Who Makes the Best Lowering Springs?

ScionLUVR · 09-20-2007, 04:28 PM

I want to lower my tC, but don't know where to start. The looks of this particular car are really improved when lowered. Couple of questions:

1) How much should I lower it?
2) How much should I expect to spend on springs?
3) Who makes the best springs?
4) Is this a DIY project?
5) Do I need an alignment afterwards?
6) Can I use my stock wheels and tires with the lowered springs?

Thanks,

ScionLUVR

rfzl · 10-04-2007, 05:21 PM

I can't answer all of the questions and I don't know that much about the tC but here is what I found when doing my xB.

How much to lower: Depends on what you want. If this is going to be a daily driver, 1.5" will be about right. May not sound like much but the gains will be from the new springs, not how much you lower it.

How many $: Again, depends. I spent about $150 for a set of springs for the xB. Different brands/types will have different costs.

Who? There are several vendors out there. Again, some are more for race, others more towards street.

Is this a DIY?: Yes, if you have jack stands, a full set of metric sockets and wrenches, and a torque wrench. An inpact driver is almost a must but you can do without. It took me about 5 hours to do my xB. Also, you will need a set of spring compressors to remove the stock units. This costs about $20 so not a big deal. You might be able to rent one from a shop or parts store.

Alignment: Absolutely!! Anytime you change the suspension, an alignment is needed. As the front springs are over the struts, you have to remove the entire strut which means something will be out of alignment when it goes back to gether.

Stock Wheels/Tires: Of course. You don't really want to change the wheel diameter or it will mess up your speedometer. If you go real low on the drop, it might look a bit funny but normally a new spring kit is such that they provide new bump stops for the shocks so you will be fine.

Hope this helps.

Ron

Fredy · 10-06-2007, 12:18 AM

1) How much should I lower it? I went with the S-Techs, I like no wheel gap
2) How much should I expect to spend on springs? I spent around 120 shipped for the springs, did the work myself
3) Who makes the best springs?Tein
4) Is this a DIY project?depends on what tools you have and if you are willing to spend a few hours working on it.
5) Do I need an alignment afterwards?I have not aligned my car since I've lowered it.
6) Can I use my stock wheels and tires with the lowered springs?Yup! I did for a few weeks then went to 17's with stock tires and now i'm on 18's with 40 series tire.

captainlaziness · 10-07-2007, 04:19 AM

1) How much should I lower it?
-As stated before, that's up to you. I went with the TRD springs (~1.5") because I wanted a modest drop without fear of bottoming out and scraping. But more importantly, the suspension has a limit of where a drop goes from making the car handle better to just looking better. Anything much lower than about 1.75" will look cool, but will have a negative effect on handling as the suspension geometry is out of whack.

2) How much should I expect to spend on springs?
-$120 to $200. I got my TRDs from www.trdsparks.com for $160+shipping.

3) Who makes the best springs?
-TRD, Tein, and Hotchkis are all great choices. Fredy's biased.

4) Is this a DIY project?
-Yes. Again, if you have access to the proper tools.

5) Do I need an alignment afterwards?
-It's recommended. Lower drops (<1.5") will throw your camber off more than a modest drop. The main issue with not getting an alignment is increased/uneven tire wear. A car that is slammed is going to have a lot of negative camber and will therefore devour the insides of the tires. Also, if you do decide to get an alignment, you should wait a few weeks to allow the springs to settle.

6) Can I use my stock wheels and tires with the lowered springs?
-Yes.

A few more things to consider, you can use the stock struts with any aftermarket lowering springs but their life span will be reduced. More aggressive drops increase the wear on the OEM struts. TRD and Koni both have stiffer struts to go with lowering springs.

Depending on how low you go, some shops (even the dealership) will not have the proper equipment to do an alignment or they won't want to risk damage to your vehicle. Some places don't know better or care and will damage your vehicle.

burstaneurysm · 10-08-2007, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScionLUVR

I want to lower my tC, but don't know where to start. The looks of this particular car are really improved when lowered. Couple of questions:

1) How much should I lower it? Yes
2) How much should I expect to spend on springs? Anywhere from $150-250
3) Who makes the best springs? Tein, TRD, Tanabe, Goldline (avoid any of the ebay crap and avoid Zenn and I honestly think that the tC drop on Megans looks goofy as hell)
4) Is this a DIY project? If you're comfortable with hand tools and swearing, yes.
5) Do I need an alignment afterwards? you probably should do it.
6) Can I use my stock wheels and tires with the lowered springs? Yep.

Thanks,

ScionLUVR

Hope that answers your questions.

captainlaziness · 10-08-2007, 08:22 PM

Yes, avoid Megan springs like the plague. They drop the tC a lot more in the rear and look like crap.

burstaneurysm · 10-08-2007, 08:36 PM

Yea, there was a discussion about how the unevenness of the drop was an optical illusion.

I'm sorry but when the back wheel is tucked and you're off roading in the front, it's no illusion, it's crap springs.

tofupowered · 05-21-2008, 04:25 PM

i happen to like the Tanabe df210 springs. I helped install them on my friends tc. it's as simple as most spring installs go. Done in a weekend. Low stance, ride comfort. Not much more you can ask for out of a spring.

Jacey · 02-04-2010, 03:06 AM

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17.Is there anyone who hasn't suffered for the secret love? We alwaysthink that love is very heavy, heavy and could be the heaviest thing inthe world. But one day, when you look back, you suddenly realize thatit's always light, light. We all thought love was very deep, but infact it's very thin. The deepest and heaviest love must grow up withthe time. 　　 cd keys

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09-20-2007, 04:28 PM	#1
ScionLUVR Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5	Who Makes the Best Lowering Springs? I want to lower my tC, but don't know where to start. The looks of this particular car are really improved when lowered. Couple of questions: 1) How much should I lower it? 2) How much should I expect to spend on springs? 3) Who makes the best springs? 4) Is this a DIY project? 5) Do I need an alignment afterwards? 6) Can I use my stock wheels and tires with the lowered springs? Thanks, ScionLUVR

10-06-2007, 12:18 AM	#3
Fredy Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 87	1) How much should I lower it? I went with the S-Techs, I like no wheel gap 2) How much should I expect to spend on springs? I spent around 120 shipped for the springs, did the work myself 3) Who makes the best springs?Tein 4) Is this a DIY project?depends on what tools you have and if you are willing to spend a few hours working on it. 5) Do I need an alignment afterwards?I have not aligned my car since I've lowered it. 6) Can I use my stock wheels and tires with the lowered springs?Yup! I did for a few weeks then went to 17's with stock tires and now i'm on 18's with 40 series tire. __________________ www.scikotics.com

10-08-2007, 08:22 PM	#6
captainlaziness Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 296	Yes, avoid Megan springs like the plague. They drop the tC a lot more in the rear and look like crap. __________________ Join the insanity! Well, not insanity, but a forum about everything and nothing. POSTAPOLOOZA

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10-04-2007, 05:21 PM	#2
rfzl Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ks Posts: 125	I can't answer all of the questions and I don't know that much about the tC but here is what I found when doing my xB. How much to lower: Depends on what you want. If this is going to be a daily driver, 1.5" will be about right. May not sound like much but the gains will be from the new springs, not how much you lower it. How many $: Again, depends. I spent about $150 for a set of springs for the xB. Different brands/types will have different costs. Who? There are several vendors out there. Again, some are more for race, others more towards street. Is this a DIY?: Yes, if you have jack stands, a full set of metric sockets and wrenches, and a torque wrench. An inpact driver is almost a must but you can do without. It took me about 5 hours to do my xB. Also, you will need a set of spring compressors to remove the stock units. This costs about $20 so not a big deal. You might be able to rent one from a shop or parts store. Alignment: Absolutely!! Anytime you change the suspension, an alignment is needed. As the front springs are over the struts, you have to remove the entire strut which means something will be out of alignment when it goes back to gether. Stock Wheels/Tires: Of course. You don't really want to change the wheel diameter or it will mess up your speedometer. If you go real low on the drop, it might look a bit funny but normally a new spring kit is such that they provide new bump stops for the shocks so you will be fine. Hope this helps. Ron

10-07-2007, 04:19 AM	#4
captainlaziness Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 296	1) How much should I lower it? -As stated before, that's up to you. I went with the TRD springs (~1.5") because I wanted a modest drop without fear of bottoming out and scraping. But more importantly, the suspension has a limit of where a drop goes from making the car handle better to just looking better. Anything much lower than about 1.75" will look cool, but will have a negative effect on handling as the suspension geometry is out of whack. 2) How much should I expect to spend on springs? -$120 to $200. I got my TRDs from www.trdsparks.com for $160+shipping. 3) Who makes the best springs? -TRD, Tein, and Hotchkis are all great choices. Fredy's biased. 4) Is this a DIY project? -Yes. Again, if you have access to the proper tools. 5) Do I need an alignment afterwards? -It's recommended. Lower drops (<1.5") will throw your camber off more than a modest drop. The main issue with not getting an alignment is increased/uneven tire wear. A car that is slammed is going to have a lot of negative camber and will therefore devour the insides of the tires. Also, if you do decide to get an alignment, you should wait a few weeks to allow the springs to settle. 6) Can I use my stock wheels and tires with the lowered springs? -Yes. A few more things to consider, you can use the stock struts with any aftermarket lowering springs but their life span will be reduced. More aggressive drops increase the wear on the OEM struts. TRD and Koni both have stiffer struts to go with lowering springs. Depending on how low you go, some shops (even the dealership) will not have the proper equipment to do an alignment or they won't want to risk damage to your vehicle. Some places don't know better or care and will damage your vehicle.

10-08-2007, 08:36 PM	#7
burstaneurysm Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Forest Park, IL Posts: 725	Yea, there was a discussion about how the unevenness of the drop was an optical illusion. I'm sorry but when the back wheel is tucked and you're off roading in the front, it's no illusion, it's crap springs.

05-21-2008, 04:25 PM	#8
tofupowered Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 7	i happen to like the Tanabe df210 springs. I helped install them on my friends tc. it's as simple as most spring installs go. Done in a weekend. Low stance, ride comfort. Not much more you can ask for out of a spring.

02-04-2010, 03:06 AM	#9
Jacey Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 5	1.One is always on a strange road, watching strange scenery and listeningto strange music. Then one day, you will find that the things you tryhard to forget are already gone. (wow power leveling)　 2.Happiness is not about being immortal nor having food or rights inone's hand. It’s about having each tiny wish come true, or havingsomething to eat when you are hungry or having someone's love when youneed love. 　 3.Love is a lamp, while friendship is the shadow. When the lamp is off,you will find the shadow everywhere. Friend is who can give youstrength at last. 　　 4.I love you not for who you are, but for who I am before you. 5.Love makes man grow up or sink down. 　 6.If you can hold something up and put it down, it is calledweight-lifting; if you can hold something up but can never put it down,it's called burden-bearing. Pitifully, most of people are bearing heavyburdens when they are in love. 7.We all live in the past. We take a minute to know someone, one hour tolike someone, and one day to love someone, but the whole life to forgetsomeone. Wow gold 8.One may fall in love with many people during the lifetime. When youfinally get your own happiness, you will understand the previoussadness is kind of treasure, which makes you better to hold and cherishthe people you love. 　 9.When you are young, you may want several love experiences. But as timegoes on, you will realize that if you really love someone, the wholelife will not be enough. You need time to know, to forgive and to love.All this needs a very big mind. 10.When tomorrow turns in today, yesterday, and someday that no moreimportant in your memory, we suddenly realize that we r pushed forwardby time. This is not a train in still in which you may feel forwardwhen another train goes by. It is the truth that we've all grown up.And we become different. 　 11.If you leave me, please don't comfort me because each sewing has to meet stinging pain. 　　 12.Don’t forget the things you once you owned. Treasure the things youcan’t get. Don't give up the things that belong to you and keep thoselost things in memory. 　　 world of warcraft gold 13.I love and am used to keeping a distance with those changed things.Only in this way can I know what will not be abandoned by time. Forexample, when you love someone, changes are all around. Then I stepbackward and watching it silently, then I see the true feelings. 14.Men love from overlooking while women love from looking up. If love isa mountain, then if men go up, more women they will see while womenwill see fewer men.　　 15.Good love makes you see the whole world from one person while bad love makes you abandon the whole world for one person.　 16.We shall always save a place for ourselves, only for ourselves. Andthen begin to love. Have no idea of what it is, who he is, how to loveor how long it will be. Just wait for one love. Maybe no one will comeout, but this kind of waiting is the love itself.　　 17.Is there anyone who hasn't suffered for the secret love? We alwaysthink that love is very heavy, heavy and could be the heaviest thing inthe world. But one day, when you look back, you suddenly realize thatit's always light, light. We all thought love was very deep, but infact it's very thin. The deepest and heaviest love must grow up withthe time. 　　 cd keys 18.In this world, only those men who really feel happy can give women happiness 19.If a woman is not sexy, she needs emotion; if she is not emotional, sheneeds reason; if she is not reasonable, she has to know herselfclearly. coz only she has is misfortune. 20.An unacceptable love needs no sorrow but time- sometime for forgetting.A badly-hurt heart needs no sympathy but understanding.　　 21. I know someone in the world is waiting for me, although I've no idea of who he is. But I feel happy every day for this. 　 22.In your life, there will at least one time that you forget yourself forsomeone, asking for no result, no company, no ownership nor love. Justask for meeting you in my most beautiful years. 　　 23.When you feel hurt and your tears are gonna to drop. Please look up andhave a look at the sky once belongs to us. If the sky is still vast,clouds are still clear, you shall not cry because my leave doesn't takeaway the world that belongs to you. wow power leveling 24.Idon't think that when people grow up, they will become morebroad-minded and can accept everything. Conversely, I think it's aselecting process, knowing what's the most important and what's theleast. And then be a simple man.