I'm currently looking at buying a set of shocks. Give me all the pro's/cons of different shocks, brands and types. I only drive my car on the street daily and could care less about adjustability.
My current suspension setup consists of: Stock shocks, Racing Beat Springs, Removed rear sway bar, and 1 1/8" ST front bar.
I pretty satisfied with it, but, when I put whatever new shocks on, I'm pitching the Racing Beats. They came with my car when I bought it, and, I want the raised ride height for looks, and ground clearence. I think the car will drive a lot better with stock springs, and some beefy shocks.
So far I'm looking at Tokico's.
Comments, criticism, and recommendations are appreciated.
-Crispin
BTW, is anyone running a similar setup to mine currently, and/or what I'm looking to do? That is, stock springs with aftermarket shocks?

 

I've had both the blues and Illumina's. The blues are decent, however the Illumina's on soft are much nicer on the street.

I have to say that I'm confused by your statement that you want the raised ride height for looks... on a sports car. I've never seen a sports car that didn't look better lower than stock.

 

the tokico HP spring/shocks perform very nicely for me. i got them from a guy who used them for three races, and they are stiff. i feel it on the rough roads in my area, but they corner very well.

 

a properly lowered vehicle will handle a whole lot better than a vehicle of higher center of gravity.

 

First off, I need the ground clearence. And, I'm going for more of a rallly look.

 

Sounds like all you need are Tokico Blues. You will be happy with them.

I've never been a fan of stiffer shocks with factory springs. Nothing wrong with doing it that way, but you don't get the full benifit of the shocks. Have you considered getting camber pates so you can use coil over springs? That way you could get stiffer [taller] springs and adjust the ride height exactly where you need it. It would give you the true performance you might be looking for. If it is just a visual appeal you want, the stock springs should get you where you want to be.

 

I see what you're saying, and I agree with you. I'm just not sure if I wanna fork over the cash for it all quite yet.
I will probably go with Tokico Blues. They seem like the best choice.

 

I have the Blue's Chrispin with Intrax springs (lowered).
I really can't compare them with anything except the worn out old stock shock that were in the car.
Just a tad stiff for my DD liking, but for your purposes...I think you'll be quite satisfied!

 

If you want to raise the ride height, what I believe you should be looking into are the 1st gen 626 front suspension bits. IIRC the 626 set-up should bolt into the SA/FB but raise the ride height about 1" IIRC.

If anyone has a junk strut around that they can measure, I can check it against my 626 struts. I have 3 pairs of NOS Koni Reds (they are adjustable, off of the car) for the '79-'82 626. PM me if you are interested in a pair; I will let one go.

 

antiSUV, you have a PM.

 

what's up with pricing for shocks/struts on these sites? is it for just one or for the pair?

 

1. tokicko blue, i've had em on stock springs and i think they are too stiff, the ride goes away. ive run em in the front and stock in the back and this seems pretty good.

2. koni reds. i like these, they pair up well with RB springs. the ride stays ok, but the body is more controlled than stock.

3. tociko illumina. i like these, the **** goes from stockish to a little stiffer than the blue, really lets you get the damping right. for stiff front springs there is an MR2 insert that drops in. the illumina's are on the expensive side though.

4. stock. these work great with stock springs. and actually with stock springs, all you need are camber plates, and the car turns from slight understeer to slight oversteer, in other words, the problem with the stock setup is the front camber, and NOT the spring shock, the stock stuff works great on the street.

 

Thanks,
You summed it up pretty well for me. Makes sense, and really, there's really not much difference in the Stock springs VS. RB's.
Also, I've heard the stock shocks are good units.

 

yeah they work really well actually. i think if we had to do that car again, instead of camber plates, i'd run the RB adjustable control arms.

but you'd be AMAZED at the difference going from +1 degree of camber to -1 degree of camber makes

 

I know what it does on my race car, not sure what it'd do the my DD. And, being that I drive it on the street stricly. I'd like to keep the alignment settings straight up.

 

One degree of negative camber is pretty conservative, and there is no circumstance that positive camber is a good thing.

 

You might want to consider the non adjustable KYB's as well. I've put these on my RallyX-7 as well as a friend of mine's RX-7. The RallyX-7 has been modified a small bit but the other RX-7 was stock. The ride quality is pretty darn nice. I've also put these on a 2nd gen Miata and I like them there as well. The KYB's are basically an OEM equivalent shock.

I've had the non-adjustable Tokico's on another one of my RX-7's - I like them. Currently that car rides on Illlumina's. To be honest I can't really tell any difference on any of the settings - but that car is riding on 300# front springs as well.