RA40

iTrader: (6)

After a year and some odd, I finally got to put a personal touch on ours. The components: Bilstein HD struts and Eibach Pro Kit springs. Front struts are on the lower snap ring setting while rears are high setting.

Initial measurements from the fender well:

left front 28.25" right front 28.50"
Left rear 28.25" left rear 28.625"

Measurement after 10 miles on the new parts:

left front 26.50" right front 26.58"
left rear 27" left rear 27.25"

The car is definitely firmer yet the balance in the newly acquired road feel was worth the firmer ride to us. The Mrs. was very pleased and wants more! (It is her car BTW.)

BIG thanks to Todd at TM Engineering who did an excellent job on the install.

TooPhat

any before and after pics?! I have the Eibach's and am just waiting to get some struts before installing them. Interested to see the difference!

RA40

iTrader: (6)

This is where a digital cam would be nice...I don't have one. The front wheels are to the bottom edge of the fender well, the back is about 1/2" from the well. I'm going to shoot some (film) pics of the car next weekend and will have them up. If a local CL member would like to meet up and snap a few for me, it would be nice to have them up quicker.

We've put 65 miles on it since Friday and the car feels so much nicer to drive. Lexus told me my strut rods needed to be replaced and that my brake rotors were warped. Since the new springs and struts were put in, I don't hear the clunking nor do the brakes feedback through the steering at 60+ MPH.

lexer

Hi Mike,

Which city is the TM Engineering in? I am thinking to firm my 01 LS suspension and can't find a expenienced shop to provide me opinions and good price. I am thinking about the Tom's products.

I am in San Jose, CA.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

TM Engineering is located in Carson, CA.

http://www.tmengineering.net

I was debating the JIC FLT-A2's a week before I had these put in. As a ball park gauge, if 10 is stock configuration, I rate the ride quality with the Bilstein and Eibach as an 8. Still a high level of ride comfort yet balanced with more road feel and responsiveness. This is about what I expected and it brings out the car more to our liking. The Mrs. just loves the way it rides and looks now.

lexer

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the info.

Neo

iTrader: (3)

Try John over at Exact Motorsports to see if he can help you. They are in Milpitas. As for TM, I give Todd two I am in the Bay Area too and I drive down to see Todd for anything important. In fact, I'll be making another trip in a few weeks so he is definitely worth it. I do try to coincide visits to TM with family visits. If you are not crazy like me (and rominl), then try John. We do use John too when there is no other trip to SoCal is planned.

lexer

HI Neo,

Thanks a lot for the info. I will check it out.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Here is a pic finally of how the car sits on the springs. Although I've long enjoyed film, I had to acknowledge I can't have my head in the sand much longer so I bought a little digital cam.

persian451

gotta get some rims on that

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Yup, the next step.

LexLS

Is that your house Mike?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

No. I thought this place would make a nice background...this shot was taken in a business park in Newport Beach.

mingsterso

Nice looking car.
I hope mines turn out the same way once I install my springs and shocks. I didnt buy Eibach I bout H&R sports instead. I hope they are up to par the the Eibachs. I just want the look and to retain close to factory ride. I already have a set of 20" wheels with a staggard offset that I have not put on yet because I am really worried about rubbing issues.
What made you decide on the Bilstein shocks over others? Do you know which one has the smoothest ride?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

My first chocie was Tokico as I have used them in a variety of applications in various cars. Bilstein was up there and based on comments from an enthusiast I know and supported comments in various car forums it didn't take much to sway me. Bilstein in my eyes has been synonymous with top quality and well designed shock/strut hardware, Lexkost had positive remarks so I knew in this application, it would be good.

Mario at Toysport recco'd Eibach first then H&R for my car. I went with this suggestion. (This was before I knew about CL.)

Smoothest ride, I've been hearing the Eibach with OEM dampers performs well and stock like. The only possible negative is that due to the spring characteritics, it may not be that "perfect" match for the OEM struts. If oyu are looking for comfort, losing some handling is the compromise. Handling will be improved yet not matched as with an aftermarket HD/sport strut combo...again, you'll lose a bit of ride quality.

It can be a tough choice.

BTW, what wheels do you have?