Alright, so I have a '07 tC with just over 2,000 miles on it and I'm looking to upgrade the suspension. I'm tired at looking at my 4x4 off-roading suspension and I'd like to get rid of the wheel gap and improve the handling abilities of the car.

However, I can't decide if I want to go coilovers or TRD shocks and springs. I'm looking at the low end of coilovers, mainly the Tein Basics and Tanabe Sustec Pro S-0C if I went that route. I can get both the coilovers and the TRD suspension for the same price, it's just the issue of deciding which to go with that's bothering me. (warranty is no issue here)

I'm looking for a good daily driver setup here. I can take some stiffness, so the Teins are acceptable, but I have also heard that the Tanabe coilovers are quite similar to stock ride comfort. If I did go the coilover route, I can honestly say that adjusting the height is something I would very rarely do. Like 90% of the other coilover owners out there, I would probably set them at a certain height and then leave them like that. And with the low-end coilovers, dampening can't be changed, so that's not important for me and just one less thing for me to worry about.

However, I'm interested in autocrossing, so I'm not sure which may be better in the end. I would like something I can drive on the street with and then take on the track. Longevity is key for me and I'd like a quality product that I can rely on for a few years. I'm probably not going to have a drastic drop if I got coilovers, just something enough to improve the looks and handling and provide good support on the track. The ability for the coilovers to adjust in height (and maybe dampening) might come in handy in later when I become serious about tracking, but for now, daily driving with the occasional track date are all that are in store for my suspension.

So, should I: (remember the price between the three [Tanabe, Tein, and TRD] is the same and warranty is no object)

1) get the Tein Basic or Tanabe Sustec Pro coilovers
2) get the TRD shocks/struts and springs

NOTE: When providing an answer, please explain your reasoning behind it. Don't simply say "coilover" or "TRD" just for a +1 post. This is important to me and I want to make the best informed decision. I'm open to suggestions as well, so if you think, for example, S-Techs combined with the TRD shocks is better, I'll listen to what you have to say. Just remember to say WHY you chose that setup.

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

I don't have any experience with tC suspensions, so I cannot advise you; but if you do decided to go with the TRD setup, I have a set of the shocks for sale for about $60 less than they are available elsewhere. See the link in my signature for details. Good luck with your mods, and congrats on the purchase!

 

Well one thing is how often are you looking into autox?? I had the Tein basics for about 40k miles and took them out because too rough for me for DD. It felt nice when I was cornering and coming out of the corners. Tein has probably the stiffest spring rate out there for coilovers. I've probably adjusted the height a couple of times but not very often. If you are more of a comfort guy then I wouldn't go with Tein. I would go with the Tanabe's Sustec Pro-OC because of the helper springs. Bascially the helper springs will take some of the rebounding and take some of the shock thus making the ride a little more comfortably (from what I have read).

Another question that I would ask is how much lower would you want the ride height to be?? 1.5 inches??? 2 inches?? If you want it like the TRD setup then you can go for that but have you thought about pairing the TRD springs with Tokico instead?? Save you some money and maybe go with a different spring like either Eibach Pro Kit or the H&R sport springs.

If you are looking for durability then I say go with coilovers since they matched the shocks and springs very nicely so they compliment each other. But if you aren't going to adjust the height of the ride then I say go with TRD springs/shock combo. You can't really say how long coilovers or spring/shock combo would last you. It really depends on your driving conditions and the way you drive. But it would probably give you a good 80k - 150k miles with either setup (coilover or spring/shock combo). I have heard of people blowing their coilvers at about 40k and I have heard of people having their coilovers for about 100k miles and still feel about the same the first day they put them on.

 

Only 2 responses? C'mon guys!

tc913:
I'll be on the track as often as the SCCA will let me. I'll be a full time student though this fall and plus, there are no tracks near where I'm going to college, so every track event will most likely be done during the summer. I did some more research though and I'm leaning towards the Tanabe coilover more than the Tein now.

Ride height is kinda in the air for right now. I don't want to be slammed, nor do I want too subtle of a drop. I was aiming for something around 1.5ish inches. That will be low, but not enough to hinder my driving, which is what I want. I've seen pictures of tC's on TRD springs and sometimes they look really high and sometimes they look exactly like what I am looking for. I'm trying to stay in the realm of 17's for wheels, but if I ever get 18's, I won't have to adjust the coilovers to fit them (a nice plus for the TRDs).

It's really a big toss up for me though because each have their own pros and cons. I can get either one, I just can't seem to decide which I'd be more happy with. Ideally, I'd like to ride in both, but since so few people have the Tanabe coilovers (I only know of 1 person on SL), it's near impossible to compare the two.

Bigfieroman: Thanks for the offer, but I have my own source for discounts.

 

okay. if youre going to autocross get coilovers. if this car is your daily driver get the trd springs/struts/sway. you wont regret it.

 

Alright. I think I've made up my mind. I'm deciding to go with coilovers because it'll save me money in the long run. Instead of investing money in the shocks and springs now, only to have it replaced by coilovers in a few years, I think it would be wiser to save money and just get the coilovers. I can't see the justification in spending ~$750 for shocks and springs and then another ~$750 for coilovers. I'd rather just do it once and be done. Thank you to those 2 people that actually responded to my thread, I appreciate it.

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Hands Down BEST Set-Up...

Progressive Springs w/ Tokico Struts, Progressive Rear Sway, Ingall's 4-Point Rear Brace.

Of course some good tires!!

 

Well I know I found this a little late. But I'd like to chime in if I can. First off: I have never had coilovers, not on the tC, not on any car.

I am running TRD struts with Hotchkis springs. I will testify that they are great, especially paired with a sway bar(s) of some sort.

I daily drive my car, and can notice the extra stiffness in suspension over bumps, small potholes, etc. Nothing too drastic. For the most part it is still a very nice car to drive on the highway and around town.

I also autocross and have begun taking my car to track days. The TRD/Hotchkis setup shines here as well. Some body roll is still evident, but nothing very discouraging.

Overall, remember, you will be driving your car 95% of the time on a street, not on a track. So you don't want something too harsh.

Good luck.

 

TeeCizzle:
I was waiting for you to post here advertising your setup.

Hat_Trick_Hokie:
It's never too late, as I'm always open to suggestions, especially from people directly involved with the motor-sports I'm interested in. I completely agree with you in your point that most of the time will be spent off the track, which is why I have chosen to purchase the Tanabe coilovers. I have heard/read they are the best coilovers for street use. The one person I could find that has them on SL, has mentioned the ride quality underwent little change from stock.

As I mentioned above, I can't see the justification in spending good money on springs and shocks only to have them replaced with coilovers in a few years. I feel I will be making an excellent decision by purchasing from Tanabe.

Thank you both for your input though.

 

Yep, read that on your previous post, and agree with your thinking. :D

 

i would have to go with TRD all the way. coilover's will be too stiff for daily driving. TRD will give you the best of both worlds, good for daily driving and autocross. Coilovers don't.