JZS160: A couple of questions before I install my coil overs

Ok, the car is a GS400. I have Tein NA coilovers modified with Intrax springs. I have new tie-rods and ball joints to be installed with the coilovers. The main question I have is on Club Lexus alot of people cut the bump stops or shave them down to an inch. There's a little bit of info on the topic but it seems like there are conflicting reports on how to do it. There's also people who drill into the top of the coilover mount for more clearence. I'm going to be driving the car slammed, and I mean hammered, I want to do this right the first time. 

Besides installing new ball joints and tie rods, what else needs to be done to insure a correct installation?

Thanks! 

- Grundel

[QUOTE=Green Grundel;144991]Ok, the car is a GS400. I have Tein NA coilovers modified with Intrax springs. I have new tie-rods and ball joints to be installed with the coilovers. The main question I have is on Club Lexus alot of people cut the bump stops or shave them down to an inch. There's a little bit of info on the topic but it seems like there are conflicting reports on how to do it. There's also people who drill into the top of the coilover mount for more clearence. I'm going to be driving the car slammed, and I mean hammered, I want to do this right the first time. 

Besides installing new ball joints and tie rods, what else needs to be done to insure a correct installation?

Thanks! 

- Grundel[/QUOTE]

You can cut the bump stops...most people do...just use a razor blade...never heard of drilling the top mounts to get more of a drop though...a 17mm (or was it a 14mm) swivel head socket will save you a lot of time...and don't forget the loc-tite.

people cut the bump stop because they use springs with stock shocks to compensate for the shock travel.  If your using coilovers, the springs and the shocks are matched together..

But since you modified your coilover...hmm im stuck! I think! haha...but maybe you should be ok because you have an aftermarket shock?!?

with regards to the drilling, its the wheel well (I dont know if this is the right term) I believe that you are talking about.  people cut a hole so that the ball joint will not hit the wheel well (again I dont know if its the correct term).  It will actually show on your engine bay the hole and your ball joint will sneaky sneaky there.

Correct me if I am wrong, but those are what I have read and learned..but then again I could be wrong again! haha

Good luck!

ahh...drilling a whole on the top of the wheel wells, not the top mount...
 
i wouldn't drill/cut unless you take some scrap sheet metal and reweld everything back together...take a hammer and bang the shit out of it...it'll give you a little more clearence...

Yeah, drilling that hole..

I have seen people do is that they drill the hole and then they use a cap or some sort to cover from dirty and etc.

and they reweld it around.

Thanks for the info!

Is there a pic of the hole? I can't seem to find one. I'm having a shop do this so I want to be able to provide them with a picture or 2 so they get it right. Thanks!

No no. 

You bought those RA off some dude on CL right?

did you put them in yet? And why are you going to cut the bumpstops? 

People on CL aren't low enough for needing to cut the shock tower for clearance.

My sideskirts are like 3.5" (the front of the skirt) off the ground. I have just BARELY enough clearance. 

If you want to do it right, I suggest just throw the RA on your car, and see how low it is, if you don't like it, sell the coilovers. Cutting the bumpstops will just mangle the shocks later by allowing more travel, and blowing out the shocks.

^ Yessur!

I wasn't going to cut the bumpstops cause I thought it would make me lower, I was going to cut them because I thought it was necessary to avoid parts from beating on each other. If thats the case then i'll just throw these on and be done with it. I'm sure they'll be low enough. Thanks for the info!