Tokico quality? or other cheap struts?

[zmepro]

some people have been telling me that tokico blues/hps/whatever you wanna call them (the nonadjustable) are kinda crappy, im not sure if they mean they are just cheapy, or they blow out, or they just plain suck, but what do you people think about them? i like them because they are affordable, are there any other struts in a similar price range? is it worth the extra 200-300 bucks for adjustables?

it kinda sucks, my friend w/ a 240sx got nice shocks for like $400
and for me the marginal ones are $400

thanks

 

[akhilleus]

There are the kYB of europe @ corksport. They are equal in quality if not better. there are also bilstein inserts @ awrracing.com. the bilsteins are nice too. tripointengineering.com has some strut selections for SCCA racing but the price is unknown...the quality is surely exceptional though

 

[70]

The Tokico HP's are nice.

I haven't had any problems with my MP3 struts, which are basically the same thing.

 

[ghost]

I have them and I have had nothing but an awsome ride. These are a great buy, and you will be happy.

 

[WillisW555]

I had Tokicos on my Integra for 6 or 7 years. No problems here.

If I had known, I probably would have gotten the adjustable ones though. I just like the idea that you can make 'em ride a little softer if you want.

 

[mazdaowner123]

My 83 rx-7 has tokico blues. They are pretty nice. $185 from www.shox.com. Don't know if they're more expensive for the p5 or anything, but cheap for the rx-7.

 

[Installshield 2]

Tokico is one of the highest quality strut/shock replacement company available...From what i have read, the HP's (i.e. "blues"...) out last the illuminas (or most adjustable struts)....

Tokico, KYB, Bilstein, and Koni are pretty much the biggest suppliers of aftermarket struts...and all those companies make some OE equipment for some cars...

For adjustable struts I have heard that Koni's are the best...But that is other's opinions...We don't have that option so it really doesn't matter...Bilstein is famous for making sporty struts with nearly stock feel, and the HP's are more on the stiff side...

The only one of these companies that I have heard multiple complaints about it is KYB's non adjustable shocks (G-2's I think...)...Most say they are no better for stiffer spring rates than any stock struts, and don't last any longer...I have heard good things about KYB AGX adjustable setups though...

All of these companies have been around for a very long time (especially the european makes)...and they all offer very high quality parts...The Tokico's are very good, maybe not the absolute best overall, but by far the greatest option we have now (which is pretty much themselves or stock struts or E-spec KYB non adjustables)...If Bilstein made direct replacements for Proteges, there could be a debate on that...but with my experience in Bilstein's they were always on the softer side for my tastes...

 

[zmepro]

so do you think the hp's would be better for casual driving with mabye one or 2 autox's or trips to the strip. keep in mind i am very poor

 

[zx2sr]

i love my Tokico's (the stock s/r ones) they are WAY better then the normal zx2's ones, but i cant compair them to the protege, ive never riden in one

 

[Installshield 2]

so do you think the hp's would be better for casual driving with mabye one or 2 autox's or trips to the strip. keep in mind i am very poor

Yeah they will be great for that...To my understanding the HP's are pretty similar to the Illuminas on one of the stiffer settings...so unless you want to dial the dampening rates in for a more compliant ride, the HPs will be fine...They are stiffer than stock, and the illuminas (pertaining to the 5-way adjustables) don't get much stiffer...

If you are not looking for adjustability and are on a budget...the HPs are a better investment...the illuminas don't offer huge performance benefits other than adjustability, but they cost a lot more...

 

[charles]

i love my Tokico's (the stock s/r ones) they are WAY better then the normal zx2's ones, but i cant compair them to the protege, ive never riden in one

Yeah, I have those on my car. But I don't know if you can compare them to the HPs. I've heard other Tokicos tend to wear out quickly, but that's just "what I've heard".

 

[zx2sr]

i have heared that too im gettng the blues when the go

 

[mazdaowner123]

On my first gen I have the blues + racing beat springs. They're pretty stiff. I like it, but my dad hates it. If you don't mind a rough ride around town they're great, but if you want comfort, you might wanna try to ride in a car with them first to see how they feel. I dunno how they feel in a protege with stock springs, though.

~brian

 

[zmepro]

i don't care about comfort, i think the blues are the way to go, thanks

 

[Roywhitep5]

dude theres a group buy going on right now!!! i just made the final payment on my tokico blues. if you hurry, you might be able to get a set. mine total cost 380

 

[zmepro]

yea, i don't have the money right now, but wasn't protege5online selling them for 350$ shipped?

 

[CustomMSP]

From personal experience, the KYBs are just way too stiff for no reason. The car will have a tight bounce on the highway like it's riding on super stiff springs. The Tokicos are much smoother and provide good handling as well IMO
Good luck.

 

[johnjay5]

where can i find these tokico struts or any other struts available for the protege 5?!?!

 

[p5sundevil]

so the bilstein inserts go into the stock places and are basically the same thing as doing a strut/shock replacement?

I know I have heard Bilstein and Tokico are the ones to go with for our cars so I am looking at getting decisions made.

-Alex

 

[akhilleus]

honestly if u have the money go to tripointengineering.com for "performence inserts". AWRracing.com Bilsteins will have nice dampening. Personally if/when i get beter struts it will be for improved dampening as well as nice stiffness. thats why it will be KYB or tokico.