TRD Suspension (minus the struts)

[kgzero1]

alright, so I bought the TRD front strut tower brace, the TRD rear sway bar, and the TRD lowering springs.

I have just intsalled the FSTB today and I didn't notice a difference at first. So I decided to screw around and take all my turns faster than normal. Well, this when I feel the difference. The front of the car feels more stable now, and the back does feel different now. Before the whole car felt like it was rocking to the side, now it feels like it is mostly the back.
I plan on installing the RSB this weekend and the lowering springs next weekend. So I plan on letting you guys know my impressions of the car as each one of these is added to the car.

I will post more about my FSTB impressions as I drive some more the rest of this week (before I add the RSB).

[Gorcman]

good info. im really interested i knoing how it works out for you, especially with the TRD springs cuz i own an SLE as well. keep us posted!

[kgzero1]

Actually, I have an SE. I don't know if our struts are different or not. I just know the sport ones are different for sure.

So I drove some more and I find that the FSTB makes no difference in regular street turning (unless you drive fast), but you can feel the difference on big curves with you would normally take pretty quickly. Like the two curves that I take at around 50mph at work. I can feel the differnce.

Seems to me that the FSTB is the one that will make the least difference. I am expecting a bigger change with the RSB and the biggest change with the springs.

[dude]

the rsb and springs make huge diff. the rsb, the most. this car would not be what it is without. the rsb greatly reduces the amount of mid corner steering corrections. although, you might get the annoying crunching noises at parking lot speeds from the front springs. would love to hear more detailed info of the fsb characteristics....

[kgzero1]

Just installed the RSB. This definetely makes a difference that I can feel even on slow turns. I am not getting any noises out of it.
As far as the FSTB is concerned, I did not feel that it was a huge improvement. I did feel that it stiffened up the car, but not by much. I'm not that impressed by it. The RSB on the other hand is pretty awsome. Car definetely feels much stiffer. By the way, I have it set on the inner most hole (competition).

[Somedude]

I always worry that putting the sway bar setting to the innermost hole would make the ride uncomfortable and too stiff, is that true?

I have it at the middle setting.

[kgzero1]

Not true. I haven't really noticed much of a difference in ride quality. I think the springs affect that much more than the RSB would.

[dude]

the rsb helps most in improving holding a clean line thru a corner. without, well, you get too much sway and it puts the vehicle off path. with the lowering springs this is helped since the car has less bounce due to less travel and the bounce ends quicker due to it's faster rebound. the lowering helps put a smile on your face anytime you are in, driving or near your car. only tried middle setting of rsb with stock springs. with lower springs added, the stiffest setting is really great for tight cornering and you have alot fun taking tight corners at funny higher speeds. but who takes tight corners that fast so tight unless in a pylon course. tight as in parking lot areas, intersections, pulling into the dealership and avoiding guys holding protest signs, etc. at higher speed, the rsb in the middle setting is less twitchy and more comfortable. the softest setting, you will lose a little steering path accuracy but again more comfort. i had alot fun with all this and i learned something about vehicle handling dynamics.

[kgzero1]

So, would leaving it at the competition setting hurt the car any? Or are you just saying it is pointless to leave it at that setting?

I really don't see why I can't just leave it there, unless you have some info otherwise. Let me know, don't want to jack up my car.

[dude]

cant see any prob on stiffest setting. may lead to more wear on tires or suspension but then there might be more wear without as the car will be swaying more thru corners. 6 in one, half doz in other. what you prefer would matter most, imo. ride is slightly affected by rsb but this for some is a good thing. because the car does not lean from g'forces, road irregularities, wind, etc. as much, it holds its line much easier and less steering correction is required. the springs, affect ride quality (as opposed to handling) more so. the springs help handling in aggressive driving more so, whereas the rsb helps handling at all speeds, even in straight line (for handling). try the stiffer setting and tell us what you think....

[kgzero1]

Well, been driving it for about a week with the stiffest setting, and I love it. The car handles so much better than before! I don't see why I would put it at a lower setting. I haven't really noticed any adverse effect on the ride quality, maybe it is just me.
Anyway, I get my car lowered today!!!!

[cklinh]

The obligatory "pics!" post...

Sounds interesting... the RSB setting... I might have to adjust mine (from the middle setting) once I get my Teins adjusted correctly (still a little too bouncy for me).

[kgzero1]

I got some updated pics on my cardomain page. I forgot to take a pic of the RSB though.
Also, I shaved off the Toyota and SE emblems.
Took a hair dryer and got those things really hot and just peeled them off.

[kgzero1]

So I got my springs installed last night. Car feels weird, just because I am sitting lower. Other than that, it feels about the same, just a little harsher. Oh, and no bouncing whatsoever.

[Gorcman]

hmmm.. i recently installed the TRD FSTB and RSB on my car (used the OEM grease). The RSB seems to make a lot of noise when im driving. Is this normal and is it something that will go away over time? Will using the Mobil 1 sythetic grease reduce this noise? the temperature here is around 45-55 degress F. thanks