Get low, get low, get low!
10-19-10, 11:05 PM
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Get low, get low, get low!
Modifying an ES350 is all about trial and error. With a non-existent aftermarket, the helpful write-ups and info-laced forums are just as non-existent. One common mod is lowering and to no surprise, no company manufactures a spring kit specific to the ES350. I've seen some coilover setups fitted and seem to be successful and have even heard of an ES350 at a Lexus dealership in sometown USA fitted with a spring kit made for the same MY Camry. I believe it was the Eibach kit and was confirmed by the service manager at that dealership. Nevertheless, I can't put much confidence in this information I find because of it's sparseness but I do know the ES is essentially a Camry. I used to work for Toyota and know this for a fact.
Now I've modified cars from German to Japanese and have a clear understanding of different styles and applications. My focus was/is on rwd coupes. I recently had a baby and the misses wanted an ES. Fwd and 4 door rings untrue to my DNA but thats the hand that's been dealt and not having a slew of products to choose from actually fueled my interest in modifying the ES.*
I blacked the grille myself, had the tailights blacked, installed an 8 inch JL Audio sub and amp and installed HID kits for the head and fog lights. I even had 18" wheels (Sportmax XXR 502) 8.5" in front and 9.5" in the rear. Staggered on fwd feels weird. Anyway, I wanted to "get low", gain a more aggresive stance and run 20" wheels... staggered. I ordered the Tein S. Tech spring kit for the same MY Camry and G-Racing Tokyo wheels (8.5"F, 9.5"R).*The springs fit. I'll say it again, they fit and sits much more aggressive than I thought which isn't a bad thing. It's been 2 weeks since the springs and wheels have been mounted and I'm still tweaking the camber and toe in the rear. Fenders are rolled and I'm currently set at -2.7 degrees of camber in the rear but Still have some rubbing issues. It's a matter of mm with my clearance and I believe I will have it dialed in soon. Toe is pigeoned to achieve desired wear. These are nuances I can live with because I have the resources available to tweak the car. As long I maintain daily drivability, I'm satisfied with the mods.*
So now you've heard it loud and clear. An ES350 CAN be lowered using same MY Camry springs kits. Or shall I say, it can be lowered on Eibach and/or Tein springs. Anyone partial to another company which makes springs for the Camry, be a pioneer and install them on your ES. You probably won't be disappointed.
Now I've modified cars from German to Japanese and have a clear understanding of different styles and applications. My focus was/is on rwd coupes. I recently had a baby and the misses wanted an ES. Fwd and 4 door rings untrue to my DNA but thats the hand that's been dealt and not having a slew of products to choose from actually fueled my interest in modifying the ES.*
I blacked the grille myself, had the tailights blacked, installed an 8 inch JL Audio sub and amp and installed HID kits for the head and fog lights. I even had 18" wheels (Sportmax XXR 502) 8.5" in front and 9.5" in the rear. Staggered on fwd feels weird. Anyway, I wanted to "get low", gain a more aggresive stance and run 20" wheels... staggered. I ordered the Tein S. Tech spring kit for the same MY Camry and G-Racing Tokyo wheels (8.5"F, 9.5"R).*The springs fit. I'll say it again, they fit and sits much more aggressive than I thought which isn't a bad thing. It's been 2 weeks since the springs and wheels have been mounted and I'm still tweaking the camber and toe in the rear. Fenders are rolled and I'm currently set at -2.7 degrees of camber in the rear but Still have some rubbing issues. It's a matter of mm with my clearance and I believe I will have it dialed in soon. Toe is pigeoned to achieve desired wear. These are nuances I can live with because I have the resources available to tweak the car. As long I maintain daily drivability, I'm satisfied with the mods.*
So now you've heard it loud and clear. An ES350 CAN be lowered using same MY Camry springs kits. Or shall I say, it can be lowered on Eibach and/or Tein springs. Anyone partial to another company which makes springs for the Camry, be a pioneer and install them on your ES. You probably won't be disappointed.
10-19-10, 11:54 PM
#2
Another member beat you to this ages ago but what I'm interested is whether you lowered on the Teins that just came out for my Gen6-6.5 Camry or if you purchased the Solara 04-06 Tein springs. The Camry ones are 1.4in and 1.6in iirc and the Solara's are 2in all around. I had the Solara Teins for about 10,000 miles before getting BC Racing coils on my Camry.
In any case, post up pics. Its nice to see another person modify a car that not many consider modding to begin with
In any case, post up pics. Its nice to see another person modify a car that not many consider modding to begin with
10-20-10, 07:14 AM
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Another member beat you to this ages ago but what I'm interested is whether you lowered on the Teins that just came out for my Gen6-6.5 Camry or if you purchased the Solara 04-06 Tein springs. The Camry ones are 1.4in and 1.6in iirc and the Solara's are 2in all around. I had the Solara Teins for about 10,000 miles before getting BC Racing coils on my Camry.
In any case, post up pics. Its nice to see another person modify a car that not many consider modding to begin with
In any case, post up pics. Its nice to see another person modify a car that not many consider modding to begin with
10-20-10, 08:06 AM
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Modifying an ES350 is all about trial and error. With a non-existent aftermarket, the helpful write-ups and info-laced forums are just as non-existent. One common mod is lowering and to no surprise, no company manufactures a spring kit specific to the ES350. I've seen some coilover setups fitted and seem to be successful and have even heard of an ES350 at a Lexus dealership in sometown USA fitted with a spring kit made for the same MY Camry. I believe it was the Eibach kit and was confirmed by the service manager at that dealership. Nevertheless, I can't put much confidence in this information I find because of it's sparseness but I do know the ES is essentially a Camry. I used to work for Toyota and know this for a fact.
Now I've modified cars from German to Japanese and have a clear understanding of different styles and applications. My focus was/is on rwd coupes. I recently had a baby and the misses wanted an ES. Fwd and 4 door rings untrue to my DNA but thats the hand that's been dealt and not having a slew of products to choose from actually fueled my interest in modifying the ES.*
I blacked the grille myself, had the tailights blacked, installed an 8 inch JL Audio sub and amp and installed HID kits for the head and fog lights. I even had 18" wheels (Sportmax XXR 502) 8.5" in front and 9.5" in the rear. Staggered on fwd feels weird. Anyway, I wanted to "get low", gain a more aggresive stance and run 20" wheels... staggered. I ordered the Tein S. Tech spring kit for the same MY Camry and G-Racing Tokyo wheels (8.5"F, 9.5"R).*The springs fit. I'll say it again, they fit and sits much more aggressive than I thought which isn't a bad thing. It's been 2 weeks since the springs and wheels have been mounted and I'm still tweaking the camber and toe in the rear. Fenders are rolled and I'm currently set at -2.7 degrees of camber in the rear but Still have some rubbing issues. It's a matter of mm with my clearance and I believe I will have it dialed in soon. Toe is pigeoned to achieve desired wear. These are nuances I can live with because I have the resources available to tweak the car. As long I maintain daily drivability, I'm satisfied with the mods.*
So now you've heard it loud and clear. An ES350 CAN be lowered using same MY Camry springs kits. Or shall I say, it can be lowered on Eibach and/or Tein springs. Anyone partial to another company which makes springs for the Camry, be a pioneer and install them on your ES. You probably won't be disappointed.
Now I've modified cars from German to Japanese and have a clear understanding of different styles and applications. My focus was/is on rwd coupes. I recently had a baby and the misses wanted an ES. Fwd and 4 door rings untrue to my DNA but thats the hand that's been dealt and not having a slew of products to choose from actually fueled my interest in modifying the ES.*
I blacked the grille myself, had the tailights blacked, installed an 8 inch JL Audio sub and amp and installed HID kits for the head and fog lights. I even had 18" wheels (Sportmax XXR 502) 8.5" in front and 9.5" in the rear. Staggered on fwd feels weird. Anyway, I wanted to "get low", gain a more aggresive stance and run 20" wheels... staggered. I ordered the Tein S. Tech spring kit for the same MY Camry and G-Racing Tokyo wheels (8.5"F, 9.5"R).*The springs fit. I'll say it again, they fit and sits much more aggressive than I thought which isn't a bad thing. It's been 2 weeks since the springs and wheels have been mounted and I'm still tweaking the camber and toe in the rear. Fenders are rolled and I'm currently set at -2.7 degrees of camber in the rear but Still have some rubbing issues. It's a matter of mm with my clearance and I believe I will have it dialed in soon. Toe is pigeoned to achieve desired wear. These are nuances I can live with because I have the resources available to tweak the car. As long I maintain daily drivability, I'm satisfied with the mods.*
So now you've heard it loud and clear. An ES350 CAN be lowered using same MY Camry springs kits. Or shall I say, it can be lowered on Eibach and/or Tein springs. Anyone partial to another company which makes springs for the Camry, be a pioneer and install them on your ES. You probably won't be disappointed.
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10-20-10, 04:35 PM
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Much softer, mainly in the rear. Had the stiffen them back there. Mommy and baby were causing mucho rubb-ige. But then again, I'm 20"x9.5" back there. Now she rides like she was just birthed. Shot out to Tony "The Wheel *****" in the Valley for rollin' and Mark, also in the valley, for tuckin'.
10-22-10, 12:19 PM
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