Trying to drop my 2001 rolla

[dopEEE]

I took it to an import shop a couple days ago and basically this is what happened.

i bought the coilovers, r1 generation 2 coilovers online. i found that things are always cheaper online but in any case, the guys at the import shop said that they could install the coilovers, but that there was a problem in that the coilovers wouldn't lie flat with the shocks. (i guess they mean the stock housing)

so i went back and talked to the guy i bought the coilovers from and he said that the coilovers were indeed for the 2001.. and he said this...
"Most import or even tire shops are not educated in coilover installation for vehicles using the McFereson style strut housing. On all 4 of the struts on your vehicle, there is a metal cap that is at the top of the strut body which has a larger diameter than the one on the threaded coilover cylinder. Therefore, the metal cap has to be grinded down approximately 1/4" all around to allow the cylinder to slide through. After this is done the installation is fairly straightforward."

The guys at the import shop said that if i did decide to install it, i would be back in a month cuz it would mess up my shocks but either way if i bought better coilovers, i know i'd have to go for tokico or kyb gas shocks in three months or so anyway.

so my question is, should i look for a shop that can grind my strut housing or just pay $250 for h&r springs and installation? i dont see the point to switching to springs cuz ill have to get gas shocks anyway. and i dont really mind about the bounciness as long as it isnt too excessive. (i dont like to carry a lot of ppl in my car... (3 at max))

any opinions would be greatly appreciated. :roll:

[VZV21]

With H&R springs alone, it's best to get firmer dampers. KYB makes the OEM ones for Toyota, as well as the TRD ones, and their "aftermarket" GR-2's about about 15% firmer than the ones KYB sells to toyota directly.

[Cor_LOW_la]

i dunno about installation..

but i wound not suggest coilovers on KYB or Tokico... those shocks are too soft for coilover.. your car will bounce like hell.. : :

personally i don't like coilover : .. unless it comes with shocks that will work perfectly with the coilover ...

Eibach + KYB GR-2 or H&R/B&G + Tokico are good for 01 corolla..
and they will be best match (i mean the struts and springs)


good springs/coilovers or good struts only won't work good.. maybe worse..
the most important thing for doing suspension mod. is proper match of the springs and strut