Please read this quite long intro so you could figure out what I need. Thanks!

Well it's been some time since I posted here. I've recently done something to my suspension, brakes and tires, I had a shop install a set of Tein Basics, a set of Enkei 16" RPF-01s (very light) wrapped in Dunlop Direzza DZ101s in 215/50/16s (quite heavy), though the set actually looks funny. Also, I got new slotted Brembos and Ceramic Akebono pads, since the stocks got dimpled.

I had it for 3months now and I quite like the handling from the cheap Teins, the smooth and quiet braking on the Brembos & ProAct pads, and the smooth surface ride on the 16" set. I only have one "really bad for my back" problem though, when I take the tC to a road with big gaps and over speeding by 10-25MPH, (mostly around 75-90 on highway) the bound and rebound on the Teins are so terrible, that it feels like I got kicked hard behind my seat! I actually didn't have the springs dropped that low also, the drop is only half way, just so the wheel gap doesn't look bad.

I got 2.5grand to spend on a good-for-my-back suspension setup, since I trashed my turbo project due to me needing 10grand or more to have my engine, drivetrain, suspension, wheels and brakes to make my tC work properly for the 450bhp and 420tqs of power, and the system will be too stiff for my back also... So, I'll take that money and I want my tC to ride like my mother's new 08 E-Class (better riding than her 06 Camry). If it's possible for a tC to have such good ride for the my budget, please help me out, thanks!


BTW: I just got a new job working as a Telecom Technician (I don't work fast food anymore) and I could afford some stuff for my Tourer tC build. I love my tC soo much that I'd rather spend money on it than get a new cellphone and new SLR to replace my aging RAZR and my Nikon F2 and F4*, to a decent iPhone 3G and a Nikon D300 and a few extra Nikkors. ; D (*I'm so old skool I still shoot B&W and develop it myself!)

Thanks for reading, and thank you for the tips on the new setup!

 

Nikon D90 & 16GB iPhone 3G, you should have some money left over for a nice set of H&R coilovers.

 

If you have the money, invest in some coilovers. you can adjust them so they're fine-tuned the way you want them.

you also gotta remember, the lower the car, the rougher the ride.

 

I'm on Tein Basic Dampers. Those are technically coil-overs right?

If I jack up the car tomorrow, and raise it with the "rather cheap" looking wrench, would it fix the ride problem temporarily? But, when I had em installed, the guys at the shop drove my tC on 4 scales and measured them on the computer to have a proper balance. Is that procedure BS?

 

HKS FTW!

 

lol well if you're going to raise the car, you'r just getting closer to the stock set up. i just don't think that you'll be able to get an E-class ride from a scion that's been lowered lol

 

just run a search on here, you'll find tons of stuff on suspension.

I always search this site, and yoursciontc.com before i buy ANYTHING for my car

 

Your Teins are coilovers (the stock tC suspension is a coilover setup) but they dont have adjustable dampening. Also height on an adjustable coilover shouldnt affect how you feel bumps (thats rebound). My advice is to get coilovers with helper springs and adjustable dampening. Try KW Suspensions and set them softer on rebound.

Do you have a anti-sway bar (rear)? I really recommend getting one. Makes a huge difference in roll and bounce.

If you design it right you can have a suspension that is comfortable and still carves.

Also what on earth made you want to go to a 16" if you werent planning on autoXing?

 

lol yea man what did make you get those

 

with the trd springs and trd shocks/struts it feels very close to the stock ride. however it handles about 10x better

 

No, that's not BS, it's called corner balancing and when done correctly it can further improve handling.

Good you went with 16" wheels, as the 50 series tires already give you a bit more cushion/comfort. Sounds like you need a new set of coilovers with CUSTOM spring rates. Some makers of coilovers can provide whatever spring rates and heights the customer wants, and that seems to be the best way to meet your requirements. They should also be able to determine the appropriate strut damping required for the specific springs used.

 

Sorry for the extremely long time to reply.

I went the 16" way because my very ugly stocks got stolen for some odd reason (swapped for stacked 2x4s, which I think cost more than the POS set from the old owner.) and insurance paid for a new set... It gave slightly better MPGs and the ride is much more forgiving on sudden bumps.

Oh, and I set the springs to go to full height. The travel is better but it still a bit stiff. I have a set of Hotchkis anti-sway bars, but I haven't had time to install it due to strict schedules. I might have a Toyota install it soon.

 

Racing coilover suspension ≠ ride comfort.

Why do people continually think it does? It just sounds to me like you want softer springrates. Yes, what comes on the Teins is pretty damn stiff. You'd have been better off going with simple dampers (TRD, Tokico, etc) with dropsprings. Of just leaving it stock. You won't find a suspension out there that rides softer than what the car comes with stock.

 

My stock struts blew due to a big mess up by the previous owner(s), and I installed H-Techs too. Anyway, it was dead, and leaking. So, I replaced it with the easiest to install and most economical set I've found, which is the Tein Basics.

They're better than my blown struts, but aren't as good as the 08+ models.