Suspension info – SO MANY DARN FACTORS!!!

[TRDmod]

I just got a quote from STOCKS, st205 gt4

750 per wheel , totalling to 3375 dollars including gst for all four sides

this is KONI gas shocks and includes springs. This is entry level, the height is adjustable, rebound is adjustable, but compression isn’t, when you get it, you pick a compression rate and you are stuck with that

is this normal?

Can someone please explain to me in extreme detail, what the compression, rebound etc. cos as far as I know, rebound is one its compressed, how far its going to go back, and compression is lets say hitting a bump on the road, how much it would compress into itself…

Basically what I want to achieve getting suspension set up better than mine, I will also get stiffer and harder swaybars, and adjustable cambers for front and back wheels, the camber plates are pretty self explanatory, but I was concerned that the compression isn’t adjustable, is this normal…is this a bad thing? I don’t want to go hardcore cup racing but u know, I want it ot handle better than it is now. The point of shocks good shocks is to keep the tyre on the road, is this rebound making sure that the tyre isn’t bounced off the road?? And able to keep presing the tyre on the road?

I need a through explanation what I need the suspension set I buy to have so I know, cos height is not that important is it? I eman yes, lowering would lower centre of gravity but shocks are the important factors.

Thanks

[Stealer Of Souls]

okay not a pro... but...

Generally speaking rebound is heaps more important than compression...
Compression is the up-stroke while rebound is the down stroke...
Better rebound will get the tyre "back" on the ground better. If you had really "hard" (is that the right term???) compression then when you hit a bump the shock wouldn't compress properly and as a result the whole corner would lift up... Try to imagine having no shocks just solid suspension and you'd get what I mean...
On the flip side, to "soft" a compression, you hit the bump and the shock just keeps compressing under the momentum of the tyre/brakes/etc... Tyre leaves ground and then you poop yourself...

If you're after better performance you should start with sway-bars and strut braces as these provide the best sort of bang for your buck...

I wouldn't go for adjustables unless you are really into racing, or want that "Low for the Show" "High for the road" approach... If you get adjustables you'll also need a cert which will set you back around $350...

Talk to others with ST205s and ask what they run... I think you'd be best off with a set of lowered springs and some adjustable shocks (or even hard non-adjustables).

[atmosports]

We run single adjustable koni's(rebound only) on the NZ v8 tourer's. They say single adjustable but the adjusters do make a slight change to the bump(compression setting) as well just not a vary big change. You are not stuck with the one setting as you can get the shock revalved to suit & if you want to at a later date you can normaly get the units upgraded to double adjustable(Bump + rebound although no slow speed adjustment still). We run rebound only adjustable shocks in many of our competition cars without a hassle. You should be fairly right as there are selling you the springs also & the bump(compression) valving of the shock should be matched to the spring rate of the springs they sell & basically shouldn't need much changing, Koni's are supposed to be run with the adjuster just off full soft anyway to start with & then wind them up as they setlle & wear. Best things is they are rebuildable which should save money in the long run.

[TRDmod]

I went to gt motorsport, they have a huge, HUGE range, in fact, I have called numerous places, but gt motorsport, seems to be abelt o get EVERY brand pretty much or my car, st205. its good, also, I like them because they took the time to analyse my use and told me what I should get, what I don’t need to get and what I could get that might make things better but wait till later to see if I need it, others will try to sell me everything else even if I don’t need it so im impressed, they seemt o be well versed in the whole suspension deal.

They have recommended, TEIN or CUSCO adjustables, height adjustables and damping adjustable, but the shocks, its settings are 1-8 or soemthign like that, 1 is softest and higher is harder, just wanted to confirm, he as you all have explained the purpose of compression and de compression, he said that the harder I set it, means tha the compression is harder and the faster the de compression is too which means the tyre will be pushed on the road quicker, so the more resistance upward , that is reciprocated for more resistance downward too…..

Comments?

[RunningRich]

Have a read of this:

http://gtfour.supras.org.nz/chassis%20dynamics.htm

I have had Bilsteins for several years on my two GT-Fours. I got the rears off a Team Toyota Italia rally car so they bolted straight on. I used normal street inserts for the from revalved to fit.

I have had the struts softened a couple of time since, and I've had one front and one rear seal failure (requiring rebuild again). The failure of the rears is no surprise being from a rally car.

I may be getting old but I've had enough of the very stiff "Targa spec" suspension set up I had. At low speed movement (ie. driving down motorway) the car was harsh as the shocks were immediately stiff. I've now had them softened but they are yet to be installed.

Japanese shocks have a reputation for being stiff and harsh. Only one way to really evaluate them though.

I went for adjustables because when I did this (6-7 years ago) ST165 springs were hard to find (understatement!). Race springs are easy to get in different stiffnesses and lengths to allow for changes.

I've lowered my car and 30-40mm, intend to go no more. Looks great with 235-40ZR17 tyres.

Also be aware that front camber plates makes the car dramatically stiffer. I had the car all set up nice and then went to camber plates. Had to go stiffer to compensate, mutter grumble...

Camber plates for the rear are not necessary. The stock top mounts are fairly solid and Toyota do camber bolts to allow for better adjustment.

I never needed swaybars on the ST165 as the handling was fine with stock. I'd be interested what is avaialable for ST205 in NZ and at what cost.

[TRDmod]

i dont are obut harshness and comfort,not at all the car will be not for conform but for handling
gt motorsports, seems to be the only place that has given me a good price in different parts and brands, the cheapest i have been quoted was 3330 something around about that.

i might not even get camber, just better shocks and slightly lower, less sway, im not gonan powerr up the car so mucht aht i need extreme suspension set up, u kn ow what i mean?
sway bars maybe, fi ineed it, i want to get the bushes redone eventually , shocks and sportier springs is what im gonna go for,

[Mr Revhead]

theres always TRD:

http://trdparts.jp/english/list_st-celica.html

they do several suspension options aswell as bushes etc etc.

its a hard call telling you want YOU want your car to do.... we can suggest but it all comes down to you and what you intend to use the car for and what your prepared to put up with as far as ride quality goes

[TRDmod]

yeah trd, but its too expensive, i got quoted 3500-4500 soemthign like that, too much - though at least i know its specifically for my car
but others have tem for my car too
ill rign around more and see what everyoen has

[Mr Revhead]

i dont recall you asking me for prices, cant get TRD cheaper elsewhere in nz. email the kind of things you want (coilovers or just shocks etc) and ill get you some prices. TRD in no more exspensive than other top brands, and quite often cheaper

[TRDmod]

i got a quote from solitt rading, the trd supplier in nz
where do u work?
how can you get them?d o you improt yourself parallel import?

[Mr Revhead]

i work for toyota we do TRD
we are NOT parallel importers.
we get it through toyota, have done for ages

[TRD Man]

i dont recall you asking me for prices, cant get TRD cheaper elsewhere in nz.

That's not actually true, Warwick!

[Mr Revhead]

im not interested in another pissing competion bruce
fact is we do TRD at very good prices

[RunningRich]

i dont recall you asking me for prices, cant get TRD cheaper elsewhere in nz.

That's not actually true, Warwick!

The same old pissing match. Mr Solitt again offering advice only when a sale is involved. I wasn't happy with the service I got from Mr Solitt or some of his business practices so wouldn't personally deal with him again.

Those prices are sounding really high IMHO. I just welded standard threaded sleeves on the struts and fitted suitable inserts.

[TRD Man]

fact is we do TRD at very good prices

I'm sure you do. As do we.

I'm sorry to hear about your problems Running Rich.
We pride ourselves on our service and receive hundreds of glowing testamonials.
I certainly don't recall ever having received a complaint from you. Had I done so I'm sure I would have sorted it immediately.

As for the price. We only have so much control over that but it's been a general rule of thumb for a number of years that quality suspension is about a grand a corner.

[MR2SIK]

everywhere i go i see the 'battle of the trd sellers'