Tokico Illuminas

[DSMxTSi]

Just installed our new Tokico Illuminas on the '95 ESi last Thursday. All in all it was a pretty easy job. Much nicer ride now, of course the stock struts/shocks were blown from the H&R race springs so anything is better than it used to be. It's still a bit bouncy but I believe that's just the H&R springs. The Illuminas are not as stiff as the AGXs, but that's what we wanted for a daily driver anyways. If anybody's interested we bought the Tokicos from Shox.com for $379. Most everywhere else has them for around $420.

Cody

[hoffman]

are they the adjustables? i've never had the chance to chanbe out shocks, so this maybe off topic alittle. do you really need a spring compressor to do it?

Mandy, you have tokicos right? being a corner wizard, how do you rate them as compared to the AGXs.

[DSMxTSi]

Yes, they are the adjustibles. They are 5 way adjustible front and back. You shouldn't need a spring compressor. The factory springs had popped off, but didn't shoot off. The H&R springs didn't do anything pop off or anything. Mandy had mentioned to me that she likes the Tokicos but she had wished that she had gone with Konis or Gabs, not sure wich. The Tocikos are excellent for the semi-serious racer. If you plan on racing it a lot at Solo II events or Second Creek I'd suggest the Konis or GABs.

[ImolaFem]

I found my way to the suspension forum! Sorry I haven't replied sooner. If you are going shocks for the 2G, and you plan to lower the car AT ALL, do not get the AGXs. Their strut is an inch longer than stock, so it doesn't work with lowered applications. Stay away =)

As for the best shock ability for an off the shelf shock, Konis work best with the high spring rates one must use on a 2G.

If you want your car to handle well, get stiff spring rates (600f/500r) and don't lower it more than an inch, two at max.

[hoffman]

heres what i was thinking, so smack me if it isn't going to work.;)

front and rear strut tower bars. i already have some these will be the first thing on anyway. next i wanted (or hopeing) to upgrade the sway bars at the same time i'm doing the exhaust.

for the shocks and springs, well i always planed on going with ground control full sleave coil-overs. probably set it with a 1" drop. as for the shocks, i want them adjustable, so i planned on trying the illumina 5-ways. i want to set the car up so the ass end is so damn stiff that if i run it at the track i won't bottom out. on the other end i want it comfortable enough for daily driving. maybe even alittle soloII on the weekends.

but i have to find a car first:confused:

[ImolaFem]

Same exact setup I run. Get the rm swaybars on there first. They really get rid of a lot of body roll. When you go with the shocks though.....choose Koni over Tokicos. If you'd like some history, join the dsm-autox yahoogroup and do a search on them =) For your ground controls.....go with 550 f / 450 r spring rates at least.....or you'll be spending all sorts of time on the bumpstops!

[Hal]

I too, use the Tokico 5-way, but with Skunk-2 coil overs.

On the "softest" setting, it's a LOT stiffer than the factory setup.

I also have a full Energy Suspension bushing set, so the car tracks
really good.

The only thing to watch out for is the change in toe and camber
as you lower the car.

In the rear, the "bolt & washer" kit works fine, but for the front
you need the real adjustable camber kits from Ingalls.

Hal

[hoffman]

true.

i was only planning on a 1" drop. i never planned on going to a bigger wheel size, just eliminate some of the gap.

who has RM sways? i've only seen them on mach-v.

Hal have you seen the air shocks on dejontools site? looks interesting but i've never heard of anyone using them.

http://users.erinet.com/40666/DSM-RLK.htm

[ImolaFem]

Almost the same domain name as us...

http://www.rmdsm.com. Order directly from them =)

[hoffman]

huh???

[DSMxTSi]

Definately fix the camber as soon as you can when you lower the car, just like Hal said. I had been lazy and didn't get a camber correction kit for a long time, so I just had to get two new Nitto 450s on Friday for the front because the inside edges were worn to the cords. :mad: It really sucked because the other 90% of the tire was in great shape. But this car's camber is really bad because the front is lowered 2-1/4". I did the bolt/washer fix for the rear and it's been holding up just fine. The car handles awesome right now, but I can't wait to get the RM sway bars and feel the difference then!

[hoffman]

Originally posted by hoffmangst

who has RM sways? i've only seen them on mach-v.


http://users.erinet.com/40666/DSM-RLK.htm

[ImolaFem]

I told ya Art. Buy directly from them. www.rmdsm.com.

[hoffman]

must be the 'puter' here at work, cause all i'm getting is a blank screen.