I've been trying to pay some attention to recommendations for tightening the SC's handling (I have a 97 SC400, FWIW). I'd like to see if I can find a relative ranking of the effects of different handling based modifications (i.e., what modifications have a relatively large effect and what has a relatively small effect), along with any subjective commentary about any of them.

I've identified 8 different handling related modifications below. Anyone can feel free to point out other possibilities that I've missed (and any disucssion threads that I haven't seen). Also, assume, by new bushings, shocks, and springs, that I'mtalking about the standard replacement parts that have been discussed here.

Thanks, --sw

High quality, performance tires
17" or 18" wheels, (with corresponding lower profile tires)
lighter rims
lower car
new sway bar bushings
new control arm bushings
new shocks
new springs

 

1. performance tires. I personally had some bad experience with cheap tires but check the tires section for pick of the litter.
2. lightweight wheels. So many choices.... go staggered 8.x front 9.x or 10 rear and make sure that the offset is correct.
3. lowering car, shocks and springs can be taken care of with a nice set of coilovers TEIN or JIC
4. Sway bar bushings. I personally got Daizen and they are great. good improvement.
5. Control arm bushings. I personally got daizen front and rears and they are awesome.
6. the sway bars from daizen are on backorder. when they get them I will put them on my car.
7. camber adjustment kit. also daizens.. just got them in i'll have them on in a few days
8. strut tower bar. check for fitment. only the front is readily availbale. JIC makes one.

good luck

by the way this should be posted in the handling suspension section.

 

I think i'll put this in the suspention and handling section

 

JIC Coilovers, JIC strut bar, Daizen everything...You'll be the top dog in your part of town....

 

IS that the order in which you'd put them? Performance tires first ,and control arm bushings behind sway bar bushings? I get the impression that the control arm bushings are more important (even if much mroe expensive).

I'm looking to understand which of these mods would give me the best bang for the buck.

e.g., just how valuable are lighter wheels? How much do the stock wheels weigh, anyway? --sw

 

You have a 97, so the bushings aren't likely to be as worn out as the older models. If they are I would recommend getting the car back to normal because if you put sticky tires and lower the car on an unstable platform, it's going to wobble/creak/moan.

 

I did them in this order.

Control Arm bushings front (day1)
control arm bushings rear (day2)
sway bar bushings (day 3)
TEIN HA's (day3)
Lowered 1" (day3)
wheels aligned (day 3)

some months later
wheels with tires
wheels aligned