Better Suspension

[St. Martin]

Well, I finally graduated, paid off my bills, and made a little money. I can now actually spend on the car. I have the engine mounts and shifter bushings waiting for install and I thought I'd do springs all in the same day. After reading all of the posts, I figured I'd just ask you guys. What springs? (it seems like Tein's has everyone's thumbs up, but i'm not sure I can drop it that low with 18's.)Is the STB really worth it?What else will really help with the suspension? I'll have some help with the install, and I'd like to know from everyone where the best gains for the buck can be had. Budget is about $500. I know some of you guys are suspension gurus....what should be done?

[MadBill]

Correct size tires will be the same outside diameter regardless of wheel diameter, (see a site such as http://www.tirerack.com for sizes and specs) so this will not be an issue re how much to drop.I've installed several sets of Teins and would recommend them, but there are several other good choices, depending on how much you want to lower your car (anywhere from 1" to 3" has been done, but ~ 2" seems the most common.)I ran a test last year which demonstrated that an STB is strictly for appeareance on the Vibe: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=6537 When I did a SEARCH for Strut Tower Brace, I got 10 hits, so there's lots of data/opinions available!For $500, I would suggest drop springs plus a bigger rear anti roll bar such as from Progress, leaving a few $$ for a down payment on a cold air intake, exhaust, etc.Have fun!

[Smokin' Rubber]

Quote, originally posted by St. Martin »FIRST NEW CAR2003 Monotone Abyss Vibe GTInjen IntakeBorla ExhaustProjektorz Headlight CoversRed "Vibe GT" Grafxwerks overlays all around.Various hood paint chipsNew battery (thanks Don Wood Automotive!)Hehe I don't think he needs a down payment on them Bill

[MadBill]

Oops, guess not! Maybe a downstroke on a Unichip then?

[St. Martin]

Thanks guys. I didn't know if the package deal (STB, anti roll bar, progress springs) was worth $350. Since the STB is functionally worthless and the progress springs aren't great, I'll probably avoid it. I think I'll go with your suggestion MadBill and get the teins and an anti roll bar.

[St. Martin]

One more question: Do you have to worry about camber correction once you install the Teins? Usually anything more than 1.5 really creates too much stress. I know our cars ride fairly high, but another 1 inch drop is crazy to not have to modify anything else.

[goodvibe]

If you have a sunroof a stb might be useful and cheap ones work fine. No camber problems with TRD/prokits with 1.5" drop. Progress rear is the first thing to do. Great for balance and cheap. Unichip

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by St. Martin »One more question: Do you have to worry about camber correction once you install the Teins? Usually anything more than 1.5 really creates too much stress. I know our cars ride fairly high, but another 1 inch drop is crazy to not have to modify anything else. I have Teins on a base vibe drop was 2 + all around. i had the alignment checked and everything was O.K.

[St. Martin]

Thanks for the help, guys! I bought the Teins and the progress rear AR Bar. This left me plenty of money left over for future car parts. Install is next weekend along with motor mounts and shift bushings. I'm thinking its going to be somewhat of a different animal when its all done. So, next question.....better investment now, Rims or Unichip?

[St. Martin]

Just got the Tein S-techs, progress rear sway bar, and brass shifter bushing installed. All I can say is....WOW. Totally different animal. Completely different car. It actually handles and shifts like a sports car now instead of an SUV. I'll try and post some pics. Wow.If you aren't into the lowering thing, I DEFINITELY recommend the progress bar and the shifter bushings. Everything is more true and the whole driving experience changes.

[Raven]

Go for the unichip next!

[St. Martin]

Quote, originally posted by Sunny »Go for the unichip next! You think so? I was talking to TRD about it and she seemed to think it may not be the best way to spend $700. Do you have one?

[goodvibe]

If you're a racer than an intake/exhaust may be more effective but for just driving around, the uni is great. The biggest problem with the GT is that it's a bit soft below 3300 rpm. The Uni helps alot there and a CAI will make it worse but gets some good increases above that point. Both is best because it will minimise this but the car will have the most power and throttle responce below 3300 with only the unichip. An exhaust alone may not hurt the lower RPMs because Toyota did their torque tuning on the intake. CAIs are great for maximum power but everything is a trade-off including the Unichip. You get slightly worse milage and it costs a lot but those aren't bad trade for the improvement. If you doubt the CAI bit, just remove the intke from the filter box and check out the results. You're only removing some restriction below 3800 rpm before the B/V opens and not changing the A/F etc. CAIs work better than simply opening the intake but there is a trade off that most feel is worthwhile.