Advice on Handling for a tC.

[Soulbane]

I had to trade in my 02 WRX that I've worked on for 3 years, to get something more economical.

Though I'm not a big fan of power, I am a huge fan of handling. Auto-X and sanctioned track and touge is a large part of me.

I imagine, the biggest thing I will miss from my WRX, is an increased redline, AWD, and the LSD's.

Aside from I/H/E and the LW Pulleys, all my modifications are aimed for handling purposes.

I've never had experience with the tC in the handling department, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I was thinking of tower strut bars to stiffen the car up, and a larger rear sway bar with upgraded end-links to reduce the natural understeer of FF cars. On top of a front LSD to provide optimal power distribution, my largest inquiry would be in the stock strut set up.

Would a fully adjustable coilover set up be necessary for this process? If I need to purchase a camber kit, and other adjustables in order to maintain positive alignment, I figure the investment in a fully adjustable coilover kit would be worthwhile.

While power is mildly a concern, handling and cornering is everything to me.

Oh, and are the stock dimensions of the tC wheels 17x7.5? or 17x8? Or dreadfully 17x7?

I'm coming from 17x8's from AWD on Yokohama ADVAN AO46 235/40's, so I have a feeling I'm in for a very rude awakening.

Thanks for everything in advance.

[navylife59]

If your looking to hit the road with a true track setup then aftermarket coilovers, LSD, plus a few goodies are what ya need. If you just want to outcorner the next guy then a good set of lowering springs, upgraded swaybars, and a front strut bar will be all ya need.

I have found that just replacing the springs, changing the rear swaybar (only), rear adjustable camber links, and a good front strut bar is all ya need on the street. As far as the rear chassis stiffening products out there, well, let's just say that some are very imaginative. I just picked up some Energy Suspension polyurethane control arm, and full rear suspension bushings. I am going to drop those in with my Hypermax RS coilovers and one-off chassis upgrades so you might see me on the track soon.

Read up on this sticky for more info on suspension upgrades.

[Soulbane]

Thanks for the response.

I suppose the stock Rims, and dimensions thereof, will be sufficient to cope with the power threshold of a I/H/E set up, so I guess I'll just get new tires.

The LSD and Coilovers will be the most expensive part, but dollar for dollar, I'd have to say the rear sway bar is the best deal you can get.

I suppose springs anbd the rear adjustable camber links will be the first order of business. ALong with the sway bar of course.

[navylife59]

Sorry, yes the tires are 17x7. You can get 18x8 in there with the right offset. Front strut bar is a good, cheap, and easy install.

[ac3 b00gi3]

my choice would be:

LSD
GRIPPY & STICKY TIRES
COILOVERS
F & R SWAY BARS
F & R STRUT BARS

any car will handle like a dream

[carboncrazytc]

yeah i went with with tien pillow top coilovers hotchkins front and rear sway amd greddy front and rear strut and bf goodrich g force tires and the trd lsd. the first thing i would do is swap out those crapahama tires lol.

[ac3 b00gi3]

lollol .. only u Evan .. "CRAPAHAMA"
I was doin some reading
and came across the brand
JIC Magic .. every web site
that has these coilovers seem to be
the most expensive for the tC

[carboncrazytc]

just one of my little touches lol I've seen those coilovers I read an article about them in import tuner they compared them to the tien ss coilovers they said tien were better all around

[ac3 b00gi3]

o really ??
hmm okay .. im gunna compare
them

[carboncrazytc]

too bad you dont live closer lol you could come down here and i could let you drive mine.

[ac3 b00gi3]

i kno rii
damn NY
the roads are terrible
when i get rich i'll make a few trips
around the world .. i'll come down to Tennesse

[Soulbane]

Does TRD offer a front LSD for the tC that doesn't void the warranty?

[ac3 b00gi3]

i dunno about warranty
but TRD sparks sells the LSD
Sparks Toyota
don't forget to by the installation kit also
Sparks Toyota

[carboncrazytc]

yeah the dealer offers it so it doesnt void the warranty but it is pricey from them i think it is close to 2,000 installed : ( or a little more..

[ac3 b00gi3]

its like $1244 with the kit and everything
and i was being charged around $600 for installation

[carboncrazytc]

thats better than what i thought ! is that fromt he dealer?

[ac3 b00gi3]

nah
where i'm gettin my kit installed
they work with mechanics from different car
companies

- Benz
- Toyota
- Mitsubishi
- Subaru

and a few others .. they get into the REALLY DEEP & complicated
aspects of installing dealer parts .. my boy can do it if he REALLY wanted to
but some stuff gets REALLY intense and these guys know it like the back of there hand
plus lil trix & short cuts

the toyota guy sed it'll cost around sixish
gotta save my pennies

[hotrice]

hey there saw questions about suspension. i went with a set of hotchkis springs trd rear sway bar, greedy strut bar and bridgestone re070 potenza tires the ones that come off the new sti and i was whooping nasty on alot of guys on the track. i had to same plan as you suspension suspension suspension.

[carboncrazytc]

imo.. i was never a big fan of potenzas my friend has them on his cobra and he absolutely hates them but thats way off topic but another set of good tires in my opinion are the new nitto tires