Sourcing shocks and lowering springs

[gruk]

Hi everyone, I’m seriously looking into de-certing my car and moving to the gentler world of shocks and springs rather than my worn out old coilovers.

I’ve read here that Cobra springs are a good choice, and Bilstein shocks?

I’ve talked to Mark from Toyota who says that ToyotaNZ is all out of rear shocks do not off to a good start.

Can anyone recommend a spot to purchase both lowerin springs and shocks? Thoughts on my choices of Bilsteins and Cobras would be appreciated also.

[GlanzaAtHeart]

I would suggest Autolign/BNT. They are super helpful, and the club account helps with the pricing.

I am also interested in doing this, as my car is currently certed on BC Gold coilovers that I find ride too stiff.

Is there a de-cert fee, I think it is the same as a cert fee- $500+?

[pbaron]

I had the cert removed from my MR-S last year, it failed a VTNZ wof because it was certed for adjusties and had standard shocks and springs fitted. To get the cert removed and taken out of the system cost me $50 for it to be reviewed by a certifier in Upper Hutt, have him drill out the rivets to remove the cert plate and then he emailed LVVTA to get it removed, was pretty painless.

I would suggest Autolign/BNT. They are super helpful, and the club account helps with the pricing.

I am also interested in doing this, as my car is currently certed on BC Gold coilovers that I find ride too stiff.

Is there a de-cert fee, I think it is the same as a cert fee- $500+?

[GlanzaAtHeart]

$50?? That's all??? Bugger, I should've removed my cert months ago.

I'll be following this closely. I am not a fan of my coilovers. I'll give Autolign a ring in the morning and get some prices.

Would you need the complete strut assemblies? Or just the strut insert and springs?

I've heard Koni Yellow shocks + Eibach Pro springs are the winning combo, but they are close to $2000. Would love them, but $$. Perhaps some middle ground Blistein or something for the shocks.

Top end new Eibach Pro springs are $700 at Moonlight Racing: https://www.mlracing.co.nz/eibach-pro-k ... -sw20.html

[gruk]

Cripes, yeah sounds like it can get pricey quick. The fronts available at Toyota are $169 a corner, no rears though. I’ll try BNT and see if they have some rears

[thorns]

Had cobra springs in mine and found they rode pretty well (on pretty worn shocks) , not stupid low either, check my old build thread for before and after pics.

[GDII]

You might get OEM non Bilstein for $169 a corner but they bumped the Bilsteins out of line pricing making them closer to $400 a corner.
You are almost better to buy BC coilovers at that price but in light of a $50 uncert cost for suspension, that's worth looking at for a daily..

Cobra are good for street use. Not too low and comfortable.

[GlanzaAtHeart]

Spoke to Autolign today:

Cobra springs: $506 full set.

Shocks: GT Munroe Sports (Never heard anything) are $200 per corner.

They're going to get back to me regarding getting Blistien and Koni shock prices.

The guy on the phone kept bringing up Tein Flex Z coilovrs at $1901 a set.

But basically, you're looking at $1300 a full set. This was including club discount.

[GlanzaAtHeart]

Finally got a call back.

Bilsteins are a no go through Autolign/BNT.

Koni yellows are 350 + GST a corner.

Pricey. $1610 for just shocks....

Cheaper to import through USA like Prime MR2 or MR2 Heaven.

[gruk]

Good sluething!

I’m thinking I’ll be buying a new set of Tiens or BCs... In the end I think it’ll be cheaper and easier. However my very specifies a wheel set up I’m not keen on using, nor do I have the wheels for- 18s on rear, 17s front. So looks like I need to do some work there also.

...certifier in Upper Hutt...

Hi pbaron, any chance you remember where I can find this guy? I have a few questions for him:) and probably some work.

[pbaron]

It was Julian Cheer 027 607 4969, he is based in Carterton but has a shop in Upper Hutt that he spends a day a week/fortnight in. Call him for a chat.

Good sluething!

I’m thinking I’ll be buying a new set of Tiens or BCs... In the end I think it’ll be cheaper and easier. However my very specifies a wheel set up I’m not keen on using, nor do I have the wheels for- 18s on rear, 17s front. So looks like I need to do some work there also.

...certifier in Upper Hutt...

Hi pbaron, any chance you remember where I can find this guy? I have a few questions for him:) and probably some work.

[GlanzaAtHeart]

Good sluething!

I’m thinking I’ll be buying a new set of Tiens or BCs... In the end I think it’ll be cheaper and easier. However my very specifies a wheel set up I’m not keen on using, nor do I have the wheels for- 18s on rear, 17s front. So looks like I need to do some work there also.

...certifier in Upper Hutt...

Hi pbaron, any chance you remember where I can find this guy? I have a few questions for him:) and probably some work.

I'm not too sure now that I thought about it. Koni yellows are supposedly the BEST shocks I've heard and read, and springs are what, 500 max? I'm sure if you send $1900 on coilovers, then $500 on cert it'll be good.

MRP in Auckland do Fortune Auto coilovers, I think for around ~ 2.2k. You'd have to ring them and check.

All I'm saying is the cert fee may put shocks as the better investment. But you do get adjustablilty..

[GDII]

Good sluething!

I’m thinking I’ll be buying a new set of Tiens or BCs... In the end I think it’ll be cheaper and easier. However my very specifies a wheel set up I’m not keen on using, nor do I have the wheels for- 18s on rear, 17s front. So looks like I need to do some work there also.

...certifier in Upper Hutt...

Hi pbaron, any chance you remember where I can find this guy? I have a few questions for him:) and probably some work.

I'm not too sure now that I thought about it. Koni yellows are supposedly the BEST shocks I've heard and read, and springs are what, 500 max? I'm sure if you send $1900 on coilovers, then $500 on cert it'll be good.

MRP in Auckland do Fortune Auto coilovers, I think for around ~ 2.2k. You'd have to ring them and check.

All I'm saying is the cert fee may put shocks as the better investment. But you do get adjustablilty..

In NZ having the ability to adjust the ride height is pretty much negated by a cert. Unless you have a Motorsport authority card and do 2 event a year in your log book. Once ride height is set you are locked to it +/-5mm. Having adjustable dampers helps but Koni yellows allow for that.

[Logan]

Have you (Gruk and Glanzaatheart) considered getting the coilovers professionally set up? I dont know the actual condition or history of your coilovers but it could be a lot cheaper than a full replacement. I got it done for about $230 and its been the best thing I've done for the car. I feel like it rides smoother than the stock setup and definitely better than lowering springs

[GlanzaAtHeart]

Have you (Gruk and Glanzaatheart) considered getting the coilovers professionally set up? I dont know the actual condition or history of your coilovers but it could be a lot cheaper than a full replacement. I got it done for about $230 and its been the best thing I've done for the car. I feel like it rides smoother than the stock setup and definitely better than lowering springs

No I haven't - What did it change? My main issue with my coilovers is that they ride too hard. Perhaps some lower rated springs and a proper setup might change that.

Who does that sort of thing?