Ric Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 (edited) Good day all. I'm looking around for potential upgrades to my 3rd supra ill be buying very soon (hopefully) Im going to start with handling this time as these cars are quite old now any suspension parts are more than likely tired and will benefit from a replacement. My plan is going to be very rebuild/project like, i know everybody says this but ideally this Supra is for keeps, i regret selling my others. Ill be doing a full suspension arm replacement and upgrading with new parts, my question is: Has anybody used the full Japspeed suspension arm set up? They seem stupidly cheap but well made at the same time (same type joins and mounts as the Ikeya ones) but cost around £1200 for the FULL car. I understand people would probably spend that extra x quid for stock Toyota parts but as our cars are mostly lowered with big wheels does it not make sense to get the most adjustable parts possible so the car can be set up 100% (not almost or nearly) These parts will be joined with Tein Street Flex coilovers with EDFC along with TRD/Titan Rollbars, all other bushes which are not included in these parts will be replaced also. I've not found much information regarding reviews or if anybody has tried them on here. I may be a Guinea pig to see what they are like unless somebody can offer some sound advise why not, the added flexibility of adjustment seems worth a punt over stock Toyota gear? The arms are here: http://www.japspeed.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/_/d/_dsc8546_small.jpg http://www.japspeed.co.uk/adjustable-arms.html?p=3&cars=54 Edited March 24, 2014 by Ric (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timlowthian Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 I am actually planning the same suspension refresh as you right down to the same coil over setup. I found these the other day and was looking into them, the only negative thing I found was the joints can wear quicker than standard ones. Was very little info on them though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 They just look to cheap to me unless they've made a shed load of them and reduced the costs by mass producing them. Only a proper road test will tell and one done over a few 1000 miles on normal rds, not a nice smooth bump free race track I'd like to know the material spec including what bushes and joints are used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Problem with lowered cars is ball joint articulation, and there doesn't look to be any more on there than stock. As Dunk said, the acid test is to use them,see how long they last, especially the spherical bearings. You can buy covers for them by the way, pack them full of grease, it will give you another level of protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si_s Supe Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 They're all listed as Out of Stock so the price reduction is certainly not in the fact they've been mass produced..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 They're all listed as Out of Stock so the price reduction is certainly not in the fact they've been mass produced..... Indeed which is a concern, especially as it looks like no one on here's got them or knows anyone with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 There was some discussion on here a while ago, but it was only a post of "here check these out" Perhaps they are made to order, ill contact them to see what the score is with availability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 There was some discussion on here a while ago, but it was only a post of "here check these out" Perhaps they are made to order, ill contact them to see what the score is with availability. Made to order makes them less viable for me, things like this need to be made in numbers to keep the cost down 1 offs as we call them in engineering are usually expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagman Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 The originals are cast , with an I beam type construction , so even in aluminium will be very strong , but the ball joint is not replaceable . I doubt a stock one has ever failed , worn yes , but fail .. No These look to be steel bar and tube , welded , my doubt would be on the welds , just how good are they ? If jig made , then the alignment could be good , and nice to be able to rebuild / fit new ball joint (joint mount strength?) At what point would these fail , what impact / shock load ? , probably never tested ,but probably will work fine ....lot of probably there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Price up quality rod ends and do the maths. Too cheap! Plus, the research and development that goes into the "simple rubber bush" in an OE suspension is awesome. Rubber bushes are perhaps the most stressed item in a suspension, apart from outer CV joint gaiters in FWD or 4WD cars. Replacing them with generic items rarely has all positive effects. Race type rod ends and unsealed spherical bearings are not really suitable on road cars. At the least you need Teflon lined stainless joints, and they are hugely expensive in the big sizes needed on heavy cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Im looking for user reviews, still no luck. Just double checked the price for new stock units, made my eyes water at over £3100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 It's the same with many things, I bought a used commercial RF linear amplifier off Ebay a while back, paid £350 for it. When it needs a new valve the price of the valve is £950 plus VAT. Such is the purchase V maintenance costs of semi exotica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManwithSupra Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 These look to be the same arms that I was looking at a few years ago but were in Australia at the time. Perhaps they are now an agent for whoever makes them in Australia. I thought about it but like you but I couldn't find anyone who had installed them which is a little unnerving. They look a little cheaply made (reflected in cost) and if you plan to use them on the road the ride is going to be awful due to the rose joints. For peace of mind, if you are going to trust your life in a set of suspension arms then either use OEM or use a proven part like Ikeya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Even OE arms can be highly suspect, as anyone who has restored or MOT'd older TVR's will testify. Internal corrosion can turn outwardly sound looking tubular fabricated wishbones into paper thin death traps after a few years. This is why most of the major manufacturers invest in casting and forging patterns for such things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Stock for win but it hurts your wallet, been there and done that and fitted the whole lot a few years ago including new dampers and springs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krister Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 I wouldnt put suspension components like this in my car. They are most likely made in china. Think what would happen if a weld seam would break when traveling 120mph and hitting a hole in the road. Go with stock parts, this isnt the place to save money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.