Hotchkis springs on my XRS

mistamatrix · Post by **mistamatrix** » Thu May 22, 2003 2:46 pm

Just thought I'd post this up here to give everybody an idea of how these drop. Supposedly, they're 1.5" front, 1 1/8" rear. Seems like it may just settle a little more than that. Loving it nonetheless...BEFORE:AFTER:

jdackert · Post by **jdackert** » Fri May 23, 2003 6:39 am

Beautiful photos, are you a professional photographer?

mistamatrix · Post by **mistamatrix** » Fri May 23, 2003 7:31 am

quote:Beautiful photos, are you a professional photographer?Heck no. Far from it.

millster · Post by **millster** » Fri May 23, 2003 7:51 am

Very nice Mista! That is quite a drop alright. Looks good!

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Fri May 23, 2003 8:17 am

Mista --Have you noticed a significant improvement in handling?

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Fri May 23, 2003 10:29 am

Mistamatrix, nice looking drop. Thats my next (diy) mod this summer.

mistamatrix · Post by **mistamatrix** » Sat May 24, 2003 2:13 pm

quote:Mista --Have you noticed a significant improvement in handling?In a nutshell, yes. I should mention that I also installed the TRD STB at the same time. So going from stock suspension to springs and a strut bar made a big difference. The car stays flatter in turns and I look forward to every circular on-ramp/off-ramp exits! The springs are slightly stiffer than stock but for the most part, it still rides like stock. Which for me is a good thing.I don't want to stiffen out the suspension too much in the front so I'm looking into just getting a rear sway bar.

abyss gt · Post by **abyss gt** » Thu May 29, 2003 1:43 pm

Looks great. How much did they cost and much for the install?Do you know if they fit in a Vibe? I'm looking into the skunk2 coilovers but I keep hearing bad things about them.Feedback appreciated.

redtrdmatrix · Post by **redtrdmatrix** » Thu May 29, 2003 3:15 pm

Off topic but hey abyss gt are you from portugal? Fala portugues?

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Thu May 29, 2003 8:58 pm

Looks really nice with the drop. Good job!

abyss gt · Post by **abyss gt** » Fri May 30, 2003 3:31 am

redtrdmatrix, falo sim.

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Fri May 30, 2003 5:51 am

Look very nice.How much drop??

slinkston · Post by **slinkston** » Fri May 30, 2003 6:05 am

From MistaMatrix's first post.quote:Supposedly, they're 1.5" front, 1 1/8" rear.-Slink

mistamatrix · Post by **mistamatrix** » Fri May 30, 2003 1:45 pm

quote:Looks great. How much did they cost and much for the install?Do you know if they fit in a Vibe? I'm looking into the skunk2 coilovers but I keep hearing bad things about them.Feedback appreciated.Got them for $195US (from Steve Ganz/Carson Toyota) and got it installed for $150CDN.Not sure if they fit in Vibes but monkeywrenchracing.com advertises them for Matrix/Vibe. But if for example the TRD springs or Eibach Pro-Kits have the same part numbers for the Vibe as they do for the Matrix then they should fit.IMO, coilovers are a waste of money if you live in Toronto and drive your car in the winter. Better off w/ a good spring/shock combo. (But unfortunately, there aren't any aftermaket strut/shocks out yet.)

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Fri May 30, 2003 2:46 pm

Ok, a couple of questions:1.Can someone explain why it isn't a consistent drop all around? Is it relative to engine weight and stuff?2.If you look at the thread Hotchkis' loss is your GAIN...., they are offering quote:Matrix / Vibe Sport Coils #19402 = $150.00 per set.... 1.5" drop up front and 1.25" in the rear Is that a good price? Are these similar to the ones you purchased? Does anyone know if these are good springs? I want to drop, but I want good springs that will handle well and give me solid control over the car.3.What is the difference between a coilover many people are looking into and a regular spring such as these Hotchkis ones?

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » Fri May 30, 2003 4:13 pm

1.) My thinking to the lesser drop up front is that your front wheels need to turn left and right. If you drop the front more than the back, the front will take the extra weight and 'bounce' more and in a turn could rub the wheel.2.)From what I've seen from Hotchkis, they are always a bit pricey. $150 is a little high for just springs.3.)Coil-overs are a spring and an adjustable sleave that the spring sits on. They slip over your strut and are adjustable, so you can set up your car to drop from 1 to 3 inches. They are in the $200-$400 price range. I think they would be very usefull in winter. you can raise your car up to drive over the snow instead of plowing it.

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » Fri May 30, 2003 4:15 pm

Mistamatrix, you should copyright your pics before they end up on some advertisment. They look that good!!

mistamatrix · Post by **mistamatrix** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 10:50 am

quote:Ok, a couple of questions:1.Can someone explain why it isn't a consistent drop all around? Is it relative to engine weight and stuff?This type of drop where it's lower in the front than it is in the rear is called an aggressive drop. Personally, I would never lower my car even in the front and rear because I tend to have a load in the back, be it passengers or cargo. That load would "even" out the drop. But if you lowered your car even front and back and had a load in the rear, the rear would sink lower in the rear making the front look higher. Which to me looks like @$$. quote:2.If you look at the thread Hotchkis' loss is your GAIN...., they are offering Matrix / Vibe Sport Coils #19402 = $150.00 per set.... 1.5" drop up front and 1.25" in the rear Is that a good price? Are these similar to the ones you purchased? Does anyone know if these are good springs? I want to drop, but I want good springs that will handle well and give me solid control over the car.Yes, that is a good price! About $50 less than I got it for. Hotchkis is a reputable company. You should read up for what they did to their Celica. quote:3.What is the difference between a coilover many people are looking into and a regular spring such as these Hotchkis ones?There's coilover sleeves (no shocks) and there are FULL coilovers (w/ shocks). Both are height adjustable. Regular springs, like the Hotchkis are not height adjustable.

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 9:15 pm

I am getting my Hotchkiss springs installed on my Vibe today. Finally! I am sure that it will handle well with their sway bars. I just hope that the ride is still good.

meathead333 · Post by **meathead333** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 2:36 am

are you doing it yourself, if not how much does the whole project cost w/ parts and labor?

Hotchkis springs on my XRS

Hotchkis springs on my XRS

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (mistamatrix)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (jdackert)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (mistamatrix)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (mistamatrix)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (mistamatrix)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (ragingfish)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (mistamatrix)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (abyss gt)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (redtrdmatrix)

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Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (abyss gt)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (mistamatrix)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (ragingfish)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (mistamatrix)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (ragingfish)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (mistamatrix)

Re: Hotchkis springs on my XRS (shibaman)