KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

And for the record, I'd describe/reiterate the 600/325 version I have as "firm". I don't have anything to compare it to other than the Koni/Ground Control suspension I had on my Prelude a few years ago. On well maintained roads the ride is VERY Lexus-sport. On badly maintained sections of road it is a bit stiff but not so much that I'm terribly bothered. The 500/250 version is supposed to be almost identical in its handling potential with just a bit of body roll. This version doesn't really have body roll.

Then again, I hear off-the-shelf coilover suspensions are generally a bit stiff as well?

mattjk

iTrader: (1)

Have you seen the new H&R setup? Looks like they copied the gixxer drew setup.

515/285 springs with Bilstein shocks. LOL

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

Interesting, but this is news to me, That kit looks like it still uses the stock SC/MKIV top hats and will need some minor assembly with a spring compressor. Again, no big deal. I'd be interested to know what their preload recommendation is. People have different theoriees on that from what I read but in general it made sense to assemble the Gixxer with too much initial height and lower it once the system was weighted by the car-- another reason the "helper" springs were eventually recommended for all versions of the Gixxer. The rears exhibited this issue initially more than the fronts as I recall but even after settling I have no issues.

H&R does good stuff!

mattjk

iTrader: (1)

I might go with the H&R setup, less chasing parts...

I like their springs, it has a few turns of dead coils so no need for helper springs. Also, they are full diameter up top, so you don't need the added aluminum spring tops which will give you more shock travel.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

Hmm. That's an interesting change between the two.

Chasing parts wasn't a big deal for me. I got everything fairly quickly prior to the install. People waiting on the Bilstein AK shocks to become available for purchase was mentioned since they are low production (and the same as MKIV TRD Bilsteins apparently) but I did not encounter that.

One can't argue with something simpler that does the same thing, however.

estomax

iTrader: (2)

what is the model / link to the H&R stuff, looks interesting enough to read up on.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

As promised, here are pictures of the Gixxer_Drew suspension. It is very stock in appearance but I also haven't tried lowering it much beyond that. A couple of reasons for this: one, it's not designed to go extremely low but another is that I am running 235/45-17 up front and 255/40-17 in the rear. Both are nearly identical to the stock rolling diameter of OEM SC300/400 tires. Running a similar sidewall height on 18's would fill the fender-wells a bit more but I am running this diameter on TT rims because being totally stock NA, a bigger OD tire/rim won't help my acceleration.

I could probably go 1" lower but I'd have to check my settings to be sure. It looks almost "stock" to most people and therefore deceiving. I actually kind of like it that way.

myLEXsc400

maybe its because it hasnt settled yet, but it looks higher then oem to me

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

It's probably right at OEM height. It's been installed for a coupe of years now so it's had plenty of time to settle. I've just never adjusted it since the initial settling period. Too much other work and always something else needing attention on the car or my ex-roommate's diesel GWagen when I had spare time. It was easier to leave it alone with my schedule.

I'll probably see about adjusting it now that I'm done with moving and don't have L.A.'s crappy road surfaces to warrant lots of suspension travel.

myLEXsc400

are these the H&R coilovers you guys are talking about? http://thmotorsports.com/i-239556.as...FaxaMgodun4ALQ

Halon

iTrader: (6)

Yep. I've been recommending these for a long time. Great choice for those who want something similar to the Gixxer_drew setup, but want an out of the box solution vs. assemble yourself. It's what I will be running if/when I ever decide to upgrade my bilstein/supra spring setup.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

From the pictures in that link, do the H&R's still require the use of the factory top hats? I don't see any on those unless it's a stock image.

myLEXsc400

yup, exactly. Im really considering getting these, but they have no camber adjustment. What are the benefits to getting coilovers with top hats?

mattjk

iTrader: (1)

it's double wishbone, why do you need top hats with camber adjustment? that only works with , Macpherson struts.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

I'm not certain of this but there should a benefit to modifying the suspension's camber if aggressive lowering is desired.