I've recently got some Eibach springs (thanks again hyperper4mance2k!) and I'm picking up some shocks to go along with them. I cannot justify the costs of illuminas at this point, so are the blues a decent alternative?

Also, where is the cheapest place to get them? Re-speed seems to be the best so far. Does re-speed charge shipping?

 

u porb find a good price on ebay 4 all 4. thats were i got mine.

 

Blues are really the only decent option other than the Illuminas.

 

Blues are good. Go with ReSpeed. Why support an eBay seller when you can support someone who is actually taking time to make products for our cars.

 

+1. Besides, you're not going to find better customer service anywhere.

If you can squeeze a bit more out of the budget for at least a pair of Illuminas (for the rear) then you won't regret it. Even with them just on the rear, you'll be able to tune the suspension to control oversteer/understeer, and the rear makes a bigger difference in the settings (soft for a cushy ride, hard for autocross or whatever).

 

ive noticed that too, front pretty much stays where it is, rear makes big difference in ride.

 

I just put a set of Blues on my 350Z a couple weeks ago; quite happy with them, so far.

After 6 years, the stocks were still pretty firm, but they were letting a lot of high-freq bouncing get thru. The Tokico's stopped that nicely.

Comfortable, but got the precision back in the car; handles better-than-new now.

They were also dramatically cheaper than what the stealership was demanding for stock struts.


Question: does anyone know why Re-Speed lists the rear Tokico HP's as only fitting 81-85? Rear strut application is universal across the first gen's: all other sources for these and other brands list them as 79-85. The fronts changed in 81, but the rears didn't.

 

i've heard nothing but good things about the HP's i'm planning on getting a set here soon being that my front passenger one is shot, i think i may just get the front, and save up for illumina rears, but not sure, i may just end up getting HP's all around, will it kill the comfortable ride? eventho one of my shocks is messed up, and its an old car, the stock shocks feel pretty damn good on long trips, quite comfortable, i don't want it to be like riding a rock on the freeway

 

Fixed it. Copy and Paste error back when we built the database.

Thanks for the heads up.

-billy

 

Save up for the Illuminas in the back. From what I've read, the Blues are pretty firm, some compare it to a setting of 4 on the Illuminas, which is pretty stiff.

Even after I upgraded to stiff rear springs, I was able to get a Cadillac type ride when I set the Illuminas to 1. Soft enough that the wife would stop bitching. I've since traded the Illuminas on the rear for Bilsteins, and they work great but man are they hard on the butt! I miss my Illuminas....

 

Anybody running the blues-what characteristics do you notice? Are the softer side or harder side? I don't have much money but I've fallen in love with autocrossing. My suspension setup at this time looks like it will be this-

Eibach Pro Kit
Tokico Blues
21.5x8x13 Hoosiers on stock wheels

Any input? I know that having good sway bars will help but that certainly isn't in my realm of doable mods ATM. I'm debating welding myself up a DIY strut tower bar, but I'm not sure how much that will help. What sort of problems will I be looking at with this setup?

 

sorry for the thread jacking and ****, but another question, can i keep stock springs with the HP's? i will eventually change springs and what not, but right now i need shocks and won't have much more to spend after that.

 

That is the exact set up I have on my car. Eibach springs with Blues. I actually cut the Eibach as it was too high for me. I wanted my car lower.

 

Tokico Blues are definitely durable - I've had a set on my 84SE for the past 25k miles (about the last 6yrs, and previous to that, the rears were on my 80LS (got new fronts to fit the SE spindles) for the prior 4-5yrs.

No leaks, still stuff with excellent handling, and a bargain at that price.

I have to agree that my wife complains about 'getting bounced around', but for me, the ride is worth it when you cruise a smooth surface.

I don't think you'd be disappointed with blues. Take care,

 

No problem... now, if you could just talk Tokico into coughing up some for the SA FRONT!

 

\

Use a spacer and mount the 81+ units. Works great.

-billy

 

Interesting! Details? Do you guys sell the spacers?

 

I've had the Blues on my GSL for the last 2 years. After 3 or 4 very long road trips through mostly US roads, I've begun wishing I had Illuminas. You get on a rough interstate for more than an hour and the bouncing gets very painful not to mention fatiguing. The roadtrip I took up to Manitoba was probably the worst in Michigan and Minnesota. Of course it was almost all freeway, only pulling off for gas. Around town, to and from work (1 hour drive) or driving out of town to my buddy's place they are fine and perform well, but the lack of adjustability when autocrossing, lapping or just cruising will prove to be a bit of a problem. I plan to upgrade my whole suspension to RE-Speed bits and the Illuminas within the next year or two. They were still a fantastic upgrade over the stockers and the car handles beautifully, but I know it could be much better.

 

man thats so wierd...my blues blew out on me (the drivers rear to be exact) in 8 months?...was gonna ask if any1 had the same problems...maybe its just a defect..dont have the warranty card either...o well...should i go with kybs?

 

You seem to be the exception to the rule. I don't believe I've ever heard of a Tokico blowing out early like that. Where did you purchase them from?

 

Wow, my 85's shocks are factory mazda.......*still working* Did change springs from stock to RB when they started to sag....While your in there, take off that damned rear sway bar... youll like it.

 

Not currently but I will look into it.

The insert is just a bit to short. You can find something to put in the strut housing before the insert. IIRC, it is about 1/2" or so.

-billy

 

Biggest reason for a shock/strut to fail prematurely is over compression or extension. Also, occasionally an installer clamps a set of vice grips on the shaft in order to tighten the top nut. That chews up the seal. I would take a look at the rear springs and see how sagged/fatigued they are. If they are bad enough and the bump stops are gone, that may be the cause of the failure.

 

hey how are the illumina's all the way around ? or is it best to get illumina's in the back and blues in front. im Jw cuz i might be getting a pair.

 

i've got the illuminas all around, they are wonderful. you'd definitely want the illuminas in the rear. setting them on 1 allows for a "nice, calm" ride over speed bumps