TRD suspension/coil over setup for Vitz

[TOYO-GT-T]

Hi all,

I have been looking at suspension setups for the vitz and have come across these: (according to auction these are specifically for the VITZ)

*CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER PIC*



The auction refers to them as:

Suspension kit for Circult,coil over suspension on all TRD-MSB race car.

Height and damper adjustable coil over,4 level damper.

Question is - will this setup suit a Vitz RS which will be used as a daily driver and one two track days per year?

Can anyone see any certification problems - i.e springs are too hard?

These do not come with the equipment tools to adjust - is this a problem?

Was looking at springs, but I may be able to purchase these for a couple of hundred dollars more.

Do not want this setup to make the car low - I am after better handling.

[Bling]

Do not want this setup to make the car low - I am after better handling.

This is JUST my opinion...

But bad idea.
a) 2nd hand, who knows what condition
b) used in race cars, not going to suit road
c) $1600 at least before you get them on the road.

Better idea (again, my2c)

Replace what you have now with a decent set of lowering springs, add in some decent shocks and you'll end up with a better suited result. All new, no risks with condition of parts etc.

I went from factory setup in my AE111 to Cobra springs and new shocks. Difference in handling was like night and day. Pretty sure (years ago now though) it set me back ~1k.

Springs people recommend, TRD and Tein most commonly. As I say, I have Cobra springs, and will by getting another set for my other car when the time comes. Good springs.

I just don't see the point in buying a setup not suited to what you needs are. If they are setup for race, I imagine they are pretty hard springs. Consider the cost of potentially rebuilding them in a years time into your pricing.

[TOYO-GT-T]

Do not want this setup to make the car low - I am after better handling.

This is JUST my opinion...

But bad idea.
a) 2nd hand, who knows what condition
b) used in race cars, not going to suit road
c) $1600 at least before you get them on the road.

Better idea (again, my2c)

Replace what you have now with a decent set of lowering springs, add in some decent shocks and you'll end up with a better suited result. All new, no risks with condition of parts etc.

I went from factory setup in my AE111 to Cobra springs and new shocks. Difference in handling was like night and day. Pretty sure (years ago now though) it set me back ~1k.

Springs people recommend, TRD and Tein most commonly. As I say, I have Cobra springs, and will by getting another set for my other car when the time comes. Good springs.

I just don't see the point in buying a setup not suited to what you needs are. If they are setup for race, I imagine they are pretty hard springs. Consider the cost of potentially rebuilding them in a years time into your pricing.

I think you have covered my concerns! - thank you

Suspension on Vitz has only done c.45km - so should have a wee bit of life left in it. Tein springs here I come.

I also noticed, when under the car the other day, it has KYB Gas suspension (not sure if that's bog standard or what) - but, car does sit reasonably low for a factory car.

[Bling]

Someone will correct me if i'm wrong, but I think KYB may make some Toyota shocks. Either way, KYB is all good.

Is the ride just too soft for your liking?

[TOYO-GT-T]

Hard to say as other car is a holden

But, to be honest it handles like a dream for me in its current form, but, the ride does pick up the bumps on the road, so I would not say its too soft.

Would like to do a few basic improvements to get it ready for the odd track day, and just better all round handling.

Best to spend my money on handling on this car, as the 1500vvti is never going to be a rocket.

Looking at doing:

1)finish off exhaust
2) Best to leave factory air intake as is (but, possibly improve ducting and remove resonator if possible)
3) Add some after market springs in the hope of "firming" up the ride (improvement on present setup)
4)Add rear sway bar
5) Add front strut brace (understand rear brace does nothing, something to do with strut tower setup)
6) Upgrade pads and brake fluid
7) Have fun! (maybe extractors - could be a waste of time on this car?)

[Leon]

4)Add rear sway bar

This is a great upgrade without making the car hella bouncy Highly recommend.

[Lurkin]

in contrast:

with my old levin I took the toyspeed advice, went with lowering springs and replacement shocks.

Was a huge improvement over the tired stuff that was in it. It was also a more affordable option (at first glance).

But I hated how I went through three sets of springs to sort out the back of the car to the right compromise of height/ softness/ guard rubbage etc.

Wound up with dobi springs in the end and was reasonably happy with it but if i had to do it again, (which I will be in the near future) I will be going down the more expensive adjustable route.

I realise this doesn't solve how soft the springs are - but at least camber/height adjustable would be a win in my books.

just my 2c.

flame on.

[RobertC]

I would have to partly agree with Lurkin.

I have an AE111 added some Espelir lowering springs along with brand new Toyota shocks. Compared to factory I thought it was great, ride was good just had a tendency to bottom out at times and generally felt like the springs were under dampened. (not a surprise really)

Up rated shock absorbers might have been better but I don't know.

I since purchases a set of Tein super street coilovers. And these blew the lowering springs out of the water. They are firm but the absorb bumps properly. Unlike with lowering springs it doesn't feel like something will break if I hit a pot hole or go over a speed bump at speed.

So my vote would be for some street coil overs. Or lowering springs as a slightly cheaper option but uprated shocks are a must.

(remember with lowering springs you are greatly reducing the travel of the shock absorber)



Those trd ones in question will be stiff as f@#k.

[Mr Revhead]

Someone will correct me if i'm wrong, but I think KYB may make some Toyota shocks. Either way, KYB is all good.

Is the ride just too soft for your liking?

Yes Toyota shocks are made by either KYB or Tokico
BUT, the off the shelf KYBs you get in NZ are not the same spec as the stock ones. They are the cheapest KYB option.
They are ok, and an upgrade from worn stockers. 99% of people will be fine with them.
You would probably only be disappointed with them if you did lots of track work.

My choice if budget allowed would be custom Koni coilovers. Or TRD/TEIN springs with Koni shocks.

[Bling]

Lurkin, what brand springs did you have issues with? I have so far had zero issues with my Cobra springs in AE111, going on 8 years, 60k now. I've never even heard of Espelir springs...

Lots of brands out there, none of which will be equal.

I just don't see how adjustable coilovers can be justified on a daily car that may see a track day or two a year. Each to their own though. If with a cert you could adjust the height I could see their value.

[RobertC]

BZG I guess your running MS?

SS with lowering springs results in very very little suspension travel. Probably why in my case coil overs were the only option for lowering the car but still having suspension travel.


Espelir is a Japanese company not that common here Website

[Lurkin]

random red springs,
dobi (which were about right)
cant remember the third brand.

pretty irrelevant really -

the point being is that you buy lowered springs and new inserts hoping that it will be correct afterwards. Other than buying more, and hoping for good results, theres very little to be done about it if its wrong.

Lots of brands out there, none of which will be equal.

all of which have different claims about ride height etc.

Frankly the car they were in was going to be certified in the future (turbo plans), so the certification cost was not really a consideration for that vehicle.

Having said that - its true that there is a strong price differential with the added cost of a cert to the already more expensive adjustable suspension.

But - do it once, do it right.

[Leon]

If you know exactly what you want out of the car, and you know exactly the outcome of fitting a combination of xyz parts, then you're sorted

But if you're talking making a Vitz into a fun handling road car, then you're probably going to end up either going through a combo of bits until you find something exactly right, or you'll get some combo of stuff and then learn to live with it. Because you're not treading the road most commonly taken here. There's nothing wrong with doing that, but merely that if you were talking AE92 Corolla's for the same result, then more people here will have tried that.

I ended up with three different sets of EF9 Civic suspension, and three different sets of suspension for an N14 Pulsar until I got either of them correct.