Tokico HP Shocks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 31
From: Fresno California
Tokico HP Shocks
Hi Guys,
This is my first post, but I'm pretty sure it won't be my last. I'm looking to get new shocks for my '91 coupe. I just want a reasonably smooth riding, tight feeling car and the Bilstien's on the front are bouncy (66K on 'em). I was considering Tokico HPs... anyone have any experience with these? I'm open to suggestions...
Cheers,
Mike D.
This is my first post, but I'm pretty sure it won't be my last. I'm looking to get new shocks for my '91 coupe. I just want a reasonably smooth riding, tight feeling car and the Bilstien's on the front are bouncy (66K on 'em). I was considering Tokico HPs... anyone have any experience with these? I'm open to suggestions...
Cheers,
Mike D.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Welcome to the forum. 
I have no experience with those but many around here have been happy with the KYBs as a low cost stock replacement. They're mono tube construction as are the original Bilsteins. Do you have a link to the Tokicos?
BTW, fill out your profile so we'll know a bit more about you.
I have no experience with those but many around here have been happy with the KYBs as a low cost stock replacement. They're mono tube construction as are the original Bilsteins. Do you have a link to the Tokicos?BTW, fill out your profile so we'll know a bit more about you.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 31
From: Fresno California
Howdy, thanks for the welcome.
I went back and filled out the profile... felt a little weird, like a personal ad or something. Aren't we all just a bunch of guys that like Corvettes??? Anyway, I had an '89 coupe that I put KYB's on and found them a bit harsh compared to the Bilstiens that were on it (that went bad as well.) I wound up buying a set of TPS (I think that's what they were called) and they worked great, but sqeaked really bad.
I went back and filled out the profile... felt a little weird, like a personal ad or something. Aren't we all just a bunch of guys that like Corvettes??? Anyway, I had an '89 coupe that I put KYB's on and found them a bit harsh compared to the Bilstiens that were on it (that went bad as well.) I wound up buying a set of TPS (I think that's what they were called) and they worked great, but sqeaked really bad.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by fyrdsgn
Howdy, thanks for the welcome.
I went back and filled out the profile... felt a little weird, like a personal ad or something. Aren't we all just a bunch of guys that like Corvettes??? Anyway, I had an '89 coupe that I put KYB's on and found them a bit harsh compared to the Bilstiens that were on it (that went bad as well.) I wound up buying a set of TPS (I think that's what they were called) and they worked great, but sqeaked really bad.
I went back and filled out the profile... felt a little weird, like a personal ad or something. Aren't we all just a bunch of guys that like Corvettes??? Anyway, I had an '89 coupe that I put KYB's on and found them a bit harsh compared to the Bilstiens that were on it (that went bad as well.) I wound up buying a set of TPS (I think that's what they were called) and they worked great, but sqeaked really bad.
Mine had 81K on it when I bought it, about the same as yours. Although I'm still a very inexperienced auto-crosser, they seem to be a decent shock for that too.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
I just bought my car 96lt4. And it has tokico on it now and are leaking. Car has 87000 miles on it. So it seems that they didn't last very long and will be replacing them. Get 
confused trying to determine what is a soft ride and a hard ride by listening to other peoples interpetations so I am going with adjustables iether qa1 or koni adjustables hoping that I will be sure to get a ride that I want
confused trying to determine what is a soft ride and a hard ride by listening to other peoples interpetations so I am going with adjustables iether qa1 or koni adjustables hoping that I will be sure to get a ride that I want
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Don't blame a shock for being bad just because it looks weapy. I know the Bilsteins will weap a little, and it's perfectly normal.
As for the filling out of the location... good question! It helps us know where you live, so we know who might be close to you to help. Also, it helps us with knowledge of your state's legal issues.
It's not a bad thing, really.
BTW, I am in Torrance.
As for the filling out of the location... good question! It helps us know where you live, so we know who might be close to you to help. Also, it helps us with knowledge of your state's legal issues.
It's not a bad thing, really.
BTW, I am in Torrance.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Huntervangolf
I just bought my car 96lt4. And it has tokico on it now and are leaking. Car has 87000 miles on it. So it seems that they didn't last very long and will be replacing them. Get confused trying to determine what is a soft ride and a hard ride by listening to other peoples interpetations so I am going with adjustables iether qa1 or koni adjustables hoping that I will be sure to get a ride that I want
confused trying to determine what is a soft ride and a hard ride by listening to other peoples interpetations so I am going with adjustables iether qa1 or koni adjustables hoping that I will be sure to get a ride that I wantNote: ride "stiffness" is much more dependant on spring rates than it is on shock valving. Go too soft on shock damping and you lose control of the C4's very stiff springs, without much difference in ride quality.
QA-1's and Koni Sports are for serious drivers, not for boulevard cruisers.
Larry
code5coupe
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Okay then what shocks should I buy? One post someone says kyb are soft the next post says they are hard. Thought about the edelbrocks but one post says they are great and the next says they are terrible. Bilestiens? hd Bilestiens? Lets try this avenue, can some one tell me a good quality shock that is middle of the road as far as ride? But thanks for informing that even at the sofest settings they are still very hard. I kinda bought into Edelbrocks sales pitch but seems that some people were dissapointed in them.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 31
From: Fresno California
Lot's of good conversing going on here...
I asked about Tokico HPs because I saw them listed for $199.00 shipped and thought I'd see what the experts said before I went ahead and paid out. The car, '91 Coupe, was a very recent purchase... one that I'm sort of regretting at the moment because shocks are apparently the least of it's problems. I think I'll just sit tight for a while and see what this thread brings to surface. In the meantime I guess I'll keep my eyes peeled for that ever-so-rare Bilstien deal... and chisel away the bigger pile of issues.
Thanks for all the comments, guidance and the welcomes guys. I'll be posting more soon for sure.
Cheers.
I asked about Tokico HPs because I saw them listed for $199.00 shipped and thought I'd see what the experts said before I went ahead and paid out. The car, '91 Coupe, was a very recent purchase... one that I'm sort of regretting at the moment because shocks are apparently the least of it's problems. I think I'll just sit tight for a while and see what this thread brings to surface. In the meantime I guess I'll keep my eyes peeled for that ever-so-rare Bilstien deal... and chisel away the bigger pile of issues.
Thanks for all the comments, guidance and the welcomes guys. I'll be posting more soon for sure.
Cheers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 3
From: MD
Personally, I would never go back to Bilsteins unless you are keeping the car 100% original for shows and stuff. I've got an 84 Z51, which is pretty much the harshest riding C4 of all. My Bilsteins have finally bit it and I'm doing a whole suspension rebuild with poly bushings and shocks. Out of curiosity, where did you see the Tokico HPs for that price? I was going to go with KYBs, but that price is about the same as a set of KYBs so I'd like to look into it. A buddy of mine is a ricer and he absoultely loves Tokicos. I don't know what model of shocks his are, but he paid $1800 to convert his Mazda from struts to Tokico coil-overs. I'm not going for a cushy ride, though. I want a shock that will corner on rails and ride quality be damned 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Huntervangolf
Okay then what shocks should I buy? One post someone says kyb are soft the next post says they are hard. Thought about the edelbrocks but one post says they are great and the next says they are terrible. .... I kinda bought into Edelbrocks sales pitch but seems that some people were dissapointed in them. Shocks are so subjective. What one guy likes, another hates. I had on three sets...all different brands... before I found a set I liked. You may have to do a little "trial and error", as well.
I might suggest this: Mid America Motorworks lists several inexpensive shocks for the C4 that claim to be smooth-riding. You might try them.
Larry
code5coupe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,010
Likes: 1
From: Sweden/Stockholm
I use them. And im happy with the preformance. Better then my stock bilsteins. But then again i dont know if my stock shocks where bad or not. But they only got 70000km on them.
And the Tokico HPs whas pretty cheap.
just my experince.
/devil
And the Tokico HPs whas pretty cheap.
just my experince.
/devil
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 714
From: Bartlett IL
Originally Posted by JLeatherman
Personally, I would never go back to Bilsteins unless you are keeping the car 100% original for shows and stuff. I've got an 84 Z51, which is pretty much the harshest riding C4 of all. My Bilsteins have finally bit it and I'm doing a whole suspension rebuild with poly bushings and shocks. Out of curiosity, where did you see the Tokico HPs for that price? I was going to go with KYBs, but that price is about the same as a set of KYBs so I'd like to look into it. A buddy of mine is a ricer and he absoultely loves Tokicos. I don't know what model of shocks his are, but he paid $1800 to convert his Mazda from struts to Tokico coil-overs. I'm not going for a cushy ride, though. I want a shock that will corner on rails and ride quality be damned
I have to agree with Leatherman here. I also had an 84 Z51. The Bilsteins in combo with the Gatorbacks were like a washboard. I have Tokicos now for the last 2 years. They ride great along with the Yoko AVS Sports. I bought the Ts on eBay for 180 for 4. Car handles great and rides great on smooth roads. If there's bumps, the Z51 is notorious, but I don't wander like I did with the Bilsteins.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 31
From: Fresno California
Dominic, THAT is EXACTLY the kind of a report I was hoping to hear. I bought a set today, so I guess I'll give the "T"s a shot.
Leatherman, the Tokico HP's are $199.00 shipped at:
www.motorsportsdirect.com (800) 245-1001
Motorsports Direct
5360 Cameron Ave #9
Las Vegas, NV 89118
Thanks!
Leatherman, the Tokico HP's are $199.00 shipped at:
www.motorsportsdirect.com (800) 245-1001
Motorsports Direct
5360 Cameron Ave #9
Las Vegas, NV 89118
Thanks!
