TRD Muffler / Raybestos Springs - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

haux · 10-26-2009, 01:57 PM

(1) If I get Gabriel Ultra shocks, will Raybestos springs work well/be a good match?

(2) Would a TRD muffler look ridiculous on a totally stock 2000 Camry LE?

nathan9231 · 10-26-2009, 02:58 PM

i dont think the muffler would look bad.

haux · 10-26-2009, 03:55 PM

Anybody else with an opinion?

'_' · 10-26-2009, 04:17 PM

I'd say lower the car first, then get the muffler.

haux · 10-26-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '_'

I'd say lower the car first, then get the muffler.

Yeah, I don't like the idea of lowering it. I think shit is low enough as it is... especially with that friggin' pipe around the center of the car that almost hangs to the ground.

So you think if no lower then no fancy muffler?

'_' · 10-26-2009, 04:47 PM

If you have the stock suspension, I'd say definitely get it lowered. The stock suspension is too soft and bouncy for my liking. I know what you mean about the exhaust pipes sitting low in the center, but I never had any problems with that. If anything, my front lip and muffler would be more prone to scraping in/out of driveways and over bumps. But yeah, I wouldn't get the muffler if my car wasn't lowered, just my opinion.

haux · 10-26-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '_'

If you have the stock suspension, I'd say definitely get it lowered. The stock suspension is too soft and bouncy for my liking. I know what you mean about the exhaust pipes sitting low in the center, but I never had any problems with that. If anything, my front lip and muffler would be more prone to scraping in/out of driveways and over bumps. But yeah, I wouldn't get the muffler if my car wasn't lowered, just my opinion.

Thanks for the input.

Have you heard or read anything about Raybestos springs?

'_' · 10-26-2009, 04:54 PM

Never heard about them. Honestly I'd go with name brands. I have the gen4.5 like you, and I can vouch for Eibach springs and the KYB GR-2 struts. I've had this setup for about 5 years and haven't had any problems. If I could redo my suspension, I'd get the Tokico Blue struts instead though. From what I've read, they're a little stiffer than the KYB's but the ride isn't as rough as with coilovers. I think it's a great combination for a daily driver with improved handling.

bigbird · 10-26-2009, 06:03 PM

correct me if im wrong...but thoes are just OEM spec aftermarket replacment springs and shocks.

***JohnGD*** · 10-26-2009, 10:01 PM

Raybestos is a 100 year-old brand. Used to be a part of the Dana Corportion, a Tier-1 parts supplier. Their Spicer ball joints won praises among heavy duty truck owners. Some seem to think they're better than Moog, which said to have acquired the TRW ball joint division (?), it in itself is a very respectable brand.

I think in 2004 either it was spun off or Affinia was formed or acquired Raybestos among other companies. I guess instead of Dana's Spicer they decided the 100 year-old name, Raybestos, was a better asset. So they're changing all Spicer chassis products to Raybestos. I wouldn't be surprised if you order Raybestos and the part comes in a Spicer box, at least in the short term.

Raybestos springs should be aftermarket replacement for OEM. Who knows, they might have actually supplied Toyota when they were Dana? I know GM's Harrison Radiator division does. You can call them I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by haux

Thanks for the input.

Have you heard or read anything about Raybestos springs?

***JohnGD*** · 10-26-2009, 10:07 PM

The lowering kit and performance struts will give a firmer ride with good control. However, Monroe and Gabriel will give more of the typical softer daily driver ride. These are different camps, so decide accordingly.

Yeah, those exhaust pipes stinks. Looks really ugly following one too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by haux

Yeah, I don't like the idea of lowering it. I think shit is low enough as it is... especially with that friggin' pipe around the center of the car that almost hangs to the ground.

So you think if no lower then no fancy muffler?

'_' · 10-26-2009, 10:30 PM

Sounds like the Raybestos/Gabriel setup is an alternative as well, if you want the softer ride. I wonder how the KYB's compare in terms of stiffness...

***JohnGD*** · 10-26-2009, 10:52 PM

KYB will be firmer on lower speeds. Which would be fine on smooth roads. But if you hit anything it tends to behave harshly with a jolt and be a chiropractor dream as far as my spine is concerned. I like to use a rough railroad crossing test @ 35 mph myself. But for those who like lowering springs and Tokicos it's another story.

I don't know if KYB soften that up a bit lately. Well I'm just not a fan of Keep Your Bilsteins. But people's mileage vary and I'll be happy to point them that way if that's the ride people want.

For firm struts I personally like the Bilsteins. The digressive struts are very firm but without the sharp jolt. There is a fine line between firm and harsh. I heard Boge may be the similar to Bilsteins.

Quote:

Originally Posted by '_'

Sounds like the Raybestos/Gabriel setup is an alternative as well, if you want the softer ride. I wonder how the KYB's compare in terms of stiffness...

haux · 10-26-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnGD

The lowering kit and performance struts will give a firmer ride with good control.

By "lowering kit" do you simply mean something like Eibach springs? I assume if I do pick up an Eibach/Tokico combo, the mounts can be Raybestos and the boots can be Moog? ...and I'm not going to need to make any other adjustments?

twinjetguy · 10-27-2009, 10:14 AM

Hey there,

I can't really answer as far as the struts/springs go because I have yet to do that myself. I know that I want to go stiffer and lower though. I wasn't aware that Bilstein made struts/shocks for the Camry. I have a 2001 LE and was thinking about the Tokicos, but if Bilstein is an option I would lean towards them.

Here is some advice on the exhaust. I went to a local place here that is well known for doing cat back installs (Warners Mufflers). They did a full cat back exhaust on my car with a magnaflow resonator and polished Magnaflow muffler for around $440. That even included the tip. I went very subtle, not one of those huge, ridiculous coffee can things. The TRD mufflers are nice, but for just a little bit more, you get a full cat back exhaust that performs just the same if not better. I just couldn't bring myself to spend $300+ on only a muffler.

That being said, I think a muffler wouldn't look bad on your car as long as it isn't one of those silly huge can looking things.