flyinglizard

#1

Just installed this setup with the help of a buddy on friday. Here are my impressions:

The ride is now VERY harsh. Way firmer than stock. Normally I am tolerant of firm suspension, but just driving to the grocery store kills my back. Everyone who has ridden in the car thus far complains

The car is only about 0.5 inches lower all around as of today. I'm assuming there is a break in period for new springs to settle.

The car feels much tighter and more responsive, at the cost of ride quality of course.






This post has been edited by flyinglizard: Oct 20, 2009 - 9:04 PM

samir0189

#2

i have the megan springs, it took a few days to settle into and the drop is about 2". I like the firm ride ...

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◊◊◊My F/S Thread!◊◊◊QUOTE(14:19:21) Daniel: That was a JDM hole in the side of the box too. There was so much JDM trapped inside that box that they couldn't contain it, so they had to put a JDM hole in the box to let the JDM out.QUOTEFerdi says (11:29)No, it looks like a hooker put her acid vag on your hood. Acid vag = bigger problem than a few dings.

trdproven

#3

i dont think its .5 that would be a pointless drop needless to say almost didnt do anything. You just need to settle them in and also get used to it.

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94 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tom's|Competition Clutch|5Zigen|Apexi||Laille/Beatrush|Magnecor|Denso|Royal Purple|Optima|PIAA|PW JDM|Megan Racing|Nitto||Work|Greddy|Samco|Project Mu|H&R|Gates|Moog|Rota|Yokohama|Epman|1320|Upgr804 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tein|BC Racing|Greddy|89 Supra (Sold)90 Supra (Sold)

flyinglizard

#4

It could be that my tires are too low of a profile. I'm running 215/40R17. But I have driven my friend's RX-7 with coilovers and another friend's e36 m3 with H&R race springs and both are less stiff than these megans. It's almost intolerable. I probably have about 10 new rattles in my interior panels since I installed them.

As of 5 minutes ago the front has settled to a 1" drop and the rear is still 0.5". It's been 3 days and they still haven't settled yet, which worries me.

SwissFerdi

#5

Were these the $100 springs? Let me know how things go, I might be in the market for these in the future. Please post pics as well.

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'97 ST\ Eibach \ KYB \ Kenwood \ Alpine \ Cusco \ OEM+[sold 10/18]'93 MX-5LE

flyinglizard

#6

Original post edited with pics.

Euphoria

#7

did you change your struts?

samir0189

#8

flyinglizard, if it helps you any, here is a pic from today of my drop.



your tires do seem to have a small sidewall, but i dont think that your springs have settled completely yet, give it a while..

This post has been edited by samir0189: Oct 20, 2009 - 9:33 PM

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◊◊◊My F/S Thread!◊◊◊QUOTE(14:19:21) Daniel: That was a JDM hole in the side of the box too. There was so much JDM trapped inside that box that they couldn't contain it, so they had to put a JDM hole in the box to let the JDM out.QUOTEFerdi says (11:29)No, it looks like a hooker put her acid vag on your hood. Acid vag = bigger problem than a few dings.

flyinglizard

#9

Yes I did a complete overhaul: KYB GR-2 struts/shocks, strut mounts and lowering springs.

Thanks for the reference pic Samir, your car looks great.

My next tires are going to be 225/45R17, so maybe that will improve the look and ride quality.

SwissFerdi

#10

I'm loving those rims though...they look flush as hell.

How hard were the springs and shocks to install, and did you use a compressor? I'm thinking about doing the install myself when the time comes, might as well learn something about my car and save some money.

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'97 ST\ Eibach \ KYB \ Kenwood \ Alpine \ Cusco \ OEM+[sold 10/18]'93 MX-5LE

flyinglizard

#11

The flush-ness can be attributed to 20 mm wheel spacers otherwise they would be tucked as hell.

SwissFerdi

#12

I'm surprised it looks good then, you're running 225 now? I thought the tires/rims would look too pushed-out from the center of the car.

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'97 ST\ Eibach \ KYB \ Kenwood \ Alpine \ Cusco \ OEM+[sold 10/18]'93 MX-5LE

flyinglizard

#13

As far as installation goes, everything went smoothly except for when I had to remove the retaining nut for the front struts that holds the shock inside the strut assembly. It basically came down to using a vice and a pipe wrench.

I used a spring compressor for the left front spring, but after everything was taken apart I realized it wasn't necessary at all for stock springs since there is so little spring force. For the right-front I just unscrewed the top retaining nut, aiming it away from myself and it only shot about a foot. The spring compressor only came in handy when putting everything back together, although it could have been substituted with a 2nd person pressing down on the spring while screwing the top nut back on.

Basically if you follow the how-to article on this site everything should go smoothly. It probably took me about 2 hours with breaks here and there.

Yesterday I took it into Sears to get an alignment and the mechanic complemented me on the "professional looking" installation so apparently I did everything right.

SwissFerdi

#14

You mean that the spring kind of flies out once the last retaining element is removed, and that's really the only thing to be cautious of? Honestly, I'm not mechanically inclined at all...but I'd love to do this myself. I can definitely find the 2nd person to help.

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'97 ST\ Eibach \ KYB \ Kenwood \ Alpine \ Cusco \ OEM+[sold 10/18]'93 MX-5LE

808celica

#15

MOAR LOWER!!!!!!!!!

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I don't normally drive fast, but when I do its on a curvy section of this island

flyinglizard

#16

No I'm running 215/40 right now, wanting to upgrade to 225/45 for a thicker sidewall and more grip.

The offset on the rims is +45 so they looked terrible without spacers. Almost as tucked in as steelies.

>

QUOTE (808celica @ Oct 20, 2009 - 11:25 PM)

>MOAR LOWER!!!!!!!!!

I feel the same way. I'm pretty disappointed with the result. Back-breaking ride with barely any drop to speak of.

I'm wondering if my front isn't as low as samir's because he has a 5sfe which is quite a bit heavier than a 7afe, thus making the springs settle lower.

>

QUOTE (SwissFerdi @ Oct 20, 2009 - 11:25 PM)

>You mean that the spring kind of flies out once the last retaining element is removed, and that's really the only thing to be cautious of? Honestly, I'm not mechanically inclined at all...but I'd love to do this myself. I can definitely find the 2nd person to help.

The spring doesn't really budge at all. Just the retaining nut and mount gently shoot off about a foot.

Euphoria

#17

Now that I recall my springs do feel less harsh than they first did, but im not sure if that's in my imagination or just getting used to it.

Just wait a bit, and the tyres will definitely make it a bit less harsh but don't expect miracles

Mstoochn

#18

do figure 8's in a parking lot @ about 35mph as tight as u can and maintain speed
ull break em in pretty quick worked for my Tein's took me 2 hours and half a tank!

95CelicaST

#19

>

QUOTE (Mstoochn @ Oct 20, 2009 - 10:48 PM)

>do figure 8's in a parking lot @ about 35mph as tight as u can and maintain speed
ull break em in pretty quick worked for my Tein's took me 2 hours and half a tank!

This is probably one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

When is it legal or smart to drive in 35mph figure 8's in a parking lot? Why don't you step away from the computer and go play in traffic or something. Anything that is more constructive than what you're doing here on 6GC.

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1991 MR2 - T-tops - Crimson Red - Gen3 3SGTE - Lots of moneyI'm not really an asshole, but I play one on the internet.**** Photobucket

terbear4god4life

#20

how do you know when there broke in doing that????

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"she can polish my strut bar anytime As long as her blow-off valve's in good order"

flyinglizard

#21

As of this morning the car seems to have settled a bit lower. The fender/wheel gap is slightly smaller than shown in the pictures.

Next on the list is bigger tires. I hate the look of mine after seeing samir's pictures

samir0189

#22

>

QUOTE (flyinglizard @ Oct 20, 2009 - 9:59 PM)

>Yes I did a complete overhaul: KYB GR-2 struts/shocks, strut mounts and lowering springs.

Thanks for the reference pic Samir, your car looks great.

My next tires are going to be 225/45R17, so maybe that will improve the look and ride quality.

No problem, and thanks.

i would NOT suggest any parking lot stunts to settle the springs, mine settled just fine with just normal driving and the weight of the car being on them, they will continue to settle and give you a better drop, have no fear, just give it time..


>

QUOTE (SwissFerdi @ Oct 20, 2009 - 10:05 PM)

>I'm loving those rims though...they look flush as hell.

How hard were the springs and shocks to install, and did you use a compressor? I'm thinking about doing the install myself when the time comes, might as well learn something about my car and save some money.

It is always recommended to use a spring compressor to remove and install strut springs. It is extremely dangerous, trust me, those things are under an extreme amount of tension, you might be lucky if the springs are old and not as strong as they were, but they can cause you some serious bodily injury if they go flying.

There is no reason not to use one either, Autozone provides them free of charge as a rental, pay a deposit and bring it back to them when you are done, and you get every penny back.

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◊◊◊My F/S Thread!◊◊◊QUOTE(14:19:21) Daniel: That was a JDM hole in the side of the box too. There was so much JDM trapped inside that box that they couldn't contain it, so they had to put a JDM hole in the box to let the JDM out.QUOTEFerdi says (11:29)No, it looks like a hooker put her acid vag on your hood. Acid vag = bigger problem than a few dings.

richee3

#23

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QUOTE (flyinglizard @ Oct 20, 2009 - 10:30 PM)

>The spring doesn't really budge at all. Just the retaining nut and mount gently shoot off about a foot.

That's because you're doing it wrong

You aren't really doing it wrong, but there is a better way. If you can, but your car completely up on jack stands, or get a couple of extra tires when you take your springs off. Lay the spring/strut assembly down flat, and put the tires on each side of the assembly, on all four sides. Obviously you have to leave enough room at the top of your assembly to get your impact or whatever in between the assembly and the tire, but that's a given. Stand on the two side tires so if anything kicks, the assembly doesn't go anywhere. Whenever you get the nut loose, instead of getting thrown, your impact and nut will kick into the tire you put in the way, and everything goes smoothly and harmlessly.

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"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others labored hard for." -Socrates. Even Socrates told us touse the search button!2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.1998 Celica GT-BEAMSSwapped.2022 4Runner TRD Off Road Prenium.2021 GMC Sierra AT4.

SwissFerdi

#24

Oh, if Autozone rents them for free, I'll go that route.

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'97 ST\ Eibach \ KYB \ Kenwood \ Alpine \ Cusco \ OEM+[sold 10/18]'93 MX-5LE

samir0189

#25

>

QUOTE (richee3 @ Oct 24, 2009 - 12:22 PM)

>>

QUOTE (flyinglizard @ Oct 20, 2009 - 10:30 PM)

>The spring doesn't really budge at all. Just the retaining nut and mount gently shoot off about a foot.

That's because you're doing it wrong

You aren't really doing it wrong, but there is a better way. If you can, but your car completely up on jack stands, or get a couple of extra tires when you take your springs off. Lay the spring/strut assembly down flat, and put the tires on each side of the assembly, on all four sides. Obviously you have to leave enough room at the top of your assembly to get your impact or whatever in between the assembly and the tire, but that's a given. Stand on the two side tires so if anything kicks, the assembly doesn't go anywhere. Whenever you get the nut loose, instead of getting thrown, your impact and nut will kick into the tire you put in the way, and everything goes smoothly and harmlessly.

Orrr... just rent/buy the tool and do it the right way, which is 100% safe?

Just sayin...

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◊◊◊My F/S Thread!◊◊◊QUOTE(14:19:21) Daniel: That was a JDM hole in the side of the box too. There was so much JDM trapped inside that box that they couldn't contain it, so they had to put a JDM hole in the box to let the JDM out.QUOTEFerdi says (11:29)No, it looks like a hooker put her acid vag on your hood. Acid vag = bigger problem than a few dings.

richee3

#26

That works too, and beats 100% free Autozone will rent you the spring compressor and return your money when you bring it back, which is free as well, but I live half an hour away from Autozone and most of the time, I am working on my car at night, and I got tired of renting the compressor after the 2nd time I worked on my suspension. Lol. More than likely a bad idea, but the tires work just as well.

This post has been edited by richee3: Oct 24, 2009 - 8:10 PM

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"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others labored hard for." -Socrates. Even Socrates told us touse the search button!2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.1998 Celica GT-BEAMSSwapped.2022 4Runner TRD Off Road Prenium.2021 GMC Sierra AT4.

trdproven

#27

yea thats really a big gap. I would get lower springs or coilovers and drop it lower. your profile is too skinny, been there done that, you should have gone 225/40. or 215/45. big tires won't look good at that height, you need to drop it lower. imagine your car height is still high from the drop and then you put bigger tires and makes your car more higher, you need to compensate a bigger tire with a lower drop unless you dont mind your car higher. for your springs you should have gotten Intrax or TRD. I even tried them both on blown struts and they were pretty good even with 205/40

This post has been edited by trdproven: Oct 26, 2009 - 1:36 AM

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94 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tom's|Competition Clutch|5Zigen|Apexi||Laille/Beatrush|Magnecor|Denso|Royal Purple|Optima|PIAA|PW JDM|Megan Racing|Nitto||Work|Greddy|Samco|Project Mu|H&R|Gates|Moog|Rota|Yokohama|Epman|1320|Upgr804 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tein|BC Racing|Greddy|89 Supra (Sold)90 Supra (Sold)

flyinglizard

#28

>

QUOTE (trdproven @ Oct 26, 2009 - 2:35 AM)

>yea thats really a big gap. I would get lower springs or coilovers and drop it lower. your profile is too skinny, been there done that, you should have gone 225/40. or 215/45. big tires won't look good at that height, you need to drop it lower. imagine your car height is still high from the drop and then you put bigger tires and makes your car more higher, you need to compensate a bigger tire with a lower drop unless you dont mind your car higher. for your springs you should have gotten Intrax or TRD. I even tried them both on blown struts and they were pretty good even with 205/40

The megans are supposed to have a lower drop compared to the trd springs.
Megan Racing: 1.6" front and 1.4" rear
TRD: 1.5" front 1.0" rear
Intrax: 1.75" front and rear

I also paid about half for the megans than what I would have paid for any other brand.

I wouldn't want any lower than what I have now. I already trashed my left side skirt when slowly pulling into a parking lot at an angle, and I scrape every time I slowly go over a speed bump.

The springs have settled a bit lower than what is shown in the current pictures.

trdproven

#29

ok, those specs are deceiving, they look no where near the 1.6 drop from your pic. but yea saving is not the goal unless saving doesnt have any sacrifices or downsides.

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94 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tom's|Competition Clutch|5Zigen|Apexi||Laille/Beatrush|Magnecor|Denso|Royal Purple|Optima|PIAA|PW JDM|Megan Racing|Nitto||Work|Greddy|Samco|Project Mu|H&R|Gates|Moog|Rota|Yokohama|Epman|1320|Upgr804 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tein|BC Racing|Greddy|89 Supra (Sold)90 Supra (Sold)

terbear4god4life

#30

can you post pics of the car settled now??

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"she can polish my strut bar anytime As long as her blow-off valve's in good order"