

G

Discussion Starter · Mar 6, 2001

Hi All,

I posted this on MKIV Tech but got no response, so I'll try here.

Since we lost the old archives I'd like to throw out this question to you guys, especially the guys who road race.

I'm finally going to do spring/strut upgrade and would most probably go with non-adjustable struts.

Which spring/strut combo would you recommend and how would they compare in your opinion to the TRD spring/strut (Bilsteins I think) combo?

I want a good street/track compromise. I will also be putting TRD sway bars.

Thanks!

--------------------

Edwin

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Mani

· #2 · Mar 6, 2001

Originally posted by EJV:
Hi All,

I posted this on MKIV Tech but got no response, so I'll try here.

Since we lost the old archives I'd like to throw out this question to you guys, especially the guys who road race.

I'm finally going to do spring/strut upgrade and would most probably go with non-adjustable struts.

Which spring/strut combo would you recommend and how would they compare in your opinion to the TRD spring/strut (Bilsteins I think) combo?

I want a good street/track compromise. I will also be putting TRD sway bars.

Thanks!

--------------------

Edwin

If you want to road race, you should get a set of coil-overs. This will give you the best street/track suspensions. HKS is about the best out there for the Supra. Tein HAs are good as well. Prices are 1300-2800 depending on what you get.
Best spring rates I've found to be good for both street and road racing is 650 lb/in front and 375 lb/in in the rear.
Take care
Mani

G

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 6, 2001

Thanks Mani!

It's Edwin from Canada, I asked you some tips before.

I know the coilovers would be best, but can't quite get to that level yet. Looking for a spring/strut combo suggestion.

How would you rate the TRD spring/strut combination as opposed to Eibach or H&R with different struts? Without going into coilovers, would the TRD combo be superior to other combinations or not really? Since I'm ordering the TRD sway bars, would there be any benefit in going with the TRD spring/strut as far as being designed as a whole package is concerned.

Basically, I want the best bang for the buck, but also want quality stuff. Coilovers are a little too rich for my blood right now and I don't have the experience yet to set it up properly. What's a good overall combination that's good out of the box?

My main concern is if the TRD is a good value or are there better compromises. Not too many Supras at track events here, if any, so I need your experiences.

Mani, would those spring rates you gave, be suitable for street use (although I would be using this car mainly for the track, too paranoid about getting tickets)? I don't want to be too stiff on the streets, although stiff enough for the track.

Thanks

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Mani

· #4 · Mar 7, 2001

Edwin,
The spring rate that I gave are pretty decent. Not as soft as stock but they wont bounce your car all over the place.
I couldn't tell you about the TRD springs and shocks. I'm sure the springs and shocks are built by outside manufacturers and marketed under TRD (i.e. Belstien shocks and Eibach springs)
Your best bet is to contact Eibach and see if you can get close to the spring rates that I've quoted with a non coilover spring.

TRD sway bars will make your car loose.
If you ask for my recommendation, I'd say to stay away from the sway bars. I still run the stock bars with very good results. To use TRD sway bars effectively, you'll have to go with very high spring rates (`1100 lb/in in front and 750 lb/in rear)

Quality wise, I don't think TRD units are any different than most reputable manufacturers but you'll pay a premium for the TRD name....

G

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 7, 2001

Spring shock combo? the TEIN NA or NR are good quality stuff that you can think about. The TEIN NR's allows you to adjust the perch 3 differnt levels I believe and comes as a spring shock combo for like $1100cdn which I think is a good deal compared to that of a Koni Eibach combo. If you want Dampening adjustable ones too then go with the TEIN NA, which will allow you to adjust the dampening 16ways and height on 3 differnt perch settings. Those will be around $1350. For coilover kit, TEIN offers the HR and the HA's. The HR's are fully height adjsutable and runs at about $1500cdn as for the HA's they are height and dampening adj at about $1800cdn. If you are interested, we can start a group buy on this and try and get a better deal. There is a big TEIN dealer in Vancouver which can hook us up.

greensoup

· #6 · Mar 7, 2001

pmimporting was talking about a group buy on Tein HAs 1075 (american) plus shipping. Might want to talk to them.

G

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 7, 2001

$1075 for Tein HA? That sounds like a good deal!

Mani,
Your new signature is badass!!! Gotta love the top secret bumper!

G

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 7, 2001

Thanks for all the inputs!

I was worried that I might be paying a premium for the TRD name, that's why I asked for recommendations.

What struts would you recommend to go with the springs (if I don't go Teins)?

Mani,

Thanks again for your experience. I'll look for those spring rates then. As for the sway bars, I was looking to change the balance and decrease the understeer in tight corners. Also, I thought it might limit tire rubbing if the car is lowered (255 fronts and 275 rears).

Will your spring rates give me a better balance at the same time, so I don't need the sway bars?

Could you also explain why the bars won't start to work until the higher spring rates? Don't quite understand. This is great stuff! I owe you guys dinner when I'm ever out that way or vice versa.

Thanks

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Mani

· #9 · Mar 8, 2001

Originally posted by EJV:

Will your spring rates give me a better balance at the same time, so I don't need the sway bars?

Could you also explain why the bars won't start to work until the higher spring rates? Don't quite understandThanks

Edwin,
The TRD sway bars are stiffer than the stock units. Stiff sway bars will loosen up the car unless you increase the sprint rate to match it. If you want to reduce the under steer in the front, try playing with tire pressure making sure you're within recommended pressure by the tire manufacturer.

If your car is under steering right now, add couple of pounds to the rear tires and see how the car behaves.
I've had the best results with 34 psi in the front and 32 in the back when the tires are cold. This may not work for you since your driving style is different from mine. Use this as your base and work from there.
Add more to loosen the car less to tighten it and play with both front and back to get the ideal. Again, keeping the pressure with in tire manufacturer recommended levels.
You shouldn't have any tire rubbing problems with 255 275 combo if you have your wheel offset right.
Also, keep in mind that under steer is far easier to control than over steer. Keep a little under steer at the limit as a safety margin.
Make sure your alignments are set properly before you start tuning the tires.
Hope this helps

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Mani

· #10 · Mar 8, 2001

Originally posted by '94Z32TT:
Alright, I don't own a supra but I was curious to see what you guys thought of the Ground-Control coil-overs/Koni set-up. The HKS and Tein set-ups for my Z are too rich for my blood but the GC coilovers are only $400 which isn't a bad deal. Any experience with these?
Thanks
Scott

GC is a pretty reputable company when it comes to suspension. At $400 bucks, it's a smoking deal. 4 shocks for a Supra can cost more than that....

'94Z32TT

· #11 · Mar 8, 2001

Alright, I don't own a supra but I was curious to see what you guys thought of the Ground-Control coil-overs/Koni set-up. The HKS and Tein set-ups for my Z are too rich for my blood but the GC coilovers are only $400 which isn't a bad deal. Any experience with these?
Thanks
Scott

G

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 8, 2001

Thanks Mani!

Will consider all these options then.

By the way, just to clarify, those spring rates you gave me, I assume you recommend me go with linear springs then, and not progressive ones?

Also, any recommendations on shocks?

Thanks

'94Z32TT

· #13 · Mar 9, 2001

Originally posted by EJV:
Thanks Mani!

Will consider all these options then.

By the way, just to clarify, those spring rates you gave me, I assume you recommend me go with linear springs then, and not progressive ones?

Also, any recommendations on shocks?

Thanks

I was wondering about the progressive rate springs as well. A friend of mine with a badass 3rd gen RX-7 said he swapped out his progressive springs because he could never seem to get the car to engage the higher rate springs and the car always felt soft, even on road courses. Maybe it's cause the FD3 is so light? Any ideas/recommendations?
Scott

Nazar

· #14 · Mar 10, 2001

Just on a related topic. I just got some Espelir springs for the my 94 TT. Are these good or should I not bother with them.

Nazar

greensoup

· #15 · Apr 4, 2001

GCs don't come with shocks/struts. You have to buy them seperately. Also the threaded collars use a screw to hold perch in place. After a while you won't be able to adjust the perch level anymore because the screw gets stuck.

GC is supposed to be coming out with a full coilover suspension for the supra. I haven't seen a price yet.

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