Ron430,

Well, I no longer have the stock springs on my car. If your theory is correct, my ride would become worse than yours. I guess there is no way to tell until I put them on.

As for the tires, when I put on my 18s, I noticed that the whole wheel/tire looks smaller that my stock 16s. I used some of the tire calculators out there and they are slightly smaller.

 

Really hard to tell on comparisons with mixed sets of mods. I just got back from a San Jose to Marysville round trip so I spent almost six hours on all kinds of roads and traffic for NoCal. I would not describe my ride as the slightest bit harsh. It is definitely not floaty just very very close to bimmer territory, maybe a little more controlled in the corners. The TRD sways keep the GS very flat in high speed ramps. There is definitely a tradeoff between springs and sways. Some people want to stiffen everything up but the stiffer you make the springs and shocks, the less the sways actually do. At about 1970 or so we realized in Trans Am that slightly softer springs actually handled better because we now were able to get handling improvement from things like sways, traction bars, and Watts linkages. If the springs were too stiff, nothing moved. Seemed like the right thing to do on the early Trans Am cars that were a lot closer to street cars than any race car is today but like I said, we found out that you could actually handle better with softer springs. Just need to always look at the suspension as an entire system, not just one component. If lowering springs and lower profile tires make that much difference in ride when combined with the TRD sways, then I think I am pretty much done with suspension mods for handling. I definitely do not want to give up the TRD sways. With the stock springs and bilsteins, the GS is not only very different than stock but very close to the ideal ride/handling tradeoff for me. Only change for me will be the 245/50-16s when the Michelins wear out. Bigger contact patch is always desirable just hope the shorter sidewall doesn't stiffen things up much.

 

On the first paragraph - I had L-Tuned springs/shocks first plus front STB. Then I added the TRD sways and replacement TRD lower chassis brace. The ride definitely got harsher with this upgrade, but the body roll was lessened so much that I was THRILLED with the compromise.

On the second paragraph, what size tires do you have? I had 235/40s on front (8.5) before which looked small (although almost identical in diameter to 235/45-17s) and I switched to 245/40s which look quite a bit better.

 

Ron430,

I would not be against swapping out my L-Tuned springs for something "softer" even though I've only had them for about 3 months. Pursuit of perfection and all that. I would, however, want something shorter than stock because I do like the dropped look.

Bit,

I had the 215/60-16 originally and these are slightly bigger than my current 235/40-18f and 265/35-18r. The problem with my fronts is that they are 18x8 which would be a stretch to try to put on 245s. I think, however, when its time, I will move the rear up to 275/35 while keeping the fronts at 235/40 by necessity.

David,

Do you have a Staff bag or something? I have actually carried 2 stand bags in my trunk. If I add the rear STB, though, I am not so sure. That smaller area in the back of the trunk isn't much but I can put boxes and stuff there. I'd hate to lose it but people are telling me that I should tighten the rear if I am going to do the front.

Anyway, I have had an order in with Steve for the sways and STB for awhile now. He can't really control when they come in so I don't really push him. He is actually pretty good about knowing what I have asked and putting things aside for me. That is why I've bought most of my mods from him.

Since the items are not here yet (other than the rear STB), I was trying to decide between a set of STBs or a set of sways. I am getting the impression, however, that you guys want me to spend more $$ (by getting both).

 

Neo:

I just have the front STB and not the rear. Unless you drive like Manaray (used to), you don't need all the chassis stiffness. Personally I love the sways, but I did so knowing I would give up a little ride quality. I can't say anything about the rear STB; I'm not willing to give up the trunk space. My other car is a truck, so I need a trunk for suitcases & golf clubs when I go out of town.

Instead of just getting everyone's opinions, just drive my car. If it is too stiff, forget the sways. Dublin is 2 hours away; my brother lives in Pleasanton.

Dave

 

Neo - From the little I have read, I think you will have a hard time finding something softer than the L tuned. My impression is that the L tuned and the Eibach are very similar to the stock rates, they just accelerate between them faster because the spring is shorter. Hard to believe it makes that much difference on the ride with the sways but all the input on that must be correct, or there are some awfully sensitive buttometers out there. If you want the drop, don't know if you have much choice. There certainly is a larger gap with the stock springs but I don't notice it when I am driving. Other than not having problems with speed bumps and driveways. Not flaming anyone who dropped, just not that important to me.

 

If you are asking about a comparison of sway bars vs strut tower braces, it may not be a good comparison. As far as preventing body roll, sway bars will help, strut tower braces (stb) will not.

In terms of improving handling there is an important point I would like to make. Virtually every thing you do to modify your suspension has some comfort penalty in terms of a harsher ride. That fact seems to be pointed out in nearly every thread.

STB's however, are an exception. I have used STB's on more than 6 cars that I have owned. In every case STB's have made a noticeable improvement in chassis flex with absolutely NO penalty in ride comfort. In addition, STB's are one of the cheapest upgrades available. They're generally $250 or under and if you can change your own oil, you can probably install one yourself.

In my opinion, STB's are an essential upgrade for any vehicle you own. They are extremely cheap and offer a noticeable improvement.

Whatever you chose to do about sways, definitely get a STB!!

 

Thanks Hunt.

I have the rear STB on the way. The front one will be coming once Steve Ganz gets one. I'll install these and see about the sways. The TRD sways are hard to come by anyway so even if I wanted them, I'd be waiting awhile.

 

Most of the components you have added aren't heavy enough to make a noticeable difference in pick up. What might be causing it is the increase in weight w/ your new wheels.