Set of Tiens Coilovers, Sway Bars & Wheel Alignment

[shifted]

Just wanting to get your opinions on this...

I have a quote from WA Suspensions of roughly $3k (still waiting on a couple prices) to have a set of fitted Tiens Coilovers - Super Streets, Sway Bars (front & rear), Tie Rod Boots replaced and a Wheel Alignment done.

Do you think this is a good deal?

Basically, went in there for a wheel alignment and inquired about replacing the shock absorber boots as mine are in tatters (found out on the weekend) and to have the tie rod boots replaced. Didn't have boots in stock for the tie rods, pointless doing wheel alignment cos the other work needs to be done.

My car currently has the stock Bilstein/Toyota shockies all round, boots are literally, past rooted. And apparently replacement boots could be more than $150 a boot.

So figured, let's see what it would cost to go up a notch and get new gear instead of fixing old gear.

Do I get to keep my old shockies as well if I go through?

Cheers

[R3N]

what tein coilovers? im guessing superstreets, about 2kish, then sway bars would be about 500, plus full wheel alignment, about 100ish bucks, not too bad considering, but if you want to save yourself labour dollars, do the work yourself. not that difficult. 1 arvo, couple of 6 packs, a mate to help you out and 2 other mates to sit around on your tyres and talk shit.

[1JZNOSHIT]

you will be able to sell the stock Bilstein gear easy too. SupraForums guys love that shit.

[j3rk]

Good Strut bar front = $330
Good Strut bar rear = $300
Set of Tein Suspension;
a) Basic = $800
b) Comfort Sport = $1500
c) Flex = $1650
c) Super Street = $1,080
*All prices based on RRP US from mvpmotorsport.com
Total Cost = $600 + a/b/ or c ~ AUS $1760 - 2640

So based on that your being charged somewhere between $1340 and $360 for tie rod boots, wheel alignment and fitting... I'd ask specifically which tein coilovers they are ;)... and better yet what you want out of coilovers before you jump at 'yay I have teins!'.

[j3rk]

^^^Forum whores @ 10 to 5!

[shifted]

Well, they reckon the Tiens cost $2500RRP. And he can do them for $2200.

$270 per sway bar.

Then add Wheel Alignment etc.

R3N, to be honest man, if I knew what I was doing, I would try it myself, but I am usually better at breaking stuff than anything else lol

Seeing as wheel alignment and tie rod boots need replacing anyway, I figured fuck it and get them to do it all...

Edit: Wouldn't postage from the states be a bucketload for those j3rk?

[j3rk]

Not necessarily... That and MVP have an australian dealer (look on supraforums.com.au) who could probably hook you up with a cheaper then that price.

Two questions you need to ask yourself before you jump and (may or may not) waste money though:
1) What am I going to use the coil-overs for (Drift / Drag / Circuit / Street only) -- Big deal as stiffness etc all comes into it... and you don't want to be disapointed with a 3k purchase.
2) Are you prepared to wait... Do your research etc and possibly come out with a better and (maybe) cheaper deal.

Careful dropping big coin on a whim mate, you'll quickly find you've wasted alot and achieved not exactly what you wanted.

[matt_2jzs13]

seems like abit too much to me

dont be scared of the job either, may seem daunting but its all basically just bolts and isnt that hard. jack your car up and have a look, i think you'd be suprised if you tried it yourself, might take a while but that difficult and would be satisfying to do yourself.

[Lonewolf]

being a very commonly modified jap car, you would have heaps and heaps of options for coilovers and alignment gear.
Best to look around and on supra specific forums for recommendation and good buys.

[R3N]

buy a tein sticker, then get a wheel alignment

[shifted]

Not necessarily... That and MVP have an australian dealer (look on supraforums.com.au) who could probably hook you up with a cheaper then that price.

Two questions you need to ask yourself before you jump and (may or may not) waste money though:
1) What am I going to use the coil-overs for (Drift / Drag / Circuit / Street only) -- Big deal as stiffness etc all comes into it... and you don't want to be disapointed with a 3k purchase.
2) Are you prepared to wait... Do your research etc and possibly come out with a better and (maybe) cheaper deal.

Careful dropping big coin on a whim mate, you'll quickly find you've wasted alot and achieved not exactly what you wanted.

Well, the quoted ones are apparently Super Streets. Which are Australian standard compliant as they are built her in Aus? That's what the lady said anyway. I will try get a full spec sheet or something tomorrow.

I wouldn't mind doing a bit of track work later on, going to Whoop Ass Wednesday's later on as well - ie. this year.

I figured, if the boots for the shockies will be expensive (which they will find out for me) - but they reckon will be in excess of $100 ea. then I may as well (based on pricing) put it towards something better and new, rather than fixing stuff 15 years old.

I don't mind on the whole waiting thing, but I know I get impatient.

Either way:

Looking $800ish (approx.) for tie rod boots replaced, wheel alignment, shock boots replaced.

Or go up and put sway bars, coilovers on which later on the track I would be looking at doing anyway.

The only reason I am looking at Tiens are because everyone recommends them.


seems like abit too much to me

dont be scared of the job either, may seem daunting but its all basically just bolts and isnt that hard. jack your car up and have a look, i think you'd be suprised if you tried it yourself, might take a while but that difficult and would be satisfying to do yourself.

Well, based on the quote tomorrow, I will post it up and see what you all think with all the information provided. I don't mind doing it myself if I know what I am doing. I just know if I do it myself, and I fuck something up... ooo ohhh....lol


buy a tein sticker, then get a wheel alignment

LOL

[shifted]

being a very commonly modified jap car, you would have heaps and heaps of options for coilovers and alignment gear.
Best to look around and on supra specific forums for recommendation and good buys.

Posted on supraforums.com.au already, waiting on info as well. MVP sponsors that website, so I will ask to see what he reckons the coilovers will be worth. I have to have a front lip sent from there soon enough anyway so could do it all in one.

[R3N]

Just get HSD Coilovers... pm Joe. Would cost about 1400ish

Buy a carton, ask someone from here to help you out, 5-600 for whiteline sway bars or more for jap brands (muchhh lighter).

Then get them to do the alignment and tie rod boots

[180SXTCY]

what tein coilovers? im guessing superstreets, about 2kish, then sway bars would be about 500, plus full wheel alignment, about 100ish bucks, not too bad considering, but if you want to save yourself labour dollars, do the work yourself. not that difficult. 1 arvo, couple of 6 packs, a mate to help you out and 2 other mates to sit around on your tyres and talk shit.

ahh the memories :lol:

[R3N]

ahh the memories :lol:

lol you weren't there!

[shifted]

Just get HSD Coilovers... pm Joe. Would cost about 1400ish

Buy a carton, ask someone from here to help you out, 5-600 for whiteline sway bars or more for jap brands (muchhh lighter).

Then get them to do the alignment and tie rod boots

I will inquire about HSD's, any specific type? Or is there only one?

Seems a lot of Supra owners think that the Tien Super Streets are a step down from the HSD's.

http://www.supraforums.co.uk/vbb/showthread.php?t=199839&page=2

Edit: And then some reckon they are crap, and then some reckon go Bilstein. lol

Cheers. :)

[R3N]

Everything else is crap, go Ohlins or Aragosta... seriously just depends on what you want them for and how much you want to spend. Tein super streets don't go very low at all. Base height adjustable coilovers are the way to go.

Good teins would be the Monoflex, JICs are good, so are Cusco. Its the spring rates and the dampening that make the difference of how they feel on the road.

[Lonewolf]

and beware that jap stuff is usually super high spring rates as they tend not to use swaybars as much as we do to control body roll

[180SXTCY]

lol you weren't there!

not when u did ur coilovers..i was meanin like when i did the engne swap on chris sr20...he started off undoing a few bolts then somehow ended up doing the rest whilst they sat back n sunk piss and kept me well primed up also haha

[R3N]

not when u did ur coilovers..i was meanin like when i did the engne swap on chris sr20...he started off undoing a few bolts then somehow ended up doing the rest whilst they sat back n sunk piss and kept me well primed up also haha

best way to get work done, not pay a shop to do it imo

[shifted]

Ok, well my ride height at the moment is the legal limit (100mm off the ground). Keeping this ride height would be awesome, being able to go higher when need be, awesome as well.

At the end of the day, I look at it like this.

Either do it right, first time. :)

Or not do it right, then pay for it everytime. :(

If that means I have to spend a little extra, then I will, obviously within limits, but would rather decent/great set-up for the long run.

[DISTRBD]

We run HSDs in the 32 GTR , i was a little worried at first but they work well to point i will run some in my 34 .. After sales service n parts available over night if needed from NSW

[shifted]

We run HSDs in the 32 GTR , i was a little worried at first but they work well to point i will run some in my 34 .. After sales service n parts available over night if needed from NSW

Cheers man, will inquire about them tomorrow, just in case.

Do you know if anyone can do HSDs here cheaper than what WA Suspensions might possibly get them for?

Is Joe (assuming, BALISTIC) the one to contact?

Cheers guys. :)

[DISTRBD]

Is Joe (assuming, BALISTIC) the one to contact?

Cheers guys. :)

Yep PM Joe :)

[shifted]

Yep PM Joe :)

Have done. Cheers. :)

[j3rk]

Shifted, keep this thread updated with how you go if you don't mind... I'm going to be in the market for some track / harder coil overs / sway bars soon so keen on seeing what you come up with.

Cheers.

[shifted]

No worries man, just a note though:

The general consensus seems Tien Super Streets are shit.

I don't know if this is because people get the JDM ones and they are stiffer, or if the ADM ones which are modified are not up to scratch.

So I will probably have to do some more research.

Others are recommending I stay with the genuine yellow bilstein/toyota ones I have, as apparently they are really good (and said to be better than the Tiens) unless I go and spend about 3k for monoflex ones or something.

Others are recommending HSD, Cusco, and another brand.

To someone like me, just gets confusing. :(

I will post up the exact quote when it comes in, and any opinions I find on the net that are Supra specific.

[j3rk]

Yep, I was aware tein supersports are not highly favoured amoungst supra owners... although other groups seem to swear by them.

Another thread for you to read for a 'cheapish' option:
http://www.supraforums.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=57042&page=2.

Side note, Beware of the supra/toyota 'pureists' that lurk supraforums... ie. OEM > all in the same way people will swear black and blue the world is definately flat.

All in all do it once do it right mate or you'll regret it later.

[shifted]

All in all do it once do it right mate or you'll regret it later.

That is how I have always thought.

Do it once, do it right, not worry.

I don't want to do it "just fix it" and then a couple months later, or even years later have to do it again or something major screws.

I will see if I can get a spec sheet from WA Suspensions today on how the ADM differs to the JDM for the Super Streets.

At the end of the day, I will be keeping the car for a very long time... $3k, if anything, seems a worthwhile investment as it will be driven a fair bit.

[shifted]

Another thread for you to read for a 'cheapish' option:
http://www.supraforums.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=57042&page=2.

Well, by the looks of it, people are happy with the KSports.

What do you reckon on it?

[R3N]

Coilovers are really much of a muchness if you're not chasing every last bit of performance from them.

As mentioned, spring rates and dampening is the important bits. Monotube construction is good. Go for base height adjustable which allows you to adjust height without touching the spring rebound adjustment, unlike the non base height ones.

I'd rather get new ones than stick with your setup especially if you want new dust boots, and a new set up is and will always be better than a used one. How long has the bilsteins been in your car anyway? Shocks leak over time.

At the end of the day, your decision and what you want out of it. My personal opinion, for you, I'd just got with the HSDs.

btw, no one likes superstreets

[shifted]

@R3N, prob been in the car since the car was bought (genuine Toyota/Bilstein shocks). So about 15 years old. lol

Here is the quote as discussed,

Tein Superstreet Kit - $2200
Front Adjustable 30mm Swaybar - $270
Rear Adjustable 20mm Swaybar - $270
Genuine Rack Boot - $40 (3-4 weeks away)
Labour to Fit - $330
Wheel Alignment - $90
Total - $3200

This will make your Supra handle 100% better than it already does, it will eliminate some of your understeer (which mean when you turn a corner the car keeps going straight) and will make the car a lot flatter on the road around corners and at high speed.

What do you guys think?

[j3rk]

Well, by the looks of it, people are happy with the KSports.

What do you reckon on it?

To be honest I've never heard of them before this research and thus have no opinion on them!

JME recommended a set of coilovers for me but I've forgotten the name but I do recall they were the bomb in all senses (including a 5k+ pricetag). Yet to get a hold of him to discuss tho.

As with what R3N has said above, in your position (mod wise and usage wise) I would probably just opt for the HSD's based on price / feedback (most have said they are great) etc. And if you feel like getting real serious later you can upgrade. Ps. If you are keen to get WA suspension to do the work I'm sure you can supply the coilovers to them for fitting and have the rest of the work done.

[shifted]

Well, I just had one guy come back to me and say his Tien Super Streets were the best choice he ever made.

Seems its all opinionated. I have a quote for the HSDs from Joe, but I have a feeling that if I take the HSDs to them, they will charge me more for labour anyway.

http://otomoto.com.au/HDSystems/

Have a look through TT & HR spec. Joe reckons they are the go.

[shifted]

Here is the site for the TEINS

http://www.fulcrumsuspensions.com.au/tein.html#superstreetkits

Any opinions based on the info provided?

[Skitzo]

What brand sway bars are they?

[j3rk]

To be honest mate you are probably right on the opinions... and remember what someone else likes may not be right for you. And as with the above Tein are definately not a crap coilover, you would more than likely love them / be happy with them.

I.e. My opinion:
With this choice I would be going the HR series HSD coils @ $1400 ($800 cheaper then the teins?!), as they are seemingly a harsher / more track based.

Even if you whent with the softer TT series @ $1400, thats $800 saved!.. Ask WA suspension whats the labour if you are supplying HSD coilovers... Worth the query, but considering you'll still be getting a bit of work done with them I'd like to think it wouldn't change.

[shifted]

@j3rk,

Check out these two threads mate.

http://supraforums.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=60192&page=3

http://www.supraforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=446817

A lot of info... has me leaning to keeping the Bilsteins...

[shifted]

What brand sway bars are they?

Fuck knows, I will find out when I ask him about supplying Coilovers. lol

[R3N]

Well, I just had one guy come back to me and say his Tien Super Streets were the best choice he ever made.

Seems its all opinionated. I have a quote for the HSDs from Joe, but I have a feeling that if I take the HSDs to them, they will charge me more for labour anyway.

http://otomoto.com.au/HDSystems/

Have a look through TT & HR spec. Joe reckons they are the go.

sorry but i had to lol

how many people do you know change coilovers because they aren't happy with theirs? they usually only get one set and say its the best, what if he got something else after that, would he then say that the new coilovers are the best choice he ever made?

how can you be opinionated about something if you have only tried one? the best decision jared ever made was buying an s13

[R3N]

What brand sway bars are they?

i'd say whiteline going by the price

paul, i think jamie probably told you to get aragosta coilovers :3some:

[shifted]

i'd say whiteline going by the price

paul, i think jamie probably told you to get aragosta coilovers :3some:

They are Whiteline bars.

I don't know a Jamie sorry, unless j3rk's name is Paul as well?

I asked about bringing in my own coilovers, no issue, just pay labour same as in the quote - $330.

Or put in myself... have them do the wheel alignment... Hmmm... What are the chances an idiot like me will fuck something up? I am thinking at the moment: highly.

LOL

j3rk, it would be interesting to get your opinion on what I noted above - those two threads.

Cheers,
Paul

[Skitzo]

the best decision jared ever made was buying an s13

LOLOLOLOLOL. Nah, it wasn't.


i'd say whiteline going by the price


Price for them is 320 + postage from Whiteline. My guess would be that for 270, the Swaybar Links aren't included.

[R3N]

too many pauls! yea paul's a jerk... i mean jerk is paul

hard to fuck up, even if you do, not much can go wrong. unless you round all the bolts and snap all the studs. highly unlikely. and any mistakes you make can be easily fixed

[Skitzo]

j3rk's name is also paul, so is brockas. I know two paul's and they are both pingpingpingpings :D.

[shifted]

LOLOLOLOLOL. Nah, it wasn't.



Price for them is 320 + postage from Whiteline. My guess would be that for 270, the Swaybar Links aren't included.

Whats a Sway Bar Link?

[Skitzo]

Its the link between the sway bar and the point it connects to ont he vehicle.

sway bar:

http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/products/BNF20.jpg

swaybar with links (links are the two round yellow bits with metal going around them)

http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/products/BNF21Z.jpg

pic of a heavy duty link when swaybar is attached to the vehcile

http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/products/KLC007-3.jpg

Please NOTE: these pictures are for S13 sitems. The sway bar shape may vary. Pics of the Supra gear don't exist.

[Lonewolf]

Steer clear of the Ksports/D2/ISC/G4 stuff.

HSD/BC at budget end
Tein/Cusco/jap brands at mid range
proflex/DMS etc at the higher end

The current stuff you have is probably ok if you are happy with the firmness and dont want to adjust height and damping. A coilover gives you the option to play around with height and settings until you get what you like.

Swaybars alone will probably make a huge difference, and you may be happy with the handling after that.

[Skitzo]

Apparently this is a pic of a standard Supra swaybar link. Connects to the swaybar in the circled are.

[DISTRBD]

j3rk's name is also paul, so is brockas. I know two paul's and they are both pingpingpingpings :D.

I know 2 Jareds and they are also pingpingpingpings

[Skitzo]

K-Bees are cheap, Jap and high quality. 1JZNOSHIT had them in his JZA80 and i ahve them in my Sil80. They are base height adjustable, 16 point damper adjustable and camber adjustable (quite a lot of adjustment but cant remember). You may need new kidneys though as, even on the softest settings they are bloody stiff. I'm 85kg's and when i sit on my boot, the car doesnt move.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb35/boostin2j/Sil80/DSC00099.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb35/boostin2j/Sil80/DSC00100.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb35/boostin2j/Sil80/DSC00101.jpg

Don't kow where to gett hem from though. I bought mine brand new of a dude who had bought them but then crashed his car. I paid what he did and it was only 1100 bucks.

[Joe]

Those K-Bee's aren't Jap.

They might be a Jap company, but those struts look eerily like HSD's..

HSD are an OEM for many Jap coilover "manufacturers", so don't be surprised if they're HSDs :)

[shifted]

Ok, well I am tying up between HSD & Tein to be honest.

Just going to read the threads I posted above to see what is written there now, j3rk, if you could take a read to and let me know what you think, would be great.

Cheers

[6spdtt]

a workmate of mine has ksport installed in his a80, i'm not a fan at all of how it handles compared to my rsr springs and stock bilsteins.
i also have the adj solid whiteline/selby swaybars installed, it was a good upgrade for the price, as said, they don't come with the links, just the two yellow bushes as in the previous pic.
obtained the sway bars from superior suspension (somewhere over east), i don't know if they have any left, but they were a fair bit cheaper than your list price.

[j3rk]

Sorry mate, US Supraforums just freezes on the work computers so can't look there. I'm far from an expert so until I have done my own research I don't really have a further opinion.

[shifted]

Sorry mate, US Supraforums just freezes on the work computers so can't look there. I'm far from an expert so until I have done my own research I don't really have a further opinion.

Well, basically, the guys came up with their own combination over there... below:


Purpose:
I originally began designing this suspension for my Lexus SC (which shares the same suspension as my Supra), I wanted a suspension to suit a Lexus in terms of ride comfort but bring the SC's handling to on par or better than a supra.

After riding in a car equipped with almost every suspension on the market I determined that none of them would fit the bill. I set out originally to build an 'at any cost' setup but ended up discovering that I could build something to achieve my goals in <$1000 range including height adjustability. This is the result of that research. I ended up liking it so much that I did it on my supra as well.

Please keep in mind that these are street or street/race minded setups, NOT a race setup, things like body roll and a reasonable ride height are a necessity of running a car softly sprung enough to absorb bumps. Soft springs offer more grip on imperfect surfaces, that means the softer version WILL be faster on the street and the stiffer version will be slower on the street. I recommend starting with the softer springs and working your way up. Through the further development of this suspension we discovered the valving bilstein had originally told us the shocks had was capable of supporting much higher spring rates than they originally informed us, additional spring rates have now been tested.

If you are looking to lower your car -2.5" from stock this is definitely not the suspension setup for you, this is for people who don't want to screw up their cars handling and ride comfort in favor of how it looks. A lot of aftermarket suspensions for our cars come over sprung just so that you can lower your car without bottoming out the tires into fenders or worse. 1" is actually a lot to lower your car 2" is compromising your handling seriously unless you have custom control arms/fenders/etc.

I also wanted to utilize components of exceptional quality, Bilstein shocks and hyper-coil springs fit the bill. You may be able to build this cheaper using cheaper springs/sleeves or shocks. I did not research building a cheap suspension as that was NOT my goal. Building a damn good suspension was, and I got lucky that it ended up being cheap. Either that or we just discovered that everything else is overpriced, I'll leave it to you to be the judge.

Background:

Bilstein shocks are (in my opinion of course) among the best in the world. The top three reasons I selected them are

1) They are a gas monotube design with extensive research. They are OE on almost every high end car. Lotus, Mercedes, Porsche you name it, they offer excellent compromises for ride comfort, handling and durability. In my opinion they far exceed anything else in their price range. You CAN do better but you wont do it for less than double to 4x the cost. Take one look at a shock dyno for them and you can tell there's engineering there. The curve is soft in any place you can get away with it as opposed to Tein Flex or most JDM coilovers with a flat linear curve. Flat curves make for cars that are predictable but are not maximizing grip. I dont know much about drifting but I wonder if that is the target audience.

2) Rebuildable, a Bilstein rebuild costs roughly $50 and any valving can be integrated. Internally these shocks are identical to the NASCAR ones which means that every valving known to man is available and at a very low price. This setup can be adapted to almost any use from mild street to full blown race car by changing the valving and spring rates.

Bilstein were also the shocks that Toyota selected for the TRD suspension as well as in use for the famous Amuse Supra.

3) Price, there is absolutely nothing that touches these shocks for $400 a set. price is the third reason because it was the least important one to me.

OK I lied, there's a 4th reason, they are run on all my favourite and some of the winningest production based cars in history: 787B, Dauer 962, GT ONE. Besides having a different valving these shocks are essentially identical to their race counterparts.

How is the ride comfort?
Expect your car will ride as comfortably as it did when stock or better with 500/250 springs and slightly worse with the higher spring rate versions but still better than the JDM coilover conterparts.

How is the handling?
Excellent, I'm logging 1.17 lateral Gs on BFG KDW tires on rough streets (Street 500/250 version). For any street car this is a very impressive number, it is near the maximum coefficient of friction for the tires. The goal of any suspension is to maximize the tires even over surface imperfections. I was fortunate to be designing on a car with an awesome setup out of the box. Unfortunately for Toyota, and lucky for me consumer shock absorbers really sucked in the early 90s. On my highly calibrated seat of the pants meter it handles better than any of the off the shelf coil-over setups myself or my friends used.

This is some commentary from a user of the street/race version:
"I have tried the car out several times at Sebring which is a very bumpy track and they feel great. With the TRD suspension, I would take Bishop's bend which is a long left hand double apex corner in 4th gear flat out. With your suspension and my spring rates, I can take the same corner in 5th gear flat out. " -ideal98supra note: his spring rates are the ones now specified for the street/track version

And some from a user of the street 500/250 version:

I think the softer spring setting is awesome, it still absorbs the uneven surface and ripples and has good contact with the road, non of that bounciness you get with the aftermarket setups with hard springs. It gives a good feedback to the steering wheel and easy to control on uneven/rough parts of the track. ...im very happy with it... it also feels almost like stock on the streets.

I am so hooked, i wanna do some more track days now and get a smaller turbo hehe. -mazman


in car video analysis from Mazman's session:
http://www.supraforums.com/forum/sho...&postcount=356

What is the height range adjustment?
the adjustment range is roughly 0 to -3" from stock height, this is the maximum POSSIBLE however I advise strongly against using the maximum. It can probably be adjusted lower but -3" is way more than you should ever use anyway. This setup will not work as well if you adjust to more than 1 to 1.5" below stock height. With the street/track version you might be able to get away with more but this is untested. Its a soft spring, street setup, it needs the travel. more than 1.5" is non optimal for a slew of other reasons. I don't believe lowering more than 1.5" is optimal with stock geometry anyway so I did not design for it. If you absolutely must run your car low I suggest you use a different setup.


Step 1: Gather the parts and tools
note: I hope that some of our forum sponsors might be willing to offer these parts up for sale, if they would be so kind we can list them as the sources for the parts

The following parts need to be purchased I have also listed where I purchased mine.

$379 Toyota Supra Bilstein Shock set (SHOX.COM)
QTY2 part num. AK1242 for Front shocks
QTY2 part num. AK1243 for Rear shocks
QTY 4x Bilstein Coilover Sleeve Kit Bilstein part #193117 these are the 2" sleeves(summit racing) http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Hypercoil Springs
QTY X2 $55 ea Front: 8" x 2.5"ID 500lb/in rate (shock-shop.com)
QTY X2 $55 ea Rear 10" x 2.5"ID 250lb/in Rate (shock-shop.com)
Bump stops
QTY X2 Energy Suspension Bump stops part number 4.6103G (they come in pairs of two so you will have four total bump stops) horsepower freaks carries these as should almost anywhere they are a mustang application

2008.11.18 update: Additional Spring rates. For street use with off the shelf dampers the following spring rates have been tested and usable

*****
all springs are 2.5" ID listed in the following format:
front rate/rear rate/front length/rear length/rear helper springs required/reccomended use

if you see a "YES" you must use helper springs for the rear. Helpers are never needed for the front with these spring rates listed

650/500/8"/8"/YES/Maximum spring for off shelf valving. Recommended for light track use.
600/325/8"/10"/NO/ semi agressive street. Small ride comfort compromises for body roll control. Excellent handling on rough surfaces. Most agressive rates without helper
500/250/8"/10"/NO/ lexus owners or ride comfort minded cars

you will need to add these parts when helper springs are required
QTY 2 2.5 inch diameter Genesis technology helper spring guide $31.00 HRPWORLD.com part number: GEN-GC1160

QTY2 Hyperco 2.5" helper springs partnumber: HYP-HS250 $26.50
*****

reccomended purchase:
Bilstein coilover adjustment tool or spring compressor summit racing part number: MOR-62030

in between these lines (and italics) is only for users of the track version:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR STREET/TRACK VERSION:
REPLACE SPRING RATES WITH:
7" 800lb front
8" 525lb rear
AND ADD THESE PARTS:
QTY 4 2.5 inch diameter Genesis technology helper spring guide $31.00 HRPWORLD.com part number: GEN-GC1160
Hyperco 2.5" helper springs partnumber: HYP-HS250 $26.50
Bilstein price for revalve ~$65 ea shock

total additional cost for street/track version $465
total price for street/track version: $1343

After you recieve your shocks you will need to send them to bilstein in San Diego for a revalve. here is their contact information: 1-858-386-5900

You will have to fill out a questionnaire about what spring rates you will be using and some other questions about the cars purpose. Answer these questions to the best of your ability then wait for Bilstein to return your shocks to you and continue the procedure below

Then it goes into the building process.

Seemingly, this looks cheaper, and more effective. However, the American roads are obviously different to ours.

Whether it would be worthwhile to do this or not, would be a good question. Parts wise = cheaper, and because you have to do it yourself, you save on labour.

What I am wondering is, does anyone see this as a benefit over a set of HSDs or TEINs?

[j3rk]

Ok, my opinion on the above:
Still comes down to what you want from your car. If you like a car which feels 'street' / 'comfortable' the sounds perfect. Personally I prefer / will aim to sacrifice comfort for a faster albeit harsher ride that is more suited to track work / the better roads... I just prefer harder suspension / the racier feel... comfort is for beemers and mercs!

As for the above vs. HSD's / Tein's... would have to test both to know.
Realistically I would doubt there would be much/ I would have the ability to tell much difference aside from price. Does sound like alot of effor tho!

One query to think about at this point is AUS standards, IF the laws / pits start clamping down on suspension are the blistens approved? Are the HSD's? Whats it worth for an engineer to approve them? etc.

[shifted]

Ok, my opinion on the above:
Still comes down to what you want from your car. If you like a car which feels 'street' / 'comfortable' the sounds perfect. Personally I prefer / will aim to sacrifice comfort for a faster albeit harsher ride that is more suited to track work / the better roads... I just prefer harder suspension / the racier feel... comfort is for beemers and mercs!

As for the above vs. HSD's / Tein's... would have to test both to know.
Realistically I would doubt there would be much/ I would have the ability to tell much difference aside from price. Does sound like alot of effor tho!

One query to think about at this point is AUS standards, IF the laws / pits start clamping down on suspension are the blistens approved? Are the HSD's? Whats it worth for an engineer to approve them? etc.

So from what you think, the above set-up (essentially a build-it-yourself kit) would suit a more street/comfort set-up?

I was under the assumption they set it up for track use as well (albeit different settings). I may have read wrong, I will have to re-read, it seems though that the person creating that set-up was unhappy with the level of abilities provided by other brands of coilover set-ups.

Bilstein being stock in a fair few Supra’s – I don’t see how it could be a problem. TEINs being ADR approved (so WA Suspensions says) shouldn’t be an issue – HSDs – Joe could you clarify?

The only problem I can see, is in the event of an accident, seeing the BIY kit installed, insurance would probably use it as an excuse not to cover you – unless you get it engineered?

At the moment, it seems more worthwhile going with a set-up that fits standards already – less headaches, less hassles. If the car was purely for trackwork – would be different?

What I have said though could be incorrect – I know fuck all to be honest, so still learning. :)

[Skitzo]

For your coilovers to be deemed legal you need something like 2/3rd's suspension travel. Don't quote me though.

[R3N]

For your coilovers to be deemed legal you need something like 2/3rd's suspension travel. Don't quote me though.

too late

too many different answers from pits, i have heard you can get coilovers engineered and therefore legal, on the other hand i've heard that base height adjustable coilovers are illegal and ones with adjustable spring perchs aren't yada yada yada