1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

best shocks for 1st gen

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Old 02-12-03, 04:44 AM
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best shocks for 1st gen

i was wondering what shocks are best for the car i might go with the tokico, but im not sure, any one have any ideas? on what is best to use
Old 02-12-03, 06:18 AM
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Tokico's are excellent.
Old 02-12-03, 07:12 AM
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Do the Tokico's provide a smooth and comfortable ride? I hate feeling every single bump in the road...
Old 02-12-03, 07:56 AM
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Well the illuminas are adjustable so you can go however soft or stiff you like. I hear the non adj blues are like a 3 on the illuminas. Sporty, but not rock stiff.
Old 02-12-03, 10:21 AM
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cough..Koni...cough
http://www.classicgarage.com/86-2345.html
Old 02-12-03, 10:24 AM
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I have new Tokico blues on my 83GS and I'd say they're sporty, not racy. Small impulses are gone, it steps smoothly over bumps, it holds well going around quick bumpy turns. It's a littler tighter than the 85GSL, which is more comfy on long drives.

B
Old 02-12-03, 10:32 AM
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Originally posted by MosesX605
cough..Koni...cough
http://www.classicgarage.com/86-2345.html
Holy crap - $39.96 for Koni's? Rears are $89.96.

Anyone know what they mean by 'strut insert'?
Old 02-12-03, 10:53 AM
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Its a cartridge that drops into the strut housing. Unlike the OE wet strut design.
Old 02-12-03, 10:56 AM
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So is this a good way to go? Please pardon my ignorance on the subject matter. I've changed shocks and struts before, but this is the first I've heard of an insert.
Old 02-12-03, 10:58 AM
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Best shock for what? Autocrossing, daily driving, road racing all have different requirements. For street use, the Tokico blue shocks are great, with the KYBs a close second. For Autocrossing I'd go with a set of Tokico Illuminas, or maybe Konis. The Konis have very stiff damping, though. JMO. -WG
Old 02-12-03, 11:00 AM
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Originally posted by lotsacars
So is this a good way to go? Please pardon my ignorance on the subject matter. I've changed shocks and struts before, but this is the first I've heard of an insert.
Yea thats how all the aftermarket struts are. They are all inserts.
Old 02-12-03, 11:23 AM
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Sometimes they call 'em a cartridge, too.

Whoops, Carl already said that, sorry to be redundant.
Old 02-12-03, 11:34 AM
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39.95 for adjustable struts, what the heck is up with that, is that the same strut you use on all four coners, I already have the tokiko blue shocks in the back, I assume those struts go to all four corners, and dang then if my suspension wouldn't be that much closer to complete.
Old 02-12-03, 11:46 AM
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No thats front only. Shocks are in the rear. Also these Konis arent adjustable.
Old 02-12-03, 11:50 AM
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strange since the description said adjustable, but then again that just sounded like a general description. Thanks for the heads up.

Ben

Last edited by TheTwinTurboRX-7; 02-12-03 at 11:53 AM.
Old 02-12-03, 11:53 AM
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WHoops, sorry it does say that doesnt it.
Old 02-12-03, 01:01 PM
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i dont know about yall, but i have tokico blues and eibach springs, and the ride is really stiff. i feel all the bumps, but thast what i wanted because i can corner like i want now i havent ridden on anything else but stock and my current setup, but i know mine are stiff, and i do feel almost every bump.

i would also like to say, a week after installing my springs and shocks, the rear driver tokico blew oil all over the place, so i had to get it replaced. i ordered it from www.shox.com and they were more than helpfull in getting me another one. i think alot of members recommend shox.com, i know my shocks and springs were $419.00 to my house i know victoriabritish wants like 350 for the eibachs alone...
Old 02-12-03, 01:10 PM
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I'm another satisfied member of the Tokico HP club.
Old 02-12-03, 03:36 PM
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I went with the Illuminas myself.... yeah, they're stiff, but man does it stick
Old 02-12-03, 04:05 PM
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I hvae a set of Koni's for my '79. They were 22.96 each Anyways, the Koni's are adjustable to correct for wear. Once the strut is not damping to your satisfaction, you haul them out of the houseing and turn the ****. So they are technically adjustable, but not externally like the very excellent but expensive Tokiko struts. I haven't installed my Koni's yet, so I can't speak to ride quality, but my current struts are worn out and don't really damp well, so I'll probably see the stiff Koni's as an improvement in ride quality
Old 02-12-03, 04:37 PM
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the Koni's from Classic Garage are OK, however, you can tell they have been kicking around the warehouse for a few years. As mentioned, they are internally adjustable for stiffness - I had them set at the medium setting and they were "solid". They use a reverse dampening system meaning they drop fast (soft) and rebound slow (hard) - (helps keep the car on the pavement). No complaints from me - especially for the price
Old 02-12-03, 04:38 PM
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oh yeah... www.shox.com has the best prices and are easy to work with for whichever ones you order...
Old 02-12-03, 05:25 PM
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Thanks for all the input.

As for my application - it would be 99% street driving with an autocross thrown in once a month or so. Ride quality is important to me (read: the wife drives it, too) so I don't want a race application suspension that I also drive on the street.

What would be a good option for the street taking into account that I may go to a 15" or 16" wheel next year? Those will stiffen it up that much more and I don't want to end up with something that just isn't enjoyable to drive around town anymore. I have a fair amount of RR tracks, pot holes, and road heaving to contend with here.

Thanks, and sorry for the partial hijack, xlversatilelx

Edit: This is for an '84 SE, btw.
Old 02-12-03, 05:29 PM
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i'm thinking of getting Either Eibach Springs or Racing Beat ones...

and Tockico Illuminas, but i cant find a listing for the front for my car... do they make an Illumina for the SA front suspension?
Old 02-12-03, 06:01 PM
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i want a setup for autocrossing and drifting, would the non adjustable ones be good enough or do i have to get a step further???



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