Suspension and Brakes Springs, shocks, coilovers, sways, braces, brakes, etc.

My first suspension mod.

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Old 12-12-03, 06:34 PM
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B_Cruz
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Cool My first suspension mod.

So I finally purchased pricey mod for my GS400. I went to my buddies work looking to purchase a set of Tein S-tech's and left there with a receipt for APEXi WS suspension.

First of all, the construction of these things are excellent. I had Tein HA's on my old car before and it looks like it was built better.

Here are a few pics I snapped right when I got home.














Can't wait to put them on. Weather here in Nor Cal sucks. I heard great things about them.



Best $850 spent ever!

-Byron
Old 12-12-03, 06:38 PM
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bitkahuna
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They look really nice. $850 for springs and shocks though? Steep!
Old 12-12-03, 06:44 PM
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B_Cruz
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yeah $850 is steep for something that is only adjustable height wise but it supposidly rides like stock or somewhat close. No tracking intended for this car at all
Old 12-12-03, 08:22 PM
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Originally posted by bitkahuna
They look really nice. $850 for springs and shocks though? Steep!
Almost anywhere else these coilovers go for 1400-1600!!

These items are really good, as soon as I finish this paperwork to sell my first born, I'll be ordering some!! LOL
Old 12-12-03, 08:34 PM
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bluelex
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so they r adjustable 4 height but not ride?


"D" u'r box is full...
Old 12-12-03, 08:40 PM
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GammaLex
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Those are coilovers without the upper mounts? Front and rear? If so $850.00 is a good price. When I was shopping for coilovers I seen those for 1150.00 shipped.
Old 12-12-03, 08:45 PM
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B_Cruz
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Originally posted by bluelex
so they r adjustable 4 height but not ride?


"D" u'r box is full...
yup. which is fine. I just wanted a lower ride with a stock like ride.

If I was building a track/road race car, I wouldn't be building a Lexus.
Old 12-12-03, 08:47 PM
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Originally posted by GammaLex
Those are coilovers without the upper mounts? Front and rear? If so $850.00 is a good price. When I was shopping for coilovers I seen those for 1150.00 shipped.
yes sir front and rear
Old 12-13-03, 06:49 AM
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Originally posted by bluelex
"D" u'r box is full...


All cleaned up now!
Old 12-13-03, 06:52 AM
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Originally posted by B_Cruz
yup. which is fine. I just wanted a lower ride with a stock like ride.

If I was building a track/road race car, I wouldn't be building a Lexus.
This is exactly what I wanted as well. The lower ride height, and some sways, will be enough to improve the handling for me. When I had my Accord, it was dropped really low with a stiff suspension and 225/35-18s. After I sold that car, I promised myself I would NEVER have another car that I could not drive wherever I wanted, and carry whomever I want!!

Trust me my g/f and her daughter would NOT appreciate the buckboard stiff ride!! LOL
Old 12-13-03, 07:19 AM
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OK, I'm confused - in the pic I see separate springs and shocks. I thought coilovers were all one unit. If not, what is the diff. between a coilover and a spring that goes over a shock?!
Old 12-13-03, 08:17 AM
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B_Cruz
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Originally posted by bitkahuna
OK, I'm confused - in the pic I see separate springs and shocks. I thought coilovers were all one unit. If not, what is the diff. between a coilover and a spring that goes over a shock?!
The difference with coil overs and shock and spring combo is coil overs have an adjustable perch which changes ride height. My pictures suck actually but the whole shock body is threaded. A shock and spring combo is just that shocks and springs with no height adjustment. Ground Control has coil over sleeves which goes over the shock body and gives you height adjustment but from my past experiences it is noisy and you have to match the spring rates with the right shocks to get a 'good' ride. The noise I was referring to is the metal sleeve on the shock body. It usually 'clanks' around.

Most performance coil overs come assembled with a top hat but for comfort, the apexi unit utilizes the stock upper mounts instead of using a 'track/competition' stiffer pillow mount.
Old 12-13-03, 08:18 AM
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Originally posted by bitkahuna
OK, I'm confused - in the pic I see separate springs and shocks. I thought coilovers were all one unit. If not, what is the diff. between a coilover and a spring that goes over a shock?!
I have always thought the difference was that the spring and shock in a coilover is 100%matched, and that the shock has adjustable height/dampening, etc etc.

Dont know could be wrong
Old 12-13-03, 08:32 AM
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B_Cruz
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oh yeah, spring and shocks are made to work perfect with each other and it is 100% matched. Some units don't have an adjustable dampeninglike Tein Basic's or even height adjustment like the H&R cup kits.
Old 12-13-03, 08:05 PM
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jtanoyo1
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Ahhh that's what I thought was looking a little weird with your pic. The upper mount is missing! My HKS LS+ has this huge triangular shaped metal purple upper mount that replaces all the stock factory stuff.

Yours look like it's built like a tank and I actually drove in Alex's car when I was in HK and I was very impressed with its ride quality. Almost like stock and very very stable. Especially at $850, can't beat that!


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