Finally getting the H&R sport springs but not sure which shocks. Don't want the ride quality to suffer too much. Leaning towards the tokico blues but would like to hear about the other shocks. Danke Schoen!

 

I have the Tokico Blues. I love 'em.

You are gonna hear on this board:

Koni Yellow's
Tokico Illuminas
Tokico Blues

1st 2 are adjustable. Blues aren't. But they are also half the price.

 

Isn't there a set of Tein's in the black market for sale? Maybe getting a set of these as opposed to the shocks and springs seperately could be a better way to go.

 

I second the Tokico Blues. I have these and the h&r oe springs. The ride is *slightly* firmer than stock, but still plenty comfy. I dont need adjustibility, and the Blues were a heck of alot cheaper than the alternatives.

 

I'm actually considering the Illuminas, too. But, from what I've read in other posts, the rear ones are a big hassle to adjust since it involves removing the back seat, again. Thanks for your input.

 

If you want excellent non-adjustable shocks, go with Bilstein or Koni Reds.

 

 

Can you recommend a good place to get the Koni Reds? Meantime, I'll also do a net search. Thanks, NiteQwill.

 

I got Koni Yellows. I think they're great.

 

I have Tokico Illuma's and can adjust them without messing with the seat. I made a tiny hole near each grille, my flathead scewdriver fits. 30 seconds for front, 1 minute for rear to adjust

 

In my opinion, any of the popular aftermarket springs - Comptech, Eibach, H&R Sports - are going to be stiffer than stock. Not necessarily a lot stiffer, but stiffer nevertheless.

As far as which shocks are concerned, it depends on how you like your car to ride. I have read that Tokico HP's (Blue) are the equivalent of the Illuminas set at "3", the middle setting.

I don't like that hard a ride. I have my Illuiminas set at "1" (softest) in front and "2" in the rear. The stiffer rear also tends to compensate for the natural understeer of the car.

Others, such as those above, love the HP's. If the HP's are, in fact, the same as Illuminas set at "3", those who say the ride is very close to stock are fooling themselves. It may be on smooth roads, but not when it gets bumpy.

I tried various settings before arriving at my current ones and I don't feel the need to change them. Removing the seats is a pain in the ass. But, my car will never see a track. Nor, at my age, do I have any desire to street race. Frankly, I think its bloody dangerous, having seen the aftermath of too many crashes. That doesn't mean I don't drive aggressively. I love taking the car through the twisties. That's why I got the mods.

Canvass as many opinions as you can. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

If I wanted h&r sport springs on my CL and wanted to use them on my stock shocks that have 40 k on them how long would the shocks last? I can do the install myself so I don't care about having to do the install twice but I just got 18s and I hate the 4x4 look and wanna drop asap but don't really have money for shocks right now but I should in maybe a year or so. Performance isn't that big of a deal to me right now but I just want the right look. Any advice would help me and sorry for hijacking this thread.

 

Are you talking about the rear deck where the speakers are? Can you post pics?

 

 

I have the Tokico Blues with CT springs. Had this setup for almost a year now. Been very happy. The ride is still ok. Not that harsh. Stiffer yes, but not bad.

 

Pictures below how to adjust Koni/Tokico Illuma's without removing rear back seat. Takes only minutes to adjust the rear.
Must remove back seat once, then with 3'' long flathead screwdriver push though the cover(make the hole over the shock)
Now you can adjust the shock through the cover with the seat on.
Put your seat back on. Takes only minutes once you get the hang of it. 1 feels softer than stock, 3 stiffer, on 5 no roll. I drive crazy now on 5.

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/583084/2

 

From my experience adjusting them without the back seat, I would think it's pretty difficult to know your exact setting solely by feel without being able to see the dials. Of course, you could always experiment. Dunno' if making bigger holes would make it any easier.

Nothing personal, but I don't agree that "1" is softer than stock.

 

This is tremendously helpful. Thanks!

 

I made some inquiries and found out, as ex-prelude had said, the blues are about the 3 setting on the Illuminas. That's too stiff for me. So, I'm getting the Illuminas. Before replacing the back seats, I'll play with the settings. And, once I find the right combo, that's it - no more readjustments. Thank you all for responding to my post. Later!