tuned tokico strut n spring kit

[steeb]

i was just surfing the net n i found tokico makes a tuned spring and strut kit for our cars. i searched around on the forum and didnt find much in the bg suspension section. also posted on another forum the same thing.

there are three different kit numbers. it seems they are trying to get smart and make seperate part numbers for the different cars
escort HPK299
protege HPK317
323 HPK323

has anyone tried it? everyone i know that has tokico suspension kit loves the way their car handles.

Tokico HPK Suspension Kit, includes HP non-adjustable shocks and springs. Vehicle specific matched spring rates and proper ride height insure correct fit and function - taking the quesswork out of choosing the right suspesnion combination. The Tokico performance loweing springs are manufactured with chrome siliconespring alloy, are heat treated, shot peened, block set, phosphate treated, power coated and carry the Tokico logo and limited lifetime warranty.

Vehicle height is lowered .05 - 1.75 inches from stock height.

Sold in Set of 4
Kit includes dampers & springs only - All upper mounts & dust covers must be reused.
Assembly Required

http://www.autocarparts.com/part/245/326/

http://www.autocarparts.com/part/245/596/

[FE3-323]

the different listings have to deal with the spring rates. if they actually have a difference

[southerncross]

i dont know about on these cars, but on hondas, ive heard a lot of people that tried these kits didnt like the springs because they tend to sag a good bt over time and that the springs themselves werent that high of quality. never heard anything bad about the shocks though.

[steeb]

im pretty sure they use the same springs for wagons n sedans as well as hatchbacks. the weight variations between those cars is probably what causes the height variations. they list the same part number for other makes and models in different trim.

i have yet to hear about sagging issues from my buddies.

since i havent put on new suspension on my mx3, i wanted a first hand test of the tokico suspension kit. while the kit is for another car, im sure the areas where handling is improved will be the same.

[steeb]

tokico combo comparison

so today i asked to drive my buddy's mr2 with the tokico suspension kit. his car was the only one i never asked to try because i never expected very much over stock (explained later). i have driven other mr2's with tein flex, eibachs and tokico, eibach and kyb, tein s-tech n tokico, d2, megan racing, and ksport. on my car i have tried completely stock mr2 suspension, rsr race springs w/ jdm ohlins adjustable dampers, and currently using jdm tein ha coilovers.

first of all i must admit my mind always referred tokico as some cheap ricer brand because it was and is pretty much on every single fixed up car from rice to nice. being that oem was unimpressive tokicos, how good could they be? not to mention i tried them with some crappy springs a long time ago and was extremely unimpressed.

results:
the tokico combo rides much better than any of the setups i listed above except for stock (obviously) and tein s-tech (aka "soft tech"). the kit handles some what similar but firmer, more balanced and confident feeling, than the stock suspension but with more precise handling and grip. the ride quality is not much harsher than stock. imo stock mr2 suspension feels much more neutral and confident than the eibach springs and either struts. eibachs seemed to push more with the tokicos than kyb's. the pushing caused by eibach's spring rates was less apparent with kyb's probably due to the different damping style of the two strut brands.

one of the biggest reasons im not a big fan of eibach springs is because the rates they choose seem to make cars feel more understeery than stock, this is after driving other cars before and after spring install. this one is not a bias =D. its eibachs tuning style. even the mushy tein s-techs had a more neutral feeling from better front/rear spring rate choice.

so... i was wrong about tokicos combo kit. it rides extremely well even on very bad roads. spring rates are in fact well chosen for a "kit." by far rides, handles and responds better and quicker than funky eibachs with any struts.

however if you are a no compromise guy like me that enjoys super stiff kidney crushing racing suspension for street im glad i have tein ha on my mr2. i am however unlucky there is not off the shelf supension stiff enough for my likings to fit my mx3.

i read darryl said someone with zx2 s/r was using 500# ers springs so if i get around to testing the megan racing springs i bought ill post it up.

[southerncross]

just for info the guys i talked to and observed that had tried these kits were autocrossers and road racers. the eibachs do tend to push more until you start playing with the rest of the suspension. . . they are engineered that way to give you more options with sway bars and other tunable parts of your suspension. i met one of their sales reps at a car show years back and asked why they build them the way they do. . . he said that a softer spring tends to be less twitchy at high speeds when used with a well setup car.

me personally, i like my cars stiff and loose, especially in auto-x. back when i used to drift, nobody wanted to ride with me (especially the ladies, because of chest mass bouncing effect) so i know where you're coming from.

[Tazman2]

Ehh i think knowing how to properly drive a car especially a "twitchy" car is a plus. If people can't handle a twitchy car then wtf they suck at driving! I think thats really dumb of eibach making that decision on their own and should atleast tell you that they won't work as well as other springs or atleast as a option offer better springs for us people that choose to learn to drive their cars to the limits!

[Mazda_Powered]

looks like a nice product IMO, seems like a reasonable sales price too. i wonder what a single strut is worth, when you have to replace them eventually.

JACK.

[323drift]

aren't single tokicos $99 on corksport?

[Jho]

aren't single tokicos $99 on corksport?

The white ones are $95 a piece.