Dampening Rate of Tokico HP

[Danzors]

Hey guys, I tried searching for anything concerning dampening but i think the search is limited to topic titles only. Anyway, I wanted to know the dampening rate of Tokico HP's so I can decide better which springs to get and thus how stiff I want my ride. If anyone could tell me when the spring rates would be too strong and would destroy my shocks, I'd appreciate it.

From what I'm seeing in spring rates, a lot of them are in the 3.0-3.5 region which seems pretty soft. I think I'm leaning toward megan's.

Thanks guys

[Q45tech]

Tokico doesn't publish their shock rates on oem and oem style replacement rates. Shock rates are extremely temperature of internals related.The usual industry practice is to make HP and other non adjustable brands ~~ 15% stiffer to compensate for some rubber suspension bushing wear that occurs after 50,000 miles or 4 years.

The stiffer the spring, the warmer the shock gets and this heat [friction energy] helps drive the Nitrogen out.......reducing rebound control and self extension.

Don't think that HP series are that much superior to oem just the replacemrnt name brand............"High Performance" just means not oem soft.

$50 or $65 or even $125 [for adjustable] Each doesn't buy much when quality rebuildable external res performance shocks are $1,000 to $2.,000 EACH.

You always gain cost effectiveness with adjustables by extending wear out /replacement time.

All in all hard to imagine any low cost shock could survive more than 4 years and be anywhere close to as brand new.

[Danzors]

Well in that case I suppose I'll save my money and get KYB AGX which seem like good shocks. Still I'm trying to find a way to find the optimal spring rate to match struts to make my ride stiffer as well as prolong the life of the struts. Seeing as you've convinced me to get adjustables now, do you mind me asking what that really does for me?

-edit-

read up that they have adjustable dampening rates. now im just going to brush up on wth i kno about shocks and springs thanks
Modified by Danzors at 8:28 PM 5/15/2006

[BadMojo]

Seeing as you've convinced me to get adjustables now, do you mind me asking what that really does for me?

It allows you to compensate for the increased wear the stiffer, shorter aftermarket springs put on the damper. So, as the springs beat the crap out of the shocks over time you can turn it a few clicks to compensate for the wear.

KYB AGX's seem to do pretty well with mild lowering springs. Just avoid anything really low (like Eibach Sportlines) or really stiff (like RSR Race springs) and you should be fine.

Like Q45Tech said though, don't expect even the AGX's to last over 3 or 4 years depending on how many miles you put on them, the roads you drive on, etc.

I will add the Tokico HP's have a reputation for early failure. Don't know whether that's true or not, but I have seen more people post about blown Tokicos than KYB AGX's and the AGX is a very popular choice around here.

[Q45tech]

I think 4 years is excellant life for oem or Tokico HP models [ or any shock for that matter] in the oem format non adjustable.

Back in the 70 and 80's shocks lasted 25,000 miles now they routinely last 50-60k [4 years].

I've used HP with and without Eibach's over the last 12 years, either way 60k and or 4 years and they were done, same with Tokico oem version!

[Danzors]

What about KYB GR-2's compared to Tokico HP's seeing as GR-2's could save me even more money. Also, I've decided that in 4 years, I'd get coilovers anyway so the non-adjustables should be fine. Planning to put on Tein S. Tech's so maybe that'll be of some help.