lookin' for a best bang for your buck suspension for my 06 tC...

dunno where to start but basically i just want to improve overall handling on my tc

ideas please?

 

Depends on how much you are looking to spend buddy.......you could get a temporary fix with a set of springs....then you could add a strut or sway bar....if not go with a set of coilovers that would last longer and ride relatively smoother...but they cost 4-5 times more than the springs..

good luck

 

how about $2-300 for now

 

That's only enough for a set of springs and some money for the install unless you could do it youself...
I paid $150 shipped for TEIN S-Techs from ebay and paid like $250 to install them...i had no tools and no1 that could help me...

 

Rear Sway Bar.

 

springs for around 155 ish... depending on what type of springs... or u can just spend 250ish and get hotchkis front and rear sways :X but installation fee is alot lOl

 

Any springs that lower more than about 1.4 inches are not helping you handling wise. It is easy to over lower a car, and a 2 inch drop on a tC is certainly doing that. It is not just about lowering the CG, but about how it affects geometry (you can lower CG but INCREASE roll couple, for example).

So, knowing that, go with a drop of 1.5" or less .

Strut bars do almost nothing on this car. The strut towers are pretty much part of the firewall.

Sways are your friend. A TRD rear sway is a great mix of daily driver and good handling with an easy install. If I were going to go more agressive, it would be the hotchkis sway set. Keep in mind though, you will need to lower the subframe a bit to get the front one swapped. If you run stiffer than a TRD rear you need a set with a stiffer front to keep handling balanced.

Tires are the #1 upgrade for handling.

If you want to stay fairly cheap overall and make a great improvement, do these, in this order:

New tires if you havent gotten some already
TRD springs or similar drop
TRD rear sway

You will thank me, and even with the tires you can do all of that for around $1000 if you do the work. I autocross with that setup and it works very well, and still has a decent ride for the daily commute. My next big change will probably be

Tein SS-P's (and it would be corner balanced)
Hotchkis sway set

But for now I am very happy with where it is at. The only change for this autox season will probably be some alignment changes to add negative camber up front.

And shy away from ajustable coilovers unless you really need them. If you arent changing ride height all the time or corner balancing the car then they are overkill.

 

^^^^^I always learn so much from this site! Great write up^^^^^

 

engifineer great reply...now i learned more about handling provement projects!!

 

Completely agree.

/thread

 

save up a few more hundred and buy shocks + springs or spend 800-900 on tein or megan coilovers. i'm willinging to do spring install for cheap!

 

buy my H-Techs, i have H&R coilovers on the way =p

 

Engifneer is right, sways will be your best friend. I just picked up my TRD springs today and will order my TRD sway bar tomorrow. I'm also getting Proxes T1R for tires too. A bit pricey, but worth it.

 

This is more or less what i was thinking, but engineer, you put it so perfectly. Great advice!

I actually need new rims and tires..i was thinking of goin 18s with maybe some falkens...let me know if you guys know of any good sites to get combo packages (i checked out discounttire.com and a few others). Toyo Proxies are a little to pricey for me right now

 

Got mine used. That seems to be the best place to get a good deal.

For performance, stay with 17's, or perhaps go with 16's. I think they can fit over stock brakes. I'm looking to eventually pick up a set of lightweight 16's to stick race rubber on... and switch out on race day.

I say that,... and I have 18's on the car now for everyday use.

 

I'm not looking for too low of a drop so taking everything in to consideration, would you recommend Stechs or TRD springs?

 

I have the S techs and they give you a more aggresive look but the ride is much stiffer...the TRD would be a settle if you're looking for comfort as well.

My friend just installed struts/springs from TRD and it rides muchhhhh smoother than plain ol S techs on stock struts...either way if you choose to go solo springs you're going to have to switch eventually.

 

My fault...I meant Htechs or TRD Springs.

 

^ TRD!

Anticipating your next question, yes, they come in both white & red, but they're the same springs, so get which ever color you want.

 

Hah! I already knew that. But while we're talking about questions, is the going rate for aftermarket struts in the neighborhood of $500?