Suspension - got some questions!

[jxmac]

So, as the title says, I have some questions about stiffening the solara's suspension.

I want to stiffen my baby's suspension. I've still got stock wheels on her because I can't make up my damn mind as to what rims to buy. So I don't have lo pro tires on yet because I think they look terrible on stock wheels with all that empty space in the wheel well.

So how are you guys improving handling. I do a lot of highway driving and the roads here go from being awesome to the total shits ( joins in the pavement are sometimes a three inch drop ) but I'm not worried about handling in town - anyone here do highway driving with coilovers installed? I'd hate to have to drive slower on the highways because that's where I like to have my fun but I'd really like to improve on the crappy stock handling this car offers. I've owned her for almost two years now (99 SE V6) and my bf's got a vtec del sol that I can kill from a standing start but I can't handle turns worth crap. So yeah. Any thoughts? I don't care if I need to read a novel - I just wanna be pointed in the right direction since I have very, very little experience working with auto suspension!

['_']

If you have the money, I'd say go with coilovers. The Tein SS are pretty soft for coilovers, even on the stiffest setting. If that's out of your budget, then I'd definitely recommend something basic like the TRD RSB. The difference is night and day, literally. I have the Eibach/GR-2 with the TRD RSB and strut bar and I'm content with the improved handling. However, I wish I had originally went with a set of coilovers so I could slam the car down and tweak the suspension.

[sahuddleston]

coilovers will provide the best handling, however combined to a strut/spring combo they are expensive.

i had both on my solara and i can tell you that the strut/spring combo will stiffen things up substantially.

i would say go with coilovers if you have the money.

be sure to find a TRD RSB as well.

[unbalancedwood]

You can get Tokico HP/Blues on ebay for about $350
Then pick your springs for ~220-250$
Coilovers start at the $1300 price point

The only better deal you can get is wait for a used set of coilovers or a set of springs/struts to come about on ebay/SG/ToyotaNation/etc

If your in no rush thats what I would do and have done to pratically every car Ive done mods too.

I received my Tokico Blues for $175shipped, Goldline springs for $60shipped, got a CPE years ago for $300shipped, TRD RSB for practically nothing, etc, etc.

I also rolled on stock 16" Solara wheels, the only upgrade I would have done personally is the 17" from the Gen 2 with the added spacers.

Also though, if you go with a good spring/strut combo you'll have some extra cash to upgrade to a TRD RSB (100-150 used/new), some Gen2 wheels & tires (300-400 depending on the person), renova grill, spacers, muffler, tint, upgrade stereo if thats something you would like....

It all comes to $ and what you in-vision for your car. Were all just throwing ideas for you to consider. But I ALWAYS did want to be a little LOWER but never wanted to spend the money for it, I wanted to round off the rest of my car with addons...

[jetbtkng]

id say if you do alot of highway driving, and the roads are pretty crappy, & you want handling, & still keep a nice ride, kyb struts & keep your stock springs, i drive alot from LA to bullhead arz, i have 2 solara's, my 2000 & my 02, the 2000 has trd struts & springs, its lowered, i've taken it a couple of times to arizona, but its not ideal for long trips, my 02 with kyb's is really nice & handles real good, but it is stock height, i also run 17's on both cars, 225-45-17's,
.........................

[SleeperSolara]

Yeah can get coilovers since you can tune the supension even better.
But if you're on a budget i would suggest gettin' the TRD RSB first, then front strut brace, and the braces from Ultra Racin'.
You can also get the polyurethane bushings for your front control arms, rear control arms also, to keep the wheel from shiftin' when you take a turn hard.
Once you have all the suspension upgrade then you can look at some 17' rims.
I would stick to 225 / 45 / R17.

As for highway drivin' for about 2 to 3 hours, it's smooth to me.
When i do upgrade to coilovers, that will be even better.

Here are some pictures of what i have.


^^
Strut brace and the nice CP-e intake.


^^
The Ultra Racing subframe braces.


^^
The Whiteline front sway bar i have.
It's the silver bar.


^^
SuperPro front control arm bushin's.
They are blue in the pictures.


^^
Energy suspension rear control bushin's.
It's the solid black on the right.

^^
Part of my TRD rear sway bar.

With all those parts installed and you choose the right rims.
You car will look like this:




The pcitures above are a little old, but you get the picture basically.

[DriDed]

I don't know if I should recommend coilovers for you because you say that the roads you drive in are horrible.

One cheap modification I would suggest is a TRD rear sway bar, either that or a whiteline rear sway bar, I believe they both cost less than $200 each.

You can also get a TRD or Whiteline front strut tower brace, it works well with the rear sway bar.

Those mod alone will decrease the car's body roll and make you corner better compared to stock.

[jetbtkng]

coilovers are to aggressive for long trips, there more for racing than cruising, rsb, kyb struts, stock springs, is all you need for long trips, if you lower it there goes ride quality, i have both setups, i know, i have every suspension mod on my 2000 lara, except coilovers, but the trd struts & springs kick asss, heres a sample of my setup, , but ride quality is not smooth............... :drinking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pLigAQIFzw

[TadS]

It really depends on your long term goals. A better RSB is probably the best dime for dollar upgrade you can make to your car. Even if budget isn't a problem, and you're going all out, it's still a needed part.