New convertible! Woo! (Now about that cowl shake...)
by TripleBlack » Wed Jun 14, 2006 2:44 pm
I've wanted this car for as long as Toyota's been making 'em, and now I finally have one. Mine's an '02 SLE. I feel pretty good about that. I bought it from a dealer instead of private party, so I probably paid too much, but it's absolutely fully loaded and in really excellent condition, so what the heck, right? Plus, since I wanted "triple black" (black seats, paint, and roof) and that's what this was, it all just seemed to fall into place.
Okay, that said, I've been poking around this forum the past week and I've learned a couple of interesting things. Thanks for that. However, I'd have to say the one thing I learned the most is that you all LOVE telling people to search. Well, take it from me - someone who has done nothing here except search - that's pretty annoying. I do a search for a topic and all I find are other people asking the same question who are being told to search. It's like, jeez, I AM searching! But anyway, I digress...
That aside, there is one topic that I definitely haven't found any info about. I'd like to stiffen up the ride of my convertible a little. Now, I know when you own a convertible that cowl shake is just part of the package. This is my third. I also know that Solara's have less than most (unless you've got the cash to be shopping in a different class) but still... I bet there's room for improvement. There's ALWAYS room for improvement.
What about different strut braces? Are there after market products which are bigger, stiffer, stronger? And, do they make a noticable difference? What about sway bars? I know TRD makes some, and obviously those will stiffen up the handling, but what (if anything) do they do for cowl shake? As for lowering the car, that's about the LAST thing I would want to do. I'm not looking for a stiffen ride in terms of handling (I didn't buy a sports car - or a coupe - and I'm not going to pretend like I did). I need those four corners to soak up as much impact as possible. The goal here is to minimize the effects of the bumps which make it past that first line of defense.
Am I correct in understanding that the 2nd Gen Solaras have an X-brace bolted to the frame? I think I saw a post someplace which mentioned that brace was tighten-able. Obviously, owning a 1st Gen, my car does not have such a thing, but is anything similar available after-market? I've been Googling, but I haven't found anything.
Okay, that said, I've been poking around this forum the past week and I've learned a couple of interesting things. Thanks for that. However, I'd have to say the one thing I learned the most is that you all LOVE telling people to search. Well, take it from me - someone who has done nothing here except search - that's pretty annoying. I do a search for a topic and all I find are other people asking the same question who are being told to search. It's like, jeez, I AM searching! But anyway, I digress...
That aside, there is one topic that I definitely haven't found any info about. I'd like to stiffen up the ride of my convertible a little. Now, I know when you own a convertible that cowl shake is just part of the package. This is my third. I also know that Solara's have less than most (unless you've got the cash to be shopping in a different class) but still... I bet there's room for improvement. There's ALWAYS room for improvement.
What about different strut braces? Are there after market products which are bigger, stiffer, stronger? And, do they make a noticable difference? What about sway bars? I know TRD makes some, and obviously those will stiffen up the handling, but what (if anything) do they do for cowl shake? As for lowering the car, that's about the LAST thing I would want to do. I'm not looking for a stiffen ride in terms of handling (I didn't buy a sports car - or a coupe - and I'm not going to pretend like I did). I need those four corners to soak up as much impact as possible. The goal here is to minimize the effects of the bumps which make it past that first line of defense.
Am I correct in understanding that the 2nd Gen Solaras have an X-brace bolted to the frame? I think I saw a post someplace which mentioned that brace was tighten-able. Obviously, owning a 1st Gen, my car does not have such a thing, but is anything similar available after-market? I've been Googling, but I haven't found anything.
- TripleBlack
- Regular SolaraGuy Member
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:20 pm
- Location: Wayne, NJ
I'd try a Rear Sway Bar. That will stiffen without lowering
