Pulling trigger on coilovers, pls look over my choice
03-15-19 | 07:49 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 154
Likes: 13
From: OR
Pulling trigger on coilovers, pls look over my choice
Hi all, ready to improve my 2009s' ride quality. I dont track my car. Have 255 35 19 square, 9.5 wide rims and 10mm spacers on the rear. So rear clearance is a little tight, would like to raise the rear a bit and lower the front a bit so that ultimately its slightly lower that stock and level looking front to rear. My budget is flexible however $1k seems like all Ill need. Thoughts? Heres what Im looking at... BC racing standard spring rates of, I believe 12k front 10k rear:
https://coilovers.springrates.com/products/bc-racing-br-series-coilovers-2008-2014-lexus-is-f?variant=15839093030946&gclid=CjwKCAjwmq3kBRB_EiwAJkNDp9fqrf_A_Ascu5BolZRblDXc0NdNEHLEdSDrYqinU2C7Gxk-YpQkxhoCn7EQAvD_BwE
https://coilovers.springrates.com/products/bc-racing-br-series-coilovers-2008-2014-lexus-is-f?variant=15839093030946&gclid=CjwKCAjwmq3kBRB_EiwAJkNDp9fqrf_A_Ascu5BolZRblDXc0NdNEHLEdSDrYqinU2C7Gxk-YpQkxhoCn7EQAvD_BwE
03-15-19 | 08:37 AM
#2
I run BCs with swift springs and I also do not track the car. I have been happy with them for over 3 years now - good bang for the buck but there are better options out there for a little more. If comfort is your goal - you should consider KW coils, they are street oriented and based on what I have read, probably provide the best street ride overall.
If you stick with BCs - I suggest you get the upgraded swift springs - I run 16k/12k and the ride is very close (maybe very slightly better) to stock.
If you stick with BCs - I suggest you get the upgraded swift springs - I run 16k/12k and the ride is very close (maybe very slightly better) to stock.
03-15-19 | 08:56 AM
#3
You need higher spring rates with the BC's to compensate for the heavier engine in front. I would recommend a MINIMUM of 14K in the front and 10K in the rear. Even when I had to the same 14K/10K combo on my F, I had to make the dampening in the front higher to prevent bottoming out. I would also highly recommend the Swift Spring upgrades or better yet, step up to a better coilover such as the HKS GT4's.
03-15-19 | 10:30 AM
#5
03-15-19 | 10:36 AM
#6
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 972
From: Indiana
You can get Ohlins for less than 4. If you really only want to lower the front, than just have the fronts built. You can go that route. That’ll be around 2000. You have a high end car, I def recommend giving it a high end ride.
Ride is is very subjective. I would personally never cheap out on suspension in such a nice platform.
03-15-19 | 11:00 AM
#7
I think we probably have at least a dozen threads on this subject.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...y-driving.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...sion-mods.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ighten-up.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...s-for-isf.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-2012-isf.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...coilovers.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...r-2013-oe.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...us-penske.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...y-driving.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...sion-mods.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ighten-up.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...s-for-isf.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-2012-isf.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...coilovers.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...r-2013-oe.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...us-penske.html
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jdmSW20 (03-19-19)
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03-15-19 | 11:02 AM
#8
He said his budget was flexible but it looks like he will only need 1000.... didn’t say that’s all he budgeted.
You can get Ohlins for less than 4. If you really only want to lower the front, than just have the fronts built. You can go that route. That’ll be around 2000. You have a high end car, I def recommend giving it a high end ride.
Ride is is very subjective. I would personally never cheap out on suspension in such a nice platform.
03-15-19 | 01:45 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 154
Likes: 13
From: OR
Sorry lobuxracer, and all, as im sure it has been covered extensively. Just wanted to make sure I wasnt missing anything in my general price range before I ordered. Looks like the next recommended step up (KW) is almost $2.5k, a bit more than I want to spend for what im looking to achieve. Or am I looking at the wrong model KW? The swift springs I can do but its a little discouraging vervish states bc/swift comb is only a mild improvement over stock. Looking to level the car and make pot holes less jarring, thats it, dont need tighter performance as I just dont drive it hard beyond keeping the cats clean. Thanks, the input has been great and has already saved me the wrong spring rate.
Last edited by 400to300H; 03-15-19 at 01:54 PM.
03-15-19 | 03:00 PM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 39
From: Barrington, IL
Just want to lower a little and soften the ride but don’t want to spend much. Just hold a propane torch to the stock springs and heat’em up real good. You’ll get just what you are looking for.
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lobuxracer (03-25-19)
03-15-19 | 03:17 PM
#11
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,086
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From: Indiana
03-15-19 | 05:23 PM
#12
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 992
Likes: 348
From: California
I went from swift 16k front and 14k rear BC coilovers to Penske 18k front and 16k rear and all I can say is BC coilovers ride like garbage. If you ever make the change you WILL know exactly what I’m talking about. BC coilovers to me felt really harsh and never settled well after bumps. No matter how much I tried adjusting the damper for them it never felt good to me.
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lobuxracer (03-25-19)
03-15-19 | 05:29 PM
#13
Been there. When I got my 08 ISF I knew harsh ride would be a given but 2 days in I was completely over it. I went with BC racing with swift spring 14/10 rates for about $1200. They were great and comfy but lost some of the sporty feel in the turn and if you want to lower more than an inch you’ll want a higher spring rate like 16/12. I put 55k/2 years on them and after a lot of DC/Baltimore potholes my drivers front started clunking so I upgraded. Your next step up choices are the Kw/Greddy around $1500 and HKS Hipermax GT 4 around $1900, KW and Ohlin and also RR racing’s options are over $2k and have great reviews as well. Personally I went with the HKS which have 16/10 rates last month and they are comfier than BC and feel a bit better in the corners and look well built. Still not ES/LS Lexus smooth though.
I’d recommend 16/12 BC+swift as your best choice for comfort and lowering for a cheap price. Louie at Mod in Japan was my vendor and is great.
I’d recommend 16/12 BC+swift as your best choice for comfort and lowering for a cheap price. Louie at Mod in Japan was my vendor and is great.
Last edited by LexusfanVA; 03-15-19 at 05:33 PM.
03-15-19 | 08:16 PM
#15
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 972
From: Indiana
this is not a DIY garage affair, and even when done right often results in uneven results because this is not the right way to lower a car or soften suspension.