2" Drop springs...What shocks & Struts?!?!?!?

[Bglad420]

I recently bought a set of suspension techniques 2" Drop springs for my 88 LXi Hatch, And I was wondering what shocks and struts to get? I dont want to spend the money or time getting anything revalved, and I do't really want to pay more that 350 a set?? I hear so many mixed oppinions, so mabey someone w/ a 2" drop can tell me what they use. I going for functionality/performance, not looks, I don't want my suspension to be bottoming out, please help!

[geesnow]

id like to know also- there does seem to be mixed opinions!

[AZmike]

You've bought springs that are nearly twice at stiff as stock. Here are you options:

1. Spend more than $350 for revalved Bilstiens or Konis for a firm, controlled ride.
2. Buy Tokicos and deal with a somehat bouncy, floaty ride. Since they are around 10% stiffer than stock (not 70-90% stiffer like your springs) you may end up needing to replace them from time to time. Some people think that this is a fine option and are ok with how the car rides. It is the best choice if you refuse to spend more than $350. If you really are going for performance you need to be prepared to spend the money for option 1.
3. Some combination of the above. Most people that use Tokicos seem more bothered by the bouce in the front than the rear and use Konis or Bilstiens front and Tokicos rear. Going this route woldn't be that much over your budget goal.
4. Reinstall and finish off your stock shocks

Depending on your tires, a 2 inch drop may also give you uneven tire wear due to excessive negative camber.

[3gn86lxi]

Eh......Do what you can afford.
Here is my setup, ST drop springs: 2.5 front and 2.25 rear. I am aslo running with the pinch forks modded for another 1/2 inch in front. With Tokico HP blues all the way around.
I am running a 16 inch wheel with 205/40R16 zexius Xi326 tire. The ride is FIRM, not bouncy, I truely don't think alot of these people have actually run Tokico's, they are going on what every one says about them.
There is no feeling like I'm "floating, or bouncing" down the road.
I also just installed poly sway bar bushings and that alone tightened the ride even more. This is PERFECT for daily driving, and the occasional auto cross jont.
But in the end, take what everyone says, and do what you can bro.

[Rendon LX-i]

Or u can go with the KYB GR-2............HOLD up before anyone says anything let me say some shit. I just put these in and i live in a place were the roads are not so pretty. well i have these with my dropzones I DONT KNOW but if u like Tokicos which i think are the same as KYBs. I hit bumps going 70 and pretty bad ones. and one bounce and thats it. Im really telling u the truth alot of members said its a stock replacement which prolly is shit i dont know but it sure didnt feel like it. My suspension feels like i got a 1000 suspension.....Lol I dont know its up to u and what u can afford shit thats all i can affort But still wasnt cheap had to do camber and added some poloy bushings and the rear Sturt mount froze on me..................Everyone Knows on this Board and was told to me plenty of times. Droping your car is NOT cheap. Took me 3 years to get my shit straight lol. Well theres my big .000000002 cent

[3gn86lxi]

I ran the KYB's for a while Rendon. I think I am alot lower than you and I bottomed mine out more than I liked, so I went to the Tokico's.
They have performed flawlessly so far.

[Rendon LX-i]

yeah idk. I hope my shit doesnt blow cuz i live in washington alot of cruves and bumps and shit like that. But I dont bottom out which i go thew alot of hoes but car handles while pretty stiff. Idk. But KYBS are not meant for everyone right? lol

[Bglad420]

OK so I think I'll go w/ the tokico blues, I just don't see wasting the time and money on revalving shocks and struts on a damn Honda, its not like its ever gonna be real fast, or a race car, but I still want some more opinions, by the way is anyone using suspension techniques? if so let me know, good or bad

[Busted_Blue]

Blues are a good choice. If you don't want to spend over $350, these are the best struts you can get for yourself.


I always thought the tokicos performed reall well until I got the Konis in the front. The konis outperformed the tokicos and I noticed all the differences the minute I went out for a test drive. I wish I actually waited for the Konis before instead of spending the extra money on 2 front struts that are perfectly good.

[FyreDaug]

1. Spend more than $350 for revalved Bilstiens or Konis for a firm, controlled ride

How much more? (all 4) or even just 2, and ill do tokicos on the front depending on price

[3gn86lxi]

How much more? (all 4) or even just 2, and ill do tokicos on the front depending on price

You can get a full set of Tokico's from e-bay for $239 shipped. I think thats what I paid.
If you can find Koni's you will pay minimum of $300+ shipping for fronts.
That alone was enough for me to go with Tokico's.

[AZmike]

You'd be looking at a little over $300 to run revalved Bilsteins in just the front. With the Tokicos for the rear you should end up a little under $450 altogether for shocks. I'd say that this is a good intermediate step between $240 for 4 Tokicos and ~$630 for 4 revalved Bilsteins. The extra damping in the front should take care of the bounce that annoys some of those that go for Tokicos all around. Others, like Ryan above, are perfectly happy with that setup. I don't doubt that it's a big step up from stock springs and worn stock shocks. It's just that I've seen quite a few members like Busted Blue that start with Tokicos and notice a significant improvement when they move to Konis or Bilsteins.