Beams MR2 Suspension

De Bong · 07-19-2006, 06:55 AM

Hi all...

I'm new here and very happy to have found a forum specific to Beams motors...I have a beams celica at the moment but I have just come accross a beams mr2 and I was wondering does this have the same weak Superstrut suspension as the SS celica's, levins etc or is it good old fashioned macpherson?

The mr2 looks tasty and my only complaint about the celica would be the suspension...

thanks

PHOENIX · 07-19-2006, 07:03 AM

Like all cars, after awhile the suspension will eventually go out.

Stock MR2s come with a bilstien shocks, they last a very long time. I believe along with most of the MR2 community that the MR2 was built for handling and is a blast on tracks!

The susupension can easily be upgraded to aftermarket adjustable shocks (running $200 to $350) while complimented with some nice springs (eibachs are my favorite) which you can pick up for about $200.

Can you tell us a little more about the car? how many miles it has, its location? What year it is?

and most important.........

Welcome to the Board!

Roman · 07-19-2006, 09:22 AM

No, superstrut suspension was never offered in any 4wd or rwd Toyotas.

It was a gimmick that made the FWDs handle a bit better, how well it actually works is debatable. (I've often heard it's more trouble than it's worth!)

SW20s just run a variation of the classic McPherson strut, and I've heard no problems about them.

One thing however, is that the standard ride height is atrocious!

They definitely need to be lowered a little IMO, I think they were intentionally raised a bit by toyota, so it broadens the appeal of the car, as it maintains decent ground clearance with high suspension.

With some decent springs/shocks however, they are an absolute blast.

De Bong · 07-19-2006, 10:02 AM

thanks for the reply but all Beams Celica's (st202 and GT4's) came with super strut suspension...I'm not talking about the shocks but the actual suspension setup as in how the shocks are held in place if you like. Every 60K miles the lower and sometimes upper suspension will fail(this is not the case on mcpherson suspensions and is specific to the Super strut supplied in some toyota's) I have just replaced the complete suspension (left and right) on my celica and its not cheap. some people have paid out over €2000 to repair from toyota.I sourced the parts myself and replaced them myself and still cost me over €1000 and this will need to be done again in 60K(depending I suppose on how the car is driven,road condition ...etc).

this place can explain the setup far better than I ever could:
http://gtfour.supras.org.nz/superstrut.htm

My question is.... Does the BEAMS mr2 have the superstrut setup ? I am happy with the performace of the beams but I'm just not happy about the suspension setup. Technically it is "Supposed" to be better for traction/handling than mcpherson but at the end of the day it is weak.

I could go down the route of converting it to mcpherson but the complete steering system as well as complete suspension would need to be done which would be just as ...if not more expensive....

I have had my celica('98) for about 2 years and have had no issues except for the suspension. Its completely standard except for a HKS super dragger exhaust. I have had alot of cars over the years from vtec's to turbo's and I would compare the performace to an integra type R(very little difference but the type R would prob have mine on 0-60mph after that the celica would catch it) I have attached a few pics below(hope you like). There is just over 80K miles on the clock...Havent had it dyno'd yet but I doubt if its far off the factory figures...

here is a link to a few more pics (and also my old honda Delsol)
http://www.superhonda.com/photopost/...0&ppuser=53984

thanks

De Bong · 07-19-2006, 10:18 AM

Roman:thanks for the info but all gt4's(st-205) have Super strut suspension as per above link and they are all 4wd....

Roman · 07-19-2006, 11:10 AM

Oh really, I didnt know any 4WD cars used superstrut. I stand corrected.

Quite a few FWDs do, Celicas, truenos, levins, currens, and a few others I think.

Well to answer your questions, I can say with certainty that SW20 gen 5s do *not* have superstrut.

there are plenty of non superstrut Celicas/currens around, surely it wouldnt be too difficult to swap over.

However talking to a friend with a curren, he said that you couldnt get the twin pot front brakes on a non SS curren or celica.

However I will admit to Celicas not being my area of expertise, so correct me if I am wrong.

07-19-2006, 06:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
De Bong No Skills Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Beams MR2 Suspension Hi all... I'm new here and very happy to have found a forum specific to Beams motors...I have a beams celica at the moment but I have just come accross a beams mr2 and I was wondering does this have the same weak Superstrut suspension as the SS celica's, levins etc or is it good old fashioned macpherson? The mr2 looks tasty and my only complaint about the celica would be the suspension... thanks

07-19-2006, 07:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
PHOENIX Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On Hiatus....... Posts: 9,266 Thanks: 92 Thanked 292 Times in 224 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (49/100% )	Like all cars, after awhile the suspension will eventually go out. Stock MR2s come with a bilstien shocks, they last a very long time. I believe along with most of the MR2 community that the MR2 was built for handling and is a blast on tracks! The susupension can easily be upgraded to aftermarket adjustable shocks (running $200 to $350) while complimented with some nice springs (eibachs are my favorite) which you can pick up for about $200. Can you tell us a little more about the car? how many miles it has, its location? What year it is? and most important......... Welcome to the Board! __________________ - Dave I'm moving so I need to downsize my collection/hoarding of MR2 Parts. Check out the for sale section to see what I have available!

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07-19-2006, 09:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Roman Beams OCD Support Group Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 946 Thanks: 23 Thanked 56 Times in 36 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	No, superstrut suspension was never offered in any 4wd or rwd Toyotas. It was a gimmick that made the FWDs handle a bit better, how well it actually works is debatable. (I've often heard it's more trouble than it's worth!) SW20s just run a variation of the classic McPherson strut, and I've heard no problems about them. One thing however, is that the standard ride height is atrocious! They definitely need to be lowered a little IMO, I think they were intentionally raised a bit by toyota, so it broadens the appeal of the car, as it maintains decent ground clearance with high suspension. With some decent springs/shocks however, they are an absolute blast.

07-19-2006, 10:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
De Bong No Skills Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Roman:thanks for the info but all gt4's(st-205) have Super strut suspension as per above link and they are all 4wd....

07-19-2006, 11:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
Roman Beams OCD Support Group Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 946 Thanks: 23 Thanked 56 Times in 36 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Oh really, I didnt know any 4WD cars used superstrut. I stand corrected. Quite a few FWDs do, Celicas, truenos, levins, currens, and a few others I think. Well to answer your questions, I can say with certainty that SW20 gen 5s do not have superstrut. there are plenty of non superstrut Celicas/currens around, surely it wouldnt be too difficult to swap over. However talking to a friend with a curren, he said that you couldnt get the twin pot front brakes on a non SS curren or celica. However I will admit to Celicas not being my area of expertise, so correct me if I am wrong.