Absorber Options

[Galavoxx]

Hey ya'll. I've been lurking off and on for a few weeks now but this is my first post. Before I say anything else, I just want to thank you all for the great topics you've posted up here (and the crappy topics too). I've used some of the info to do my spring install and to figure out proper wiring for my tach.

Ok, so shock absorber question: has anyone explored the options or do you know what will be available in the near future? I'm running stock absorbers with springtech lowering springs and the stockies just aren't stiff enough for me. I know about the TRDs but those look crap. I see that Koni already has a sport kit for around $750US with springs and there's some Apex kit from the Uk that runs for about $542US. SO what else is out there and does anyone know about Apex? I've never heard of them in the states.



Oh yeah, here's what I've done so far: Black Sand Pearl Hatch with power and winter package, black and silver 17" Alt Racing Wheels with Falken rubber (rear 215/45ZR17 front 205/45/ZR17), nice Sunpro tach, HID 8500k lights, and a momo sport knob with shift boot. Haven't taken any photos yet but I'll post some when it stops raining, maybe this weekend.

[kngrsll]

i want a koni set up but i havent seen them available for this chassis yet. where did you see that? i have seen lots of kits available for the older vitz/echo/yaris, especially on euro forums.

[boris13]

Another question along these lines: if I run the TRD sport shocks without the TRD lowering spring kit, will the TRD shocks alone lower the car any? I don't really want mine lowered much, if at all; I just want better handling and less body roll in cornering.

Galavoxx: why do you think the TRD shocks are "crap"?

[kngrsll]

the shocks alone shouldn't lower the car at all. you CAN do that with some trick koni set ups, but thats very expensive and very stiff.

he probably doesnt think much of them b/c they aren't drastically stiffer than the oem shocks. the TRD parts are made to be like a "sport package" so its rather tame. other shocks or coilover set ups will be more toward the racey/sport side than say the TRD shocks.

it wouldnt kill you to get the springs, they dont lower the car much at all anyways, and it would really help the car when paired with the shocks! id say go for it! ive thought about going this route, but i'd like to hear from koni first.

[ChinoCharles]

the shocks alone shouldn't lower the car at all. you CAN do that with some trick koni set ups, but thats very expensive and very stiff.

he probably doesnt think much of them b/c they aren't drastically stiffer than the oem shocks. the TRD parts are made to be like a "sport package" so its rather tame. other shocks or coilover set ups will be more toward the racey/sport side than say the TRD shocks.

it wouldnt kill you to get the springs, they dont lower the car much at all anyways, and it would really help the car when paired with the shocks! id say go for it! ive thought about going this route, but i'd like to hear from koni first.

Ohhhhh trust me buddy, those shocks are stiff.... in fact if they were any stiffer I'd probably take them back or sell them or something. My Yar is one bumpy f'n ride, but its fun, and it handles really well for an econobox.

[kngrsll]

Ohhhhh trust me buddy, those shocks are stiff.... in fact if they were any stiffer I'd probably take them back or sell them or something. My Yar is one bumpy f'n ride, but its fun, and it handles really well for an econobox.

really?? wow... im suprised! much stiffer than stock huh? what about the spring rates? any idea what they are?

[Galavoxx]

i want a koni set up but i havent seen them available for this chassis yet. where did you see that? i have seen lots of kits available for the older vitz/echo/yaris, especially on euro forums.

Saw some Konis on eBay UK but haven't verified if they'll work for the new Yaris. They indicate that they will fit greater than 1999, but I have no idea if this includes the newest model year. Here's a link to the auction on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=8069052503&rd=1&rd=1

[Galavoxx]

he probably doesnt think much of them b/c they aren't drastically stiffer than the oem shocks. the TRD parts are made to be like a "sport package" so its rather tame. other shocks or coilover set ups will be more toward the racey/sport side than say the TRD shocks.

It's not that they the TRDs aren't drastically stiffer than OEM but that stiffness alone doesn't necessarily make a good sporty shock absorber. In fact, in most situations besides the track, stiffness is can bad. One big factor on the TRDs is that the damping isn't adjustable so you're always stuck on stiff mode. I'm looking for some absorbers that will allow me to cruise around town and not worry about the suspension being too harsh but at the same time, I can turn that little knob and go up highway 1 and have some fun. Or I could leave it right in the middle. That's what I'm looking for anyway...

So it sounds like the only thing around right now are the TRDs.

[ChinoCharles]

It's not that they the TRDs aren't drastically stiffer than OEM but that stiffness alone doesn't necessarily make a good sporty shock absorber. In fact, in most situations besides the track, stiffness is can bad. One big factor on the TRDs is that the damping isn't adjustable so you're always stuck on stiff mode. I'm looking for some absorbers that will allow me to cruise around town and not worry about the suspension being too harsh but at the same time, I can turn that little knob and go up highway 1 and have some fun. Or I could leave it right in the middle. That's what I'm looking for anyway...

So it sounds like the only thing around right now are the TRDs.

There are high-end suspension options available right now through some of our supporting vendors. Check out the "sponsors classifieds" forum or check out these sites.

http://www.c2auto.com/toyotayarissusp.html
http://bulletproofautomotive.com/catalog-searchresult.php?category=209

Cusco, Tein, C-ONE, HKS and Tanabe all make suspensions for the Yaris right now.

[kngrsll]

well, i dont mind a firm ride. i had super stiff coilovers on my old 240, so a TRD set up will probably seem light. i have planned on waiting till the spring and decide on what i'll do. the TRD suspension is really cheap though, only about $500! i guess we'll see...

[eTiMaGo]

You should look into TEIN as well I'm using some, a bit pricey but you can get an external controller to change the damping on the fly, so you can easily dial in comfort or firmness depending on what you're doing. Good stuff!

[Galavoxx]

You should look into TEIN as well I'm using some, a bit pricey but you can get an external controller to change the damping on the fly, so you can easily dial in comfort or firmness depending on what you're doing. Good stuff!

I'll definitely look into them. The would love to have the change on the fly option.

[Galavoxx]

You should look into TEIN as well I'm using some, a bit pricey but you can get an external controller to change the damping on the fly, so you can easily dial in comfort or firmness depending on what you're doing. Good stuff!

Wait. I was just thinking about how great it would be to have change on the fly and got to wondering if the controller is mounted inside the car? I'm assuming not but that would be amazing.

[Galavoxx]

There are high-end suspension options available right now through some of our supporting vendors. Check out the "sponsors classifieds" forum or check out these sites.

http://www.c2auto.com/toyotayarissusp.html
http://bulletproofautomotive.com/catalog-searchresult.php?category=209

Cusco, Tein, C-ONE, HKS and Tanabe all make suspensions for the Yaris right now.

$1k just for the absorbers seems a little high...

[eTiMaGo]

This is the controller box, could even be fitted in the glovebox there... Up and down adjustments for front and back, as well as 3 memory settings.

http://etimago.ifrance.com/yaris/_DSC0086.jpg

And on each shock goes these little things:

http://etimago.ifrance.com/yaris/_DSC0075.jpg

Be aware that the bodywork will need a little bit of cutting in order to fit those at the front.

[SmellyTofu]

I think the TRD Sportivo is quite compliant for me. I don't think I could handle the standard (but very comfortable) setting for everyday driving. I prefer cars to be a bit nimble. Comfort is for weekends.

[boris13]

"Nimble" sounds good to me too. I think I'm going to get the TRD sport shocks only (without the lowering spring kit), to firm up the liftback's cornering and overall handling. I want to maintain at least close to stock ground clearance (actually, I'd like MORE ground clearance, on the order of a Subaru Outback, but you can't always have everything!); I drive on a lot of bumpy dirt roads.

[Galavoxx]

This is the controller box, could even be fitted in the glovebox there... Up and down adjustments for front and back, as well as 3 memory settings.

Looks amazing. I was imagining a long hydrolic fluid line running to knobs inside of the car but the servos make much more sense. What are the additional costs for the control module?

[eTiMaGo]

control module and servos came up to about $350

[JeffForSale]

$1k just for the absorbers seems a little high...
they're coilovers, its the spring and shock assembly :wink:
its dampening and and ride height adjustable
it'll allow you to run higher offset (read:wider) wheels and corner weight the car, etc

[SmellyTofu]

"Nimble" sounds good to me too. I think I'm going to get the TRD sport shocks only (without the lowering spring kit), to firm up the liftback's cornering and overall handling. I want to maintain at least close to stock ground clearance (actually, I'd like MORE ground clearance, on the order of a Subaru Outback, but you can't always have everything!); I drive on a lot of bumpy dirt roads.

If you are going on bumpy roads, just check the design of the shocks before purchasing. monotube shocks like Koni don't have a good reputation for high stroke application (less room for cooling, oil bubbles up etc). I've had a set of Koni fail and start to leak oil. Bilsteins so I've been told quite good in offroad applications so you may want to also investigate that path if you are only doing shocks.

I don't know where the TRD USA are made, but the TRD Sportivo (Japan) are made by KYB but to TRD spec.

[Galavoxx]

Just found these on eBay. They look the business. :eek:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270046407646&rd=1,1