I know there's been a ton of discussions about adjusting the Tokico Illumina's but I just thought I'd add one more. I see a lot of opinions on what the best settings are, but these can vary quite a bit, as there are a bunch of factors to consider. Factors such as tires, spring rate, piston travel, air temperature, and local road conditions are the main ones I can think of.

In the summer, it can vary between 10-30 C here. I've got stock 15 wheels, running stock 205/15/65 Yokohama Avid H4s all-season tires. Pretty comfortable, with a better than average life for the grip you get. Generic FSTB. I've got the Tokico springs and the Illumina struts, and along with the shortened KYB bumpstops in the front and rear, I've also got the no-longer-available Motivational mounts in the rear. The mounts, along with the shortened bumpstops, gives me back over an extra inch of piston travel, basically giving my backend almost the same amount of travel before I dropped it. I run 32 PSI in the front tires and 30 in the rear. The majority of roads that I drive on a regular basis are pretty decent, with some nasty sections here and there. So I find that setting the front Illumina's at 3 and and the rears at 2 work really nicely most of the time. Very little bounce, almost as comfortable as stock and just a bit of cornering roll. On really hot days (over 30), going up to 4 in the front and 3 in the rear feels better. From what I understand, if I didn't have the Motivational mounts, using the same setting on the rear as the front would be the better choice.

Now in the winter, when the temperature drops below -5 C, I find that dropping down to 2 in the front and 1 in the rear (on the same tires) takes some of the edge off. I suppose if I had some softer, higher profile winter tires, I would probably keep the Illumina's at 3 front / 2 rear.

What's the point in all this? Well, every time I see someone ask what settings to use, I always wonder what size/profile tire they've got, what their roads are like, what the temperature in their part of the country is like, what springs they're using, etc. And I've come to the conclusion that there is no absolute perfect setting, only the perfect setting for various conditions/setups.

What do you all think?

BTW, I love the Illumina's, they are so much better than the KYB AGX's I used to have

 

I always run the rears the same or higher then the fronts for a better ride and handling.

 

F: 2 R: 3

 

I think you're right on point.

One more thing that I'd add is that your personal tolerance/feel for ride quality is a HUGE factor. What is a harsh ride to you may or may not be a harsh ride to someone else depending on what they're used to and what they will tolerate. I can tell someone that my Illuminas set to 3 ride smooth but they may think it rides like crap even with the same springs, tires, etc. Its a very personal preference.

And no, there is no such thing as a "perfect setting".

 

It is best for people to do their homework properly. Which spring will compliment the ride you wante best? Which struts will do that also? WHat are you roads like, how much comfort do you want, how much of a "sporty" ride do you want?

I think people take the easy and (to me) less fun way of just asking for setting numbers, rather than running a setting, changing it then testing again, and see what works best for them.

I was trying to find a good setting for my struts and I change them, and drive to work and home, few days later, adjust and see how the new setup feels, and analyze how the car rides.

 

This has me perplexed..I want to lower my 96 to correct the space left after switch to 18's. I am pretty sure I want Illumina's or KYB-AGX but the Tokica rep told me that the tolerance for the strut was -1.5.
I am afraid that 1.5 is not enough and would like to go w/ Tein S-tech 2.2 and 1.8 or Intrax 1.7 around.
My question is in your opinion what is the best setup to maximize the lowered look??
My only other option is to spend an additional 300 for Tein basic coilovers. HELP PLEASE.

 

I would get either the whole tokico strut/spring package for warranty piece of mind, other than that I would go with the k sport coliovers, the strut is manufacturered for that low of a drop so there shouldn't really be any issues, plus they have more adjustability and from what I hear a smoother ride that the Tein basics.

BTW rocco5446 pretty good thread, this should help clear up some confusion on settings especially since weather usually plays a factor in strut performance/feel.

 

There are many people with Illuminas and drops lower than 1.5 with no issues. Many 4th and 5th Gens (including myself) are on S-tech or Progress springs with the Illuminas have yet to have any issues. But that being said, it has been claimed that Tokico will only honor their warranty on the struts if you do not go below 1.5". It all depends on how cautious you wanna be with that.

 

F2, R3 on 17"s.

 

how much better are illuminas.. i wanna get agx cause there better price and im liek running low on funds...

u say there better but how so.. and what was the reason for changing to illumina

 

Just search general or this forum, many people that have agx say they are stiffer than illuminas. Plus lifetime warranty for drops 1.7 and under. KYB has limited lifetime warranty. I'd say if you are a track person and want better ride quality than straight coilovers then get the agx. Other than that I would just get the illuminas. Lifetime warranty is what sold it for me. Also check performancepeddler.com they have good pricing on illuminas.

 

Exactly when ever someone asks this question I think the same thing.