Lowering Springs

[astark02]

Originally Posted by charto911

teins are super stiff one of the stiffest you can get I think mine was so stiff it caused me to break an axle however the handling and performance is amazing, if the 93 height is said to be the same as the 91-92 than its probably an error just subtract one inch from a 91-92 height and thats what you get a nice stance on the car throw some wheels on it and you look good

What Kind of Tein springs are you talking of? What do you think of the H & R's ?
Thanks

[da_force]

Question

Don't the TRD's give a 1.5 inch drop?

While I was browsing forum randomly and came across a topic about springs, someone stated they drop 1.5 instead of 1.0 as everbody thinks

[te51levin]

Originally Posted by pinoy_dorifto

TRD Springs....

For the AE86, there are two kinds of TRD Springs, US Version(sucks bad), and the Japanese Version(Oh Yeah!). Is it the same for the MkII??? Are there any other kinds of TRD Springs for the MkII??

TRD does not use Eibach springs on any MR2. The springs we sell in the US are real TRD Japan springs that have a TRD USA part number assigned to them, and a TRD USA sticker slapped on the box next to the TRD Japan label.

If you want to special order them and wait four months, you can get stiffer rear springs for the MkII. They are only about 10% firmer than the standard TRD springs that come in the set of four.

[Black93Turbo1]

Originally Posted by djskorch

ok this may sound kinda stupid but im not sure so ill ask. the 93+ springs are already aprox 1in lower than the 91-92 (correct me if im wrong) so does that mean for the different drop heights we would need to subtract an inch off what is advertised or will it drop the car the advertised height plus the extra inch from them being a 93+ car. i want to drop my car a little further but there is no sense spending over 200 bucks on lowering springs if they wont do anything.

Does anybody know? What is the difference between 91-92 and 93-99? A few of us here have asked; if someone could answer that would be great otherwise this thread only helps half of the MKII world.

[te51levin]

I think the best answer is this:

The difference in stock ride height between '91-'92 and '93-'95 cars is in the springs. Therefor, the amount that any lowering spring will change the ride height on a MkII depends on the year of the car in question. However, no matter what year the car is, it will end up at the same height as any other year with the same springs installed. If someone puts TRD springs in a '95 turbo T-top car, and you have a '91 turbo T-top car, you can look at the '95 and know almost exactly how your '91 will look on TRD springs.

In other words, what you really want to be concerned with is not how much the ride height will change, but where it will end up with the springs installed.

Maybe all you MkII owners should start a ride height database. Fill your fuel tank, park the car on a hard, level surface, and then measure vertically from the exact center of each wheel to the fender opening. Do not measure from the ground, because that method takes tire size into account. Compare the figures you find against the springs you are using and see where things end up.

Manufacturers' quoted drops are nearly always vague generalizations anyway, and often not worth a damn...

[Oteck]

anyone know which springs came in light blue for the mk2?

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by da_force

Question

Don't the TRD's give a 1.5 inch drop?

While I was browsing forum randomly and came across a topic about springs, someone stated they drop 1.5 instead of 1.0 as everbody thinks

Well, here is a picture of a black MR2 with 93 Spring on it, and then again after the TRD Springs were put on.



As you can see, the TRD Springs are a decent bit lower than the 93 springs, which are a good bit lower than the 91-92 springs. In the end,it doesn't matter if you have a 91-92 or 93-95 MR2. Your drop will look the same as it does in the picture on TRD springs, regardless of if you started with 91-92 or 93-95

As Aaron said, if you really want to know the actual drop, measure from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender on the front and rear with the OEM springs, and again with the TRD springs.

Also, just look for pictures of MR2's dropped on the springs you want and don't worry about trying to figure the math and if the calculated drop is for a 91-92 or 93-95. The end result and look after putting a set of springs on will be the same, regardless of whether you started with 91-92, 93-95 springs, or some aftermarket springs. Just look for pictures of MR2's dropped on whatever springs you want if you want to get an idea of how it will look on a certain set of springs.

Tein S-Techs


Eibach Pro-Kit


Here is a picture of my car on when Sportlines where on it (I've since bought Coilovers)

Originally Posted by charto911

teins are super stiff one of the stiffest you can get I think mine was so stiff it caused me to break an axle however the handling and performance is amazing, if the 93 height is said to be the same as the 91-92 than its probably an error just subtract one inch from a 91-92 height and thats what you get a nice stance on the car throw some wheels on it and you look good

Tein S-Techs are not super stiff. They have progressive rates of 154 lbs/inch front and 275 lbs/inch rear for the max stiffest progressive rate. They don't list the full progressive range, but the initial rate is rather soft. That's not too stiff for a rate or a range. TRD, The Eibach pro-kit, and the Sportlines have a stiffer range. TRD springs are progressive (thought I've never seen a range listed) with rates of 168 lbs/inch front and 308 lbs/inch rear (probably the max progressive rate). The Pro Kit has a progressive range of 100-210 lbs/inch for the front and 140-303 lbs/inch for the rear. The Sportlines are 74-189 lsb/inch for the front and 120-348 lbs/inch for the rear.

If anything, the super softer initial progressive rates of the S-Tech and Sportlines leads to a greater "shock" when you hit the stiffer progressive layer, and I'm guessing many people mistake this for stiff springs. Stiff springs and a harsh ride do not have to go together. In fact, the harsher ride some complain about with these is due to the fact the initial rates are too soft. Almost all the the "more comfortable" springs (spring/shock combos) have stiffer initial rates and stiffer upper end rates as well. My wife, for example, finds my stiff coilovers much more comfortable than Sportlines. She felt the same on the other car I have too. Coilovers are liner rate, aftermarket springs/shocks are not. Liner rate won't have that "shock" of stiffer as they compress. They are consistent throughout. First thing she said when I put my first set of coilovers on a car years ago was the car was "more comfortable." Liner rate springs (like coilovers have) are more consistent throughout, as I said. It really does provide a different feel vs progressive. I hate progressive rate springs with a passion.

On the topic of progressive, all 3 have stiffer progressive rates that the Tein springs. Tein S-Techs are not known as stiff springs, it's the soft initial rate that screws it up and makes it harsh. A lot of people consider them on the soft side, like Sportlines, and more for looks than handling. They are pretty heavily progressive, like the Sportlines, with a softer starting range than TRD or the Pro-Kit. As I said, the softer intial rate causes them to compress more, which is probably why people mistake them for being too "stiff," when it's not stiffness. It's too harsh because it's too soft with too soft and initial progressive rate.

If you broken an axle on Teins, it's not because they are "super" stiff. There was another problem or something else going on that caused it, because Teins are not stiff springs. They are considered rather soft by a lot of people, especially the autocross guys. Those guys swear by the TRD springs.

Don't get me wrong, If you are talking about a spring/shock combo, I prefer the look of Tein S-Tech, Eibach Sportlines and H & R springs over the look of TRD and Pro-Kit. They provide a more aggressive looking drop. In the end though, I'm a coilover guy through and through. That's always what I run in the end.

[RC MR2]

how much were the trd springs

[te51levin]

Originally Posted by RC MR2

how much were the trd springs

They are $279 shipped if you buy them from us. We have them in stock and ready to ship. Just give us a call if you want a set. Our phone number is in our banner ad, which is also in my signature (my first post on this page). If that doesn't show up for you, it's (800)888-6305, or (541)736-3221.

[dblosmith]

I'm surprised nobody has brought up the necessity (or lack of necessity) of camber kits. Maybe it's a nubb question, but if you drop lower than an inch or so, won't you need a kit to correct the tire angle???

[RedStarr]

Then you buy crash bolts and adjust the camber and buy extended tie rods and RCAs to combat bumpsteer.

[te51levin]

Originally Posted by dblosmith

won't you need a kit to correct the tire angle???

Camber is adjustable on MR2s. You do not necessarily need a "kit" (or anything else) but you will need to have the car aligned - properly, by someone who knows how to do more than just center the steering wheel and set the toe.

[Archidamus-R]

Just got my TRDs put on yesterday. I got 'em a few weeks ago, but I've been procrastinating. Thanks Aaron!

[te51levin]

Originally Posted by Archidamus-R

Just got my TRDs put on yesterday. I got 'em a few weeks ago...

Checking sales history...checking...OH, that was you! Excellent. Thank you! When it stops snowing, tell us how you like them!

[The Architek]

what do you guys think about the tein s-tech? with stock shocks?
how would it handle??

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by The Architek

what do you guys think about the tein s-tech? with stock shocks?
how would it handle??

You'll blow your stock shocks out if you lower the car and use oem or oem replacement shocks, so it'll handle like crap. I'd say go with Koni Yellows. If you rally refuse to cough up that money, KYB AGX's or Tokico 5 way adjustable are a better choice than lowering a car on OEM shocks. You won't go wrong with Koni, regardless of the spring you pair it with. Koni is a heck of a shock.

As for S-Techs, they are soft spring with a low drop. One of the reasons people find them harsh is due to the soft progressive rates. The TRD springs or Eibach pro kit will give you stiffer progressive rates. If you want a low drop though, the Sportlines or S-Tech are your springs. Are tracking, autocrossing, or just street driving? If it's just street driving, you'll probably okay with S-Techs or Sportlines pair with one of the above aftermarket shocks,

[The Architek]

yeah im DD the car so i dnt care much bout how stiff they are my stock springs do okay i just wanted a nice stance to it, so if i go with kyb and s-tech is a fine combo for a DD ??
yeah koni are the best by far ive seen just not enough to go that route right now.. thanx for the info

[Archidamus-R]

Welcome, Aaron! And thank you. I did Konis with TRDs. Loooove it! I DD my 2 too. I have the front shocks at 75% firm, the rear currently at 50%. I may take 'em up to 75% today. Haven't tried 100%, so far I like the ride vs firmness of 75.

[The Architek]

so should i buy kyb struts and tein s-tech springs?? is that good for what i want then?

[dblosmith]

Anyone try Megan Racing Coilovers? Megan Racing MR2 SW20 'Street' Coilovers How do they compare?