SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

Suspension upgrade completed

Old 03-22-12, 07:32 PM
  #1  
SlvBullet
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
SlvBullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Va
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default Suspension upgrade completed

First I added the Cusco strut tower brace. The difference was very noticable and I notice better stability and less lean on curves. DIY was very easy and the oem bolt caps fit right over the brackets.

2nd was replacing the stock rear member braces with the billet aluminum braces from L-Tuners (Carlon Lexus). I really couldn't tell much difference (yet) but they look much better.

I had a shop replace the front and rear sway bar, steering, and front control arm bushings with the upgrades from Daizen. Everything feels a bit tighter. I did have some side wear on all tires and the Daizen writeup attributes that problem typically to the control arm bushings on the sc around 50k miles. I want to go to the track a bit just to feel more speed and test handling on a road course and this upgrade made sense.

Lastly lowered about 1" with the Tanabe normal feel lowering springs. Looks great with less wheel gap and the handling improved more than with the Cusco alone.

Last edited by SlvBullet; 03-23-12 at 07:24 PM.
Old 03-22-12, 07:49 PM
  #2  
bacardi
Lead Lap
 
bacardi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

were did you get the sway-bars?
Old 03-22-12, 08:15 PM
  #3  
SlvBullet
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
SlvBullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Va
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Sorry - I only found the bushings at TM Engineering.
Old 03-23-12, 02:11 AM
  #4  
Swishh
Driver School Candidate
 
Swishh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Do you have any pics of the billet aluminum braces from iTuners?
Old 03-23-12, 07:51 AM
  #5  
mandyfig
Moderator
 
mandyfig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: GA
Posts: 12,298
Received 407 Likes on 359 Posts
Default

Cusco strut bars, thought nothing fit our SC's
Old 03-23-12, 07:27 PM
  #6  
SlvBullet
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
SlvBullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Va
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Swishh
Do you have any pics of the billet aluminum braces from iTuners?
Yes - came in black powder paint and I repainted red to match the Tanabe springs.

http://l-tunedparts.com/product/?id=2486
Attached Thumbnails Suspension upgrade completed-l-tunedbrace.jpg   Suspension upgrade completed-l-tunedbraceplate.jpg  
Old 03-23-12, 07:52 PM
  #7  
SlvBullet
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
SlvBullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Va
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

well I actually found a model in Japan at http://www.nengun.com/ by searching for the Toyota Soarer 4.0GT - UZZ32. It had a different design that the Cusco I have seen advertised in the US and it fit like a glove. I will post a picture. I don't see one now at their website but the communicate in English so you can write them. The handling improved greatly with the strut tower bar.
Old 03-27-12, 07:11 PM
  #8  
SlvBullet
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
SlvBullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Va
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default Cusco Strut tower brace pictures

Bar is engraved with logo, it is not a sticker. You can disconnect one end to raise the bar when you need to work on the engine. Great performance.
Attached Thumbnails Suspension upgrade completed-slvbullet_engccomp_mar2012.jpg   Suspension upgrade completed-slvbullet_cusco_mar2012.jpg   Suspension upgrade completed-slvbullet_cuscobrace_mar2012.jpg  
Old 03-27-12, 07:18 PM
  #9  
robertrios
Pole Position
iTrader: (11)
 
robertrios's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

nice how much was that? So your saying you did get a sway bar upgrade or not? I havent ever found them in stock especially not from Daizon to TMEngineering
Old 03-27-12, 07:25 PM
  #10  
SlvBullet
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
SlvBullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Va
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by robertrios
nice how much was that? So your saying you did get a sway bar upgrade or not? I havent ever found them in stock especially not from Daizon to TMEngineering
was about $200 + ~$60 shipping from Japan but came really fast. All the suppliers I tried in the US said 2-3 month delay and at least from their pictures seemed like a different model.

No new sways - still have the stock sway bars - only upgraded the bushing - Daizen from TM Engineering. I wrote TM several times to see if they knew a source but they didn't answer. I did get a response from Japan about a TRD sway bar but it was pretty pricy ... about 500 if i remember ... so I'll keep the stock with the new bushings.
Old 03-28-12, 12:40 AM
  #11  
harleydjce
Lead Lap
 
harleydjce's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: QLD, Australia
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by SlvBullet
was about $200 + ~$60 shipping from Japan but came really fast. All the suppliers I tried in the US said 2-3 month delay and at least from their pictures seemed like a different model.

No new sways - still have the stock sway bars - only upgraded the bushing - Daizen from TM Engineering. I wrote TM several times to see if they knew a source but they didn't answer. I did get a response from Japan about a TRD sway bar but it was pretty pricy ... about 500 if i remember ... so I'll keep the stock with the new bushings.
Mate, can you post the details on the TRD Sway Bar? The Daizens are NLA and I am looking to source better sway bars.
Old 03-28-12, 01:26 AM
  #12  
I-FORCE
Driver
iTrader: (3)
 
I-FORCE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Broomfield, CO / Qatar
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by harleydjce
Mate, can you post the details on the TRD Sway Bar? The Daizens are NLA and I am looking to source better sway bars.
X2... I would do anything for swaybars
Old 03-28-12, 05:32 AM
  #13  
grabber2
Racer
 
grabber2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NY
Posts: 1,359
Received 45 Likes on 35 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by SlvBullet
well I actually found a model in Japan at http://www.nengun.com/ by searching for the Toyota Soarer 4.0GT - UZZ32. It had a different design that the Cusco I have seen advertised in the US and it fit like a glove. I will post a picture. I don't see one now at their website but the communicate in English so you can write them. The handling improved greatly with the strut tower bar.
I don;t see anything but some "Cusco Drift ****" I want the tower bar too
Old 03-28-12, 09:59 AM
  #14  
VegasSC430
Rookie
 
VegasSC430's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NV
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Which Tanabe springs did you buy? I can't find any for the SC430
Old 03-28-12, 10:01 AM
  #15  
VegasSC430
Rookie
 
VegasSC430's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NV
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

nevermind, I found them for 02-04. Nothing for the '05 though

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Suspension upgrade completed



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:06 PM.