Ahhh ... I'm sick and tired of it. After literally months of researching and surfing the Web, I still can't decide which shocks I should go for. So I asked my mechanic what he would do, and he suggested Monroe's? Hell, I didn't even know they have an application for our cars

What I want to do is to go just a little stiffer than stock, to improve handling and maybe, just maybe also 1 inch or so lower. What I've looked at so far is:

HKS Hyper Damper II
Tein HA
Tein CS
KYB
Tokico
(Monroe?)

If money would be no issue, which ones would you go for? Which ones would you think are the best compromise of handling and comfort?

Let's hear it folks. I'll base my decision on what you have to say ...

BTW: Whichever setup it's going to be, I'll have 18 inch wheels on the car.

 

Springs control ride height, not shocks.

Shocks control how much the bumps you hit are felt by the driver... they're shock absorbers... hence they absorb shocks.

I'd get the Tein HA or Tein NAs...

http://www.teinusa.com/product.htm

 

Quick, thanks for the reply. I know that I can only adjust the ride height with the coilovers (HKS, Tein) unless I get springs too.

That's what I meant by saying MAYBE

So that's one point for the HA's. And counting ...

 

I wouldn't get coilovers if I were you. Even on the softest setting they're stiff.

If you do change your mind and get them, get the Teins. My understanding is that they're pretty much the way to go for the SC/Supra/whatever.

HTH.

 

If you're going for springs/shocks combo; get the Eibach and Tokico 5-ways

A proven setup. Get the set for the SupraTT; both the shocks and the springs and they'll bolt right up. Ride height drops about 1.5" and handling will improve drastically

Getting the stock SupraTT swaybars wouldn't be such a bad idea either

 

I guarantee that's going to be a pretty stiff ride, Bean.

I have the Eibachs with stock Supra TT shocks and it's stiff.

I like it, but I don't think that someone who wants comfort would...

Oh -- and the KYB adjustables are better than the tokicos from what I've read.

 

Heh, just thought of another alternative ... what about Supra shocks and springs? I guess that should fit the SC4? Would you expect that combo to be softer than Tokico or KYB with Eibach's? Would that lower my car? By how much?

I like the idea of using parts that were made to work well together.

What do you think?

 

Sounds like a good idea.

 

D*#m, I thought my SC ride pretty stiff already
I must be getting old

From what I understand, if you lower the car with new (shorter)springs you also need to install new camber or something like that and the alignment adjustment will be different from spec. without that the front tires will wear out faster on the inside... correct me if I am wrong
How much would that be?

 

Good point, VQT.

Does the SC have a fully adjustable suspension like the Supra? If so, it's no big deal. If not then you're going to need some kind of plates to allow you to adjust camber.

 

How can I tell the SC suspension is fully adjustable? Where do I read from the suspension section that will tell me it is? I scant through the section once and but didn't really understand it

 

Well, other than getting under the car and looking at it, I'd just suggest looking at the suspension parts of the manual.

What you're looking for is adjustment cams for camber, caster, and toe. ...I wish I had an SC manual... I could tell you myself.

You could just call a Lexus dealer and talk to one of their service techs... they'd be able to tell you...

You might ask Clint or CmptrWiz... those guys seem like Lexus tuners...

HTH. I'd know more if I had my SC now... but not for a while yet (wife's still in school for another year)

 

There is a adjustable camber bolt underneath at least my SC 400. You cannot miss it. It is for the front underneath. I do not know about the back though. Any alignment shop can adjust this for you. The back shouldn't be all that bad if, you lower it. The front is usually the hardest. If your back is screwed up due, to too much negative or positive camber. Try finding a adjustable camber kit for the back but, I am sure an alignment shop can help you in that area also.

 

The point is that if you have a fully-adjustable suspension you don't need to mess with mickey-mouse items like camber kits.

If you have a bad negative camber problem from lowering it will affect the rear just as much as the front, and more if it's RWD.

 

I'd do either the HKS HiperMax II's (or HiperMax LS if you want a softer ride) or the Tein CS (not the HA's)...

Not all coilovers are "stiff"....the Tein HA's are stiff, but the CS is soft...as is the HiperMax LS...the HiperMax II's are softer than the HA's...I'd pick HKS over Tein though...