ST205 Shocks/Springs improve road handling

[sergei]

I am thinking of improving the handling of my ST205.
The problem - handles like a fat whale say compare to STI V8...
I do not want to lower it even a bit, I am actually after stiffer inserts and springs. This is for purely road driven, and has to handle pot holes,
waves and other typical road features.
My ST165 has some really good combo with Bilstein shocks and Tein springs and it is not lowered even a bit. It has got plenty of suspension travel (very important to me - hate bouncing on open roads) at same time is quiet stiff and there is not even a hint of dive/lift on acceleration/deceleration.
Currently my ST205 dives/lifts quiet badly, is there an anti lift kit for it I can get? Or is just because my shocks are on the way out and/or spring are too soft?
Where can I get the right combination of the right spring ratio / damper rates for what I am after?
I am quiet happy with Bilstein product, where is the best place to get it from (and most importantly the right damper rate)?
I am under impression that Bilstein and Tein are almost the same product is it right?
Once again please do not suggest it to lower - suspension travel is a very good thing, I have driven too many lowered cars and I think the whole concept of putting soft springs to lower the car is flawed. Lowered cars this way are really awful at handling. I am after replacement springs and inserts or complete struts but not something that I will have to certify, in fact I am after something that in eyes of average Joe will pass as factory.
Your comments on this?

[RunningRich]

Talk to Autolign about getting Bilsteins for the front. Any Corolla insert is the right length, Autolign can then revalve it to suit.

http://gtfour.supras.org.nz/suspension.htm

Given the exchange rate buy the shocks from the US. Autolign are too expensive for parts.

You can do the same with the rear, stock shock needs the top cut off and a threaded collar welded on (cert required). Don't know what shock fits rear though.

That said there are lots of parts available from Japan straight bolt on that were simply not available when I did my ST165. You can probably find some Bilsteins in someone elses brand shocks.

Bilsteins have the advantage that every part in them is available off the shelf. They can be rebuilt, revalved, lengthened, shortened right here in Auckland.

[barryogen]

I know you said no to lowering it, but have a chat to Revhead about the TRD gear for it.

It'll be ideally suited, and seems to have a good feel to it, and the drop in height is usually fairly minimal(mine was 50mm but looks very stock, and feel is phenomenal.

[Mr Revhead]

i think theres even a few ppl in auckland with 205s that maybe able to show you them first hand.
have supplied a few sets of 205 springs and standard shocks up there.

[sergei]

My problem with lowering shocks is from my understanding is to lower the car through springs they have to be either overall softer, or some portion of shock is softer. Both of which lead to nasty (in my opinion) ride. If you have driven factory late EVO or STI you will understand what I am after.
Plus I hate the look of the lowered car - it looks molested in my eyes (probably due to I work in car industry, and I am used to associate problems with lowered car)

[sergei]

Also I have driven a lot of vehicles with TRD suspension (although all of them had it for a while) and I would say I am not really impressed. They have this nasty bang feeling right at the end of the travel.
I personally think bilstein shocks are far superior, they are very stiff but don't have this "bang" when driving over potholes, also I have noticed is the only brand to work all the way in suspension travel, TRD/stock fails to absorb right at the end of the suspension travel. That is I never driven a car with a brand new set of TRD shocks. Factory springs are too soft as well which contributes to bottoming out feel.

[Mr Revhead]

sounds like no bump stops

[ST205 GT4 NZ New Group A]

hi , I put my coilovers in my ST205 and have the following shocks and springs for sale , 2 x front 4 way ajustable front TRD shocks , full set of TRD 4 way ajustable shocks, full set of KYB 4 way ajustable, KYB springs
if you are interested??

[sergei]

hi , I put my coilovers in my ST205 and have the following shocks and springs for sale , 2 x front 4 way ajustable front TRD shocks , full set of TRD 4 way ajustable shocks, full set of KYB 4 way ajustable, KYB springs
if you are interested??

Are any of those rebuildable?

[ST205 GT4 NZ New Group A]

yip as far as I know, the KYB will need rebuild, TRD should be ok

[Prymal]

TRD adjustables and TRD springs in mine - rides quite nicely for every day use and has minimal drop .. Looks quite nice with the 17's i have. I run that in conjunction with Whiteline/nolethane rear bushes and a whiteline swaybar, soon to have a cusco underbrace up front as well

Franks TRD coilovers ride just as nice , though are nicer for cornering .. he runs on Stock 16's so its a little friendlier over the bumps than my 17's if anything - he also runs uprated Swaybars and suprero bushjes thruout

Tims ( itrack) has TRD coilovers and TRD uprated springs is quite hard , but he like it that way ..