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SS suspension a bolt on job? - 6G Celicas Forums

Topic #57928 24 posts Started by bccentaur3
bccentaur3
#1
Hey guys. I'm planning on getting a 3rd gen front clip and it comes with all the front suspension and braking components. Since I don't want to go through the work, grinding things down and making custom brackets for the calipers. I was thinking about just swapping over the entire front suspension from the clip. Will the super strut suspension be a bolt on for me? I'd like to know, because I don't think its worth paying the extra 500 for the clip, because it comes with the calipers and rotors.
98 Celica gt red- totaled deer94 Celica st black DD (bad weather beater)- totaled deer95 Celica gt silver- chassis sold88 Celica All-Trac (Burned to a crisp)94 Celica gt white (sold)In need of a rust free chassis!!!!
Paul_Celica_GT
#2
Yes, Superstruts Suspension is a bolt-on job. It uses the exact same mounting point as the normal McPherson suspension. Only problem you have, is that you probably can't use the S54 gearbox, you need a E56 gearbox with E56 axles. The splines of the E-series gearboxes are different than the ones of the S-serie, but I don't know this for sure. If the splines are the same, you can use the S54 gearbox.

If you interested, here in Holland they have a E56 gearbox for sale (850 Euro) and I have some spare axles (350 Euro).
Converted JDM '98 GT-Four to LHD, check my site:Celica GT.nl
Edophus
#3
>
QUOTE(Paul_Celica_GT @ Apr 24, 2008 - 2:26 AM) [snapback]667606[/snapback]
>
Yes, Superstruts Suspension is a bolt-on job. It uses the exact same mounting point as the normal McPherson suspension. Only problem you have, is that you probably can't use the S54 gearbox, you need a E56 gearbox with E56 axles. The splines of the E-series gearboxes are different than the ones of the S-serie, but I don't know this for sure. If the splines are the same, you can use the S54 gearbox.

If you interested, here in Holland they have a E56 gearbox for sale (850 Euro) and I have some spare axles (350 Euro)


I would also like to know the answer to this, I have a beams with superstrut and they use the s54, i also have an e56 in my workshop that i might rebuild with a shorter final drive, i dont fancy on taking the driveshafts out just to check at the moment laugh.gif I could check the inputs on the e56 though if someone could check an s54 for comparison
bccentaur3
#4
Well if its a bolt on job, and the the gt tranny bolts right onto the 3s motor and by using the gt tranny I WILL have to use the gt axles, would that fit like a glove though?
98 Celica gt red- totaled deer94 Celica st black DD (bad weather beater)- totaled deer95 Celica gt silver- chassis sold88 Celica All-Trac (Burned to a crisp)94 Celica gt white (sold)In need of a rust free chassis!!!!
playr158
#5
my SS suspension steering rack is also different than my AT200

ie:
AT200 is straight armed
SS is curved

This post has been edited by playr158: Apr 24, 2008 - 1:00 PM
bccentaur3
#6
Well, does the steering rack have to be curved due to fitment with the ss suspension? I mean if the steering rackas are the same length and the curve has nothing to do with fitment(being in the way of things) then wouldn't I be able to keep the factory steering rack?
98 Celica gt red- totaled deer94 Celica st black DD (bad weather beater)- totaled deer95 Celica gt silver- chassis sold88 Celica All-Trac (Burned to a crisp)94 Celica gt white (sold)In need of a rust free chassis!!!!
njccmd2002
#7
I know the ss suspension has the figure 8 thingy. And if they are piece of zhlt, they are pricey and difficult to get....
Learned a lot in 10 years...I hardly log in anymore, last loginToday Sept 6 2019, and I was forced just to clarify a post. LOLIf you PM me and I dont respond, dont fret or cry. Im alive, better post your questions in the thread below, maybe I log back in2grfe Swapped...Why I chose the 2GR, before you ask read here...A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.@llamaraxing in Instagram is the best way to find me. I hardly log here anymore.
bccentaur3
#8
Thats cool. I will just get the coilovers, but I highly doubt any of the steering components are bad.
98 Celica gt red- totaled deer94 Celica st black DD (bad weather beater)- totaled deer95 Celica gt silver- chassis sold88 Celica All-Trac (Burned to a crisp)94 Celica gt white (sold)In need of a rust free chassis!!!!
scothaniel
#9
I installed the SS suspension on my ST (3S swap, E153 trans). Here are some details:
  • The Steering rack on the US cars is shorter then the GT4, and the RHD steering rack wont work in a LHD car.
  • You must use the GT4 tie rod ends to allow clearance when turning, or make a custom tie rod end in the same shape as the GT4.
  • When fitting the GT4 tie rod ends to the US rack, you'll need to lengthen the threaded section in order to make a good connection to the rack. I cut off about 2" of the stock US tie rod end and welded it on to the GT4's.
  • The Splines on the ST185 axles fit fine into the GT4 spindles, providing you use the correct abs / non-abs versions.
  • Same short axle issue when using MR2/Celica components, so the hub placement is the same.
  • Same subframe in all 6th gen Celicas. Its easier to just swap the subframe then to swap the control arms.


On the other hand, the brakes are AMAZING!!! There worth the $500 by themselves.

And I'll buy the control arms / fig8's from you if decided not to do the swap. I have a bad ball joint on one control arm (there are 3 ball joints per side + a uniball) and pricing from the UK is insane.

This post has been edited by scothaniel: Apr 24, 2008 - 4:26 PM
ScottWest Michigan
playr158
#10
>
QUOTE(bccentaur3 @ Apr 24, 2008 - 3:57 PM) [snapback]667773[/snapback]
>
Thats cool. I will just get the coilovers, but I highly doubt any of the steering components are bad.


coilovers have NOTHING to do with fixing the figure 8 problem, you can not eliminate them. They must be replaced on their own, other wise you will handle like poop and have unsafe suspension.
on the other hand i solved the steering rack issue by converting to RHD laugh.gif

This post has been edited by playr158: Apr 24, 2008 - 10:44 PM
bccentaur3
#11
I was planning on swapping over the entire subframe. So as long as I swap over the subframe and all of the suspension compnents, I will be okay as long as I extend the steering rack correct?
98 Celica gt red- totaled deer94 Celica st black DD (bad weather beater)- totaled deer95 Celica gt silver- chassis sold88 Celica All-Trac (Burned to a crisp)94 Celica gt white (sold)In need of a rust free chassis!!!!
playr158
#12
sub frames are like....the same
bccentaur3
#13
I guess I will wait for the clip and see how much fabing I will have to do. Thanks guys.
98 Celica gt red- totaled deer94 Celica st black DD (bad weather beater)- totaled deer95 Celica gt silver- chassis sold88 Celica All-Trac (Burned to a crisp)94 Celica gt white (sold)In need of a rust free chassis!!!!
scothaniel
#14
>
QUOTE
>So as long as I swap over the subframe and all of the suspension compnents, I will be okay as long as I extend the steering rack correct?

Correct. I can snap a couple of pics of my setup if you want.
ScottWest Michigan
bccentaur3
#15
Pics would be awesome.
98 Celica gt red- totaled deer94 Celica st black DD (bad weather beater)- totaled deer95 Celica gt silver- chassis sold88 Celica All-Trac (Burned to a crisp)94 Celica gt white (sold)In need of a rust free chassis!!!!
playr158
#16
here is SS rack & subframe
IPB Image
IPB Image
IPB Image


here is USDM
IPB Image

This post has been edited by playr158: Apr 25, 2008 - 11:01 AM
bccentaur3
#17
I see the difference, but its looks to me like its just a slight difference. What exactly will I have to do to make the ss work and keep LHD?
98 Celica gt red- totaled deer94 Celica st black DD (bad weather beater)- totaled deer95 Celica gt silver- chassis sold88 Celica All-Trac (Burned to a crisp)94 Celica gt white (sold)In need of a rust free chassis!!!!
Penkka
#18
when you buy those parts, why not buy the SS to the LHD?
320hp @ 6300rpm and 420Nm @ 3250rpm. yay!My ST205 WRC buildthread
bccentaur3
#19
I'm getting a front clip, because I'm doing the 3s swap and its rhd. Can't do anything about it.
98 Celica gt red- totaled deer94 Celica st black DD (bad weather beater)- totaled deer95 Celica gt silver- chassis sold88 Celica All-Trac (Burned to a crisp)94 Celica gt white (sold)In need of a rust free chassis!!!!
playr158
#20
The BEST and EASIEST solution is to order an LHD GT4 steering rack. This will be a bit expensive and you gotta deal with the UK probably, but this is the best way to achieve what you want in my opinion, both for safety and reliability. (that and you might as well order the figure 8s ect. while you are doing it)
scothaniel
#21
Sorry, was really busy this weekend and wasn't able to snap a couple pics of my 'modified' control arms.

Since the US rack is shorter then the GT4, swapping over the GT4 inner & outer tie rods wont be long enough to reach the hubs. To make them long enough, you have 5 options:

1. Find an inner tie rod thats the correct length (about 2" longer then the GT4 rod)
2. Machine the US inner rod down to the correct length
3. Weld onto the outer rod to make it roughly 2" longer
4. Use a threaded rod and coupling to make an intermediate arm.
5. By a LHD GT4 steering rack.

With the tools (and funds) I had available, I went with option 3.

This post has been edited by scothaniel: Apr 28, 2008 - 1:46 PM
ScottWest Michigan
bccentaur3
#22
What exactly did you weld onto the outer rod to make it 2" longer?

This post has been edited by bccentaur3: Apr 28, 2008 - 2:03 PM
98 Celica gt red- totaled deer94 Celica st black DD (bad weather beater)- totaled deer95 Celica gt silver- chassis sold88 Celica All-Trac (Burned to a crisp)94 Celica gt white (sold)In need of a rust free chassis!!!!
scothaniel
#23
Another section of tie rod end.

I chopped off 2" of the US tie rod end, made sure the threads were good, chamfered the outer edges (to make a nice groove for welding) and then welded.
ScottWest Michigan
Penkka
#24
I hate my SS, it broke again.
320hp @ 6300rpm and 420Nm @ 3250rpm. yay!My ST205 WRC buildthread
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