Review of Tokico Illumina Suspension Kit....

[Chadillac2000]

Ordered the Tokico Springs, Tokico Illumina Shocks combo package off of ebay for $465 shipped which was one hell of deal since i couldn't find just the shocks for that price at most places. Since I live in North Carolina and the package originated in Anaheim, CA the delivery time was a little bit over a week, but no big deal, the package was 47 pounds so the delivery time was fine, and shipping was only 15 bucks so a week was satisfactory. Got the box and opened it up, found the very nice looking powdercoated red springs, and the bright white illumina adjustables.
Everything out of the package...

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Installation was pretty straight forward, just take out the old shocks and springs and replace them with the new ones. Went to Autozone before the install and bought a pair of springs compressors just to be safe, they were like 28 bucks, but worth it imo. These shocks and springs only used a few parts from the old assembly including dust boot, bumpstop (which i trimmed 1/3 all the way around). Bolted everything up with no problems, had heard problems of rusted bolts, but using electric and air tools all old bolts came off with no problems. Each shock and spring took maybe 45 minutes, and the whole install was done within 4 hours. Snapped the caps on the Illuminas and sent them to my desireable settings, and when I unjacked the car i could immediately tell the difference, gave the car a whole new aggressive stance, and got rid of all that wheel gap that i had with the new 18's. Lowered the car about 1.75 inches all the way around, and im sure they will settle a bit more, but im very happy with the height of the car, not unbearingly low but noticeably lower than stock. Can now fit barely two fingers in the wheel well of the front, and can fit three fingers in the back, not sure why the back is higher than the front but looks very nice so im not complaning.
Before the Tokicos and Rims, sitting on stock suspension and wheels...

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Sitting On Tokico Setup and 18's...

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As you can tell looks much better than the stock ride, and as far as the performance aspect goes, turns are 100x funner, have tried to squeal the tires and can't yet, sticky tires and the tokico package are very good combo. Have rode on both 1 and 5 settings, 5 is very stiff, but would do amazing for autocross or spirited driving, etc. When all four corners are sent to 1 the ride rivals that of the stock suspension. I was a bit skeptical at first with getting this combo because it was for such a low price on ebay, and i had heard that the prokit or other companies like H&R were the way to go, but for the price and performance, i highly reccomend this Tokico combo...

 

[daren_p]

I have the same setup on my GST, had them for about a year & I too would recommend them 100%. Shocks have a nice adjustability range & the drop is perfect for me, gets rid of most of the fender gap but not so low that you scrape on everything & still have some suspension travel. I picked these over the eibach models because I find with the Eibachs they make the car sit parallel to the ground & since the rear wheel well is smaller then the front it makes the back end look like its saggin abit, which the tokicos don't. Defently get from me.

 

[jtmcinder]

Any idea what the springrates are?

- Jtoby

 

[matt97gst]

I have the same setup on my GST, had them for about a year & I too would recommend them 100%. Shocks have a nice adjustability range & the drop is perfect for me, gets rid of most of the fender gap but not so low that you scrape on everything & still have some suspension travel. I picked these over the eibach models because I find with the Eibachs they make the car sit parallel to the ground & since the rear wheel well is smaller then the front it makes the back end look like its saggin abit, which the tokicos don't. Defently get from me.

Have clearance issues with your N-1?

 

[KPEclipse]

Yeah, I have really REALLY, been looking at this setup, and I'm glad you did a review for us on it...how tough is it to adjust them?

Like if I was to purchase this setup, which I think you have just convinced me to do, could I adjust them very easily from my house right before I go to the races/track? Also, I go to school in the middle of the city so you can imagine how sh!tty the roads are out here, so I def need a suspension upgrade, but when I drive home to the suburbs the roads are nice, so I'd adjust it for that. It looks great btw with your wheels and the suspension upgrade, plus I'm in love with your FMIC, wish I could afford one but it's not really on the list of things to do right now...

Anyway, good luck, and if you could answer my questions that'd be great.

 

[Chadillac2000]

KPEclipse, you have no idea how easy it is, you just twist the adjustment knob to what you want, literally takes like 30 seconds to change all 4 to your desired settings, very very very easy...

 

[KPEclipse]

do you use your hand or a tool?

 

[Chadillac2000]

your hand...and you dont have to reach under the car to adjust, the front two are under the hood, and the rear is in the hatch where the trunk is, takes like 2 seconds man

 

[daren_p]

Have clearance issues with your N-1?

Do you mean ground clearance? If so, nope no problems. Of course I don't go looking for large speed bumps but theres probably about 4" of clearance at the lowest spot.

Adjusting the shock is simple, they provide with a little tool that fits on ur keychain but any small slotted screwdriver will work. The adjustment spot is on the top of the shock.

 

[2GeNTSi]

I've had this setup for a while as well, I didn't cut the bumpstops though...which is probably why there wasn't that much a drop. I ride with the setting on three all around.

 

[daren_p]

I've had this setup for a while as well, I didn't cut the bumpstops though...which is probably why there wasn't that much a drop. I ride with the setting on three all around.

You should really cut the bump stops with these or any other lower spring as not doing so will reduce your suspension travel. Our cars don't have that much to start with

 

[MaNGiNa24]

I've had this setup for a while as well, I didn't cut the bumpstops though...which is probably why there wasn't that much a drop. I ride with the setting on three all around.

Like mentioned above, not cutting the bump stops won't have anything to do with your dropl those are your springs.

I've had these on my car for the past couple years and the only complaint I have is the surface rust and corrosion on each of the shocks on all 4 corners.

 

[Talon2z]

I'm ready to order this set-up on my Spyder GS-T. I having trouble deciding whether to go with GS-T springs or GSX. Anyone know the advantage or disadvantage of going either way on a Spyder? I can't seem to get a straight answer on this.

 

[2GeNTSi]

I guess my springs just settled unevenly because I don't usually drive around with passengers, my drivers side is quite a bit lower then the passenger side.

 

[Dan1997GST]

thanks for the review i was looking at that set for my 97 gst since its at LEAST 100 bucks cheaper than any other setup i was looking at.

did you need a chamber kit or did it align just fine?

 

[2GeNTSi]

After I installed it I needed only the backend camber kit (you can DIY it with some long bolts and thick washers) that I got off of RRE. I think after I got my tires did I need the front camber kit.

But to be sure bring it to a shop and check how out of spec your setup is and that way you can decide if you need any kit at all.

 

[Dan1997GST]

i am still using stock tires and rims, i guess i better get front and back chamber kits just in case when i order the set...can always return them afterwards if i dont need them, dont want to end up needing them and not having them around...

 

[Red97Eclipseboy]

I have the Illuminas on my car, too. I love them. Only thing I have different, though, is Skunk2 coil-overs. The shocks, however, are easy to adjust. Love them.

 

[madman]

Chadillac2000

Did you install a camber kit? How is your tire wear since you've had them?
I've heard of noticable change in performacne of the shocks over a couple months time, have you noticed any change since you put them on?

Thanks for the review.

Dennis

 

[sublime_ing]

I've had this kit on my car for the past year and it is dropped way too much for me. I got an ingalls camber kit for the front b/c my tires were wearing and the alignment shop said that they couldnt put it on b/c the tires would hit the fenders. As the car is now any nominal bump in the road and my upper control arms hit the inside of the fenders. I also hit my front bumper on everything. I'm ditching the springs for some H&R's or something that will raise the car up more, but still have good handling. BTW I am in Michigan, so if you live somewhere with better roads you prolly won't have a problem. The kit is great as far as handling goes.

 

[97gst_spyder]

Anyone know the spring rates? For GST and GSX?

 

[black_gst]

i had that same set up including the Tenzo passion five's , i liked it alot but i totaled that car and on my gsx build i went with K sports. i havent installed them yet but i have heard pretty good things

 

[stevestevesteve]

so here is what i wanted. does this kit come with springs as well? i wanted to give it a shot. but i wanted to drop it only about 1 inch, since the roads around me suck, and my school has stupid speed bumps everywhere. do i get the HP kit? or do i get the illumina kit?

Tokico Shocks for Mitsubishi - HP and Illumina for Eclipse Galant Starion

 

[97gst_spyder]

Anyone on the spring rates?

 

[Artago]

Any idea what the springrates are?

- Jtoby

Here you go.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/handling-tech/269175-tokico-illumina-combo-spring-rates.html

Slightly stiffer than stock.

Tom