Opinion on suspension upgrade

[trd_4_life]

I have a 98 Camry and naturally it is "floaty" (suspension wise).

I want to know if upgrading to tokico struts and Eibach Pro springs will truly make it more connected to the road. I'm also interested to see if this will provide better road feedback through the steering wheel.

I was thinking about getting and Accord if the above upgrade would not improve things. The kind of road feedback I'm looking for with the suspension upgrade in the Camry is similar to what a stock Accord has. The feel that the car is connected to the road (transmitted to you via the steering wheel).


I'm wondering what would be a fair price to pay for the labor to install the springs and struts.

I found the Tokicos for $370 and HR Pro Kit for $240 shipped on Ebay.

Was also looking at a Whiteline BTR39 rear sway bar for $140 on Ebay.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

[bigbird]

thats probalby the best package to choose if your looking for response and beter handeling. Tokicos are stiff but comfortable, eibachs are the same with a minimal drop and the sway bar helps with body roll alot(may also want to look at the TRD one).

as far as steering response. theres not much you can do. the ES300 has a tighter steering ratio but like most toyota steering boxes...lacks comminucation through steering. its just somthing we have to accept from our little A to B family cars. they werent woried about that in the least when designing them.

if you want a well performing and good communicating car then id look into the maxima. far better performance wise then any honda or toyota...period. and they are still reliable cars.

[LynchburgCSI]

bird is right on the suspension set up. your first upgrade should be the TRD or Whiteline swaybar then go for the eicbachs and tokicos (or tokicos and H&Rs...thats what i run.)

[trd_4_life]

Thanks for the replies guys.

BigBird - You are right on about the Maxima.

It's funny because I kept searching for Accords and then just yesterday it hit me that I totally forgot about Maximas. The '98 body style was my favorite one. I've been searching online for some Maximas in the 200 miles radius. The search continues.


I would be happy if I can get the level of communication (or close to it) that the Accord has with the mods I listed above for the Camry.

The steering ratio in the Camry I'm OK with.

[bigbird]

that combo will FAR exceed any stock accord...i promise.

if ya do look for a max though...check out the 02...very fast.

[trd_4_life]

Good stuff. Looks like I'm most likely going with the Camry and upgrading the suspension bits.

Does anyone have a ballpark price for the install (struts, springs, sway bar)?

[Retrospekt]

My brother has an 01 Maxima 5 speed and it is a BEAST. Love how they look too.

/back on topic?

[trd_4_life]

The Maximas are really nice and I wish I could find the right one within a 3 hour or less drive.

[bigbird]

id say your lookin at a grand-ish all said and done. if you can install it yourself...much less. about 600 in parts depending on how you source them.

['_']

I got the Ebiach Pro-Kit springs ($225) and KYB GR-2 Struts ($219) installed for about $200 if I recall correctly. Everything was brand new. I think this was done about 4-5 years ago. I had a friend help me install the TRD rear sway bar but it was a little difficult. I got it for $150 brand new. I also have the TRD front strut bar. I forgot how the stock Camry handles, but after I had the sway bar installed with lowering springs, the difference in handling had improved tremendously.

[trd_4_life]

Thanks. I got the prices through Ebay $370 for struts + $240 for spring and $140 for the sway bar. Comes to about $750.

So I guess about $200-250 for the install.

[trd_4_life]

Originally Posted by '_'

I got the Ebiach Pro-Kit springs ($225) and KYB GR-2 Struts ($219) installed for about $200 if I recall correctly. Everything was brand new. I think this was done about 4-5 years ago. I had a friend help me install the TRD rear sway bar but it was a little difficult. I got it for $150 brand new. I also have the TRD front strut bar. I forgot how the stock Camry handles, but after I had the sway bar installed with lowering springs, the difference in handling had improved tremendously.

That sounds about right.

I figure since I'm doing struts + springs the sway bar is easy to install while doing the other stuff.

I may go with the GR2s seeing that you had yours for about 4-5 years and are still doing their job.

[07civiclx]

ill be completely honest with you.
D2 full coilovers.
why?
a) the camry strut mounts are garbage stock. even from the factory.
b) ull have more room for wider tires!
c) fully adjustable 32 way
d) built in taiwan! quality control is actually EXCELLENT
e) My gf has been riding on hers 2 months now and WOW! BIG DIFFERENCE! this thing (havent gotten whiteline sway bars yet) handles as good as if not better than my 07 civic!
f) 950 for EVERYTHING pre-assembled and ready for minor modification to put on the car! no compressing springs. no strut mount things to play with. EASY AS HECK!


I plan on doing a write up on how to install them and tons of pictures.
it really is a beautiful suspension. D2 is 100 times better than ANYTHING produced by brands like Ksport.
oh yea. mind you were running is300 replica rims with BF goodrich Sport tires (215/45/r17) and 25mm bolt on spacers!!!!

dude. ill be honest. Ive driven on Tein (and love them) but they are expensive. this is almost EXACTLY the same and CHEAPER!


So D2 all the way. Def do coilovers so you can do it yourself and it only takes 3-4 hours for a noob :-P

[trd_4_life]

The D2 sounds like the best setup for sure and I wish I could go with it.

I think for the price they are probably the best choice.

At the same time it puts me in the nearly $1G without the install cost.

I will keep the D2s in mind but will have to give first priority to the GR2s+Eibach Pro kit.

The reason I feel this way is because the car needs some other things as well (rotors, pads, paint job) so I need to balance the $$$ I spend on it between multiple things.

Thanks for the heads up on the D2 though. Great setup for sure.

[07civiclx]

Im not sure where you got your install price on the springs and stuff.
cause to be honest. i think its gonna be more
one shop wanted 400 to install these coilovers. (we did it ourselves)
i cant imagine how much more it would be for a shop to BUILD each shock system
think about it. if it takes a shop 30 min per shock to install this suspension (guestimate. bet u its way less)
i would say in comparison it would take 45-60 min per shock for seperate springs and shocks
they have to:
uninstall
pull apart assembly
rebuild assembly
custom some fabrication for abs line etc
reinstall

for D2 they have to:
Uninstall and throw away assembly
put on D2
custom some fabrication for abs line, brake line, etc.

alot quicker like this. remember. shops charge 100 an hour now!!!

besides. you will be replacing those stock strut mounts too when they pull them out
the bearings WILL be worn
so.
go to monroe's website and price it out for real
it will be WAY more expensive
Trust me
i did my research!!!! ask bigbird. i was annoying as hell!!!

rotors and pads are CHEAP
paint job. for good quality runs 2500+ were in the same boat right now lol

im lookin into going big brake custom with wilwood calipers. stock brakes can be great. but i always love that extra cooling power!!! yea so the car takes longer to get up to speed cause you lose 10 hp. but still!!!!
you can stop on a DIME over and over and over again. Not just 2 times lol