Strut/Suspension Questions (Opinions/arguements welcome)

[MoldySpore]

Ok. First one is an easy one i think...WTF is with the strut bars for Gen4's? Ive gotten 2 now, and they don't seem to fit just right...I have an SPW on there now and although it doesn't actually touch any engine components like the last one (last one rested across several things), when I switch into reverse or step on the gas quick, the engine rocks and smacks the strut bar. The spw sits about 1/8-1/4" above a black plastic plug to the left of the intake and manifolds. I'm afraid it's hitting this and gonna eventually wear/break it. Anyone else have this problem?

Second, lowering springs...suggestions on what i should get? I know the FAQ suggests Eibach I have found several others that say they will work on a gen4. Anyone have experience with others besides eibach? And how low should I be looking to go? That is pretty much an opinion question but i would like to hear some different opinions. Everyone I know says "go as low as possible" but I dont wanna have like...NO ground clearance. I am in a country/suburban setting most of the time with hills and all that. i dont want to be scraping against pavement everytime i hit a little bump...

Bless me with your wisdom people !

[Neon]

There's a TRD strut bar that you can get for your gen 4. =) fits nicely on mine

There are several options for springs, Eibach, H&R, Tein etc. I have the Eibach w/tokico shocks and the car feels solid. If you don't want a big drop then Eibach is the way to go. 1.2" all around. Just don't buy the spings the have drop of 2" lol.

[LiLItalian]

hey

i have the eibach and tokico setup and i LOVE it, its not too low, (even though i still hit the bottom of my car) and it rides like a dream. I dont have a strut bar, although i want to get one, and i heard TRD is the way to go....

As far as suspension, i say that the eibachs are the best. Ive driven cars with tein and coilover and they feel like craaap.

[MoldySpore]

Originally Posted by LiLItalian

hey

i have the eibach and tokico setup and i LOVE it, its not too low, (even though i still hit the bottom of my car) and it rides like a dream. I dont have a strut bar, although i want to get one, and i heard TRD is the way to go....

As far as suspension, i say that the eibachs are the best. Ive driven cars with tein and coilover and they feel like craaap.

You guys buy local or on the web? if so, where at? Too many shady looking sites out there to be just searching on google.

[skewe]

there was a thread going on 3-4 weeks ago

quite a few ppl recomend Tein / tokico

i did not know that TRD made strut bar for gen 4. i know they make it for gen5.
if so, what is the cost? where to buy?

[Neon]

^The TRD strut bar is made for the solara, but it also fits the camry. =)
You can get a used one between 85 - 115$ USD. But i have no idea where you can get a brand new one, EXCEPT if you buy the solara supercharger, the TRD strut bar is included for free


MoldySpore - you can buy the shocks and springs on Ebay. Price is pretty decent sometimes.

[MoldySpore]

Hmm...I just did struts on my car a while back...seems like a waste...is is bad to get the Eibach springs and leave the stock struts (only a couple months old)?

[terrastrife]

when you buy strut braces gotta remember eveyrone is selling you an i4 brace for your v6, so its best off to get one made for a v6, like the trd or whiteline.

[Knailgun]

whiteline & TRD= hotness for braces

[CrawlingEye]

Originally Posted by Knailgun

whiteline & TRD= hotness for braces

yeah, but = $$$$

[1kdude]

I have the TRD springs/bilstein struts, rear sway bar and front strut brace, all TRD parts on a 99 V6 LE. The car handles beautifully and is not 'very' harsh, rarely bottoms. I would get new struts with your new springs (Re: you want some sort of match with spring vs damping rates and the labor to install is only paid once). Not sure if my setup is still available, but its expensive. If you can find a used set, get them, Bilstein will rebuild the shocks. Otherwise, if Tokico does not make a 'kit' =lowering springs +struts (illumina struts), I'd buy the TRD springs and Koni struts, cheaper option might be the Tokico blues or KYB OE struts. I think 'go as low a possible' with the springs is likely to bottom and drag too much. Thats my 2 cents, hope it helps.

[Lychee]

has anyone driven a camry with stock springs and tockico struts? does that work? how does the car ride?

[2olforthis]

Goldlines seem good so far on my 99 V6. 1.5 drop works perfectly with 215-45-17 tires yet still fits with stock for the winter. Cheaper than most other springs but not total shit like some deals you see. Share many of the manufacturing processes seen with eibach and others. Not too bad with the stock struts that were too new to replace. I'll kill em then replace em.

[CamNub]

Originally Posted by LiLItalian

As far as suspension, i say that the eibachs are the best. Ive driven cars with tein and coilover and they feel like craaap.

Wtf? How do coilovers feel like crap. At over 800 bucks a set I don't see what you mean by they are crap.

And as to the height question, How are the roads by you, and do you plan on a kit?

[Eye8Pussies]

^ sounds like he means sleeves w/ tein ?

but by the same token, for OUR cars, coilovers cost +$1K, but say, for a civic, you can get a set for dirt cheap....wouldn't be suprised if those didn't ride too well