cust0mx

Total newb regarding these areas, so I apologize in advance. My TL is at stock height, I'm looking to drop it about 2" and get new wheels. I think I'm going to get the Tein SA coilovers. Will I need new tophats? Can I continue to use the same bushings or is it recommended to get new ones? Maybe this is more of a question for Marcus at Heeltoe, but does the tophat kit that he sells come with new bushings or do I need to buy those as well?

From what I've read on here, after I drop the car, this will induce negative camber. As long as the angle is less than 3 degrees, will I be fine without a camber kit?
If I need the camber kit, do I need both the front and rear, or just the rear? Is the Ingalls in the rear and Skunk2 in the front a pretty safe bet?
If I don't need a camber kit, should I get an alignment after dropping the car? Will this help resolve any negative camber? Even if I have a little negative camber, with proper tire rotation will it even make that much of a difference?
Will I need to get the fenders rolled even with the stock wheels? I have Continental DWS 245/40/18 right now.

Once I get the car dropped, I want to buy some new wheels. I'm thinking of getting the XXR 530 18x8.75 +20 with Continental DWS 225/40/18. Will I still have some poke even with the fenders rolled, or is this where the camber kits come into play and help get the wheels flush?

So many questions and I have done my best to read through tons and tons of threads to learn as much as I can, but these are the things which I'm still unsure about. Thank you so much to anyone that can help clarify.

whoismiked

iTrader: (2)

Disclaimer: I am not a 'pro' by any means with suspension, but I can share my experience with Tein SA because I have them, but if anyone see's something I am about to say as wrong please correct me


You can use your stock top hats if you want, some people (who don't have the Type-S) opt to buy type S top hats because they come with stiffer bushings.

Also another reason people opt to buy new top hats is because you have to compress the spring in order to get the top hats off/on, which can be a royal pain if you do not have the tools to do so.

Also the process of installing the new and removing the old shocks is MUCH eaiser if you do not have to mess with swapping top hats.

Another reason people buy new top hats is so they can sell their stock suspension as whole set to recoup some $ spent.


How many miles do your current bushings have on them? Depending on mileage is might be a good idea to get new ones anyways as you stock ones might be worn out, also the washers might be bent, ect ect, it's just a good idea imo to get new top hats, saves so much hassle.


The question(s) you have about camber, refer to this: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-tires-wheels-suspension-97/do-i-need-camber-kit-606757/

cust0mx

Thanks for answering some of the questions. I know I have so many, but I'm trying to get them all out of the way instead of resurrecting old threads.

whoismiked

iTrader: (2)

Np, glad I could help.

Let me try and answer some more:

With going that low (2+") you will certainly be needing/wanting at least the rear camber kit. Ideally you would eventually want the front and rear, but you can get by with just the rear as our cars rear cambers alot more in the rear than in the front with a drop. Yes Ingall and Skunk are good choices.

You will 100% need an alignment after your drop, there is no questioning this, it is needed, but it's a good idea to wait about a week or so after your suspension installation to let it 'settle' in before getting it done.

Alignment does not correct camber, the camber kit being adjusted right does that. Alignment corrects toe (which is the leading cause of premature tire wear), but you can read more about these things in the link I provided for you above

cust0mx

can anyone else help out with all the other questions? pleeeeeease haha

Slpr04UA6

Welcome

Regarding the wheels you are going to purchase.......you can sift throught this thread below. Match the specs you want, with the drop(which you also want) that other members have with your desired wheel specs.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...837606&page=42


As far as camber kits, going with the drop you want and wheel fitment, you will probably want frnt/rear kits. Like mentioned above the Skunk2 Frnt kit is superior, and Ingalls is "ok" , some like to do the upper SPC Camber arm (as this pushes the top of the wheel out to correct camber vs. Ingalls toe/camber bars pulling the bottom of the wheel in). This may help your decision in wheel specs. ?

iheartteal

youll definitely want a rear camber kit. I went without one for a while and I always had loud tire noise coming from the rear and just assumed it was the cheaper tires. Finally got a rear camber kit and now its nice and quiet. I just went with the kit the O'reillys sells for the upper control arm adjustment. IMO I wouldn't go all out and buy a real nice set. All it is in a nutshell is a threaded rod with 2 bushings.

cust0mx

top

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^why bump when your questions were answereD!?!??!?!??
if you need something else, or a question didnt get answered, ask it again instead of saying 'TOP'.

so, what would you like help on?

cust0mx

Once I get the car dropped, I want to buy some new wheels. I'm thinking of getting the XXR 530 18x8.75 +20 with Continental DWS 225/40/18. Will I still have some poke even with the fenders rolled, or is this where the camber kits come into play and help get the wheels flush? Will a +33 or 35 wheel have less poke?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the lower the offset, the farther it sits out.
however, 8.75 +20 is far from aggressive and will not poke at all.

and yes, you can play with camber to get them where you want, but I'd rather get the specs of the wheel where I want it, instead of playing with camber.

for reference, I'm thinking of putting on a 18x9.5 +22 wheel at it should be flush with fenders.

cust0mx

Can you explain what you mean by it sits out further? I found a place where I can get Nitto Motivo 225/40/18 tires with XXR 530 18x8.75 +20 for $1100 shipped. My car is at stock height, but I'll lower it with Tein SA and get an Ingalls rear camber kit. My fenders will be rolled, but I want to make sure I get the correct tires and wheels first so I don't get any rubbing later. Thanks!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

right now, your rim specs are not overly aggressive and will sit sorta like the stock rim. the stock rim is 17x8 +45.

and if you're not dropping with coils you'll be fine with whatever you choose. as its not aggressive enough to be flush.

Convert inches to MM.
8 inch = 203.2mm +45mm = 248mm
8.75 inch = 222.25 mm + 20mm =242mm

so basically, you're looking at stock specs and you will be fine with whatever tire you want to run.


edit* i dont know if i explained that right...
here's an offset calculator.
http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel...ulator#Results

cust0mx

Thanks!