Suggestions

[kibble]

Hey guys, im after some opinions, Iv had my LS400 for about a year now, and now im looking down the path of moding her up..
Now im someone who likes the twisty bits, and im just wondering weather it would be worth my time, effort and money into getting to handle the twistys better, or just move on?
Atm she has alot of bodyroll that i would like to eliminate, and would like her alot more responsive as well.

She is stock, locally(aus) delivered LS400 with standard (non air) suspension.

Cheers guys.

 

[kibble]

oh err also its a early 92, with 227k on the clock.

cheers.

 

[Peewee]

If you don't mind a harsher ride you can put in aftermarket coil overs. I'm not sure what Japanese manufacturers make them (Tien, etc), but I'm sure some will.

Failing that made just some local aftermarket springs and shocks ?

 

[kibble]

nice, iv seen a number of people are using coilovers as replacments for there air setups. Im assuming this, along with changing the bushes and swaybars should make large difference in reducing roll...

Any one with similar setups? and how would you rate it?

 

[Jake Breyck]

i say coilovers, 2way lsd, swaybars, better wheels and tires, bushings if you want, and a manual trans and you will have a very fun car.

 

[jibbby]

A cheaper option is Eibach springs... Will lower you 2 inches and give you very good handles...

Coilovers, is you best option but they are bank...

 

[kibble]

a friend suggested Eibach springs coupled with some bilstein shocks would do the trick rather well too.

anyone had much experance with these setups?

 

[Jake Breyck]

if your not used to having coilovers then i guess some springs and shocks combos will seem like they are a great improvment, but once youve used good set of coilovers on a car you will feel that springs and shocks are a complete waste of money.. oh and jibby, coilovers are not all about lowering your car.
also thers not that much of a price diffrence. between the two setups. springs shocks can easyly run you 600-900usd wile decent coilovers start at around 1000usd.

 

[cribbj]

In the Supra world, people have tried Eibach's and stock shocks, Eibach's and Koni's, and Eibach's and KYB's. Everyone initially raves about how good their new setup rides and handles, then for some reason the Eibach's go up for sale after a month or so. You can always find several used sets on SF, along with lightweight flywheels, triple disc clutches, electric fans, and other mods that sound good, but in reality don't work very well on Supras.

My '97 Supra was equipped with Eibach's and the stock shocks when I bought it, and it rode like a freaking brick. Going over speed bumps or railroad tracks, I actually thought the car's suspension was being damaged. Couldn't wait to get the things off the car.

I changed to Tein CS's, set the ride height to 1" below factory settings, and have the shocks set to their softest setting, and the car rides & handles like a dream now. One of our Supra owners over in Mississippi, who road races his car, has these, and has them at their softest setting also, and he & his car do quite well at the track.

I did read here on Lextreme where one of our members put a set of Tein CS's on his SC but didn't like them because they were too soft. Guess they feel different on different cars, or to different people.

I couldn't in good faith try to sell anyone my used set of Eibach's, as I could find nothing good to say about them, so I just binned them.

 

[jibbby]

You know what I think..... I think everyone whom has tried Eibach lowering springs haven't road on them long enough to break them and see the true benifits of them...When first installing the Eibach springs they are stiff, unforgiving, and noticeably shortens your suspension clearance..Oh and I also experienced major wheel hop when spinning the rears from launch... Not good at all... However, the handling is incredibly improved over stock and feels stiff and responsive... When first installed, I infact almost immediately removed the Eibach springs after the first month in total discust... I then decided to gut it out and let them break in for about a year and sure enough they softened up and became doable in every fashion, no more wheel hop either.... Good handling, good dampening, and very forgiving on the small bumps now, and I don't bottom out either unless I hit a bad dip or bump.. Handling is solid...

Overall I rate them as being very good after broken in if you can believe that as I am being totally honest... Keep in mind new they are complete garbage...

My two cents.. Four year running on them and I am pleased with the Eibachs... Coilovers are a distant memory now...


Don't get me wrong though as I would take a good set of Tein coilovers all day long over the Eibachs... Tein coilovers new $1100usd, Eibachs $300... Big difference..

 

[Jake Breyck]

Jibby i hate to be harsh here but this is just another instance where you don't have the experience to understand, have you ever used a good set of coil overs? by your statements I'm assuming no you have not.

yes a set of springs and shocks are gunna feel better then stock specially on an older car where the stock ones are worn out anyways. and yes you are right they do have a set in time,

but they in no way compare to a good set of coil overs

Tein coil overs new $1100usd, Eibachs $300... Big difference..

Tein coilovers new $1100usd, Eibachs $300 + Konis $600 = $900... Not a Big difference..

this statement alone spells it out that you do not know what you are talking about. you can not compare a set of teins, even tien basics to a set of springs alone. if all you are after is the advertised lowering the springs provide, then fine go spend 300$ ignore your 15yo or so blown shocks hell save the 300 and cut a coil or two off the stock springs.

jibby the importance of replacing the shocks as well totally went over your head.

lets not even talk about the tuning ability of coil overs, corner balance much? where only brushing the surface of the possibility's of this discussion.

 

[jibbby]

Jake, Jake, Jake, I have owned and road on the Eibachs for years, and yes I am very familiar with Coilovers, owned them before, friends have them in their rides, and I have shopped for them for years too.... As, I said above I would take the Coilovers all day long over the Eibach springs and good performance shocks....

Read before bashing Jake, please...


Oh, and I was talking about the Tien Flex ($1000 being a good deal) and I was not talking about the cheapest version the (Basics $700)... I paid $300 for both the Eibach springs and Tokico performance shocks on Ebay just for the record but that was years ago.....Probably more like $500 or so today if you shop it...