Hello all,

I was wondering would how would my ride feel differ... Would it be a bit more bumpy or smoother after I have these toys installed into my car.

Toys:
TRD Lowering Springs
TRD Performance Shock Set
TRD Sport Brake Pads, Front

* TRD Exhaust ( don't know if this will even affect my car's performance ) *

Hotchkis Sway Bars(Rear & Front, in "Street Setting")
Hotchkis Front Strut Bar

*** Changing my tires into a thicker one ***

To sum it up, I would like to know if this would make my ride bumpier or smoother after I install all these to the car(it's completely stock as of now).

Thanks,
Tim

 

Firmer, yes, that's the point. Better handling always comes at the expense of ride quality.

 

Might be slightly more bumpy. Generally when you're going to lower it with any springs, they're likely to be a little bit stiffer. You likely wouldn't notice too much though. If anything you'd like it more since it would handle a little nicer.

Sway bars wouldn't really make it bumpy, but you'd probably corner a little better.

Strut bar... eh... performance is debateable. But again, it stiffens the chassis, so ... cornering.

Brake pads? Um... not really a huge change. MIGHT shorten your braking distance. I don't know though, generally if you're looking for better braking, you should go with a set of drilled/slotted rotors.

 

Oh... I thought the performance shock set would make the ride smoother. Was I informed wrong?

 

They will help, but generally it would be the springs that stiffen the ride. So even if the shocks make it smoother, the springs MIGHT cancel some of that out.

 

Moved to CC for the suspension people.

 

I forgot to mention, I'm also changing my stock tires into a better quality and thicker one... Hopefully making my ride smoother. So having all the things listed above and the change of tires. I'm getting the ones where the SMOOTH feel of the ride is the priority of the tires.

Would my ride feel the same as it is stock? Or bumpier?

 

Firmer, not bumpier. You will feel more of the road. What are you trying to accomplish by buying all of this stuff?

 

I want the car lowered and drive better. Lowering the car for looks and I'm getting the performance shocks and the upgraded tire so that my ride would be as smooth as possible with a lowered car. I'm trying to have the car drive as if it wasn't lowered but looks lowered.

I basically want a smooth ride, but good control.

 

why are you modding it when it says your car is for sale

 

Good point there... It's because those mods are going to the 06 tC that's coming in two weeks from now. I'm debating whether or not should I do those mods... I already am definite with other modifications I'm just a bit skeptical on the performance parts. SO TO CLEAR EVERYTHING UP, I'm selling my current 05 IIP and putting everything I want on the 06 Nautical.

Thanks for letting me clarify,
Tim

 

Do you have good control now? If you do the things you're talking about your car will definitely handle better. If you don't care about handling and just want the look, don't get the sway bars. I would, but it sounds like you want the look. The sway bars will only allow you to take turns quicker by keeping the wheels flat. Your ride will definitely not be as smooth but smoother than other suspension setups because the TRD springs don't lower the car too much. I don't know how good of an idea it would be to run the springs but not the shocks but I would guess the ride would be smoother. Does anyone care to chime in about running the TRD springs and stock shocks? I know people have done it.

Buying a car with low profile tires and a firm suspension and then lowering it with a firmer suspension and sway bars does not scream "I want a smooth lowered ride" so that's why I asked.

Why are you selling the 05 for the 06?

 

I'm running Hotchkis Springs with stock shocks. The drop is a bit more than TRD. If anything TRD springs would be better (than other springs) to run with stock shocks b/c the drop isn't as severe. Of course replacing the shocks would be recommended b/c your stock ones weren't made to be lowered and will likely wear out a little faster (not like next week or anything though )

 

Okay, I thought it over last night... I realized I was stupid and getting the Sway Bars is not for me... I want the ride as smooth as it could be when lowered. So I decided to just get the TRD Springs, TRD Shocks, TRD Brake Pads, & Upgrade in Tires... The Sway Bars and Front Strut Bar would make me feel more of the road and that's what I want to avoid. I don't know really, still debating since I got to September to decide.

For Sure I want:
Upgrade in Tires ( Smoothness is the priority )
TRD Lowering Springs ( I just love the look, so I have to cope with it, just like a girlfriend's _____iness )
TRD Performance Shocks
TRD Front Brake Pads

To get AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE WITH SPRINGS

Debating:
Hotchkis Sway Bars
Hotchkis Front Strut Bar

I know it's very repetitive, but can someone explain so that any DUMB person can understand how the Sway Bars and Front Strut affect the smoothness of the ride and how it also affects performance.

Thanks in Advance,
Tim

 

I'm selling my car because I like to spoil myself(with my own money of course). What I currently have on my car doesn't satisfy me and I want the upgraded stuff only available on the 06. I just don't have the time to put my car away at the shop, so might as well buy a new one with all the mods I want & get it on that very same day when I get rid of my older car with a few mods. It's basically for convenience and for me to keep up with my job.

 

Allow me to clarify as best I can...

The front strut bar will not affect the ride quality at all. The rear sway bar will stiffen things up in the back but it will not make the big difference in ride quality - the trd shocks and springs will do that. However, if you're not concerned with handling, sway bars are a waste of money for you I think.

Basically, here is how the strut bar and sway bar work (as best as I can explain it so correct me if I'm wrong people):
The front strut bar does not allow the car's body to twist as much when turning, thus keeping the front wheels flatter on the ground which equals better grip. The rear sway connects the rear lower control arms together and to the body, which makes it more difficult for the inside tire to lift off the ground during cornering, thus keeping the rear wheels flatter which equals better turn in. Front wheel drive cars tend to understeer (meaning the car naturally wants to plow forward rather than turn in) so the sway bars and strut bar change the handling dynamics towards a more neutral (desirable) handling state. Various thicknesses of bars and stiffness settings can change the handling to your liking. In this equation the rear sway bar's effect will be a way more noticable. I loved the suspension setup on my old Civic (refer to sig) but it was far from a smooth ride.

I'm not sure about this, but I know that people are running TRD springs and stock shocks. I would assume the ride is smoother than if they had the TRD shocks but I'm not sure. I'm also not sure how long the stock shocks will last like this. I'm also not sure if there are a set of mild lowering springs out there other than TRD that would provide an even smoother ride.

Also, I think selling your ride is foolish. A mechanic can easily install springs, shocks, and sway bars (even though you're probably not going to get them) in a day so you will not lose aany job time. Paying for a rental for a day is nothing compared to the financial hit you're going to take by selling your car and purchasing an 06. I know the steering wheel controls are cool, but do yourself a favor and work on the car you got.

 

Thanks so much for explaining, that helps me decide. Um... You don't know how many accessories I want on the car... It's A LOT, I don't have a spoiler and so on. A LOT OF STUFF, I basically got everything you could get on the tC... That's why, that's a lot of time and money, I'd rather finance it all onto one bill.

Thanks so much,
Tim

 

You've got the modding bug bad. Understood. Take it from someone who bought his first car at 19 - the 00 Honda Civic in my sig: don't spend money you don't have (ie financing tons of mods - finance the car, pay cash for the mods), research everything so you have no regrets, spend $ on experiences and not just car modifications, and don't forget to save/invest. Read Suze Orman's "The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke." I never lived off credits cards, managed my money OK and was never broke, but there is a lot to lean from this book.

I don't know your personal financial situation nor do you need to defend yourself to me - I'm only trying to help.

 

No offense taken, and it's totally understandable... I just have an easy life and I do save, I'm setting aside a specific amount of money for saving, spending to go out, and then car. I'm careless with the spending money, but everything else I'm cautious 'bout... The only reason I have a credit card is because I want to build credit and etc. Thanks for the advice and info, I truly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Tim

 

Good to hear. I do suggest you read that book though. It's an easy read and the earlier your start planning for the future the better, really. I knew a lot of it already but I learned a lot and it really helped me set goals. Are you supporting yourself completely? When I graduated college is when I got a lot more careful with money.

Hopefully someone responds to the questions I'm not sure about.