Investigating lowering Options

[Mangozac]

Hi guys,

Following on from my thread here I've been investigating lowering the Celi. I've done a bunch of searching and reading but still am a bit confused. I'll be doing all the installation myself, just need to get the parts.

So I'd prefer to get some Tein S-techs but just for kicks I went and saw a suspension place across from my work to see what they reckon. Note that they generally seem to raise more than lower - most of their clientele is 4WD owners looking to jack their cars up.
Anyway he quoted me AU$154 (about $120 US) a pair for a set of King Springs which he said would lower about 34mm. Fair enough.
I then asked about some struts. He recommended some KYB performance struts (dunno which ones) and they were about $250 each! So that's like $1000 just on the struts! For that kind of price it would be worth getting coilovers!

So I have a couple of questions:

1. How much should a set of Tein S-Techs cost me?
2. The Celi is 8 1/2 years old - is it really necessary that I replace the struts also when I lower?
3. I can't really afford more than about $500-600 on the project so if I can't do it properly for that price I won't bother at all.

The listed Tein dealer around here is Maroochy Car Sound, who I don't believe is the cheapest place to buy stuff I'll give them a call today and check it out....

Thanks,

Zac

[Mangozac]

Next update!

Got a 24 point safety check at Pedders yesterday. In my opinion it was well worth the 14 bucks it cost - I now have in my hands a report on all of my suspension and steering systems.

The car has 240,000kms and has never had the shocks replaced so that's their first recommendation (even though they are in quite an acceptable condition).

The front suspension lower bushes and radius bushes are pretty worn and recommended to be replaced, same with the rear lower bushes. No big deal, they are pretty cheap.

The steering gear has the comment "bad internal knocking/rack mounts worn/movement". I've been aware of that for a while and had forgotten about it. I don't think it's that big a deal, they quoted me $600 to fix it. I may check it out and replace it myself.

Plus I need new tyres. They have really bad edge wear (possible to do with the soft bushes) and I was aware that they were pretty stuffed. No big deal. I expect a new set to be less than $600.

So it's pretty much definite that I'll get a set of coilovers now. The downside is that I have to wait another week for all of the suppliers to open back up after xmas before I can get pricing. I'm leaning towards the D2s but I'll get a price on the Teins just for kicks.

The problem is that I have to watch that I don't spend too much money - I need to keep enough to get me through another year of uni!

[Mangozac]

Got a price yesterday on some coilovers. My supplier recommends the G4 brand (as distributed by Just Jap http://www.justjap.com/g4trackinfo.htm). Apparently they are made in the same factory as the D2s, except they are blue, not purple.

From what I can tell they seem to be better supported as Just Jap stock all replacement parts, etc.

The price is right, AU$1375 for all four coilovers, delivered to my door. I'm gonna get them ordered tomorrow and should only take about a week or so to arrive.

I also got a quote on Tein Super streets. $2600 and a 4-8 week lead time as they don't stock any in the country!

I figure that the Taiwanese units should suit me fine. I mean it's not like I'm racing or drifting or anything heavy like that. It's just a daily driver that I like to drive a little more agressively than the usual person.