Upgrading my Suspension and can't make up my mind. Should I go with KYB Adjustable or Tokkico Adjustable? Both cost about the same or what else is there for suspension upgrade? Willing to spent up to $600. Need to buy soon. Any Ideas guys????????????
KYB are more known than the tokicos for WRX models...I would go with KYB I feel that they a better because you can adjust the dampening on the side, i think...Where the Tokicos are on top of the hats...The rears are a biotch to get too because u have to pull the rear seat out to get to it...Where the KYBs is where the fenderwell is, easier to access... I currently have the Tokicos and still recommend the KYBs over them...
I'm thinking KYB's too since I had my experience with Tokkico. If I could get the Adjustable KYB for 400. I'll take it. its hell of a deal. Anybody noe where I could get some(besides ebay)?
Well, I think kyb for the wrx is still adjustable on the top hat, so you need to pull the rear seat or come up with a adjuster knob for the rears. Russ
The KYB rear adjustments are on the bottom of the strut, so you won't need to pull the seat. I was going to go with AGXs but decided instead on the Koni inserts. The Konis have an extremely good reputation but most people don't like the extra labor needed to install, namely cutting apart the stock strut housing to install the insert. The AGX and the Tokico units adjust both compression and rebound simultaneously, whereas the Konis adjust rebound only. However, a lot of the suspension gurus on NASIOC, I-Club, etc give the nod to the Konis as they say that rebound adjustment on them is superior, and that if you're going to adjust both you want to be able to do it seperately, otherwise you may end up being hit and miss depending on the spring rates. And that's the other part of this question. What spring are you planning on running? That'll play a huge part in what strut you should go with. I wouldn't recommend running the Konis, the KYB or the Tokico with stock springs. Conversely, I wouldn't get something that's going to slam the car either (ie Tein S techs) because that's too much of a drop for the suspension geometry and for the strut itself. The Prodrives, Swifts, Crucial, STI and SPT Pinks have all gotten good reviews and would be good matches with your struts. However, you'll need to source 04+ tophats if you want to run any of the newer springs as the strut tops are different. If you're running 02-03 struts (like the AGX) then you'll also need to do the "washer mod" (Turn In Concepts has the spacers premade so you don't have to stack washers) to get the rears to work correctly because the top of the strut shaft is different from 02-03 to 04 and beyond. Sourcing 04+ hats will widen your spring selections immensely and give you the option of running stiffer springs than most of the aftermarket selection for the 02-03. Because you have a sedan, you have a few more options suspensionwise, I know Justin has a very nice suspension setup for sale for 550 (STI V8 Spec C suspension with Group N tophats. Group N hats are stiffer "rally type" hats, better if you're upgrading so that you've got a stiffer seat for the strut) that would bolt in without any issues and would be a marked improvement over the stock struts. I got my AGX shipped for 425, my Konis for 608. Check out CVRMotorsports.com because they seem to have the best pricing that I've seen online other than Ebay, and they're very very close.
umm..maybe I'll go with Adjustable KYBs...I'm not good at choosing Lowering springs...any recomanded springs to go with KYB struts? Basically daily work driven and weekend fun.
Prodrive springs FTW, I've been running them on stock struts for quite some time and my struts are still good. I bought AGX's but recently sold them to 02blubaru before installing them.. due to financial reasons. =(
Well, the springs are going to depend on what you're willing to do as far as hats and spacers go. The 02-03 Prodrives are a good spring, although on the softer side of what's out there, in the 175/175 lb frt/rear range. The newer SPT and Prodrive springs (04+) are in the 225/195 frt/rear range. The Crucial Racing springs are in the 257/217 range, as well as the JDM STI pinks. The Swift and RCE (RaceComp Engineering) springs are in that range as well IIRC. If you want to stick with your stock tophats you'll need to find 02-03 springs. I ran the Prodrives on my old RS, they were a good spring for the money. You'll want to make sure you're not dropping the car too far, as that will shorten the life of your strut. If you don't mind my asking, how often will you be adjusting these? The setup that Justin has for sale would be just as good as if not better than some of these strut/spring combinations, plus the Group N tophats and an inverted strut design AND a strut tuned for that spring. The Spec C suspension is an upgrade over the stock STI struts. Zack (Esperunit) ran the Spec C struts/springs on his old RS, you could ask him how he liked it. The Group N tophats alone are worth over 300 new, and they'll make a difference in the strut performance as well.
I'm thinking of Eibach Sportlines springs with Tokkico Struts. About 1.7 drop front and 1.4 Rear. Is this a good idea? or what are recommanded springs for Tokkico struts? I want it stiff but not very boucing ride.
I can't find too much info on the Eibach Sportlines as far as spring rates, but those drops sound a bit aggressive. I think you'd be better off with a stiffer spring, perhaps you could find a set of USDM STI takeoff springs for cheap? I've seen some sets going for 50-100 bucks on Ebay for all for, they'll lower the car and help get rid of some of the fender gap and give you a stiffer spring that'll be better matched to your strut. The Eibachs aren't going to be much stiffer than stock and may actually be too soft for the adjustability of the Tokkicos, you'd only be using the lower 1/3 or so of your adjustability to match the springs.
Just did some looking...if you're willing to spend 600, why not wait and save up another 120 and get a set of Tokkicos with tuned springs for the strut? Then you don't have to worry about buying struts and springs and wondering if they'll match. These are tuned to the strut and the car, and they'll give you a decent lowering stance without going too far and sacrificing your suspension geometry and your strut... http://www.cvrmotorsports.com/view_product.php?product=DSK-513TOK&id=155
