SE Suspension Swap on XLE? (Gen 5)

[sundarpn]

Folks, I used the search feature but never got the answer.

Have a 2002 Camry XLE. (4 cyl).

Will springs & struts from 2002 or 2003 camry SE (4 cyl) FIT without ANY mods? I am also looking to get the stock SE strut bar.

Or is there any aftermarket springs & struts that will give the SE feel? (I am not talking lowering springs and don't want to spend a fortune).

[james399]

Originally Posted by sundarpn

Folks, I used the search feature but never got the answer.

Have a 2002 Camry XLE. (4 cyl).

Will springs & struts from 2002 or 2003 camry SE (4 cyl) FIT without ANY mods? I am also looking to get the stock SE strut bar.

Or is there any aftermarket springs & struts that will give the SE feel? (I am not talking lowering springs and don't want to spend a fortune).

wow this has been thoroughly discussed, i'm surprised you couldn't find anything...

uh, the se springs struts etc will fit fine no modification... if you get a thick rear sway bar and a front strut bar, it should stiffen up your suspension a lot...

if you have not changed your suspension since 2002, you might want to consider replacing the struts.... they are probably be blown... the springs might be sagging too... and it will probably be a lot stiffer than before...

[CharmCityES]

yes they will bolt right in.
i will sell you some SE oem springs off my 03 for 30 plus shipping....youll need the componets from an 02-03 only because the suspension design changed in 04.
the SE has different struts, springs, thicker rear sway bar (just get the TRD one) and an oem front strut bar (solara, camry SE or ES300/330 ones will all fit)

[sundarpn]

ok thanks. So I can also change my rear sway bar to the SE bar I suppose without any mods.

CorCamrySE,
How many miles on those springs? do u also have the SE stock strut bar or possibly the rear sway bar. (look like you went chaging all those to TRD ones)

[TRD VVTi]

If you're going to upgrade the rear sway bar, leave the front sway bar alone.

[SRFer]

I just installed the TRD rear sway bar on my 2006 Camry LE 4-cyl. I had read on the forum to use the autocross bolt hole setting, which worked like a dream. The car is now balanced in turns instead of understeering. I also like that the bar seemed to firm up the ride (at least in the rear of the car). Will the TRD strut tower brace firm up the front suspension or is it time to consider TRD lowering springs? If I do the springs, will they make the ride harsh? Thanks in advance for the input!

[CharmCityES]

yes the TRD springs make the car ride a bit more harsh, but honestly its not bad at all!

sundarpn, the oem SE springs have about 40k on them, and yes i do have the FSB but im selling it to member asg14.....theyre everywhere for sale tho so just check around!

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by SRFer

I just installed the TRD rear sway bar on my 2006 Camry LE 4-cyl. I had read on the forum to use the autocross bolt hole setting, which worked like a dream. The car is now balanced in turns instead of understeering. I also like that the bar seemed to firm up the ride (at least in the rear of the car). Will the TRD strut tower brace firm up the front suspension or is it time to consider TRD lowering springs? If I do the springs, will they make the ride harsh? Thanks in advance for the input!

The TRD springs will firm up the ride but it's still not harsh or bouncy.

The TRD STB will not actually firm up the front suspension. It will stabilize the upper mounting points allowing the geometry to stay consistant though. By eliminating the flex in the strut towers the suspension will work better. You will certainly notice the difference.

[SRFer]

CorCamrySE & TRDVVTi, thank you for your input.
Two last questions:
1)there was another post on the forum about someone looking for stiffer steering on his Camry LE. I recall that when I initially test drove the LE and the SE, the SE required more effort to turn the steering wheel. Was that strictly a function of the difference in tires between the two models? I asked my dealer and they said that the XLE/SE had a different steering rack. I posted a question on the "stiffer steering" thread and someone wrote back that while the racks where different, the steering pump was also different. Any thoughts on whether switching to the XLE/SE rack and/or pump would increase the effort to turn the wheel?
2) When I replace the springs I realize I will have to take the car in for an alignment. As I roadrace with the SCCA and I realize there are "racing alignments", does it make any sense to ask the dealership to give me more negative camber(-1.5deg), less rake and the usual +.10 and -.10degree toe-in and toe-out on the front and rear alignments OR just leave it stock?
Thanks again!