DevilDogge

I'm interested in dropping my TL, however, I'm not set on the amount, or the hardware I need.. From searching around, I've seen posts saying that you don't need a camber kit for any drop UP to 2", but anything beyond that, you'd need the camber kit. Also, if you go 1.5" - 2" drop, you can just get springs and use the stock shocks. Is this right? If not, what is the maximum you can drop with springs and maintain the stock shocks, with a great ride? I'm planning on keeping my stock rims for now, but will want to put some 19's on later. What springs are out there for a 1.5" - 2" drop? I read that the Eibach only go to 1", what others are there?

Also, please post pics of your drop with the amount you dropped it, and what hardware you used.

DevilDogge

Oh yeah, and I'm looking to get everything done with the least damage done to the bank account.

Bearcat94

If it were me, I'd probably get a camber kit and upgraded shocks for any drop 1.5" or greater.

Even then you *might* wear the stock shock faster than normal.


Coilovers versus Springs + Shocks are pretty close to the same price.

anarchy[sear]

iTrader: (1)

I would not recommend using stock shocks because after 10k miles its gonna start leaking and the ride quality is going to go to shit. If you are on a tight budget just do what I did. I bought H & R race springs which will give you almost a 2" drop and I purchased the tokico blues. I believe accelerate has the blues for a very good price and you might be able to manage $500 for both and if you intalled it yourself. I am installing them on monday so once I get pics I will post them for you.

Bearcat94

Running H&R Sports with stock shocks for ~13k - 14k miles; Amost 1 year.

Oil Change & Tire Rotation coming up - I always check the suspension - so far so good.

anarchy[sear]

iTrader: (1)

Thats pretty good. I heard that the H&R's springs has good ride quality compared to others. Hopefully that holds true to the H&R race springs as well.
My friend is running Comptechs on his and he said that after 10k miles his shocks got all crappy so he switched them out.

DevilDogge

Are the tokico blues made to be ran with shorter springs? From what I understand they're not adjustable, unless I misunderstood it. Wouldn't that be the similar to putting H&R springs on with NEW OEM shocks, as they're both designed for stock ride height? Correct me if I'm wrong, becuase I was seeing some pretty good deals on tokico blues and KYB shocks on ebay this morning.

Also, I've heard that the H&R springs cause some creaking in the rear when going over bumps and whatnot. Any experience in this?

So far, I understand the Eibach will do 1", the H&R will do 2" but require a camber kit. Is there a 1.5" drop spring that I won't need a camber kit with?

Please post some pics of the H&R springs on our TL's.

anarchy[sear]

iTrader: (1)

If you want something around 1.5 look into sport springs, they will give you about 1.2-1.5 depending in the springs and the way they settle.

Monday I will post you three pictures of three different cars all with tokico shocks but all with 3 different springs.

Bearcat94

Right after I installed spring and RSB I had some creaking in the rear; thought is was the springs. Later, I changed out my Energy Suspension Poly RSB Bushings for the Progress Poly RSB Bushings and the creaking went away. In my book, that means the creaking was from the RSB bushing, not the spring.

H&R Sport is 1.4" Front / 1.3" Rear. I think the H&R Race Spring is around 2".

Race springs will be a good bit stiffer than sport or OE-type springs. Might be harsh on roads around town.

Trew

iTrader: (1)

By the time you realize your modding expenses are in the THOUSANDS, it will be far too late

Bearcat94

DevilDogge

I'll be looking forward to the pictures.

So, Tokico shocks are designed to be ran with shorter springs, or stock springs? I don't want to have two mismatched suspension componets, as that can only lead to bad things ahead.

After looking at the gap on my stock TL, I think that a 1.5" drop would be perfect.... Still waiting on some pics, and any with stock wheels would be even better!

DevilDogge

Does anyone have any experience with Skunk2 springs??

anarchy[sear]

iTrader: (1)

https://acurazine.com/forums/album.p...pictureid=3042
^this is with the comptech springs that will give you about 1.25 drop.

Didn't have time to put the H&R race springs on though but once I do I will put the picture up.

Bearcat94

PM stillhere153, I think he ran the Skunk2 springs for a while.

DevilDogge

I'm on the fence now... Thanks Anarchy

Please post pics of the race springs w/ stock wheels as soon as you can.

Did you install a camber kit with the comptech springs? After reading Mr. Heel Toe's post on if you need a camber kit or not, I pretty sure you can do the race springs and not need a camber kit, although, I don't want any visual evidence that the camber is not lined up. Don't want it lookin like a slamed Geo Prizi on 10" wire daytons that stick out from the car about 8".

anarchy[sear]

iTrader: (1)

On the comptechs he didn't run any camber kits so you should be good but with the Race springs I am not definately sure. Dog do you plan on buying wheels in the future or keeping it stock?

DevilDogge

Keeping stock for now, but in the next year or so, I may get some 19" rims.

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

TOKICO HP shocks are designed to work with lowering springs. The shock itself doesn't have to be shorter to handle a lowering spring. It's the valving and range of operation that allows it to work with a lowering spring.

And I can get you a H&R spring/TOKICO package for about $550 shipped which will make it a somewhat reasonable suspension expenditure.

elusive_tl

Excelerate what would you recommend for skunk2 springs for a 2005 TL...like what kinda of shocks + camber kit...how much can you ship one to Toronto Canada for also

anarchy[sear]

iTrader: (1)

How low does the skunk2 go? If it is like all the other springs you can get away with tokico blues. I am dropped on h&r races springs coupled with the tokico blues and it rides pretty good. As for camber I got an alignment and that was it. I don't get the uneven wearing of my tires.

DevilDogge

After having the Tokico HP's with Neuspeed race springs on for almost a year, I would tell anyone not to get the Tokico's... They're junk when paired with lowered springs. They bottom out all the time, and will eventually and very quickly go bad. Get the Koni yellows if you're getting springs that are lower than stock. You'll be glad you did.

anarchy[sear]

iTrader: (1)

I would just go with coilovers if you are not on a budget. If you are on a budget just be patient and get something from the black market or save up.

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

I have done just the spring thing-YUK.

Now I have Tein SS coilovers dropped about 1.7" F&R with the damping set half way, (about 8 clicks) with my Yoko S-Drive 245/35/19" Tires the car rides GREAT and handles GREAT. By far the best investment to date IMO. I also put on a Progress RSB.

VERY HAPPY!!!