Monday, December 31, 2012 - 05:33 pm, by: Jay Asghari(8pack)
Hi Folks!
I overhauled my whole suspension to Gixxer_drew set up about 2-3 months ago and given that there's not much on here regarding the set up that the guys in the USA swear by, I thought I'd share my experiences as it really is a quality suspension framework.
If not sure, Google "gixxer drew" and there is a ton of info on the supra forums, club lexus, etc.
VEHICLE BACKGROUND - modified tt - approx 268rwkw on stock twins, (see my profile for more)
So, previously I was running old Bilstein shocks on quite soft springs although I don't know the brand of the springs or the rates. The bushes were worn and all in all vehicle did not have great feel around corners or bumps - the suspension was already gone.
The vehicle looked like, and was, running lower at the front end than the back and the tail would slowly come out under medium boost acceleration (yes, in the dry). It would often 'chatter' under hard acceleration. I needed a set up that was predictable and consistent as the car was now quite fast!
The Bilstein Coil Over sleeve kit consists of Supra Bilsteins, part no Ak1242 front and Ak1243 rear.
Springs were Hypercoil, with the spring rates being designed for a 'street smooth' 500lbs front rate and 250lbs rear, with generic energy suspension bump stops.
There were several spring rates you could go with. I chose the street rates, as it is not spending a lot of time a the track. The other rates used by others were 650/500 for light track use and 600/325 for semi aggressive street.
The parts were ordered from USA, so the price was low and competitive.
Labour wasn't too bad and all up I think it cost me about $1450 AUD materials and labour.
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Feedback.
It is better, yes. But it does take a while to get used to as it is way stiffer and race-track like now. Your whole body jumps off the seat when you go over a half decent bump anything over 70kmp/h. Takes a few drives for it to 'bed in'.
It really brings out the track car in the Soarer that was dying to get out. It corners with very little body roll and goes basically where you want it to. It is much more predictable under boost especially when the tail decides it wants to be free.
As suspension is an integral part of any moving machine, more so a modified/fast car, it is critical that it works and works well. The Gixxer drew set up gives the chassis a rigid base, gives the driver more confidence through improved handling which should all contribute to a safer driving experience.
Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 09:05 pm, by: Lloyd Roberts(Lloydulation)
Hi Jay,
I have the same set up. The gixxer drew is awesome! I did do a write up about it with pics somewhere on here.
I found that it took weeks to really settle in but I don't do much driving in the soarer. I think the 500/250 spring rates are perfect for the street too.
Ben Lipman Goo Roo SA Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car
Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 02:24 am, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
I looked at this quite seriously for the road car, but since getting the race car I have focussed all my energy on it. (no need to compromise on a race car- much easier)
There is pages and pages on it on the US supraforums.
Monday, April 15, 2013 - 11:12 am, by: James Vinton(Jamesv)
Anyone here who is running this set-up and ordered the parts from USA, was shipping ridiculously expensive on the shocks?
I'm putting an order through shox.com now and received a quote from the website of more than $600 but the parts (bilstein shocks and sleeves) were only $668.
seems to negate the savings buying from USA if shipping doubles the cost.
Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 05:13 pm, by: Jay Asghari(8pack)
Lloyd Yes I wrote this thread not long after I installed the set up. I also found that it took over a month, maybe a bit longer for it to fully bed in. But then again I only drive the TT prob 2 times a week max.
Ben - If you are going for a race car, go the race set up spring rates, way stiffer yet better suited to track use.
Jack - Yes I ordered all parts from USA. Yes I used the sites on the supra forum however SHOX.com did not have the parts I needed from them so I went another company for those bump stops.
James - I cannot recall how much I paid for shipping on the shocks however that does seem very steep. There are a fair few USA online shops see if you have any luck if not, i'll write you up who I ended up going through