Noobie Suspension Question

[SMG]

I am looking into replacing my suspension, but I am a bit confused w/ sealed and unsealed struts. I have a 94 Camry V6, Japan Model, 1/94, 1MZFE DOHC 24V. I called dealer and they said that they were all sealed, but I was not confident in their knowledge. I questioned them because Tokico's struts are not sealed, I called their dept and they told me that the Japanese Manufactured were unsealed, while the US were sealed. Because of this I was not sure if I should just end up getting KYB instead. Please any suggestions or maybe a different direction would be appreciated.

Peace

[Luspher]

I ran into the same issue in purchasing struts, but I do have the us model. I purchased strut cartridges as the ones I ordered were mislabeled. I believe it's the struts for the '95 that are sealed that fit, so if you have a sealed strut you can still buy tokico. Just look for the closest model year that uses a sealed strut. It's what I have on my car, and it works well. On the other hand if you have serviceable struts as tokico says you should you're all set. It'd be worth getting a loaner tool set of strut spring compressors and taking a strut off to see. You'd be looking for a nut that would release the strut cartridge. If it's all welded then you have sealed. Hope this is helpful.

-- Robert

[SMG]

Tokico's application guide indicates Prt# HZ3138 and HZ3139A are for 92-8/94(exc. Sealed)
http://www.hitachi-hap-la.com/Tokico...s/app/25a.html
Has anyone ordered this part and for their car, its say nothing about US or Japanese model. I enquired about Prt# HPK357, which is the kit w/ springs, but they told it never got released, due to lack of demand . My car was built in Jan. 94.
I am sure someone has bought these before, please help.

Peace

[felonyr301]

late model 94's and up were sealed I believe early 94 and below were unsealed.

[SMG]

Are you sure you're right, I am going to order these today? My next question, What are a good set of springs for these struts? A Part number would be great w/ brand name. Thanks

[felonyr301]

I'm not 100% sure though I think I read it up on the FAQ. But you never know man, I would try to take one strut off and quickly see which one is it. The 94's were either sealed or unsealed. 92-93, 95-96 are the ones that is guaranteed to be unsealed, and sealed.

[SMG]

It looks like i am going to get the Tokico Struts any suggestions on springs, I am eventually going to put on a body kit and add 18" wheels, I dont want it to drag or be close to. I am doing this for my son, who will be getting this from me. This was my first new car that I bought and has 184,000 miles and had a compression test last week with only one cylinder running 145, 5 less from perfect. I knew engine ran good but damn . Anyways, I already ordered the Weapon R Intake and Trinet Black Rotors w/ Posi Quiet Ceramic Brake Pads. I am going to put on Venom Super Flow Fuel Injectors. I need to have the suspension bushings replaced, should I replace the sway bars or anything under there since we will be working there. Thanks all

Peace

[Luspher]

Originally Posted by SMG

It looks like i am going to get the Tokico Struts any suggestions on springs, I am eventually going to put on a body kit and add 18" wheels, I dont want it to drag or be close to. I am doing this for my son, who will be getting this from me. This was my first new car that I bought and has 184,000 miles and had a compression test last week with only one cylinder running 145, 5 less from perfect. I knew engine ran good but damn . Anyways, I already ordered the Weapon R Intake and Trinet Black Rotors w/ Posi Quiet Ceramic Brake Pads. I am going to put on Venom Super Flow Fuel Injectors. I need to have the suspension bushings replaced, should I replace the sway bars or anything under there since we will be working there. Thanks all

Peace

Your son's a lucky kid. If you want to go all out whiteline makes a rear sway bar that'll improve the handling a bit. Raptor Racing has a good price on them. Also have the strut tower bar. As for springs people seem to reccomend the intrax spring if you're going for a body kit. Otherwise, I'm very happy with the H&R sport springs.

[felonyr301]

Just get the H&R springs, it's very high quality and better performance which means a safer ride for your kid lol. The intrax's do drop more but is softer then H&R's, it's really for looks then handling. Tokico's nice choice, and getting the rear sway bar from whiteline or TRD is very good too. Your kid is lucky he's getting a reliable car that also has some power under the hood thanks to the v6 engine, which is safer for the highway in emergency situations lol

[SMG]

How about Eibach Prokit springs. I have always looked at these for my other cars, but not sure how they w/ camry, they only have 1inch drop, which i prefer not too low. Any thoughts. Thanks

[felonyr301]

Eibach's and H&R's are considered to be #1 in springs. Whichever one you go for is good, but regardless either spring drop about the same amount and don't drop as much as you think. Too alot of people it will look like it was never dropped at all.

I really would say get the H&R sport springs it drops it a lil more and it's not going to be low at all, far from it. From all the reading after all these years I feel like H&R's are a lil bit better than eibachs in springs.

[SMG]

Both Springs are the same price, thanks for your advice. How much are the sway bars from TRD? The whiteline's are going for $113. a while back from Raptor Racing, but one of his post indicated that he is raising prices like 20-25% because of exchange rate w/ US and Australia.

[Bluesabre]

I put the Eibach Pro Kit on my gen 4 and they've been great! I have 40k miles on them so far and swapping out the stock suspension (at 100k miles) with these springs and Tokico HP Blues made it a totally different car. Wish I'd done it earlier.

The drop is minimal - an inch or so.