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]

Originally Posted by thebarber

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