Hate to be that guy with his first thread being a "help me" thread, but putting 19"s Work VS-XX Wheels on my GF's 02 SC430 this week. 19"x8.5 F 19"10 R

I'm having difficulty deciding on suspension upgrades.

Wanted: Much lower stance with maintained comfort and avoid the "bounciness". As close to stock ride quality.

Driving Style: Daily Driver, no track events

I see lots of springs that will work, but not to many shocks. I know they say that if you add stiffer springs to stock struts you'll over work them and end up blowing them much sooner. Is there a combo that has worked for anyone else?

I'm afraid coilovers will be too rough and bouncy for her, although I like the adjustability.

Thanks for you help.

Mike

 

Most of us who lower our sc's usually end up buying the Tein CS coilovers. I'm happy with the purchase and would recommend them if you want to lower the car and still maintain the comfortable ride quality.

Post pics after you get the wheels!

Jeff

 

Sure will post pics, but not if it's super 4x4 looking.

How much are the teins? I was really hoping to find a spring strut combo because I probably won't be doing much adjusting of damper or ride height once besides the initial dialiing in.

I just got Coilovers for my WRX and I know my gf would kill me if her car rode anything like mine.

Thanks Jeff. Any pics of your car?

 

the tein cs are about 1250. believe me the ride will be very good. imho it actually rides better than stock. it's very soft, don't worry.

coilovers do NOT mean it's going to be bouncy, not at all

 

Yeah, I guess I'm just worried because this is her baby and if I turn it into anything that resembles a track car, she'll kill me.

 

Yeah, the CS is the way to go, not one person has complained that we have installed them on, in fact they only say that it rides better than stock!

As far as the height, the beauty is that you can adjust it to any height you want, including stock if need be.

 

anyone located in washington with CS? Would love to ride in your car.

 

haha drive down to cali and we have a lot of sc430 with tein cs for you to try

 

any recommended vendors?

 

DoubleWhoosh, the guy who posted

he's todd of tm engineering. i got a lot of stuff from him, including 3 sets of coilovers for my cars. he did all the install as well. a straight stand up guy and great price. email him at todd@tmengineering.net

 

well who has springs with stock struts? can one of those people give an opinion and what tyoe of springs do you have

 

Of course, once I suggest a solution that will maintain ride quality and give us the flexibility of a coilover, she doesn't like the price tag. I can never win

 

I feel ya wrx, I been thinking about going with the same soltuion springs on stock shocks., since the price tag is so hefty for CS. The ride quality on most cars would be fine with a small drop on stock shocks. The only concern is the sc430 is freaking heavy as hell I think somewhere in the neighborhood of 3800 lbs, so there might be some issues. Why dont you just get springs first since they are around $150 and if those dont ride well then upgrade.

 

my concern with just throwing on springs is:

1. If the spring rate is increase dramatically, I'm assuming the ride will be stiffer and it will overwork the stock shock/strut. Eventually causing the shocks to blow much quicker.

2. The ride height will not be low enough. The fendor gap on this car is pretty massive and the 1" to 1.5" the spring drop won't give it an aggressive enough look.

Sounds like the CS is the best option. They are designed for people that want to maintain quality ride quality, not just a stiff suspension for the road/track.

Might have to put that motorcycle on hold for now

Thanks for you help guys. This lexus arena is new to me. I've been in the subie world.

 

well no matter what's said, personally i am against the springs only options, it just won't be right. more than likely the car will be very bouncy coz' of the drop and the soft shocks, and in very short time you will need to pay the installation again coz' the shocks are blown.

to be honest, i think 1300 is nothing for a set of tein cs, considering the price of the car. i am not being cocky, i am just speaking the truth. it's worth it. my philosophy is always "do it once and do it right". ask people here, they know i have been saying that