I have a 97 SE with 185,000 miles still going on factory struts and springs. I would like to have a smoother ride but was wondering which provide the smoothest ride on stock se springs....the HP's or Illuminas? I have read that the Illuminas become stiff in cold weather. Is this true and for those of you with Hp's, do they stiffen up in cold weather also? Thanks in advance.

 

well, i live in nj and plan to pick up some illuminas and eibach springs so tell me how it comes out! nj gets some pretty nasty winters... and if you get the illumina's and the stiffen up, you can just throw them to a mushier setting!

 

The Illuminas ride awsome on the stock springs. Blues ride very nice as well. If you'd like to customize your ride's ride, get the Illuminas. You can dial in a very smooth caddy like ride, and in less then 2 minutes you can change it to a sport sedan. Personally I like a little more control for the rear beam so I set my rears one setting firmer then the front. It's small adjustments like that which make them worth every penny. Plus they come with a lifetime warranty.

 

I have just purchased a 97 Max SE and I intend to replace the shocks/struts and springs. I have conducted an exhaustive research on which combination is the best and why. I would definitely go with the Tokico Illumina which cost about $100.00 more and would consider replacing the springs at the same (about another $110.00) Tokico has a suspension kit which is being sold and it includes the springs. Please note that the combo from the same manufacturer is the best( based on my research) so I would suggest you stick with this combo as opposed to say Eibach springs and Tokico Struts. This combo is readily available on ebay. Good Luck!

 

From what I have read and researched, the package CE sells with the Illumias and their springs are supposed to be great for handling and comfort. Here is the link below. Unless it is really "their" spring that they have created, I am not sure of the name brand that comes in the kit. I know they list "perfomance" springs, but it doens't say which ones comes in the kit. Can anyone claify this in there illumina kit they offer? If anyone can let me know their opinions on that steup from experience I would appreciate it.

http://www.customenterprise.com/view.../vts/design017

 

Thanks for the feedback. Is there anyone who has or has had the HP's? Was wondering how the HP's compared to the Illuminas on the softest setting. Thanks again

 

i believe www.vqpower.com did a review on it and said the match up was pretty good. good drop, good handling, and decent ride.

i would recommend going with the illuminas if you go with stock springs. if you decide to go with lower springs, the shocks will last a lot longer as with the HPs are only meant for a stock replacement. they will work just as well but IMO i would spend the extra money to get that exta adjustability.

 

I think I've heard people in here say HPs = Illuminas set on 2

 

Thanks. Have you heard how the HPs hold up in colder weather?

 

Well, this is the second winter driving with the Illuminas and yeah, they do get stiffer, but they are nowhere near as bad as my old KYB AGX's, that's for sure. Even though they get stiffer, I still can't bring myself to going lower than 3 front/ 2 rear, as the extra bouncing is really annoying to me. I was also thinking that (and correct me if i'm wrong) but no one ever seems to mention the possibilty that the springs might also get stiffer in really cold weather.

And really cold weather is a pretty relative term. To me, it's anytime it goes below -20 C (that's -4 Fahrenheit if you're not sure).

Any real life cold definitions out there? Like, when your **** freezes BEFORE it hits the ground? Walking around with icicles hanging off your chin? Getting into the MAX and hearing the seat go crunch?

 

well, I'm riding on Illumina's but don't drive a Max. It's true that the suspension stiffens up in the cold. Actually, I've felt the hp blues and they feel more like a 3 instead of a 2 on the Illuminas. Don't know if the difference in weight of our cars makes a difference, but I drive an mx6 (2600lbs). I say go the extra mile on things like suspension and handling. It's only about $150 more for the Illuminas as opposed to the blues. Adjustability is what makes it 10x better.

 

Adjustability makes the Illumina's the wise choice. I too run the back 1 setting stiffer, for a tighter back end and because my wheels rub when the back of the car drops.

 

Theres alot of good info here. I'm ordering my Illuminas next week and didnt they got stiffer like that in the cold. I'm on maxspeeds and stock struts right now and the bumps dont feel to good so I cant wait to get these struts.

 

there probably won't be much of a difference