Hey guys, I finally installed my Illumina's from the GD, props to Blackcat from coming out to help and providing the spring compressor, it was finally warm enough to do it. I was previously running the Eibach Pro's with stock SE struts and shocks for over 1 year with no blow outs! I must say the procedure was pretty easy, I had the old fronts and rears out in 1.5hrs at a leisurely pace. Blackcat arrived just in time with the spring compressor and we had the whole thing back together in less than 3 hrs taking our time. I'm a little choked at the shop who previously installed the Eibachs with my stock stuts as one of them was upside down, I don't think it was a big deal being the front but the rears it would have been as they are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The Illuminas ride beautifully, I currently have my fronts on "2" and rears on "3" and it's a really comfortable ride, but wow what a huge improvement in handling I also tried some stiffer settings and even then it wasn't like bricks! stiff! but great for such as autocross. I'd high recommend spending the extra $$ to get the adjustables.I'm getting my alignment done in a couple of days, found a guy to do it for $55 Canadian.... cheap! Pics are on the link below on my domain, and thanks to the stickies for the torque specs and great pics of the process. I can't say enough of a special thanks to Blackcat for the help, which made it a much more enjoyable experience! I owe him one!


Tokico install pics!

 

Looks Great.

GoodJob!

 

Andrew, thanks for the kudos! I had fun helping you out!
No funds for Illuminas so I'll have to make do with the Konis. Also, I'll have to get you to do the auto X with me this coming September at Boundary Bay!

 

Aren't illumina's cheaper than koni's?

 

very sweet. btw i like your hood strut. that's a huge pieca wood. Why can't they get the dang hood strut geometry right?!
Jae

 

That may be so, but the illumina's ride quality is more to my tastes. The Konis seem more suited to autoX IMO.

 

Oh, you have them already?

 

MAXRB8 and I test drove each other's cars: his with the Eibach/illuminas and mine with the CMS/Konis. I liked the Eibach/illumina ride better.

 

LOL Actually I had the rear end jacked a little higher and after about ten mins in that position k'bam the hood slams down! Good thing I didn't have any tools under there, that would have sucked to dent the hood. Gotta love those hunks-a-wood, used them for front end jackstands too as I only had two jackstands. Could have done one end first then the other, but I wanted to have as much done as possible to save time for when Blackcat arrived. And when the guys supercharged you don't have to wait long!! LOL

 

Great deal for me! ... I got to drive supercharged!

 

Andrew, I have the Eibachs with GR2's and I feel like im doing the cross country thing everyday. Can't wait to put on some Illuminas. Thanks for the recommendation

 

looks good man, hows the ride compared to stock SE? harder softer?

 

Gosh, its been a loong time since I rode on stock SE springs. I test drove dayglo's 5spd ES model recently and I think that it might have been on SE springs. Anyways it felt very similar to the Eibachs/illuminas at the "2" setting.

 

I have the Eibach/Illumina setup too. I love it. It handles great. I like them b/c are not too low as to swerve for every crack in the road but no more 4x4 look.

 

Both! That's the beauty of adjustables, I think on long highway trips it's probably nice to go supersoft, I like the "2" front and "3" rear for the daily commuting stuff and crank em up for Autocross, which I think I'll take Blackcat up on his offer and give it a try. The range on Illumina's is 1 thru 5. I know there was a second GD going on these and at $408 shipped you just can't beat it.