The gixxer_drew suspension thread..

[gixxer_drew]

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of brake setup are you making?

[Shitzu]

great info guys......I am so tempted to doing this mod since I have a set of bilsteins on the way, but it sounds like if I wanted to retain the 1 finger gap all around, I would have to go with a higher spring rate and get the shocks revalved.....would that be neccessary or can I just go with Drew's setup?

[gixxer_drew]

Originally Posted by Shitzu

great info guys......I am so tempted to doing this mod since I have a set of bilsteins on the way, but it sounds like if I wanted to retain the 1 finger gap all around, I would have to go with a higher spring rate and get the shocks revalved.....would that be neccessary or can I just go with Drew's setup?

Finger gap measurements depend on a lot of factors. The reason for the height requirement is the length of hte bilstein bodies. If you had an issue with my setup you would have an issue with any other setup using those bilsteins unless you oversprung them. I left a certain safety margin with the heights, you can certainly try it just make sure to measure your travel wth the zip tie and keep at least a half inch of the factory bump stop in case you do bottom out.

[Shitzu]

I see, thanks Drew....

[1jzmkIIIproject]

Will this Bilstein setup and spring rate work on the mkIII's too??

[gixxer_drew]

Most likely not

[cyberdiamond]

Does anyone know the stroke length of these shocks?

[gixxer_drew]

You know, I never measured that. Please post up if you get a chance to find out. The next set i get my hands on I'll measure as well.

[Wiisass]

Originally Posted by 1jzmkIIIproject

Will this Bilstein setup and spring rate work on the mkIII's too??

Yes it will. Didn't you send me a PM on Supramania. Or was it someone else?

Either way, Bilsteins with a spring sleeve and 2.5" coilover spring will work on an Mk3. I don't know if those rates are the best though. And that really depends on a lot of things. But it can be done, I'm trying to get accurate dyno plots of the stock Mk3 and Mk4 bilstein dampers so I can figure out what springs will work best with the dampers and balance the chassis properly. I do have some data for the Mk3 Bilsteins though, but it's just a picture of a printout.

Tim

[SCV8]

That's what I thought would be the case with the Bilstein replacements(slightly lower ride height w/stock springs), but the car sits very nice now with the added circlip groove. If I had the threaded sleeves it wouldn't be as much of an issue.

The parts, as provided, would have made for a funky install, and I have done this before!

[evileagle]

Wow, excellent info. Just went through both threads. I think its a great idea especially as a cost effective solution including great performance and streetability. Only problem is, im stuck between this setup and a particular coilover setup. How do you think these will compare to a set of JIC FLT-FAS's? Those go for around 1350 shipped and im stuck between this idea and them. I dont ming shelling out the extra money, but i do live in LA and this is a daily driven SC300. Its a real tough choice for me, what do you think gixxer? Any info greatly appreciated.

[gixxer_drew]

Thanks for the compliments!

One of the primary reasons I developed this setup is that I was dissatisfied with the off the shelf options, specifically including the JIC.

Honestly for a daily driven SC300: bilsteins + stock supra springs, front springs on the lower perch + TT rear sway bar = magic and thats for all of like $600. Thats an option on a very low budget that will perform extremely well for street.

[SCV8]

I concur...
Bilstein offers a lifetime guarantee on their street replacement parts, try to buy that in an aftermarket performance shock of that level for even twice the price, and I doubt you'll find anything.
I use these in the front coils to help balance the car with the stock TT springs on my SC;

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/689,...g-Spacers.html

[thedarcsage]

wow, so i put the stock bump stop back on and when i lower the car back down to the ground, the bump stop is sitting on top of the shock body

did i do something wrong?

when the car is up, there is a 2.5" gap from the bump stop to the shock body
i have 2-3" left to lower on the coilover sleeve
when it is lowered back down to the ground, the gap is 0 lol

Edit: ok cool, just talked to drew and the bump stop is way too long

i need to trim it down to about 1/2"





alright, thanks!

[mark94tt]

Are those pictures post cutting the bump stops?

[thedarcsage]

those are factory bump stops before cutting -- uncut

i raised it to the top of the sleeve and now there's a 1" gap, so cutting the bump stop should do it




Edit: maybe i have to increase the stiffness of the rebound adjustment to 50% or more for the stiffer spring rates?

my other thread with questions about the koni rebound adjustment...
http://www.supraforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=476388

[gixxer_drew]

Yah what happens is the stock bumpstops are meant to fit inside of the stock upperhat where the new upper spring perch sits so if you don't cut them they are WAYYYY too long. Stock bump stops are like 3"

[mark94tt]

Drew,
In this setup have you made the bumpstop a part of the suspension or are you just using the bumpstops as a safety device for the shocks? The guy at Shock-shop.com recommended going as short as possible on the bumpstops and getting stiffer springs so we can retain our travel.

[mteele]

Originally Posted by gixxer_drew

Thanks for the compliments!

One of the primary reasons I developed this setup is that I was dissatisfied with the off the shelf options, specifically including the JIC.

Honestly for a daily driven SC300: bilsteins + stock supra springs, front springs on the lower perch + TT rear sway bar = magic and thats for all of like $600. Thats an option on a very low budget that will perform extremely well for street.

Drew, what do you mean by front springs on the lower perch? Sorry if thats a dumb question....I just bought my new SC yesterday, so I havent really looked at suspensions in about 3 years

[gixxer_drew]

Oh yah, let me explain the bilsteins off the shelf are setup to use stock style springs, they have two positions you can put the spring perch, stock height and 1/2" lowered. Put the fronts only on 1/2" lowered and leave the rear on stock height. That little bit of rake makes the car oversteer more.

Mark: I agree with shock-shop and Chris over there is a great guy. You need to have your spring rates proper and little to no bump stop I only run a very very small bump stop to cover me in extreme circustances. I prefer to know when I need more travel or stiffer springs.

[mteele]

Drew,

Thanks for the help! I guess I have to decide on stock Supra springs or trying this setup you've devised I'll definately either go for your "street" setup or the TT springs....money is not an issue, its just about what I'm comfortable with. I had originally been planning on a Tein CS setup but I think I may give this a shot first. The whole thing with the bump stops is still a little unclear to me, I should probably re-read it all now that its not 3:00am.

I got some TT sways & subframe mounts on the way. Is the front sway bar the same on the cars? I remember on my old SC300 I had the rear one swapped but I cant remember what the deal was on the front.

I feel like a newb all over again haha

[gixxer_drew]

Yes, that information on bump stops is contained above. hiken posted the part #s for some aftermarket bushings that fit the bill or you can attempt to cut your stock ones if you prefer.

[thedarcsage]

it has been too long driving on stock suspension for so many years

and pictures don't do justice to how they look in person

so far so good!





still gotta cut the stock bump stops some more as i only cut off an inch on one side

next is to test them

[Pedro TT]

That suspension looks amazing.

[mark94tt]

Originally Posted by gixxer_drew

Yes, that information on bump stops is contained above. hiken posted the part #s for some aftermarket bushings that fit the bill or you can attempt to cut your stock ones if you prefer.

Did you ever get those pictures as hiken described in his post:
http://supraforums.com/forum/showpos...9&postcount=45

It would be nice to add that to the how-to on the first page.

Also are those bumpstops the same for all four corners?