Here are your four choices currently on Ebay:

KYB GR-2 for $229+ $34 for shipping

Tokico HP for $259, free shipping

KYB AGX Adjustable for $335.99+ $29 for shipping

Tokico Illuminas for $445.00, free shipping

So, those of you in the know, enlighten the rest of us. Obviously, the more expensive ones should be better, but are they really that much better? What's the best deal on there? Which are best for street use? Which are best for auto-cross? Which are the best for a bit of both? Is it really worth the extra $100-200 for the AGX or Illuminas?

 

tokico blues ftw (HP) give an excellent ride when teamed up with eibach springs

 

Thank you, JW, but that doesn't answer the questions I posed in any way, shape or form.

 

Stock springs? Coilovers? Lowering springs? If stock, then go with the non-adjustables, either one should be fine. If stiffer springs are present then I'd say the AGX are the way to go.

 

srry man thats what i run on my car witch i autox with and use as a dd untill i get enough money for some nice coil overs the setup im useing is great on the street and track does that help?

 

agx are great for the street but i think the illuminas are better suited for auto x and they arent bad on the street.

ive had both on my fc and give the nod to the illumina

 

Then you've got these for $820 shipped.

 

Ebay shocks vs. Ebay shocks vs. Ebay shocks vs. Ebay shocks...

ummmmmm......I personally would go with the ebay ones. Sorry that was too tempting

 

i have illuminas with ground controls, and the illuminas keep up with the stiff GC springs wonderfully, the car is a whole new animal

 

i have the AGX ones and they seem to work well but i also have the full racing beat suspension kit.

 

$100t2, I run Intrax (one of the stiffest spring rates) with the HP's on my T2 streetported, microteched, w/3'' turbo-back, 225/40 18front-255 35 18rear and the car STICKS to the road!!! I find the $100 savings great towards my future front mount

-later, Dustin.

 

GR-2 isn't made for lowered cars. If you got stock height and a bit stiffer than stock springs or stock springs it's fine. HP is good for the price, for lowered cars and not so stiff set up. And between AGX and Whites, I've tried both, and there both good and reliable. So for the price, I say AGX takes it. So my choices are HP or AGX, depending on what springs you are going to use. And to the guy above me that said Intrax is one of the stiffest springs you can buy, better double check that. It's progressive and not even as good as Eibach progressives. Used to track and street that, the crossover between heavy/light loads requires a lot of load on it, so it's hard to get a hang of.

Back to the original post now, HP or AGX, depending on what spring combo your considering.

 

 

kyb agx from JDMwerks

 

$820 coilovers aren't going to be very good. You get what you pay for.

 

Ah, only one way to find out.

 

I say if you take your car to the track regularly, like more than three times a year, then the AGXs/Illuminas are worth it.
If you just plan on some "spirited" driving on the street, then a set of Tokico Blues would be just fine.

I had an AGX/Eibach combo on my FC for awhile and it worked out great! I could dial it in for commuting or just cruising ariound, but when it was time for Laguna Seca, I cranked 'em up to full stiff and it really made a difference. One nice thing about Tokicos (not sure about KYB) is if you save your reciept, they'll give you free replacements for life.

EDIT: A set of Tein Basics may be a good choice, too. IIRC they're not much more expensive than the K-Sports, but with a MUCH better rep backing them. I'll bet Rishie could get you a set for about 900 bucks.

 

Natey +1

I bought a set of AGX's from the same e-bay seller you have linked to and I love them. I still have stock springs (for now), and poly bushings, and it will ride like stock or rattle your teeth if you so choose. They really get rid of alot of body roll.

 

Really? Thats a good setup? Good, because thats what i have. I only bought them because i found a really good deal on them.

 

KYB AGX Adjustable for $335.99+ $29 for shipping
I bought these ones from jdmwerks. Dropped the car 1.5"

 

go with adjustable if you plan to do any sort of racing.

if not, the HP is the best bargain.

 

You can't go by, which are better. You have to figure out what type of driving you do or want to do and then figure out what type of suspension you need for that type of driving.

Asking which is better is irrelevent becuase someone could use the KYB adjustables with some sort of springs at autox, which the combination of the spring and struct also makes a big difference, and say they are great but you use the same system on the street for only daily driving and spirited driving through the canyons, and you may have a lot of oversteer or understeer going on. Even though they are adjustable, they are only adjustable to a point.

So the type of handling you need depends on the type of driving you are or will be doing.

A Perfect example of this is the poster that posted below your opening post. He told you what works great for him with the spring and strut combination untill he used all the ones you listed with the TYPE of driving he does, he nor anyone else will be able to tell you what is the best. Now if he did try them all with Eiboch springs but used them only for some spirited driving on the roads or maybe a small race track and he says which ones are better. He is telling you which is better for the type of driving he does.

 

Sprited street/ occasional (about 3 times a year) track driving for me.
I had the AGXs coupled with Eibachs on my FC
and I had AGX/Flyin' Miata combo on my...Miata. The AGXs were pretty impressive on both cars/ springs.

 

Well, they arrived today. It's 22 degrees out, so they aren't going on the car anytime soon, unfortunately... But, they look great in the box, powdercoating and everything looks top notch.