lowering springs

[tmontague]

Hey guys,

I've gotten to the point where I am starting to mod the stock suspension to make my Yaris more fun to drive. I just purchased a rear sway bar (TRD) and would like too install lowering springs.

I like the look of the TRD's and the 10% increase in stiffness. However I really like the price of MI's springs on ebay. The MI springs are 4k front and 3k rear which i'm not too sure how that effects the ride/rubbing.

I live in Southern Ontario so the road can be hell in the winter/spring. I don't plan on hauling too much in my Yaris once lowered but I also don't want to have to worry about rubbing if I have 2 people in my back seat.

Can anyone comment on how the MI springs are or what springs they'd recommend for my situation.

Thanks

[IllusionX]

The MI springs are alright with the TRD rear swaybar. Corners are very neutral.

Without the swaybar, then you are looking at 0 handling, tons of understeer, especially in the winter

[tmontague]

I just installed the rear swaybar, have yet to test it out.

So is it safe to say that the TRD springs are stiffer than MI's springs? In a year or two I will be getting stiffer struts but I just replaced them with stock so I want to put some km's on them before I drop any more money into new struts/shocks.

Any rubbing issues with the MI's if you have a bit more weight in the car? I know the TRD's are progressive which I like, I just don't know how I feel about the MI's having softer springs in the rear

[why?]

Almost every set will have softer springs in the rear because there is less weight there. The MI springs were hugely popular with only a handful of people thinking they were too aggressive.

[tmontague]

And by too aggressive i'm assuming you are referring to them being too stiff and the ride being uncomfortable?

I don't mind that at all, the stiffer they are the less issue I have with them bottoming out if I happen to have any extra weight in the car

[IllusionX]

The TRD springs are not stiffer. But the difference in stiffness between the front and rear of the MI makes it very hard to handle because it makes the car heavily understeer. That's why you need the sway bar to correct this issue.

I did not feel much difference in stiffness when I swapped from OEM to MI springs, but after a day driving the old Civic, I know MI springs are stiff. But they are still very comfortable IMO.

I'm running stock spec rims and never rubbed in corners or bottomed out carrying passengers.

[tmontague]

Thanks for the info, looks like i'll be going for the MI springs.

Drove my Yaris w/ the swaybar installed this morning. I have yet to take it on the highway, but as oof now it feels like the rear wheel stance was widened by a foot and there is noticeably less roll and more stability.

[IllusionX]

If you get the chance to get a corner at speed, you will notice it slightly oversteers now.

[tmontague]

I actually got to take some corners at speed on my way home this afternoon and was amazed at the difference in handling from a simple 19mm bar.

It felt like the outer rear tire was stuck to the ground and was "digging" in to the corner. Now that you mentioned it it definitely oversteere compared to before. Not anything too bad but noticable, I actually enjoyed it compared too stock.

[MUSKOKA800]

With the full TRD suspension (springs, dampers and anti-sway bar) my sedan still understeers when pushed very hard, even with 215 rubber. The extra front end weight and added torque of the SC is contributing. I'm now considering a larger diameter rear bar, in search of more neutral cornering. I may even try disconnecting the front bar.

[Exiwolfman]

Im on Tein S tech about 2 inch drop and no problems with Canadian winters also TRD sway bar and KYBs

[Exiwolfman]

just to add i have a set of used sportline springs that i used on my hb , they are rusty need good clean and paint drop around 1.7 all around and they are free.

[thebarber]

Get the sportlines

[Exiwolfman]

Get the sportlines
They are the once I got from u still good just need clean and pain I wanted to go lower and got tein, sportline did have a nicer firmer ride tho

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[MUSKOKA800]

tmontague, if you'd like a sample ride make your way out to Burlington.

[fourbangingfun]

You can go as low as you want in the winter as long as you have good enough winter tires.

Sedan lowered 2" on tein s's and my car is a snow plow with Blizzaks installed. Haven't gotten stuck yet. Have a 100 yard dirt driveway.


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[MUSKOKA800]

It's particularly spectacular when the front lip hits a snow drift and explodes it up over the car. Reminds me of drift busting back in my snowmobiling days.

[tmontague]

Thanks muskoka, I ended up going w/ the MI springs as the cost was great. Had them on for about 1 month now and i'm fairly impressed.

I'd like to see how much better they are w/ spoort struts, but my struts are brand now so i'll wait a few years for those

[Frank the Tank]

not to hijack the thread, but seeing as a few of you guys are from the GTA, where do you buy/order your parts?

im new to the forum and getting a 07 4dr hb this upcoming week and suspension/tires/brakes are the first things i want to change on this car

[Exiwolfman]

not to hijack the thread, but seeing as a few of you guys are from the GTA, where do you buy/order your parts?

im new to the forum and getting a 07 4dr hb this upcoming week and suspension/tires/brakes are the first things i want to change on this car
Well springs online or have a look on Kijiji tires directly from manufacture I work at Toyota so it's easier as for brakes I see no need to upgrade unless u plan to race ur car lol and also on here lots of stuff ppl have for sale.

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[Exiwolfman]

And don't forget rear swaybar like the TRD is best money spend.

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[tmontague]

I use RockAuto.com and ship it to my PO box in Niagara Falls just over the border.

If it's a part I need asap I go to Parts Source and pay way to much.

Anything aftermarket/performance is usually off of this forum from the classifieds or ebay iif nothing is for sale on this forum.

I'll echo what Exi said about the brakes. Just run better pads and swap to stainless steel front brake lines and you'll be more than happy.

Enjoy your Yaris, great dependable daily driver and with the right knowledge and hard work it can become a damn fun car to push limits in.

[Frank the Tank]

awesome

thanks for the help guys

[invader166]

Found these the other day:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/STAGG-4-STRUTS-SHOCKS-LOWERING-SPRINGS-Fits-TOYOTA-YARIS-Scion-xD-06-to-14-/121670502702?nav=SEARCH

Anyone know if they're any good?

[Exiwolfman]

Found these the other day:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/STAGG-4-STRUTS-SHOCKS-LOWERING-SPRINGS-Fits-TOYOTA-YARIS-Scion-xD-06-to-14-/121670502702?nav=SEARCH

Anyone know if they're any good?

no idea price looks good guess you will be the first to find out hahaha
i run on teins and kyb's

[tmontague]

The price looks good, although it is a little suspect with how low their priced. Worst case scenario the shocks blow out and then you need to buy new shocks/struts but you have springs.

There was a company selling cheap shocks/struts a while ago and they were priced similarly but blew out within a few months.

I'm interested in these because as of now with the Tokiko Blues no longer made there are no stiffer/sport shocks/strut options for the Yaris other than coil overs. TRD makes them but the price is just over $400 USD which I crazy high.

At that price you might as well just get Teine Basis coil overs.

[invader166]

I know right? Very suspect...

I ended up pulling the trigger and got a set of these Stagg shocks/struts.
I'm going to use them with Microimage springs. Curious to see how they'll perform!

[tmontague]

Keep us al updated, if they turn out to be durable and they are stiffer than oem, then we now have a new option for stiffer/lowered struts and shocks

[invader166]

Well...there's also KYB as an alternative. I found them for sale with the same springs here:

http://brandcarparts.com/shocks-struts/select-by-car/toyota/yaris/2006-2012-toyota-yaris-kyb-excel-g-full-set-and-vogtland-lowering-springs-kit-1-4-drop.html

If the shocks I bought end up blowing out quickly, I'll just get a set of those.

[tmontague]

I thought the excel G's were the same dampening as the OEM?

I think ExiWolfman has a set maybe he can chime in and give his feedback. If the Excel G's are in fact stiffer than oem, then they are a good price point and a good option for us with lowering springs looking for a relatively inexpensive stiffer/performance suspension set up

[invader166]

I thought the excel G's were the same dampening as the OEM?

Really? I actually thought they were the same as TRD...

Now I'm totally confused! :confused:

[tmontague]

it may be different for the Yaris versions, but after reading through other car forums the excel G's are at best slightly stiffer than OEM, some state stiffer many state softer. They aren't considered a stiff high performance spring like tokiko Blues were.

That's just what I came up with after doing a bunch of reading.

For those who are running Excel G's please correct me if I'm wrong

[my07ty]

Anyone running tanabe df's?

[jmanous]

I am running GR2s (excel Gs is just rebranding) with megan racing springs 1.5" lower than stock. The ride is a little bouncy, sometimes annoying at high speeds on NJ roads. The handling though is way better than stock with this setup (I also have TRD sway bar and DC sports strut bar).

I also run new GR2s on my old avensis with stock springs. This setup was really soft and the new KYBs felt the same as the 90k worn struts - poor choice.

Overall, as other members will say, KYB with lowering springs is a cheap alternative setup that defers the inevitable, transition to quality coilovers.

BTW, is there anybody that blew their KYBs by using lowering springs? I am afraid that mine will pass away before the 10K landmark...

[ern-diz]

BTW, is there anybody that blew their KYBs by using lowering springs? I am afraid that mine will pass away before the 10K landmark...

Whoa, that's concerning. KYB was my front runner if/when my stock struts/shocks go, but 10k isn't going to cut it. People on the forum have gotten a lot more than that out of OEM with lowering springs...

[Exiwolfman]

I am running GR2s (excel Gs is just rebranding) with megan racing springs 1.5" lower than stock. The ride is a little bouncy, sometimes annoying at high speeds on NJ roads. The handling though is way better than stock with this setup (I also have TRD sway bar and DC sports strut bar).

I also run new GR2s on my old avensis with stock springs. This setup was really soft and the new KYBs felt the same as the 90k worn struts - poor choice.

Overall, as other members will say, KYB with lowering springs is a cheap alternative setup that defers the inevitable, transition to quality coilovers.

BTW, is there anybody that blew their KYBs by using lowering springs? I am afraid that mine will pass away before the 10K landmark...

KYB and Tein springs so about 2 inch drop with no problems after 50-60km , also make sure u cut down ur bump stops ..ride is good and the bouncing as ppl say is more do to ur springs i find .
Had sportlines before with same kyb's and it was a stiffer ride the teins can be little more bouncy and are definitely softer .

[jmanous]

Hey, a lot of people here seem to be ok with GR2 and tanabe or teins. Their struts last for fairly long. (their spring rate should be ~10-15% higher than stock?).

I don't think there is much of experience with megan racing springs though.
As you said Exiwolfman, springs might be the problem. And not really a problem,
it might just be the case of much higher spring rates (>15%). Just speculating cause
I can't find their rates.

[Exiwolfman]

Hey, a lot of people here seem to be ok with GR2 and tanabe or teins. Their struts last for fairly long. (their spring rate should be ~10-15% higher than stock?).

I don't think there is much of experience with megan racing springs though.
As you said Exiwolfman, springs might be the problem. And not really a problem,
it might just be the case of much higher spring rates (>15%). Just speculating cause
I can't find their rates.
I find springs make the difference I honestly prefer tein springs, yes little softer but better as a DD car I found sportline awesome for aggressive driving but to hard for everyday use....just my opinion.

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[Paulee]

Whats the best place / price for a TRD sway bar? I'm in Mississauga

[Exiwolfman]

Whats the best place / price for a TRD sway bar? I'm in Mississauga
Try your local Toyota dealership since the ship from Toronto location to any Toyota dealership, so next day delivery plus no shipping cost.

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[tmontague]

Whats the best place / price for a TRD sway bar? I'm in Mississauga

You located in North West Mississauga?

[Paulee]

Southwest. Almost oakville close to qew