Tokico Setup

[ShadowXAlpha]

For a while i was looking at getting a Tien Flex system for my car, but after alot of thinking, at this current point in time, it would be impractical for me. Ive noticed that Tokico makes a spring shock combo... in both the HP Blue, and Illumina series... Would it really be an advantage if i went with the Illumina series? Ive seen and read alot of posts on that i should get the Koni Yellows with GC's But honestly, i really dont care for those. I have heard that Tokico's are really nice... am i wrong?


Thanks

Rob

 

[dsm_illicious]

I've been using basic Tokico HPs (or blues) with H&R Sport Springs for about 2 years and the ride is excellent. I spend most of my time in the city and the setup handles the punishment well. I also fly through the twisty mountains and I have little to no feedback really. A buddy of mine has the FLEX system on his car and it's good if you want to take advantage of the EDFC...but I have another buddy who has the Basic system on his ride and it handles pretty damn good as well...But I think your on the right path to not invest into the FLEX kit...check out the Basics.

What's your driving style anyway? And what kind of roadways will you be facing?

 

[ShadowXAlpha]

Im not even sure if i have a driving style...

I live in wisconsin... and in some places, roads suck, in others they are smooth as butter... but in a good way...

So yea... Not really sure how else to explain it...

 

[97eclipseRS]

spend the extra money and get the illumina setup. ive had it on my car for 6 months and trust me, it is awesome. the car handles like a dream and the ride is pretty good. the install isnt that bad either, providing you have someone who knows what their doing helping you out and youve got a spring compressor.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

the illuminas are the way to go if you want a little adjustability. they adjust both compression and rebound. and you can rent a spring compressor.


jim

 

[taylorspl]

I had the Illuminas on my last DSM and I thought they were way too soft, but they were a ton better than stock and they did make the ride nice. I guess I'm tainted from hanging around drift kids that spend what their car is worth in suspension just to crash into stuff. If I do it again I'm either going Koni Sport/GC or a full coilover setup.

 

[2gturbo99]

i have the illuminas with eibach sportline springs. i dont really like the ride. i feel every bump. ajustments i feel are either too hard of too soft. maybe you might like them though

 

[ShadowXAlpha]

Ok, So i will more than likely go with the Tokico Illiminas... i dont need anything more fancy, and it seems as if those will be ok for these wonderful Wisconsin roads... Im also lookin to replace the suspension bushings. All the places i have read into them, that i should have a shop do them, but if im going to have the car appart as it is, id like to do them myself... is it difficult? Super hard? What about replacing the Engine mounts? Just figured id ask.

Thanks

Rob

 

[Rx3]

i have the illuminas with eibach sportline springs. i dont really like the ride. i feel every bump. ajustments i feel are either too hard of too soft. maybe you might like them though

Your problem is the sportline springs, not the Illuminas. Swap those springs out for Prokits and you will feel a major difference.

 

[2gturbo99]

i think i am gonna just go will a full coilover steup.but i will keep that in mind. any other springs u might be able to recommend that i can still maintain the same drop

 

[Nanan]

I ride on a set of Tokico Illumina shocks and Eibach Pro springs and I like the way it rides and handles, my GSX feels like a go-kart.

I have been playing with the settings and I think 3 is good for daily driving if you live in a northern state where the roads are as smooth as washboards. Went to go play with the SCCA I cranked em to setting 5 and the car just held the ground like no other.


Replacing the bushings is a PITA even if you have a press in your garage.

If you want to go factory replacements from mitsu it will cost an arm/leg/leftnut but the ride will be stock like.

If you go with energy/prothane it will be about $220 for all the bushings you need but the ride will beat your kidneys to death on rough roads.

 

[XMasta19]

I've been on the Tokico Advanced Handling Suspension Kit (illumina spring/shock combo) for almost a year now...BEST RIDE EVAR

 

[ShadowXAlpha]

Awsome guys, thanks for all the input, i really appreciate it. Im more than likely going to go with the Tokico Spring/shock combo. Not sure about the bushings yet... I have heard some people say it is a godsend... others... well... their kidneys cant take it, and neither can their balls... so im not sure at this point...

Later

Rob

 

[gsx951]

I wouldn't go with the Tokico when Koni is so much better and not much more money.
I've ran both on a 2G and it's Koni all the way.
RoadRace sells them for $540.00

 

[spades_gsx]

I wouldn't go with the Tokico when Koni is so much better and not much more money.
I've ran both on a 2G and it's Koni all the way.
RoadRace sells them for $540.00

what coilovers are those in the pic? how hard are coilovers to adjust all the way around?

 

[gsx951]

The sleeves and upper and lower spring seats are Koni. I did have to cut an additional snap ring groove in a lower position for the 8" spring. If you have a lathe and a parting tool, it's a 10 minute job to do all four.
http://www.truechoicekoniracingservices.com/TKRS_2005_Web_Catalog.pdf

Springs are Hypercoil 2 1/2" x 8"
http://www.eshocks.com/hyp_ind.asp?Subgroup=2.5+ID&Free_Length=8

The pillow ball mounts are from RRE.
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/camberplate.htm

I'm no expert on set-up, you're best off seaching posts from JToby, Dennis Grant and Sean Carron and lurking because that's what I do!

 

[ShadowXAlpha]

Dont get me wrong... Koni and GC, or any Coil setup sounds fantastic... but i have no use for a coilover setup, or any sort of ride height adjustment. Which is why i looked at the spring shock combo from Tokico, it was cheaper to get that instead of Tokico shocks, and Eibiach springs. Also, it sounds as if the spring shock combo matches the springs to the shock better, but then again, what do i know, im just an amateur at all of this, but i am learning. All info im receiving is fantastic. Not to sound too dumb... arent koni's 4 way adjustable? 1 less than Tokico... also, dont you have to take the shock off to adjust on Koni's?

Rob

 

[gsx951]

Rob, your car is a 2G, so the Koni adjusts from the top with a knob.
Koni comes stock with a fixed perch that sits on a snap ring in the housing. The coil-over is an option that I chose because I am goofy. Come winter, I'll jack this car up and mount Nokian Hakkapelliita 1 snows and blast through snow drifts...
There is no comparison between Koni and Tokico, really.