ThePattyWagon

Hey Acurazine, this week I looked through a ton of pages in the 2G TL picture gallery, and I am thinking I would love to widen and slightly lower my 2003 TL-S.

Currently I am on repainted stock wheels, and I think my car would look much better if I could get a more aggressive stance. The issue with lowering it too much is I live in the mountains of NC and there are some steep drives and stuff that I need to get over. Im not sure how much I want to go down, but Ive heard around the 2 inch mark would be good for me. I know many people go with the F&F Type 1 Coils, and I know the Tien Springs are a popular choice as well. Personally, function is king over form, so Any upgrades I do would preferably help the handling and make the ride more enjoyable.

More importantly than low for me is wide. I would love to put in some wheel spacers and get it looking a bit more aggressive. Should I have the fenders rolled? What spacers should I get? Im on stock sized tires as well.

Price is an obstacle. I would like to stay in the couple hundred dollar area but any suggestions are appreciated. I don't have a definite price cap, that really depends on how much of a difference the modification makes.

Attached is a pic of my (very dirty) wheels as is... Im going to make some changes (refinish them and change the center caps). Complements and criticisms are appreciated.

3.2TLc

If you're planning on sticking with your OEM "S" rims, ya could try a wider low profile tire and then mildly lower the suspension a bit without having any real issues.

Skirmich

It all depends on what you want to do... Usually Wider Tires and Wider Stance only take a toll on suspension components and rarely don't do much for handling (This is a FWD after-all)..


I will recommend you to get Eibach Anti Roll bars as it will improve handling in a BIG WAY! That and a Slightly wider profile tire that will fit on stock wheels.. If you widen up the suspension it will do more harm than good.

Chevelle66

I'm on Eibach Pro with a 2.1"f and 1.5"r drop and it's plenty low for me, about a 1 finger gap in front and depending on how much gas I have a 1.5-2 finger gap in the back.
The front still fits over the average height curb/concrete blocks in parking spots, but just barely, might rub the plastic shield, but lots are taller and wont work.
I have my splash guard on still and they rub the ground when turning into uphill driveways and parking lots.
I also recommend the eibach swaybars, they made a huge difference, combined with the springs and struts, the steering is much tighter and there is almost no body sway, I honestly can't believe how well this car handles for what it is, it's no slammed 240z on 10 inch wide meats, but it's pretty impressive for a relatively heavy car with such little mods. Only thing that holds me back are the soft 215/55/16 DWS tires I'm on, but there is about the right amount of understeer.

ThePattyWagon

Which springs offer best bang for buck? Are the Eiback springs better then the Tien? Would F&F 1s be a big improvement over springs in handling? I will look in to the sway bars.

I cant swap on wider tires for a while, so Im just gonna have to widen it with spacers or something like that. Would getting spacers and having the fenders rolled hurt the suspension any real amount? Ride quality? Handling?

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.

Skirmich

^ It will cost you more than anything you could possibly gain... Sway Bars will do far better job of improving handling.


If you like your Ride don't ever, EVER get FF1...



If you want to improve your handling in a Kit:
http://hoa.excelerateperformance.com.../i-286841.aspx
or
http://hoa.excelerateperformance.com...0/i-54339.aspx


Either of those will dramatically improve your handling (Notice how both kits include Sway Bars).

ThePattyWagon

Whats the ride quality like? May I see a picture Chevelle66?

Skirmich

FF1s? Worst shit I have ever felt in my life... If you ever seen those Guetto Hondas with cut springs riding super low and jumping on the slightest little road imperfection? Just like that.. Even if you go conservative and don't slam it? The valve configuration on FF1s was like meant to be Super Track day worth it and its completely BS on Daily Drive unless you go with FF2s and select a softer setting you are stuck with Jumps on FF1.. I don't recommend them unless you hate your back or your car is 100% a Track Car.

Chevelle66

The ride is OK, obviously it's a bit bumpy, but it's not jarring. You feel the bumps, but it's smooth, hard to explain lol. Compared to my girls 2010 accent, is way better still, that thing feels bouncy compared. Suprisingly the ride improved for me after replacing engine and tranny mounts, so it's not bad now.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...8&postcount=21

ThePattyWagon

Im going to start with just springs, then Ill think about adding sway bars.

Are the eibach springs a ton better then the tein? Im finding the tein s techs for $180 while the eibach pro kit performance are $218.

fsttyms1

H&R are better than EIbach and Tein, I run H&R Sports and Koni yellows. After a bit of adjusting it rides better than stock and is 2" lower. Sway bars will drastically improve handling. DONT buy just the rear, get a matched kit like the eibach. As for widening the look of the car, Honestly, do it right with a set of aftermarket rims and tires (i have 255/35/18s with a little fender rolling in the rear). Adding spacers can give you large headaches. IF they arent quality or are too big they can possibly even cause severe damage.

ThePattyWagon

So would these be recommended? http://www.ebay.com/itm/271442840228...84.m1423.l2649

They aren't a bad price, so if that is the recommendation ill go ahead and scoop them up.

fsttyms1

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