Is this a decent suspension set-up...

[Eniffey]

I have a 95 V6 LE.

I already have the Eibach Sportline springs and planning to buy KYB GR2 for my baby lol. I know that the best set-up I heard is Tokico and H&R Springs. That's for like hardcore racing and all. I just wanted to get a better handling and maybe go fast (100mph+) with good handling once in a while. Is that set-up ok? Or should I cough $$$ and get the tokico for they are such a BIG difference? Does anyone have this combo or suspension. Any reply would be helpful. Thanks!

[Ratko]

I wouldnt go off now and say that the Tokico blues for the Camry are anywhere near "hardcore racing". From my experience with them (and NA-spec H&R sport springs) they seem to be too harshly valved for dampening, and not valved firm enough for rebound. Tokicos higher-end adjustable AGX shocks are direct competition for Koni Yellow adjustables, but then again, there is no application for any Camrys.

If you have servicable strut assemblies, then it is possible to get Koni Red shocks for your Camry. They are rebound ajustable only, but thats better than any other damper for the Camry.

The H&R springs will give you a lower drop in the front, while Eibachs give a lower drop in the rear, and Intrax's give a great drop in the rear and a poor drop in the front. All are progressively wound, which makes them very tricky for "hardcore racing" due to their rather unsmooth transition in stiffness. I believe Jover in his AE86 said that he spun out quite a few times with progressive-rate springs and after changing to a linear-rate spring, the car behaved much more predictibly and weight transition was smooth. Mind you, the trade-off for linear springs are their more harsher ride comfort which is why most aftermarket springs are progressivly wound to allow for a comforable ride, with a stiffer spring rate the more you push them.

I hope that answers your question.

[Eniffey]

I just found a performance shop here and they are really good but of course pricey. They are charging me for the shocks and installation of the following. Notice that I have my own springs, they are charging for labor and NEW KYBS / TOKICO'S / OR KONI'S.

KYBS INSTALLED $520 US DOLLARS
TOKICOS INSTALLED $640 US DOLLARS
KONI INSTALLED $740 US DOLLARS

I wonder if anyone knows besides ebay a good place to get the shocks besides shox.com. Anything would be helpful. Thanks guys! I love this toyotanation, saves me time talking to bullshit mechanics and dealerships.

[Luc]

Those prices look pretty accurate for a reputable shop, as those would be the same charged here in Chicago, only b/c there aren't enough independent knowledgeable mechanics that have worked on Toyota. So there's less competition and more mark-up.

Luc

[camry_dude]

Make sure you have non sealed struts. I found that out the hard way!

[Ratko]

yes, find out if they are serviceable or not first.... a mechanic should be able to tell you if you dont know how. if not, your only options for getting sealed assemblies are from Tokico and KYB (and they are more expensive as sealed units then inserts).

latez.

[STR8PYP]

Tokicos are not hard-core in any way. They're simply performance OEM replacement struts, made to be used with lowering springs. I would spend the extra money and get the Tokico blues over KYB's any day. Prices should range from $360-400/set, and install will vary with each shop.

Hardcore would be JIC Magic SF-1 or FLT-A2 coilover suspension. I'm riding on the SF-1's (had Tokico/Eibach setup prior), and it's definitely more to my liking, but it's much more expensive.

SC