Suspension Options (again!)

[Dreamblaze]

So, more research on this topic. I'v decided to upgrade the suspension with new shocks and springs all round. However, I have a few questions and ask your opinion on what i'v found. This is for my AT200 1998 1.8 SR celica (gen 6).

Option1: KYB gas struts + Fensport springs

Are these shocks the GR-2 ones? and i gather these arn't adjustable?

Pro's: Cheap, good makes and from one source.

Con's: No idea if they are going to give me a very hard ride, and are not adjustable

Option2: KYB GR-2 Struts and Tein-S springs

I have looked high and low for these for my model in the UK (on the web) and havnt been able to track any down. Have any of you got these and reccomend them? I'v seen a ton of car's on 6GC that have these, and they all seem very happy with this setup. GR-2's arnt adjustable but i gather they are a happy medium in terms of performance and ride quality.

Option3: Koni SSK adjustable shocks and springs (kit)

Pro's: Adjustable, matched set, decent price.

Con's: Cant find any other Celica's with these - indication they arnt that great? - lack of info.

SO, if anyone could shed some light on any of the above, or tell me any alternative setups you've tried or currently have, please do :) Just want to put my money in the right place. I'm basically looking to lower the car, improve the handling, but keep a fairly nice smooth ride for everyday driving (i.e not boneshattering stiffness).

Thanks

[Bibbs]

TBH, if you are not tracking it (and being a ST I don't think you would be) Eibach springs would be okay. It's a bit firmer and lower, but still comfy.

About £100 should sort you out.

[Dreamblaze]

wouldnt that put more load on my existing shocks? my plan is to get the shocks also, so if and when i come to sell the car i can stick on the standard shocks/springs back on and sell it as a standard motor.

[Jones~32]

I've got a Corolla but im runnning KYB shocks and have also lowered mine 35mm on Fensport springs, the car holds the road very well, but it doesnt cope with bumps well doesnt bother me though :D

[adamgt]

just get springs. Shocks not worth it on that car. I had a GT and i just lowered it on PI springs which made it handle great and wasnt to rough.

[dymchurchpaseo]

...........

[Dreamblaze]

http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?c=KONIEQ...S&p=2617131&a=i

Going for that. If i'm gonna do it I want to do it properly, i.e not just springs. This seems like the ideal kit, top adjustable, subtle 30-35mm drop, and you cant shrug at lifetime warrenty.

[daktari]

100 quid a corner looks good. The cars going to look & handle better for it too. Good choice.

[sotal]

Are you sure it's worth it?? I mean I've got the 1.8 and to be honest the stock suspension is more than adequate for the job.

My honest opinion would be to save your money and put it toward a GT or a GT4.

At the moment ST's and SR's are fetching more money than a GT of the same age due to the fact the younger people can afford to insure them and there doesn't seem to be as many ST's about as GT's.

I'm sure you could easily sell your ST, buy a GT, buy the springs and shocks for the GT and still have change in your pocket.

[Dreamblaze]

as i'm 20 with no no-claims, my next planned car (GT4) most likely wont be for another 2/3 years.

Really happy with the car, and i'd say its worth it for the condition its in. Mint, one owner (45-40 year old), 48k miles, garaged entire life (full toyota history), seriously like new. Silver SR it is :P

Considering where I live, in north Devon - i drive country A and B roads every day, nice and bendy, long and open - so would probably benefit from the shocks more than if i was in a city.

Besides, you can only go so fast around corners anyway right? no matter if its a GT4/GT/SR, the power differences isnt going to matter a huge deal (powering out of corners perhaps, but i'm on public roads, not a track). At least I think its worth it. I want the car lowered for looks, and better handling for the country drive, I'm not too fussed about pinning myself to the seat just yet ;)

Edit: Also, I could decide to take a step up in a years time, and get a GT. If i do some hunting for a silver GT, then if I do get splitters for my SR i can do a straight swap, as well as the Koni suspension (it fits the GT's too aparently) - and possibly even the sideskirts that are on the SR (if the GT i find doesnt have them already).

[sotal]

Yeah I guess you are right, as long as you get transferable parts

I do mainly drive my in town/city environments, mine looks to sit quite high compared to a lot of celicas, but I love it that way as I have to go over about 20 speed bumps every day, they are the annoying ones designed for buses to go over, but the celica can go over them no problem at 40mph, any lowered cars have to hit the middle of the bumps and go about 10mph max!

I've got to say though even with mine been high I've never found the limits of the suspension, It corners brilliantly, we've got a focus as well and that is no where near as good, although it can get fun sliding round corners!

[spotipus]

Yeah I guess you are right, as long as you get transferable parts

I do mainly drive my in town/city environments, mine looks to sit quite high compared to a lot of celicas, but I love it that way as I have to go over about 20 speed bumps every day, they are the annoying ones designed for buses to go over, but the celica can go over them no problem at 40mph, any lowered cars have to hit the middle of the bumps and go about 10mph max!

I've got to say though even with mine been high I've never found the limits of the suspension, It corners brilliantly, we've got a focus as well and that is no where near as good, although it can get fun sliding round corners!

dunno about lowered cars sotal ive got one of the dreaded bumps outside my house and the amount of totally standard cars that catch bodywork and exhausts is ridiculous

ive got hks springs on mine 35mm drop but its that stiff that i get no rebound affect which i think is where these standard cars have problems

the only ones i have to be careful with are the mountain range type :ffs: that are about 4 inches higher than the pavement and go right across the road :censor:

tut tut naughty boy 40 mph in a thirty i only do thirty in the car over em :D

i can hit sixty in the van though :D :D :D

[sotal]

Yeah I guess you are right, as long as you get transferable parts

I do mainly drive my in town/city environments, mine looks to sit quite high compared to a lot of celicas, but I love it that way as I have to go over about 20 speed bumps every day, they are the annoying ones designed for buses to go over, but the celica can go over them no problem at 40mph, any lowered cars have to hit the middle of the bumps and go about 10mph max!

I've got to say though even with mine been high I've never found the limits of the suspension, It corners brilliantly, we've got a focus as well and that is no where near as good, although it can get fun sliding round corners!

dunno about lowered cars sotal ive got one of the dreaded bumps outside my house and the amount of totally standard cars that catch bodywork and exhausts is ridiculous

ive got hks springs on mine 35mm drop but its that stiff that i get no rebound affect which i think is where these standard cars have problems

the only ones i have to be careful with are the mountain range type :ffs: that are about 4 inches higher than the pavement and go right across the road :censor:

tut tut naughty boy 40 mph in a thirty i only do thirty in the car over em :D

i can hit sixty in the van though :D :D :D

Yeah I agree about standard cars, my last car was a 306 dturbo and before that I had an Escort and both of them weren't lowered but they scraped on all sorts - probably both just had tired suspension But the celica is really good, I've never had it catch on anything. I wouldn't change the suspension on it if you paid me!! In fact I wish I had paid to have the suspension lifted on my last cars

My New vehicle is almost ready now (well it's MOT'd just needs the bumper finishing) That's got even better ground clearance! It should end up with a total of about a 6-7 inch lift - I'll post some photos when the bumper is on :)