Stiffer shocks: KYB GR-2s or Tokico Blues?

[240guyNY]

Hey right now im just looking to put together desent used suspension system to hold me over until i get coilovers... So i dont really want to spend the money on adj. shocks/struts. So does anyone know which set of shocks will be stiffer, I'm looking to mate them up with suspension techniques springs or any other linear spring.ThanksSean

[240crawler]

Save your money for the coilovers. Practice with the stock suspension until you feel like it actually holds you back. When you start scrubbing in every turn you make, then worry about the struts. You will become a much better driver, and the coilovers will make a larger difference.

But, I have Tokico HP (Blue), and I love them. They are with Tein S-Tech, so if you want a stiffer setup, I would try a RSR race spring, as the Teins are a little soft for my taste.

[240guyNY]

Yeah, i really want to wait, but i hate the stock suspension even in daily driving id rather just have a desent shock/spring combo for a few months, maybe even a year. Im gonna get used stuff so its not going to cost me alot, and ill put them in myself, then when i do get coilovers ill just sell the old stuff.

[ddgsxr504]

Ahhh no blue aki no blue aki. Tokico Blues suck balls stay away from them. I had them with sprint springs and they rocked hard for about 6 months then boom blown crap sticks. Get coilovers you will be thank yourself later on.

[Red coupe]

Even if you dont get coilovers straight off GR-2's are supposed to be 15% stiffer then stock...thats weak. they are ment as a replacement. No sence in "upgrading" to a stock replacement man...

[240guyNY]

how much stiffer are tokico blues than stock?

[BadMojo]

Even if you dont get coilovers straight off GR-2's are supposed to be 15% stiffer then stock...thats weak. they are ment as a replacement. No sence in "upgrading" to a stock replacement man...

Well, Suspension Techniques springs are presumably designed to be used with OE shocks so I don't see how the GR-2s would be a problem. I wouldn't run something like RSR Race springs on 'em, but the Suspension Techniques spring rates aren't anywhere near as stiff as the RSR.

IMO, I think GR-2s and Suspension Techniques (if you want linear rate springs) or Tein S-Techs would be a nice budget setup. You won't get 40,000 miles out of the GR2's, but then you probably don't really intend to keep them that long.

[Red coupe]

Well, Suspension Techniques springs are presumably designed to be used with OE shocks so I don't see how the GR-2s would be a problem. I wouldn't run something like RSR Race springs on 'em, but the Suspension Techniques spring rates aren't anywhere near as stiff as the RSR.

You miss my point...sure you can run close to stock spring rates on close to stock shocks, but why pay a few hundred dollars to replace functioning (I see no promblem buying a gr-2 or what ever to replace a dead stock strut) suspension with a thats barely different...

My car came with GR-2's, and I didn't know I had "upgraded" suspension until I got under the car one day and saw them...

[240guyNY]

Well, i had tokico blues and suspension techniques springs on a z31 a while ago, tokicos with H&R stage 2s on a civic , and the difference between that and the stock suspension was night and day, so im confidant that it will be the same onthe 240sx. But i have never run GR-2s and all i want to know if is they are as stiff as Tokico blues.

[574-240sx]

Tokicos are better then GR-2, I have had both on different S14s. Stiffer springs and bigger drops will kill them quicker. Yeah I do miss my coilovers on my S13.

[Felipe]

i just got an s13 (2nd) droped with RSR springs... it has a nice stiff feel. the problem is that the back has KYB GR2s and the front dosent (stock), so the front bounces like a pogo stick! i have no problem with the back.. now my Q. is how much of a difrence will it make if i added the KYB GR2s on the front? will it still bounce hard?

[Red coupe]

arent RSR downsprings a little stiff to be running with stock/near stock shocks?

[Felipe]

the stiff i have no problem with... getting it not to bounce is the trick im looking for... coilovers will come later...

[steaminhotryce]

I don't know why people are saying Tokico Blues can't last for more than 6 months (although I'm not doubting your words). Could it be that you're pairing them up with the wrong springs? I used to have stock shocks with Eibach Sportlines (came when I bought the car). I later bought Tokico Blues and paired them up with Eibach Prokits (wanted to raise my car up JUST a bit). Suspension is still running strong and it's been way more than 6 months. I drive my car pretty hard on mountain roads very often (four times a month?) and they're GREAT! I could only imagine how much coilovers would be...but I don't need that type of performance yet since I'm not in competition or anything. Just driving mountain roads for fun. Maybe the life of the shocks also depends on the type of springs you pair them up with?

BTW, my Eibach sportlines are just chillin in my garage. Too lazy to post them up. If you're interested, shoot me an offer. AIM: steaminhotryce

[steaminhotryce]

Here's a close up...still in great condition. The owner told me they were installed for about a year and a half. Let's just say 2 years.

[Felipe]

im sure the stock front are all used up.... would some new kyb gr2 or Tokico Blues keep it from bouncing?

[steaminhotryce]

TO: drifters2it_sideways

If your car have excessive bouncing, then MOST LIKELY the shocks are blown. This is because stock shocks aren't really meant to go too low (with lowering springs). Having lowering springs on stock shocks would require them to work harder. You are bouncing because shocks are blown and the front is now supported by the RS*R lowering springs only.

[steaminhotryce]

Here's a close up...still in great condition. The owner told me they were installed for about a year and a half. Let's just say 2 years.

Forgot to mention...the Eibach Sportlines are for S14. Thanks to 240guyNY for reminding me.

[Red coupe]

TO: drifters2it_sideways

If your car have excessive bouncing, then MOST LIKELY the shocks are blown. This is because stock shocks aren't really meant to go too low (with lowering springs). Having lowering springs on stock shocks would require them to work harder. You are bouncing because shocks are blown and the front is now supported by the RS*R lowering springs only.

Cars are not supported by the shock....The shock is not only damaged by the lower range of motion but also by the extra work it takes to control a stiffer spring.

:edit no offence ment just wanted to correct something I noticed...

[steaminhotryce]

Cars are not supported by the shock....The shock is not only damaged by the lower range of motion but also by the extra work it takes to control a stiffer spring.

:edit no offence ment just wanted to correct something I noticed...

I agree with what you said about the shocks working harder with stiffer springs in addition to my comment, but I don't think I said anywhere in there that the car is supported by the shocks.

[Felipe]

some new GR2s will help alot then... for now.

[Red coupe]

I agree with what you said about the shocks working harder with stiffer springs in addition to my comment, but I don't think I said anywhere in there that the car is supported by the shocks.

You are bouncing because shocks are blown and the front is now supported by the RS*R lowering springs only.

lol sorry I know what you mean though, just saw that and ocd made me post...ill stop now

[nismofly]

itll bounce regardless, rs*r race are too much for agx nevermind anything less, you need koni yellows for those

gr2 and ST springs should work ok, just like everybody said its really not going to be much of an improvement, agx would be much better if you come across them

the springs will be fine for the street, just dont expect amazing handling with them

[blake@tirerack]

GR-2's are designed to be 10 to 15% (depending on application) stiffer than O.E. if you are droping the car the GR-2's are not the best choice. Per KYB the use of the GR-2's with lowering springs will void the warrenty on the product. The GR-2's are a good choice if you want to take the chance. If you are going to do some hard driving get the AGX's if they are available to you.

[audtatious]

Thanks Blake. We appreciate the support

[Q45tech]

Eibach springs on my Q45 since 1994 I have had to change my Tokico HP EVERY 4 years or every 60,000 miles.......120k, 180k, 240k......the rear get totally shot in rebound. Just noticed how bad the rear was getting 305k ordered replacements to day.

It is pretty amazing that they last that long! Probably should change them at 30k but I am lazy.

[BadMojo]

GR-2's are designed to be 10 to 15% (depending on application) stiffer than O.E.

Just out of curiousity,where do AGX's fall compared to stock(within their range of adjustment)?

[240guyNY]

well i ended up finding a deal on tanabe gf210s for 160 shipped new, so it will probably be them and gr-2s or tokicos if i can fidn them used

[Musthavego]

I'd also like to know... "Just out of curiousity,where do AGX's fall compared to stock(within their range of adjustment)?"

I want to lower my S14 a little, thinking about Eibach Sportline Springs orB&G S2 Springs with some KYB AGX's. Any thoughts? (She has 18" Racing Harts, if it makes a difference)

Full coilover setup is not within current budget.Is it a waste to switch my springs and shocks... should I just save for a coilover setup in the future (it might be a while...)?

Thanks

[Red coupe]

yes, it is a waste to buy one suspenstion set up when you want a diffrent one...Save and buy what you want, by the time you get all the stuff for new springs you are half way to KTS.The AGX your gonna have to do some searches on but I think they range from slightly softer then stock, to stock. I know I have seen a list of what % stiffer then stock they are on each setting so do a few searches/email KYB....