jbwua6

Hello, I have a 2004 TL Base, and i'm planning on lowering the ride height 2 inches on the stock wheels for now before i buy wheels - thing is i dont know which way to do it in terms of ride quality, damages, wheel sizing, or better bang for the buck. I don't wanna half-ass anything on this car and then i'm hurting in the long run, so i need your opinions and suggestions to help better my decision.
I've been told just do lowering springs since i'm not slamming it, but my fear is putting aftermarket springs on stock shocks and they end up blowing on me, or the ride being too stiff. Other people have told me to do coilovers, but a guy told me people have issues with those because they don't lower the car enough.

So to wrap this up my question is, should I buy lowering springs or coilovers?
And what is a good brand for either type of suspension?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

First of all, best is subjective and there are MANY options that can achieve what you are looking for.
2nd of all, there are many threads JUST like this one, asking the same question.

You have already spelled out your goals.
that is a great thing, as many people DONT KNOW WHAT THE HELL THEY WANT!

as for you, you do know that you want to lower the vehicle at least 2 inches and want wheels.
you are probably more concerned with LOOKS than PERFORMANCE.

the people that are more concerned with aesthetics usually go with coilovers.
why!? because you can adjust the drop to your liking.
Some brand of coilovers can drop more than 2inches.

as you get more comfortable with the platform, you'll end up going lower than what you originally said.
Especially if you get wheels.

Please research:
tein ss
Megan
function and form (heel toe spec)
XLR8 ISC
BC Sport.

these will allow you to drop your car 2inches and then some.

In conclusion; you need to search/browse because you could have came up with the same ending.

ebelp

Spacecake's got Justin in a helpful mood lately.

Sounds like you want to lower your TL semi-aggressively, which rules out springs. If you get springs, you'll more than likely wish you had gotten coilovers. Spend the money and get what you want the first time around.

The Machine

iTrader: (8)

Based on your goals I would also say go with coilovers. Just make sure to get one's with damper adjustment so you can set the coilovers to how firm or soft you want them to ride. John (ebelp) and I both have the ISC N1's that XLR8 sells (currently going for $955 btw) and love them! Excellent ride comfort and the build quality is great as well. They also have 3 spring rates to choose from: Street Comfort (what I have), Street Sport (John), and Track.

ebelp

^You can add that swoosh has the track version of the ISC's.

anthracitecl

iTrader: (7)

^ He has street/sport.

I would get coilover like other members said. You can adjust dampening and height. Some people regret after they get springs. I have AMR coilovers myself and i love them. And it's also lifetime warranty. There are quite a few options for coilovers like Justnspace mentioned. I added 3 more. I don't know what set up you're gonna get, but I recommend you to research reviews on coils you want.
I think i heard KW coilovers can't go low like other brands? Please someone correct me if i'm wrong.


tein ss
Megan
function and form (heel toe spec)
XLR8 ISC
BC Sport
H&R
AMR
KW

The Machine

iTrader: (8)

Crap, yeah I forgot about Swoosh having them. My bad Swoosh

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

whats the major differences in those spring rates? just curious.

The Machine

iTrader: (8)

I assume the only real difference is the stiffness of the springs. Also it seems to be that people with the track srings rates are having trouble lowering their car to the ride height they are looking for. Now I'm not sure if this is just because they aren't adjusting them correctly or because they have the manual trans and the car is lighter up front. The one kid that sticks out most clearly in my mind with this issue was Callahan. He really hasn't been on here much though since the install so I don't know if he got it figured out yet or not. John was helping him trying to figure it all out, but I'm not sure if they came to a head on that or not. Not too many other people got the track spring rates so it's hard to know if that issue is occuring across the board.

But the spring rates are as follows:

Street Comfort 10/6
Street Sport 12/8
Track 14/10

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

If you need help deciding on a spring rate or coilover shoot us a PM or a call.

bluetl04

iTrader: (4)

I would go with coilovers. Just as everyone else said, if you get springs, you are gonna want to go lower. So its better to do it rite the first time around..Goodluck!!

powerflow

2" drop would be considered "slamming it" or close to. Really depends on if it’s a AT or MT, and wheel/tire variables. 2" drop on a MT would be tucking tire. I believe 04-06 AT sits about 1/4" to 1/2" higher than MT. I've seen stock ride height measurement posts on here from 26.50" to 26.75", to 27.00".

I've got a 05 6MT w/ H tech springs + Koni Yellows (adj perch shock at lower perch groove). I'm at 24.875" in the front and 25" in the rear, on OEM spec size 18's. I think its about a 1.625" drop, but I do not have any before OEM height measurements. This is pretty low for a daily driver IMO and has no wheel well gap, for me I wouldn't go any lower. I had H&R coilovers for a long time, and my new spring/shock combo is much, much more comfy. And the Koni's are adj damper shocks. For my current needs, spring/shocks are better than coilovers. There's not much suspension travel on the 3G TL, so coilovers tend to have stiffer springs to accommodate low ride height adjustment settings. Some coilovers can be set crazy low. Although you might be able to get a coilover kit (special or custom spring rate) with a softer than norm spring intended for not so low height settings.