Adi G. Wijaya

Hi all, I need a clarification about strut. Once I have read on someone’s thread, he mention that by installing Illumina=harsh. Is that correct?

I have stock strut + maxspeed now. The strut is in a good condition, but the ride is way too soft, and bottom out quite a bit.

Is by installing Tokico Blue will help? Since I read people seems to compare Illumina at 2nd dial is comparable to Tokico Blue. Need a clarification also on this one.

O yah before I forget, on that thread that I have read, that guy mention that whichever dial number you are on your Illumina, it is still harsh ride. I need that clarification guys.

Thanks, I appreciate all your help.

ddpack

It is always preferable to change struts when lowering, the stockers just don't last that long. Illuminas are much better than Blues (hence the bigger price tag), you can dial in the ride you want. I have Eibachs w/ Illuminas and am an old fart and I love the way my Max rides. My Illuminas ride great

NismoMaxm

wow dude, no offense but you are the oldest person so far that i have seen obsessed with maximas!! rock on.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Illuminas>AGX>GR-2>Blues

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

No, Illuminas aren't harsh, they are adjustable ride.

Setting 1, very plush and soft
Setting 5, very stiff and kind of harsh

I have maxspeeds, by the way, and 18" wheels...

I usually have my illuminas set on 3/4 front and 3 rear, except when autocrossing, I keep them at 4 rear, 5 front....

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

you are basing that on what? Doubt you owned all 4 sets on your Max

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

But I have read reviews and have rode in some of them(I know that springs change the ride also...). Unless you can prove to me that my list is wrong, that is the way it will be.

Also Koni will be up there with Illuminas and AGX, but I don't know if 5th gens can get them.

NYPD-Arnold

iTrader: (8)

Uhh..AGX and GR2s get pretty stiff during the winter time. And that's a fact. That alone puts them both behind the Blues. The Blues are basically Illuminas set to 3/3, so your list is downright wrong. I've felt every one of those struts. With the AGX ajdustability is not very easy, where as with the Illuminas there's absolutely nothing to do but just twisting a dial with a flat tip screw driver. The GR2s are absolute trash. Worst aftermarket strut I've ever felt.

Packetattack and I ride around in each other's cars often and we both agree our setups feel nearly identical. He has Illuminas (with H&Rs) set to 3/3, and I have Blues (Maxspeeds).

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

I wonder why everyone tells me Blues are trash then? I have GR-2's and they are not that bad. They do get harsh in the winter but it is not a huge difference. Blues DO NOT last long with a drop, any kind of drop. That is why I put them behind AGX and GR-2's.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?MaximaShocks

Everything that site says is prob wrong to you too....

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

Blues are not trash. I've been using blues w/ my Eibachs and S-Techs for few years now w/out any problems. They DO last.

I've had KYBs on my civic and they were horrible.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Maybe njmaxseltd(TOM) will come in this thread and clear things up. He has installed and ridden in just about every spring/strut combo there is.

NYPD-Arnold

iTrader: (8)

You do know that in late 2003 Tokico revised the HP Blues to withstand a drop of 1.5'' or less right? HP Blues *used* to be the worst aftermarket strut available, but that changed nearly 2 years ago. I know all about the early HP issues that Tokico was having (in fact, there are still some archived threads here that you can dig up). But those issues have been long revised, and the HP Blues of 2001, 2002 and 2003 are NOT the same Blues we have now.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Where did you get this info?

NYPD-Arnold

iTrader: (8)

From the org. I'm leaving now, but you can try and dig it up if you don't believe me.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

It is hard to believe someone who thinks 2 degrees of timing = 10hp

But I guess your right since Tokico sells there lowering spring combo with the Blues.

NYPD-Arnold

iTrader: (8)

Don't shoot the messenger. :P That's what I was told and thought it was accurate, but I forgot I came off of a 13-degree stock setup -- so I felt a huge difference going up 4.