there really isnt too much competition for springs and struts for the tC yet and was wondering if anyone had any info on products in development or something on what companies will be developing and releasing springs or struts. the only ones i know are listed below...

springs:
TRD
H&R
Tein stech and htech (in development)

struts:
TRD

 

Goldline is supposed to have some springs soon. They claim about a 2" drop.

 

Probably in the wrong crowd, but how many of these springs can be used with the stock struts? I want the hugely improved look of the TRD 1.5" drop without having to pay big bucks for aftermarket shocks.

 

I would say all the springs available right now will work. The Goldlines will probably be about as low as you'd want to go with stock struts. They might work better with the TRD struts.

 

anytime you lower your car, you should get dampers to match. the stock dampers will only work for so long. they were not designed to handle the increased spring rate and shorter suspension travel of lowering sprins. they will work for a while but eventually, they will get overworked and you'll need to replace them with aftermarket dampers.


i'm patiently waiting for coilovers. i have them on my car now and i could never go back to regular springs.

 

Coilovers are like springs but adjustable? What are the benefits to coilovers that make them a more attractive option than springs.

 

Not just adjustable height on the springs but also adjustable damping characteristics. Can usually set them to be softer or harder which can change the handling characteristics. I am also waiting for a set of full coilovers. I was wondering though, celica brakes fit the tc, do celica suspension parts fit also???

 

Adjustability.

You can't make a blanket statement like that. It really depends on the stock dampers, how much it's being lowered and how much the spring rate is increased. Many companies make springs designed to work with OE dampers. The TRDs, Eibachs and H&Rs are all that way. Will the dampers wear faster? Yes. Will you notice? No. It may shorten the life 10% or something like that, but they'll work just fine. Will the stiffer springs work better with dampers designed for them? Yes. But, once again, the difference will be relatively small if you're starting out with new dampers (unless you're using very stiff race springs or actually autocrossing/track racing your car.)

 

Not all coilovers have adjustable damping.

As far as I know, Celica suspension parts do not fit.

 

Was just saying that i would like the full setup like that, not just the ones that you install like springs and spin them around to adjust the height. Much like the higher end Tein Coilovers.

 

i emailed tein about their springs and they said they finished fitment and mesaurments and are just waiting for them to be mass produced.

 

for me the benefit is that i can set my ride height according to what activity im taking place in. when i daily drive i have about a 2" drop. when i show, i slam it at 4" and tuck my wheels. when i autocross, i have about a 2.25" drop. my coilovers are height adjustable only. i didn't want the rebound adjustability because thats more than i need and more than i wanted to spend. plus, i like the ride rough.
here are a pic of my FK coilovers. I hope they make a tC kit because I've been very happy with my Focus kit.


starting from left to right. the 2 yellow shafts are my shocks. then there are the springs. now, above those red swaybars are the sleeves for the rear. that is what gives the rear it's adjustability. it's not a "true coilover" set up in the rear because the springs aren't mounted OVER the damper. so besides those sleeves it's a typical suspension set up. now above those sleeves, the 2 springs on the struts is what a "true" coilover system looks like. the struts have the adjustable sleeves built into them.

unless you go with a race springs with a very high spring rate and some stiff dampers, coilovers are simply the best thing since sliced bread. the handling i have now over my regular aftermarket springs and dampers is outrageous. i'm running the same circuits in solo2 events and putting up better times. im able to carry more speed through a turn and not have as much body roll. it's really a great mod for your ride.