TRD shocks and springs

[4000GT]

So I have ordered and soon are to take delivery of some blue TRD front shocks and 8kg blue springs. When fitting the shock is there anything to be aware of? I am assuming the perch does not need to be moved?

[NoHachi]

You mean the TRD race shortstroke blue shocks? If so...ehm...a lot of things have to be changed. The housings need to be shortened by 40mm. Same as coilover conversions. Without coilovers, you'll need to lower your perches 40mm too.

[4000GT]

Yes, the TRD blue shortstroke shocks. I didnt know the casing had to be cut! Thats ok though, so 40mm is the general rule of thumb?

[robokill]

you could also consider buying the T3 inner tube spacer. I made one myself and that works fine becuase the stroke is still full. Its even still too short. So to speak. Becuase on full release the spring will come loose.

[4000GT]

Ah ok, I just placed an order with T3 too, might just make my own. Im assuming they fit in the bottom of the strut casing for prop the shock up? Is there a rule on their length or is that all part of the setup for droop etc? Might be some trial and error Im guessing.

[boo50]

what springs are they? for what did you need this spacer?
as I understand they are not stock form springs, they are for coilvers conversion, so cut housings to match shocks lenght and welding coilover sleeve.

[4000GT]

Springs are the 8kg TRD ones.

[NoHachi]

robokill Wrote:you could also consider buying the T3 inner tube spacer. I made one myself and that works fine because the stroke is still full. Its even still too short. So to speak. Because on full release the spring will come loose.

No, the stroke is not full. You get a full of rebound stroke (meaning spring release is still a problem even though you bought crazy short shocks) but you have no bump travel left. So the car bangs the top of the strut on every pothole. Great setup!

Beautiful way of wasting money. Lets see, the TRD shocks have more travel then the springs. So lets say the springs extended are 1cm shorter then the extended shock length:
165mm-10mm = 155mm
The AE86 strut extends around 100mm beyond the spring perch. so you are left with:
165mm-10mm-100mm = 55mm
of space between the top of the strut and the upper mount when there is no weight on anything. Now add the weight of car+driver. Assuming blue TRD springs with 6kg/mm rates:
static compression = 275kg / (6kg/mm) = 46mm
Remaining distance between strut top and top mount =
165mm-10mm-100mm-46mm = 9mm

So after spending tons of money on impressive sounding parts you are left with 0.9cm of bump travel. Awesome. This corresponds to a further load of
9*6 = 54kg. Add the weight of two passengers and you are on the bumpstop (if you left it in, most true idiots remove them believing its an upgrade to do so). It also corresponds to 0.2G of cornering force, something even my mother attains during her trip to the shops. Just to reiterate as soon as the strut touches the top mount you have metal on metal contact. No springs involved anymore. Very comfy. For those people claiming coilovers in the rear are an extra load, you should do the calcs on the loads without springs in the front. Sure fire way to screw up the chassis towers.

No bump travel, still problems with non-captive springs. WHY would someone do something like this? Just to get the TRD/HTS brandname? Are people really that stupid?

If you do decide to take this path. Please leave the bumpstops in! They have a 15kg/mm rate or so and they will save the chassis and shocks. The car will rest on the bumpstops permanently which is why it's handling will still resemble something sporty.

[NoHachi]

With the 8kg springs (assuming they aren't shorter) you get an added 12mm of bump travel! so 2cm's in total.

Std disclaimer for post above. Not calling anyone in particular stupid. Just amazed that T3 would sell such a poor product. Intention of post is not to piss people off, but to show what happens when you use the spacers and help people understand why it happens. It would have been a lot easier to just call everyone idiots without going to the trouble of looking up rates, strokes and doing the calcs :wink: I don't have any of these numbers ready and have to look them up too.

[4000GT]

Or.... I just take 40mm off the strut casing and drop the perch 40mm also, so an 80mm total drop?

EDIT: Yes using 8kg TRD sport springs. They are lowering springs in blue.