suspension advice
 

So I don’t yet have the driving vocabulary to precisely describe what I “think” I am experiencing, but this is my best shot. Daily driving around town, even a bit spirited, no problems. When I really push the car I get this sensation that the body and suspension are somewhat disconnected. I also have the impression that I can feel the weight of the car shift a bit too dramatically before I feel the springs go to work. I am looking for something to “tighten” all of that up without breaking my back or smashing the little Noobtron’s eggs coming home from the grocery store. I also have smallish ambitions of doing some autocross in the not so distant future, in a land not so far away.


Here’s my deal: I am fairly certain that I want new springs, shocks and likely sways. I don’t have the time, tools, or experience to pud wack around with coilovers. I am good with a set it and forget it suspension situation. My current short list is Bilstein B6 or B8s and either TRD springs and sways or RCE Yellows or Tarmacs


I have read here a good deal about the TRD springs, but most of the posts seem to be focused on reducing the wheel gap – don’t directly care about that. Is anyone out there running autocross with the TRD spring setup? What’s the real applicable difference between the TRD springs and the RCE Yellows? Will the Tarmac springs be too aggressive for daily? With any of these spring options are the B8s a better choice over the B6?



Help a brother out, please.

It's hard to compare the TRD springs without them publishing the spring rates. The medium-ish drop is fine and they're probably okay, but I just wouldn't buy springs without knowing the spring rates. Our RCE Yellows are probably firmer up front since that's kind of our thing.

Springs and shocks will improve the feel of the car. The shocks will improve what you feel as the shifting around of weight...better shocks will help you feel more connected and confident with the car over bumps and in corners. The springs you'll feel keep the car flatter and more planted.

I'd recommend RCE Yellows and Bilstein B6 for you. The Tarmacs are good but a little more firm and track/autox focused. Good if that's your thing and you'll still get a decent ride but the Yellows do really well too with a slightly better ride.

- Andy

Ok, thanks for the tip.

I heard a rumor that the TRD springs are 3.5k front / 5.8k rear. Toyota also says they're linear in front, progressive in rear.

Not knocking anything RCE sells, but I'm very happy with my Swift Sports (FRS rates) on stock shocks as well.

I was on the fence between RCE Yellows and Swift Sports, my decision was made by what I could buy locally.

When I upgrade to coilovers, RCE T2's are at the top of my list still though. Just have to find a way to get them without paying an arm and/or leg to shipping/duty :D

That seems goodish, right? The whole linear front, progressive rear deal there of which you refer.

I'd really doubt they're 5.8 kg/mm rear...that's really stiff. And much more than the stock shocks can handle. I don't think they'd do that. The second link contradicts the first on lowering amount too.

- Andy

Plus, lowering by 1.125 inches is right about the limit of what the OEM struts can even support. I like to think TRD knows better than that.


Since the rears are progressive, would that throw off the kg/mm? For instance, they're softer at the top for ride quality and firmer at the bottom to preserve the struts?


Anyways, you're the expert. I just find information on the internet. :D

It would probably be the max spring rate, so you'd still feel it over big bumps and in cornering. Almost all lowering springs (including ours) are at least a little bit progressive FYI.

- Andy

I bought this entire car for the set and forget attitude. Right now the only things I have modified at brakes, tires, and soon alignment with camber plates and rear lower control arms. I don't know your experience but I've been to about a dozen track days this year (having never tracked before). My skill is still the limiting factor.

What is your goal lowering? I would love for a nicer look by lowering but my jack already barely clears the stock height.

I would recommend taking to a track event with an instructor to get a better look at what you and/or the car is/is not doing. Don't just throw money and parts at it.

One thing to consider is the application. The TRD springs seem to be staggered rates while the RCE are even. You are planning to autox where most people run a higher rate up front. I personally like the RCEs for autox a lot and it makes the car much more manageable to me due to the higher even rates. Suspension is something you can grow into and I personlly feel more comfortable pushing the car with the RCE vs the stock rates. Instead of the rear end coming around it feels as if the car is rotating all together. Much better feeling imo.

I have RCE yellows, sways, and Bilstein B8s and I love the ride and handling for a daily driver.

@Racecomp Engineering - Have you seen if any testing was done for the B8s vs the B6s in terms of valving? IIRC I saw some figures on here that basically showed that the B8s were not very different from the B6s as far as damper length.

Wondering if the B6s would suffice when matched w/ something like your yellows or TRD springs. And if so, what would the benefit be to paying more for the B8's really?

We have not tested them ourselves but from the documentation we've seen we believe they have similar valving. I do believe the B8 has a shorter internal bumpstop up front.

We have customers on both B6 and B8 and RCE Yellows and the results are very good.

- Andy