This post goes to individuals in search for the best handling performance with out going broke. Is not intending for those ones that want to drop their car 3” or more, scraping every speed bump, bouncy handling but looking cool. In addition to that, this is my personal opinion only and what I think, conclusions are base in my own experience.
Ok, we all need better handling in out tc and we all know that by adding stiffer springs and better shocks this can be accomplish. Lets start with shocks; I will only name the most common ones and the ones I have talk to.
Shocks:
1. TRD about $425 is the only available option at this time, but the ride still very soft and many tc owners are willing to change their TRD setup for a stiffer one.
2. KYB (630) 620-5555 Is planning on making a gas shock fro the tc but is not going to be their top of the line one and is not going to be adjustable.
3. Bilstein (704) 663-7563 Is not in their plans to make one at all.
4. Tokico (800) 548-2549 Will not make one.
5. Tein They make a basic damper for about $850 non adjustable including springs and an adjustable for about $1200 (Tein super street ). they both ride height adjustable.
6. Koni (859) 586-4100 It’s actually making one as we speak and most likely it will be an adjustable shock.

My conclusion: If you have $1200 available then get the Tein adjustable, I was not to impress with the non adjustable one. But if you are like me and don’t have the money at this time wait for the Koni, they happened to be one of the best shocks out there and are worth the wait. My guess is the more people that call and show interest, the faster they will finish their product.

Springs:
1. TRD about $139 Lowered 1.25f and 1.25r (small difference as far as ride quality goes over stock)
2. H&R (88 827-8881 about $179 Lowered 1.4f and 1.3r (do not have information about ride quality, I have test this spring in many cars and have never like the ride)
3. Hotchkis (877) 466-7655 about $154 Lowered 1.70f and 1.97r (the back is lowered than the front, does not sound good but have not test this ones on the tc)
4. S-Tein about $200 Lowered 2.4f and 2r (not a bad spring many people have this setup but the ride is a bit bouncy. Shocks are a most, stock shocks will not last, may be a problem if 19” or 20” wheel are install.)
5. H-Tein about $180 Lowered 1.9f and 1.5r (again, not a bad spring, great high but a bit bouncy as well, shocks are need it. Currently on my tc)
6. Eibach Pro-kit (951) 256-8300 about $215 Lowered 1.25f and 1.25r (excellent spring, but the drop is not that low, great ride quality. Yes there is a confusion with the drop of this spring some sites post a 1.2 drop and some post a 1.4 drop but I have call and confirm with Eibach, that the Pro-kit is only a 1.2, the sportline will be lowered than that.) Progressive springs
7. Eibach sportline (951) 256-8300 This spring is been develop as we speak and it will be lowered and stiffer then the Pro-kit, will need shocks. Progressive springs

My conclusion: Is hard to determine the ride quality on a spring because the shock plays a big part. I have had TRD in the past and now have the Tein in my tc but I will go with the Eibach sportline as soon as they are available simply cause I have use them in many cars and the ride is superb, I love the stiffness and ride quality of the Eibach sportline. Yes they are a bit price but well worth it. Again, my guess is the more people that call and show interest, the faster they will finish their product.

Lets talk about sway bars, is most definitely need it on the tc, a most to have for handballing and performance. The sway bar in the front is not that bad but the one in the back has to go..
Sway bar:
1. TRD about $135 for a rear sway bar, this is great, they know the one in the front is not as need it as the one in the back. Much better than stock, many people have this bar and it helps cornering in the tc. (rear only)(adjustable)
2. Progress Technology (714) 575-1193 about $179.28 Adjustable (rear only)
3. Hotchkis (877) 466-7655 about $289 for the front and rear. This is great set, it offer great balance and the best part it’s adjustable. (Not sold separately)

My conclusion: I have to go with Hotchkis they have the best setup, the front one has 2 adjustment 40% and 68% stiffer that stock and the back one has 3 adjustment 273%, 304% and 338% stiffer that stock WOW… And for those that don’t want to spend the money on both bars I will pick the TRD, better price and about the same performance as the Progress.

Once again this is only my opinion, enjoy!!

 

cool write up this should be sticky-ed

 

I'm thinking about Tein super street once the tax return comes! thanks for the opinions!

 

Drainbamaged, at this point in time the Tein super street are one of the best setup for the tc!!

 

Nice.
Does it matter that the TRD springs are made by Eibach?

 

Mr Meaty, I have talk to Eibach and TRD is not using their springs for the tc. I know in the pas TRD have use their spring for some application but not for the tc, if they were I can assure you the price would be a lot more than $139.

 

The TRD rear sway bar is two-position adjustable, as I believe the Progress bar is. I contacted Progress to find out the specs on their bar, but they never replied. I have seen it advertised as 22mm, which would make it thinner than the TRD bar. I don't have any more information on it, but it sounds very similar to the TRD bar, which I have. I don't know of any reason to recommend it over the TRD bar.

Also, while I agree that the Hotchkis sway bar set are the best sway bars available right now, installing the front bar could be a little difficult for the "shadetree" mechanic (as you have to loosen the steering rack because of the tight clearances in the front of the car.) The rear sway bar is something almost anybody could do. For that reason, for most people, I would recommend one of the rear sway bars that are made to be used with the stock front bar, which so far is either the TRD or Progress part.

Oh and when you say "handballing" do you mean "handling"?

 

JasonH, Yes the Progress bar is a 22mm and I did not know the TRD was adjustable. If that is the case then the Progress and TRD are practically about the same but the TRD has a better price. I will cahange the post base on the fact that I did not know the TRD was adjustable, thans for the info.

 

The TRD is thicker than the Progress bar to. I think the stock rear sway bar issomething like 22mm if I remember right.

 

You should add that the Tien SS is available with a pillowball mount.

 

wow, you are awesome rcruz2525. I think i am going to wait for the sportlines as well assuming the drop isnt to crazy.

Has anybody heard about any info on tanabe. Hop up racing has them on thier site
http://www.tanabe-usa.com/

 

tein s techs are definitely not 200 bucks. and i dont see a problem with 19"s in there. are we talking rubbing issues? theres plenty of room in the wells.

 

Unseen, I did not said tein s are $200, I said “about $200” . And I did not said there is a problem with 19” I said “may be a problem if 19” or 20” depends on the wheel or tire you get!!

 

eibach has a sway set for the tc that should be available soon. price is gonna be around the same as the hotchkis set.

 

i'd like to say that i'm very happy with my tein basics. the ride is sporty but not neck-breaking. though i think the SS w/ pillowmounts would be better for racing purposes. i'd recommend the basic damper to anyone who wants height adjustability and a great full coilover for fun daily driving.

 

Good write up!! I raced I TC the other Day I have Change shocks,springs,sways out.
This guy was stock and had the body kit well We raced I had three heads in the ride. So we were neck and neck, a turn I no well was coming up and I got behind him, his ___ started to give out really bad and my ride was sticking to the road like a roller coaster. well all and all stock set up sucks. Listen to this thread if you have stock set up, your tc well not perform Too its fullest!!!!!!!!

 

Is there any chance eibach will come out with a shock set?

 

tckurt, I dont think, but you can call them. (951) 256-8300 they are very helpful.

 

OEM rear sway, 18mm
TRD rear sway, 22mm

I'm a proponent of the full TRD setup (dampers, springs, sways) because it eliminates all the guesswork-- everything is already designed to work together, and does so quite well. It's not the best pure-performance option, but I already did my pure-performance years, and am now content to remove some wheelgap, lessen the bodyroll, and enjoy a trouble-free install.

I've said it before and I'll say it again now, if you buy a full coilover setup like the Tein SS, and don't spend the time and effort to properly tune the suspension, you just wasted $1300 on height adjustability.

Further, the Tein springrates + the Hotchkis bar sizes is a little aggressive for everyday use. I'm a soft spring/ big bar guy-- and a rear setup with a 10kg spring and a 27mm bar? Yikes. I'm not looking to snap tail every time I go to buy groceries.

Think long and hard about what you want your suspension setup to do. Unless you plan at some point on Auto-X, the SS is a glorious extravagance, put to waste in 90% of your driving hours.

 

Dr. Isotope, great point, I cannot agree with you more “You have to sped the time and effort to properly tune the suspension”
Everyone has different needs for what they want, If TRD works for you great. Some people want more and some people don’t. Im sure there are some people like you in this forum that will benefit from your post. Thanks for the info.