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The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Front suspension - recommendations?


lightwave

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As I posted in the spark plugs thread, I got my Supra about 4 weeks ago. It's all standard (for now) J-spec TT aerotop with the exception of the wheels which are 17" and look a bit small.

 

Anyway, before I spend money on some new wheels I want to try and sort out the front suspension. It's got stock suspension (black, not yellow shocks) all round, but the front sits up like a Hi-Lux rather than a Supra.

 

I'll try and get a shot sometime and post it (don't have a camera, have to borrow one) but I was wondering what people would recommend to sort this out?

 

I think I want to drop the front about 25mm-40mm, no more. I don't mind if the ride is harder, but I don't want it to feel like an old Mini.

 

AFAIK the rear is fine, and looks fine, but it's done nearly 80k and perhaps you know better than me if the whole lot should be swapped out for coilovers or something?

 

I was hoping to just change some springs at the front, drop it down a little and expect a slightly harsher ride.

 

What do you guys think? Please. :D

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I have the HKS Hipermax II on my car which I think is excellent

 

The JIC kits sold by Vortex is an excellent price for one of the best systems going

 

Our Tein Flex kits with adjustable jobbies from in the cockpit is excellent and flash

 

Chris Wilson's set up is well renowned

 

You could go just Eibach Pro springs and K shocks as a cheaper alternative to coilovers

 

Budget will determine I am sure

 

:thumbs:

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Well I agree price is a consideration, but I think that the choice will probably decide the price, not the otherway around.

 

I really like the sound of the Tein setup which I've always favoured. I think it's a great price too.

 

Anyone tried any of these and can tell me what they're like?

 

(The other thing is what state the current hardware is deemed to be in when I have a service soon).

 

Thanks,

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Originally posted by lightwave

Well I agree price is a consideration, but I think that the choice will probably decide the price, not the otherway around.

 

I really like the sound of the Tein setup which I've always favoured. I think it's a great price too.

 

Anyone tried any of these and can tell me what they're like?

 

(The other thing is what state the current hardware is deemed to be in when I have a service soon).

 

Thanks,

 

I would suggest the Chris Wilson suspension set up. It's a suspension kit that Chris has developed specifically for the MKIV. I've not got it yet but it's definitely on the list. Quite a few people on here have it and seemed to be suitably impressed. It costs £1200 and I believe lowers the car a little but doesn't compromise performance (which lowering too much without correct camber changes etc will do)

 

If you do a search I'm sure you'll find something.

 

Regards

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If your car has covered 80k mls the front shocks will be nackered (and if they are 'black' ones, probably leaking if you examine them). So, it's fair to assume you must ditch the whole assemblies - therefore the Tein's must be favourite. I have an older version on my car, and they are superb, not too hard, but provide fantastic control. Are you using standard wheels/tyres?

 

Tony

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Originally posted by Tony S

If your car has covered 80k mls the front shocks will be nackered (and if they are 'black' ones, probably leaking if you examine them). So, it's fair to assume you must ditch the whole assemblies - therefore the Tein's must be favourite. I have an older version on my car, and they are superb, not too hard, but provide fantastic control. Are you using standard wheels/tyres?

 

Tony

 

I'm not. The wheels are 17" Avalini's which I don't like and will change when I can afford to. I want some 18" Do-Luck double-six wheels, but they're not cheap.

 

I'm planning on sticking with these wheels for a while. The car's going in for a (full) service when I can get that sorted out so I'll get the suspension assessed then.

 

Looks like either Tein or CW setup - both similar in price.

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I've had Chris's setup over 3 years now and will recommend it to anyone that'll listen:) There's some pics in the link below so you can see how much it lowers the car. More importantly the handling is greatly improved and the ride isn't ruined, worth a trip north.

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Originally posted by Nick

I've had Chris's setup over 3 years now and will recommend it to anyone that'll listen:) There's some pics in the link below so you can see how much it lowers the car. More importantly the handling is greatly improved and the ride isn't ruined, worth a trip north.

 

Nick; what a fantastic car! Absolutely lovely!!! How do you find things without a front number plate? Jake's not got one either and he said he's had no problems since last August. I think I'll get rid of mine when I get my bodykit too.

 

Have you had your car dyno'd? I'm interested to know what kind of mods make what power for people. I know you've got the VVTi model, but it's interesting to see what people are getting at the wheels.

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Thanks mate.:)

 

I haven't had a front plate for around 8 months or so now and hadn't been stopped until last weekend at LeMans, he just told me to put it back on. At least I think that's what he said, I don't speak French! I keep a plate down the side of my seat which I quickly put on the dash if I think I'm going to get pulled, only a 30quid fine anyway:)

 

I've got a rolling road printout somewhere showing 440BHP but I'm not at all convinced it's an accurate figure, I don't trust the tuner that dyno'd the car.

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Originally posted by Nick

Thanks mate.:)

 

I haven't had a front plate for around 8 months or so now and hadn't been stopped until last weekend at LeMans, he just told me to put it back on. At least I think that's what he said, I don't speak French! I keep a plate down the side of my seat which I quickly put on the dash if I think I'm going to get pulled, only a 30quid fine anyway:)

 

I've got a rolling road printout somewhere showing 440BHP but I'm not at all convinced it's an accurate figure, I don't trust the tuner that dyno'd the car.

 

Sweet! :p

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i have the koni and eibach setup from Paul E on my car and im very impressed by it, the front end has been lowered by about 20mm and the rear end about 10mm. the car sticks to the road like poo to a blanket:thumbs: i gave it a thrash around castle coombe last weekend too:D :D :D omfg it feels much more stable in high speed corners and its handling on the limit feels much more progressive (i felt very happy to hang out the rear end round quarry corner with no rltc:cool: )

if you are in the bristol area i would be happy to take you for a spin to let you judge for yourself:thumbs:

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Originally posted by attilauk

if you are in the bristol area i would be happy to take you for a spin to let you judge for yourself:thumbs:

 

Sounds cool, thanks. Which date were you at Castle Coombe? My team leader at work is a marshall there and I know he was there yesterday cos he broke down on the way home and isn't in work today! :(

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