initial tanabe sustec 5 coilover impressions
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,402
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From: southern cali, san gabriel valley
initial tanabe sustec 5 coilover impressions
WOWSERS this thing takes it pretty freaking low. I can hit 1.5 inch away from tsuraichi at front and can hit 1 inch away from tsuraichi at the back, all this on 19" . All of this dumpage was much more than what I was expecting. I had to raise it up 3/4 inch all around because I didn't get a chance to shave the rears yet.
I only had a chance to drive it briefly for about 10 minutes on "medium" damper settings and it rides pretty good. I have 12K spring rate at front and changed out to 8K at back. Everything feels really good but I haven't had the chance to test the front's strength yet on rough, bumpy roads. It kinda seems like the front could use a higher damper setting / or even a 14K spring rate. Not sure what the bottom out effects will be on moderate pot hole roads. Everything is too early to come to a final conclusion.
I didn't get a chance to drive it much yet because it's still at the shop. So far so good. I'll give more feedback later when get to test it some more.
I only had a chance to drive it briefly for about 10 minutes on "medium" damper settings and it rides pretty good. I have 12K spring rate at front and changed out to 8K at back. Everything feels really good but I haven't had the chance to test the front's strength yet on rough, bumpy roads. It kinda seems like the front could use a higher damper setting / or even a 14K spring rate. Not sure what the bottom out effects will be on moderate pot hole roads. Everything is too early to come to a final conclusion.
I didn't get a chance to drive it much yet because it's still at the shop. So far so good. I'll give more feedback later when get to test it some more.
Last edited by mikemareen; May 29, 2008 at 01:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 1
From: southern cali, san gabriel valley
OK guys, I finally got the rear fenders shaved and was able to drive the car freely over bumps, humps and everything in between.
Overall I'm very satisfied. It feels strong over bumps and still close to stock ride. Not as stiff as I though it would be compared to motohide's review.
on freeway roller coaster dips, the bounce is definitely more pronounced compared to stock but it feels strong and maintains composure fast and quick. I may try bringing up the damper a bit higher in the front.
the drop is about 2" to 2.5" all around and still have an inch more threaded body left to go lower.
Here is a shot of the drop, more pics on my separate pic thread.
Overall I'm very satisfied. It feels strong over bumps and still close to stock ride. Not as stiff as I though it would be compared to motohide's review.
on freeway roller coaster dips, the bounce is definitely more pronounced compared to stock but it feels strong and maintains composure fast and quick. I may try bringing up the damper a bit higher in the front.
the drop is about 2" to 2.5" all around and still have an inch more threaded body left to go lower.
Here is a shot of the drop, more pics on my separate pic thread.
Last edited by mikemareen; May 28, 2008 at 10:38 AM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 1
From: southern cali, san gabriel valley
tsuraichi or however it's spelled, is a japanese term to describe how the fender lip physically touches the edge of the wheel lip.
for me , the closer the fender is to the wheel lip , the better it looks. It would be sweet if the car could be driven daily with the fender kissing the lip, but it's unrealistic in the real world.
for me , the closer the fender is to the wheel lip , the better it looks. It would be sweet if the car could be driven daily with the fender kissing the lip, but it's unrealistic in the real world.
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tsuraichi or however it's spelled, is a japanese term to describe how the fender lip physically touches the edge of the wheel lip.
for me , the closer the fender is to the wheel lip , the better it looks. It would be sweet if the car could be driven daily with the fender kissing the lip, but it's unrealistic in the real world.
for me , the closer the fender is to the wheel lip , the better it looks. It would be sweet if the car could be driven daily with the fender kissing the lip, but it's unrealistic in the real world.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 1
From: southern cali, san gabriel valley
update on the tanabe's, I took a 2nd look at the coilovers and it has another 1.5" of thread for droppage in the front, and another 1" of droppage at the rear.
so it appears that tanabe's drop rating of 2.75" at front and 2.25" at rear are within " normal driving range ".
It's max drop is actually around 3.5" at front and around 3" at rear
so it appears that tanabe's drop rating of 2.75" at front and 2.25" at rear are within " normal driving range ".
It's max drop is actually around 3.5" at front and around 3" at rear
update on the tanabe's, I took a 2nd look at the coilovers and it has another 1.5" of thread for droppage in the front, and another 1" of droppage at the rear.
so it appears that tanabe's drop rating of 2.75" at front and 2.25" at rear are within " normal driving range ".
It's max drop is actually around 3.5" at front and around 3" at rear
so it appears that tanabe's drop rating of 2.75" at front and 2.25" at rear are within " normal driving range ".
It's max drop is actually around 3.5" at front and around 3" at rear
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 1
From: southern cali, san gabriel valley
ride is EXCELLENT. I really really like them.
at the height right now, the ride is strong, and firm but still smooth. Make sure to get 8K spring rate at the rear and set it out of the box to the low damper setting at the rear, medium damper at the front. Smoothness will depend on your wheel tire set up.
at my height I don't have to worry about any dips, driveways, etc. I just drive it, for the most part, like a normal car.
I used to have algernon full tap coilovers and these tanabe's are not even close to how stiff and rough the algernon's were.
these sustec pro 5's are sweet, for the price they are a bargain! we are fortunate to be able to easily get these for our LS430 here in the states. They can even go lower to make the VIPcar guy grin and giggle.
and no, no teas . what do u need TEAS for on a LS430. forget it.
at the height right now, the ride is strong, and firm but still smooth. Make sure to get 8K spring rate at the rear and set it out of the box to the low damper setting at the rear, medium damper at the front. Smoothness will depend on your wheel tire set up.
at my height I don't have to worry about any dips, driveways, etc. I just drive it, for the most part, like a normal car.
I used to have algernon full tap coilovers and these tanabe's are not even close to how stiff and rough the algernon's were.
these sustec pro 5's are sweet, for the price they are a bargain! we are fortunate to be able to easily get these for our LS430 here in the states. They can even go lower to make the VIPcar guy grin and giggle.
and no, no teas . what do u need TEAS for on a LS430. forget it.
Last edited by mikemareen; Jun 4, 2008 at 08:41 AM.
ride is EXCELLENT. I really really like them.
at the height right now, the ride is strong, and firm but still smooth. Make sure to get 8K spring rate at the rear and set it out of the box to the low damper setting at the rear, medium damper at the front. Smoothness will depend on your wheel tire set up.
at my height I don't have to worry about any dips, driveways, etc. I just drive it, for the most part, like a normal car.
I used to have algernon full tap coilovers and these tanabe's are not even close to how stiff and rough the algernon's were.
these sustec pro 5's are sweet, for the price they are a bargain! we are fortunate to be able to easily get these for our LS430 here in the states. They can even go lower to make the VIPcar guy grin and giggle.
and no, no teas . what do u need TEAS for on a LS430. forget it.
at the height right now, the ride is strong, and firm but still smooth. Make sure to get 8K spring rate at the rear and set it out of the box to the low damper setting at the rear, medium damper at the front. Smoothness will depend on your wheel tire set up.
at my height I don't have to worry about any dips, driveways, etc. I just drive it, for the most part, like a normal car.
I used to have algernon full tap coilovers and these tanabe's are not even close to how stiff and rough the algernon's were.
these sustec pro 5's are sweet, for the price they are a bargain! we are fortunate to be able to easily get these for our LS430 here in the states. They can even go lower to make the VIPcar guy grin and giggle.
and no, no teas . what do u need TEAS for on a LS430. forget it.
DanozLS430...
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