So I'm impatiently waiting for MeisterR ZetaCRD coilovers to be back in stock (ETA April per Jerrick). In the mean time, what's everyone's favorite / most effective suspension mods for cornering besides coilovers and why? Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

02 was softer frame wise from what I read. That being said see my signature on mods

 

My marriage is an ongoing compromise/negotiation. That understood, I’m only going with larger front/rear sway bars. Gives me better handling. Keeps the ride she likes. Everyone’s situation is different. Just keep a sense of humor.

 

My personal opinion on our 08 was that the ride itself was poor. Ok on smooth roads but had a lot of small bump feedback. Plus bottomed easily on driveways.

Separate from the cornering the sway bars will help with.

the MeisterR CRD’s fixed the hard ride over rough roads and the car no longer bottoms in driveways.

win, win. Full soft on their settings is a large improvement everywhere IMO

 

Bob - I think you've convinced me - I emailed Meister to be advised when their coilovers get back in stock. In the mean time, I plan to order the rear sway bar. Thanks for the input. One question I have is: how do you adjust? Will a hole need be drilled into the trunk? I'm hoping they are like the KYB AGX I had on my Miata - the adjustment **** is on the bottom, easily accessed through the wheel well.

Rich
Maple Valley, WA
2006 SC430, Matador Red Mica/Camel

 

+1 for upgrade sway bars and going to coilovers. Those completely transformed how my 02 SC430 behaves. SO much less effort to drive and feels much more stable both in straight aheads and curves. Wife absolutely loves how it feels when she drives it. She is the gear head of the family and says she can feel what the car is doing and no longer feels as if it's going to tip over or lurch in unpredictably. Although, the suspension is harder she describes it as better flying over the road while still letting you know what the tires are doing.

 

Yes we cut small slots in the rear panels. In retrospect now that I have run them the full soft position might be all I need.

Now that the panels have small across holes maybe as time and miles go by I may readjust them.

Our 08 does have 45 series tires set at 33 cold that end up at 36 psi hot and the tires that do noticeably ride better have some reduced extreme handling feel.

have not tried 3 more psi up front yet to see what happens.

car turns at maybe 8 out of ten now. More pressure and more clicks on the adjusters may add to the cornering.

car might benefit from a geared variable ratio power steering system that is optional on our ls.

that would simply lessen the amount of steering wheel turning needed.

Not in the design of the car and not really needed.

some of the non razor sharp turning characteristics I feel I think maybe flex in the suspension components.

i see where stronger parts were/are available that claim to firm up the handling.

being as this is a luxury non tracked raced older couples toy the amount of time and money needed to sharpen up the handling at this point is not a priority.

i seen to be seeing that low mile nice condition Sc 430’s have firmed up in price and particular model variations like our PB may have indeed gone up in value.

as was stated in this thread about how the posters wife described the handling differences after the mods matches my experience.

i think, without evidence, that the suspension components design and location in the chassis may be slightly stiff itself.

Short arms? Angles? I do not know myself.

Ironic to me is that my youth car was a bolted together rear leaf spring pack 1958 corvette.

turn hard enough to bruise your shoulder on the door panels. Bias tires back then rode pretty well.

easily double the power with the triple carbed 427 I installed in it.

plus weighed 2675 pounds. Heafter delete FI car to start with

Fast forward 50 years to our Sc. Same firing order as my small block Chevy.

1,8,4,3,6,5,7,2. Has some of the same exhaust noise as the vette had when it had a small block in it.

 

@Seattle SCone what kind of sway bars? Have a link?

 

See https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...-sway-bar.html
and
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...s-project.html

 

@Seattle SCone you've been helpful as usual for me lately . I ended up ordering the same ISF rear and bushings as you, but a hollow 32mm Megan front. The price difference of $100+ and larger bar (albeit hollow) sold me over the Figs.

https://meganracing.com/suspension/type-suspension-arms/sway-bars/mrs-lx-0290

https://thmotorsports.com/10888059-megan-racing-mrs-lx-0290-sway-bar-adjustable-incl-tpv-bushings?utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping