Does upgrading stock struts/shocks to Tokiko HP's make any sense? I heard somewhere that Tokiko makes the oem struts/shocks, so will I be buying basically the same product? Will I notice any changes with the HP's?

 

This is from their web site.

 

anyone with experience?

 

I believe HPs are fine with moderate drops.... I actually had em with Progress springs and they worked out pretty well although in terms of ride quality and improved handling, but they didn't damper those springs as well as the Illuminas do. Most people have found that HPs with H&Rs, Maxspeeds, etc are a pretty nice ride and handling is still much better than stock.

See here as well, if ya haven't already:

http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/sp..._decision.html

 

i am looking to change my struts/sprints. what/who are HP and H&R?

 

HPs = Tokico HP or Blues struts

H&R = H&R springs

See the link I posted above for some required reading on struts/springs.

 

is it worth to pay the extra money to have adjustable rebound ratios? i am considering HP Blues or Illuminas. if blues are stock replacement, does that mean compression/rebound ratios are the same, or ride height as well? i though there was a drop with these.

 

I believe (but not exactly certain) that the HPs have a slightly stiffer compression ratio than the OEM struts. The word on the .Org is that they're 10% stiffer. Ride height should not be any different since its the springs that drop the car, not the struts/shocks.

As for whether adjustability is worth it, well it really depends on what you're trying to accomplish. Lower drops definitely would do well with adjustables since you'd need to find the appropriate damping for the springs so as not to have an overly bouncy or harsh ride and prevent bottoming out. If you're gonna road race, auto-x, or even drag race, then adjustables are nice so ya can change the settings for daily driving and for when you're at the track. Also, if you're big into ride comfort, adjustables give ya the benefit of being able to tweak it until you're happy. If you're gonna just set the struts to a stock-like setting and never change it, then just get HPs.

Btw, if possible, I'd suggest finding some local .Org members with the HPs and Illuminas and checking out their rides.... have em drive ya around or something... that's a good way to tell if you're gonna be satisfied with the HPs or if ya want the flexibilityof the Illuminas.

 

thanks puppetmaster. this is the info i was looking for. this is my first car that i started doing more serious modding with, and my first venture into suspension changes.

 

Thanks for the help. The HP's sound good since I was planning on going with H&R springs. I decided the Illuminas really werent for me because I really didnt need the adjustability.