Suspension?

Hi everyone,

I've done some searching but still haven't found an answer I am happy with. Basically, I am wanting to lower the supra (94 Japspec GZ TT) slightly (not very much, just to make the wheel gap a bit smaller).

HOWEVER, I want as smooth a ride as possible (i.e. maximum ride comfort). To be honest, I am not too concerned about track performance or cornering as I don't race at all, it is more of a straight line beast and driver. I know it probably is a trade off between comfort and ride height or performance, but I was hoping some of you would have some advice to give.

Finally, does anyone have a link to some good guides explaining the uses of and differences between springs, coilovers and struts? I have googled but haven't found anything immensely useful.

Thanks in advance!

okay, springs aren't adjustable which basically means once they're changed you're stuck with the height that the spring settles at (usually quite low although a number of owners seem to use Eibach springs without too many complaints).

second option (which i've just gone for) is a set of coilovers which can be adjusted for height and damping. so if you want to lower it slightly, you can and can also set the damping to be as soft as possible too (although generally coilovers can tend to be harsher than 'normal' shocks)

have a search on here rather than google mate, you'll be surpised at what information is on here already.

ps

hope to be in Oz myself for a couple of weeks in spring, where abouts are you?

I run with the Bilstein/Eibach combo which lowers the front slightly more than the back, I find that on nice smooth road the ride and handling is very positive but on "normal" UK roads the ride can be a little harsh.

Been there, tried that and failed. What not to use

Eibach springs, you can feel slike you have mahogany blocks for struts after a few weeks.

HKS hypermax2 way too high spring rates.

Most Jap coil over kits are over sprung, having twice the std rates and more.

C.W. does a UK compliant suspension setup, and can re valve your particular setup to be a little better in the ride dept. He can also offer adjustable spring seats, and will reset your geometry (single most important handling mod) while he is at it.

What more could you want!.

However, shipping the car from Aus would be mighty expensive. So fork out for aragosta active suspension and have the best there is.

Hi David

How're things?

I'd recommend the Tein Super Streets, they are fully adjustable and will give you a good ride comfort and allow you to adjust the height as desired. Extremely good value for money as well.

They are popular with UK members, as the roads surfaces there are not the greatest in the world. Give me a shout if I can help

cheers

For comfort I would go with the new TEIN Comfort Spec.

Completly designed for ride quality with uprated rubber top mounts instead of the solid stuff, light springs and a new valving system.

Wow, thanks for the replies everyone!

I will try and reply to each person individually:

Supra-man: Thanks for the run down, will definately consider this info... I am in Sydney by the way (near Bondi Beach if you have heard of it?)

Max_Headroom: Hrmmm very interesting... sounds sort of like what I am after except I am hoping for a ride that is as smooth (if you could call it that) as stock, or even smoother if possible?

Chiefgroover: Sounds VERY interesting, but shipping the car is out of the question - too many chances for something to go awefully wrong. Thanks for the info, will do some research on C.W

Nic: Hi! Things are great thanks :-) how about you?

Thanks for the advice... how do the tein super streets feel compared to stock in terms of ride quality?

D3xt3r: Thanks for the recommendation, I will do some research on them too.

Thanks everyone!

Chiefgroover: Any experience with Teins? Also, what experience do you have with aragosta?

I know the high class Mercs cost a ****load more than Supras, but the ride is so smooth even with the low profile tires and wide/large rims (255/35 ZR19 fronts and 285/30 ZR19 rears), and ditto with Porsche's, so I guess this is proof that a low, smooth ride is possible :-).

In Oz Bilsteins are excellent value and they list your car, get those with some King springs, or Whiteline ones (King are better, IMO) that drop the car a maximum of 20 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear, with rates as near stock as possible.

In Oz Bilsteins are excellent value and they list your car, get those with some King springs, or Whiteline ones (King are better, IMO) that drop the car a maximum of 20 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear, with rates as near stock as possible.

never heard of these 'King' springs Chris, can we get them over here? are they good if you're just looking for a small drop?

They are an Australian spring company. As he's in Oz....

They are an Australian spring company. As he's in Oz....

lol, i got that part

what i meant was, if they're good then why haven't we really heard of them over here and noone stock them?

might be an idea for a trader to get some sets over, especially if they're a good price.

They are just common or garden springs, cheap and cheerful, and local to the poster. there are probably a few hundred spring makers here in the UK. A spring is a spring at road car level, there are few bad ones around. if you want race quality though expect to pay a lot of dosh.

They are just common or garden springs, cheap and cheerful, and local to the poster. there are probably a few hundred spring makers here in the UK. A spring is a spring at road car level, there are few bad ones around. if you want race quality though expect to pay a lot of dosh.

ahhhhhhh, i see. makes perfect sense now

Thanks for the advice Chris... what would be the advantage of the Bilstein/King combination over say a Bilstein/Eibach combo or a Tein setiup?

Also, have you had any dealings with suspension companies/specialists over here? any recommended names or people? (haven't got much helpful info out of the AU supra boys :-) ) im in Sydney btw.

Thanks again!

David.

Thanks for the advice Chris... what would be the advantage of the Bilstein/King combination over say a Bilstein/Eibach combo or a Tein setiup?

 

Thanks again!

David.

i wouldn't have thought Chris will say there's a benefit to any of them to be honest. he'll probably just tell you to go with the one that has the smallest drop and closest spring rates to stock as per his original post.

OK then, cheers Supra-Man!

http://www.aragosta-suspension.com/gallery-sh.html

This is the bizz !, but you still need a good geometry setup.

I believe Dimitri can supply

Cheers Chief, reading about Aragosta now.... very interesting.

IF it keeps Dimitri happy, it must be the stuff!