Gen5 Spring Question

[bastion]

Ok, I read EKam's stickey, but still wanted to post this for a bit more detailed info. As you probably know, there aren't any aftermarket shocks/struts out yet for the 5th gen camrys. However, I still want to put some aftermarket springs on my 2002 for better handling and a bit nicer look. From what I've found so far, I've got 4 choices on quality springs for the 5th gen 4-bangers:

Tein S-Tech, Eibach Pro kit, Vogtlands, and TRDs.

So my question is, which of these will work best with the 5th gen, giving a noticable drop, good handling, and retain some of the smooth ride the stocks give, but not an excessive drop to where it will start giving the stock McPherson struts problems. Has anyone else put aftermarket springs on the stock gen5 struts yet. Edfrsd is the only person I've talked to so far to have done this (using the Eibachs) and he claims that it's running smooth for the past 40,000 miles on the McPhersons *knock on wood*

So which should I buy???

[kgasso]

So far so good on Eibach's here...

They don't drop it a lot, but park next to a stock car and it's noticable... Rides well... and handles great.

[Fartmander]

I have some eibach's in my camry. It gives a nice drop and runs smooth. Once and awhile when I hit a nice bump, it hops a little. Overall, its good springs.

[mkII]

what about the v6? what options do i have?

[kgasso]

My Gen5 with the Eibachs is a 6

[SE V6]

MKII

If you're in Canada, you can get a choice of 2 V6s. From Toyota's website, it appears that you still can get the non VVT-i and the newer VVT-i w/ the 5sp auto tranny. The only thing is that if you want the SE model, you'll have to pay $1,300 more for the VVT-i version. All other models are the same price as the non VVT-i (go figure?).

I'm not sure if the VVT-i version is made in the US but I know my non VVT-i is made in the land of the rising sun (Japan).

For spring options, I noticed no one mentioned H&R springs. I find their quality superior. I think they lower the Cam about the same as Eibach.

[bastion]

I'm going with the Vogtlands. Sound like pretty good springs and Jack at JDMwerks was interested in getting some info on how they work on the 5th gens. The only thing I am concerned with, no matter what springs I got, was that since there are no aftermarket struts out yet, they might wear through the stock McPhersons too quickly.

[bastion]

Along these same lines, does anyone know of any strut tower bars and/or sway bars that are available for the 5th gens? I can only find strut tower bars, and those are cheap ones on ebay.