Help with Tokico blue suspension kit on fwd!

[jacobevan611]

I am posting here becasue it will not let me post in the handling tech.

I have been saving my money along time and I plan on buying the tokico blue hp suspension kit. At first I was just going to buy the eibach pro kit but I learned that I would need to buy new struts as well as springs because the stock ones can blow out due to the increased stiffness of the springs. I later learned that the key to getting a stiffer, better handling ride is not only due to better springs but also better shocks. Before I buy the tokico blue kit I have some questions.

1. Is this set up overall good? (I'm not downgrading right?)(anyone have/had it?) (likes/dislikes?)
2. Will there be a noticible difference is cornering and handling? (how much stiffer?)
3. Does anybody know of the struts breaking, things going wrong etc?
4. Will I be okay with a bolt and washer camber kit in the rear and an alignment?(I just got new tires and I don't want to ruin them)

Anything else that I should know please tell me because I really do not want to waste my money. thanks.

 

[tegster1]

I have this kit and just installed it last fall. Cornering is definitely better and everything feels quite a bit stiffer and not as much rolling which is good. I cant say about anything breaking as I have only had it on for a little while but I also just used the washer camber mod in the back and its doing just fine so far. The newer pics I have are with the blues installed. I first just installed the fronts as I was waiting for the right time for the rears and that was a huge improvement over stock. Plus, to me, the stance/ride height is perfect. I cant compare to any other suspension kits but its definitely an improvement over stock

 

[Fotowntalon]

correct me if i am wrong, but i believe the reason you would need new struts with eibach is because the eibach springs are lower, so by that you would need new struts with Tokico if those springs are shorter than stock (lower your car).

 

[kergilman]

I reciently installed the Tokico HP blues and stock springs w/o any lowering. The ride is not stiff and very similar to when this car was brand-new. The cornering is a little stiffer then stock. I like them.

 

[jacobevan611]

thanks alot tegster1! Where did you get your kit? And how many washers did you end up using in the back?

And Fotown talon your getting confused . The reason you have to replace the struts with eibach springs is because there stiffer than stock, not because there lower. Also It is a suspension kit it comes with springs and struts it is not just springs.

 

[Locke]

I have the Tokico HP shock + spring combo and DIY rear camber kit. The ride is a great improvement, (much stiffer, but not uncomfortable or inconvenient) the handling is noticeably improved, and the stance is nice. ~1.5" drop after settling, all the way around, for me. Quality is good, they won't break.

Tokico spring rate = 285/160 lbs/in
2gb FWD OEM spring rate = 246/151 lbs/in

Don't rely on other peoples shim spacing; I installed mine as thick as another Wiseman here, and ended up removing most of the shims. Take the vehicle to an alignment shop immediately after lowering it.

 

[quiksilver38]

I am posting here becasue it will not let me post in the handling tech.

I have been saving my money along time and I plan on buying the tokico blue hp suspension kit. At first I was just going to buy the eibach pro kit but I learned that I would need to buy new struts as well as springs because the stock ones can blow out due to the increased stiffness of the springs. I later learned that the key to getting a stiffer, better handling ride is not only due to better springs but also better shocks. Before I buy the tokico blue kit I have some questions.

1. Is this set up overall good? (I'm not downgrading right?)(anyone have/had it?) (likes/dislikes?)
2. Will there be a noticible difference is cornering and handling? (how much stiffer?)
3. Does anybody know of the struts breaking, things going wrong etc?
4. Will I be okay with a bolt and washer camber kit in the rear and an alignment?(I just got new tires and I don't want to ruin them)

Anything else that I should know please tell me because I really do not want to waste my money. thanks.

what lowering spring are you going to use with the blues? also i would highly recommend a master kit from prothane to replace all the suspension bushings, and yes if you lower the car you have to camber the front and rear, its easy just get longer upper control arm bolts and some washers. i have pics of my 2g FWD dsm with tokico blues, eibach prokit and prothane bushings installed let me see if i can find them...

 

[jacobevan611]

Thanks locke you are a ton of help around this site. So it's not neccesary to fix the camber in the front or is it just so little of a change that it doesnt affect anything? Also to quicksilver38 once again it is a COMBO KIT it comes with springs and shocks, so I plan on running the springs it comes with.

 

[Locke]

It's not necessary to correct the camber in the front with the drop that the Tokico springs provide, it could actually use the camber up there if you enjoy taking some high speed turns. Tire wear from the camber does exist, but is minimal. Sticking to a tire rotation schedule will help. Installing a front camber kit and straightening the wheel will enhance tire wear. Fixing the toe will be necessary.

I've been on the same Falken 512's (Performance all-season) for a couple years and they are fine. I have no front camber kit.

 

[jacobevan611]

Yeah I just got bf goodrich supersports 1 week ago so I definately do not want premature tire wear. Should I fix the rear camber with diy washer kit right after I install the springs and struts or should I get an alignment first? Or does it not matter either way? Also about how much does an alignment cost? Thanks again.

 

[jacobevan611]

One other thing... Where did you get your tokico blues because I'm trying to find the best price. At first I was going to order them of cimotorsports for 400 but I found them on ebay for 370 shipped so as of right now thats what i'm going to do.

 

[Locke]

I purchased mine on eBay. I don't remember how much, but it was similar to what you just posted.

You can have the alignment shop install the camber kit for you during the alignment, or you can install it yourself (and make an educated guess as to the number of shims required) while you have the rear shocks and springs out. I'd shoot for a self-install with an educated guess (try about 3/8" - 1/2" of shims) and let the shop go from there, but it doesn't really matter much as long as you get the alignment immediately.

A race shop did a computerized alignment on mine for $65, including correcting the camber kit. Sears wanted something along the lines of $110 (because of the camber kit - extra labour) and the local alignment shop wanted even more.

 

[tegster1]

I got mine from a member on here for a good price. It was close to the $370 though so thats not a bad deal. I did nothing to the front and just guessed on the back with the washers and everything came close to the numbers I wanted (of which are also on here under the street low-wear setup).

I had to get tires at the same time which is why I waited to install the rears so I could get the alignment done only once. I bought my tires at tirediscounters and I made sure I could either bring the car back to add some washers or adjust there for free and they said that was okay.

 

[jacobevan611]

I am confused about how you know how many washers to use. Is there a way of checking camber or do you just eye ball it and if your tires looks straight you call it a day? And Locke are you saying that the shop will add or subtract washers to make it perfect?

 

[RoninEclipse2G]

I am confused about how you know how many washers to use. Is there a way of checking camber or do you just eye ball it and if your tires looks straight you call it a day? And Locke are you saying that the shop will add or subtract washers to make it perfect?

I put the car on the ground and use a bubble level with a degree marker to show my camber angle. bought it at home depot for relatively cheap years ago

 

[jacobevan611]

Thanks RoninEclipse2g! Does anybody know of any other ways? Also, can the shop install the washers when doing the alignment?

 

[Locke]

The shop can install them while doing the alignment, yes. Erik's method works as well, being sure the vehicle is on a level surface.

 

[jacobevan611]

So any shop can do it? Like big o tires or places like that? And if I have the shop do it will they supply the bolts and washers or will I have too?

 

[RoninEclipse2G]

The shop can install them while doing the alignment, yes. Erik's method works as well, being sure the vehicle is on a level surface.

Good catch, I forgot to mention that part

 

[jacobevan611]

So any shop can do it? Like big o tires or places like that? And if I have the shop do it will they supply the bolts and washers or will I have too?

Anyone got answers to this?

 

[RoninEclipse2G]

If you're doing the homebrew bolts/washers for your rear camber, most shops will NOT provide these parts, and in most cases they will not do that part at all. They usually just adjust the eccentric bolt on the upper control arm.

You'll most likely have to do the bolts/washers yourself. The idea is to get it close enough that the camber can be fine tuned with the eccentric.

 

[Locke]

The race shop that did my alignment adjusted the shim count (washers) for me until it was spot on, at which point toe came back in to perfect spec as well and they did not have to mess with any eccentrics back there. I suppose it depends on the alignment shop. Have you tried calling local shops and asking?

 

[RoninEclipse2G]

Yeah, a race shop would probably do that, but your average JoeBlow tire shop won't.

really good race shops don't even believe in alignment racks, they use the strings and measuring method.

 

[jacobevan611]

Thanks everyone. I guess after I get the kit installed i'll use the level to determine if the camber is good, and then i'll take it to the shop to get the alignment.

 

[Doubleot]

Sorry to thread jack but...I'm going threw the same problem.
I have a 96 Awd talon and I want to get the Tokico blues as well except I was thinking of going with Skunk2 Coilover sleeve kit and just ride stock height until I have a chance to buy a camber kit.
Anyone agree disagree?