Working on Updating the Suspension Sticky: QUESTIONS!

[LynchburgCSI]

As the title says, I'm working on updating the Suspension Sticky. Yes, I'm bored. But many of you guys agree that suspension is the best way to improve our cars. I'd like to think I know what I'm talking about... but I want confirm some things.

1) Serviceable struts (cartridge and body) can swap interchangeably with a non-serviceable assembly.

2) Because of point 1, all struts from 92-01 are interchangeable.

3) Votgland springs: anyone own them? I need info on the drop (distance in fingers between tire and fender) and the ride harshness.

4) Same as point 3, for B+G springs.

5) Same as point 3, for D2 coilovers.

6) Same as point 3, for K-sport coilovers.

7) Same as point 3, for VIS coilovers.

8) Same as point 3, for JIC coilovers.

9) I assume all the coilovers have adjustable valving, right?

10) All the coilovers fit both gen 3 and 4.

11) A cartridge from a Tokico strut will NOT swap into an OEM serviceable body.

12) Same as point 3, for TRD springs.

13) Same as point 3 for TRD struts.

14) TRD springs and/or struts are interchangeable between gen 3/4 because of point 1.

15) Whiteline RSB < TRD RSB (TRD has less body roll?).

16) Same as point 3, stock springs for gen 3 and 4.


Please reference the number your answering to keep this organized. Thanks!

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

As the title says, I'm working on updating the Suspension Sticky. Yes, I'm bored. But many of you guys agree that suspension is the best way to improve our cars. I'd like to think I know what I'm talking about... but I want confirm some things.

1) Serviceable struts (cartridge and body) can swap interchangeably with a non-serviceable assembly. yes

2) Because of point 1, all struts from 92-01 are interchangeable. yes

3) Votgland springs: anyone own them? I need info on the drop (distance in fingers between tire and fender) and the ride harshness. from opinions from previous members they are mid stifness and pretty good quality, not sure about the drop

4) Same as point 3, for B+G springs. just talked to a BMW 740 owener who has had them for 2 years and loves them. he says they are comfortable and yet really handle well with such a heavy car.

5) Same as point 3, for D2 coilovers. cheapest quality

6) Same as point 3, for K-sport coilovers. offer lots of features for the money. kontrol pros are ok, better then D2 but they can ware out fairly quickly, strut lifespan issue has been improved. PM camrtm3 about the GT pros. both have camber adjustment on the top mount and allow for a significant drop, VIP-able

7) Same as point 3, for VIS coilovers.

8) Same as point 3, for JIC coilovers. very good quality, more info avalible on SG

ADD ISC coilovers: fit both gen3 and 4 and are good quality. Im the only person i know here or on SG who has used them (except for killacam who used the rears for 1K miles). the feel and build is much better then the kontrol pros. ride is more comfortable but no camber adjustment on the top mount, they also dont have a huge drop. mine are almost bottomed out on the spring perch and i still have about a finger gap in the front

ADD TEIN coilovers: made for the gen4 and require a gen4 hub to fit gen3 properly i believe

9) I assume all the coilovers have adjustable valving, right? yes, some more then others

10) All the coilovers fit both gen 3 and 4. all but the TEINs but ya might want to double check that

11) A cartridge from a Tokico strut will NOT swap into an OEM serviceable body. not sure anyone has tried to use the strut out of a non servicable body in a servicable body

12) Same as point 3, for TRD springs. TRDs are common among gen4 guys. PM asg14 to ask about the gen3 ones

13) Same as point 3 for TRD struts.

14) TRD springs and/or struts are interchangeable between gen 3/4 because of point 1. IIRC they are different and not interchangable

15) Whiteline RSB < TRD RSB (TRD has less body roll?). the whiteline is thicker but with the TRD's adjusability, it is said to be stiffer, I have had both and agree

16) Same as point 3, stock springs for gen 3 and 4. i believe stock gen4 springs are a little stiffer. there is a difference between V6 and 4cyl springs. there is a differance between SE and non SE springs. out of the stock springs, SE springs are the stiffest, there is no difference in shocks

you may also want to add the ultra racing under body brace in there as well. it fits the gen4 but requires some work to fit the gen3 i believe. it hangs low too so it is not good for a heavily lowered car.

[LynchburgCSI]

Exactly what i'm looking for Rob. Thanks!

edit: 11) A cartridge from a Tokico strut will NOT swap into an OEM serviceable body. not sure anyone has tried to use the strut out of a non servicable body in a servicable body

I was actually talking about taking a cartridge from a serviceable tokico or kyb strut and putting that in a body that is NOT made by the same company. Hope that makes sense.

[SexieWASD]

for point #2 The earlier (not sure which years) had the bearing plate on the bottom, and later on the top, so a top plate needs to match which ever style it is, if using the old top plate you may end up with no bearing at all, or more likely two bearings, which would make your alignment,... umm "continuously variable" seams like a good description.

[bigbird]

after reading what ya said i think it's the strut mounts that are different. ive seen shocks go between the years but i cant remember anyone using the same strut mounts.

[dlx]

If I'm reading this right... struts made for the gen 3 will also fit the gen 4? but with different mounts?

[SexieWASD]

Originally Posted by bigbird

after reading what ya said i think it's the strut mounts that are different. ive seen shocks go between the years but i cant remember anyone using the same strut mounts.

strut mount! thats the word i was looking for, top plate, lol I couldn't think of it.

[bigbird]

i think 94-96 struts will work on the gen4 but dont quote me there. i forgot to add something about the coilovers. i put in in my OP.

[LynchburgCSI]

Great guys. I'm making progress.

[Rdizzle]

My Ksports have custom valving but as to ride harhness, on soft front and back it rides like lowering springs. If its set for an Autox day then you probably wouldnt want to drive it to the grocery store and back. I live with it somewhere between since i dont drive it daily.

[projektvertx]

I can speak for the TRD springs on the Gen 3. Lowering is a little over an inch, I measured at about 1.09" drop on the rear and 1.07" drop on the front. I guess you can make both values 1.08" drop.

As for ride harshness: What ride harshness? They are definitely stiffer and more responsive than the stocks. Ride quality didn't suffer much. Feel free to PM me if you need any details on the Gen 3 TRD springs, and props for updating the supension thread Also, I would really like to see something about throwing in Monroe's, just 'cause I did it

QUESTION 12 ANSWER

[LynchburgCSI]

^ Thanks. I'll have the info in here. 1 inch = 2 fingers in my book. And I had the monroe info complete before I even posted this. I got it.

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

^ Thanks. I'll have the info in here. 1 inch = 2 fingers in my book. And I had the monroe info complete before I even posted this. I got it.

Gotcha If you'd like, you can quote me from the thread I created way back when:

Not another lowering thread!?!?!

[LynchburgCSI]

Still need:
Gen 4 TRD Springs info.
Stock ride height gap in "fingers"
Info on the ebay front tower strut bar for the gen 3
Info on the TRD front tower strut bar for the gen 4

Anything else i'm missing?

edit:

Amazon

Amazon

[Rdizzle]

The gen 3 strut bar can potentially interfere with the throttle body, or so its been said.