Celica Forums General Discussion Exterior coilover vs. lowering spring

The tough decision when deciding on the "quick easy" suspension is which method of lowering you would like to choose. I started by putting on ground control coilovers. At first i liked them a lot because they lowered the car Alot lower then the stock height. But the ride was a little stiff. I mean STIFF. No hitting R.R. tracks at 60mph anymore that's for sure! LOL but then this clicking noise started to get on my nerves. Every little pebble, divot, leaf or anything that I ran over was sounded by a loud clanking noise of metal on metal! I redid the coilovers using some rubber washer here and there but still, CLANK CLANK CLANK. Then there was turning. I could take highway exits at around 70-90mph depending on how ballsy I was feeling but when making a slow turn, the spring sounded like a pirate ship creeking in the ocean blue. Nasty sounding. I was really starting to hate my ride. The longer the stayed on, the worse it got!

BUT THEN...

I ordered TEIN lowering springs and they clouds parted and the angels sang! My car stayed the same height as with the dinky coilover springs but the ride was just like stock! KINDA. I could still whip around turns, get good traction at the track, and hit the R.R. tracks with out hitting my head on the roof! And I no longer hop around like a hoopdie after going over a speed bump. Oh happy days oh happy days!

So In conclusion...

In my eyes, I am a strong believer that if you like a nice ride and want your car low, go with lowering springs! And from personal experience, TEIN make some great ones for celicas!

what type of coilovers was this????

Um I thought ground control only made springs. I've never heard of them making true coil overs.

ground control coilovers are very different from tanabe coilovers or tein coilovers. im sure those brands wont clank.

I can't say more about my coilovers other than that I'm more than ecstatic about even entering my car for a drive. Makes no noise what so ever and is stiff as you could imagine. I'm used to it from my HA's. It sits up and then back down with no and I say again no bumpy crap. Up and then down regardless and maybe a swoosh noise. I was behind a Corvette (early 69ish or 70's) that had some obvious suspension tweaks and it wasn't any thing near my Teins. I think he got scared and went by by. That car was stiff, but not as stiff as me. I think the conclusion is don't get the sleeve over type coilover get lowering springs.