you gotta love those braces.. the key to every good handling vehicle is a strong chassis that resists torsional bending. A team of engineers can design the best suspension ever made but it's useless if the chassis flexes.

 

I have always thought my stock 16' rims 430 is kind of "soft" around turns, and after reading much posts here, you guys got me thinking about all these STB, sway mods. I am interested to find out, what is considered a "complete" handling mod,

Front/back STB
Front/back Sway bar
Front/back chasis braces?

am i missing anything? and from my readings, seems that TRD is the one to go with, please correct me if I am wrong.

also, anyone has any idea what total cost I can expect including install?

thanks,

 

You missed the most important parts, springs and shocks. Those are the major parts that actually support you car in the air. You can go for L-Tune combi, H&R/Bilstein or coilcovers.

As for the prices:

TRD STB ~ $220
TRD Sway ~ $520
TRD braces ~$170

L-Tune Combi ~ $550
H&R/B combi ~ $650
Coilcover $1200 ~ $2500

 

Without the spring/shock, does the STB, sway help much?

I am looking for a set of 18' wheels, and do the switch when my stock 16' are bad, and I was going to do the spring/shock at the same time as my wheels. Hence the question above.

btw, with the above setup, "complete" suspension/handling mods, will your tire life be affected? I am also considering the cost effect of doing all this and afterwards, if I need to replace my tires every 10k, I may not want to do them at all,

thanks,

 

You can feel the difference of STB without lowering. However, for sway bars, you don't feel that much difference. You have to lower and put the sway bars at the same time for max performance. IMO.

I've never heard lowering to decrease the life of the tires but having aftermarket TC will certainly do. If you want, I have a used set of Eibach Prokit with Bilstein Sport Shocks for sale. Contact me via RacingAristo@clublexus.com if you are interested.

 

so having the spring/shock combo, does that lower your car? or does it just give you better suspension system?

I also don't want to void my warranty, so, is L-Tuned the way to go? or not having any at all? or is it dealer dependant!

thanks for all of your helpful info, forgive me for any newbie questions.

 

Spring itself will lower the car and depends on which spring you choose, the drop varies.

If you do want to keep the warranty, you have to purcahse L-tuned parts and have them installed in Lexus dealer which will cost you a fortune. I haven't heard anything went wrong with aftermarket spring/shock or coilover as long as they are name brands, such as Eibach, H&R, Bilstein, Intrax, TEIN, APEXi and etc.

 

For flat out handling, I don't think you can beat the TRD stuff. The L-tuned springs and shocks should work well with the TRD sways and braces. The braces definitely tighten up the chassis and turns become quicker. The sways definitely stiffen the suspension and makes the car corner very flat. Very BMW M3-ish.

 

Actually, if you purchase L-Tuned through Steve at Carson the parts aren't expensive. And several on this site have had them installed by their Lexus dealer for very reasonable prices. Check with your dealer. Some are very savvy about L-Tuned. Others can't spell it. Clearly, it's your decision if keeping the warranty is worth it to you.

In any case installing L-Tuned parts shouldn't be any more expensive than installing standard springs/schocks.

 

By costing a fortune, I mean having dealer to install the parts for yah. L-tuned and TRD parts are very reasonable prices from Steve.

 

RacingAristo,

You're right. Some of the dealers have quoted ridiculous prices for the install. Others, like one here in Atlanta, have been about what an independent would charge.
In most cases the dealer will be more $ than the independent shop, but if the car is still under warranty I figure if its only a minor amount more the warranty is worth it. I guess it pays to shop among the dealer service departments if there are multiple dealers where you live.

 

RacingAristo,

I see that you are having sway bars done in 2 weeks?? I am wondering if you mind telling me some details of where/ how much you're having it done for? maybe we can get a multiple car discount

please email me if you like to discuss in private

apogee98@yahoo.com

thanks,

 

I will receive the TRD sway bars from Steve in 2 weeks. That's what I meant. Sorry for the confusing.