Are Tokico Illumina’s any good? And is $405 a good price for all 4? After checking out different shocks/struts I guess I’ll go with these. They seem pretty popular, adjustable, and Ground Control makes a kit to convert these to adjustable coilover shocks. Right now I’ve got cheap a$$ APC coil-overs, some blown shocks, limited funds and limited patience cause my car bounces more than double D’s in a porno. That’s why I’m not saving up for a complete Progress Kit or Tein; just one part at a time, first shocks, then another set of coil overs etc… I don’t know if these are shorter, fixable (if they go out I don’t have to buy another shock, just revalve it or whatever) or have a warranty though. That would be a plus if anyone knows of another shock/strut that is near that price or better and, on top of my other preferences, has those 3 features. Any input would help me with my decision. TIA!!
Peez
BTW: I’ve done searches for these but I just end up confused and still don’t know what to buy, so I figured I’ll ask my question.
I have Ground Control Coilovers and Illuminas in my car and I love 'em. I got my coilovers for $299 and the Illuminas for $400. So what you’ve found is pretty much the best deal I could come across in all my searches. The Illuminas are good shocks IMO… I think they have a 100,000 mile warrenty, but there might be small print on that somewhere. I think I read something about extreme drops on their site HERE. It’s on there somewhere…
i love my illuminas. they have been working great for the past almost 2 years now.
I would recommend them, however most everyone will recommend that you get koni yellow’s instead. they give a little softer ride, are infinitely adjustable between points (instead of stepped adjustments like the illuminas) and from what i hear the yellows hold up to a more severe drop a bit better.
Thanx fellas. I will for sure now go with the Illumina’s and some GC’s. I’d have to save up 2x as long to get some Konis and I want to get my car riding coo ASAP. Thanx for the input though.
Does anyone know how good illuminas would be with H&R sports? 1.8" drop. Also is there a noticable difference between the stiffest and softest setting on the illuminas?
Originally posted by chsscott Does anyone know how good illuminas would be with H&R sports? 1.8" drop. Also is there a noticable difference between the stiffest and softest setting on the illuminas?
I’ve got H&R Race on Illuminas, I think the sports would make a real good sporty ride. The race is QUITE stiff. As for the stiffest and softest setting, you will definately feel a difference. With my race springs, I can’t really go softer than 3 (out of 5) or else I get bouncing. The stiffer your spring, the stiffer your shock must be or else you get bouncing.
Originally posted by chsscott Does anyone know how good illuminas would be with H&R sports? 1.8" drop. Also is there a noticable difference between the stiffest and softest setting on the illuminas?
Yeah…, I picked up the 1.8" drop this weekend and they handle just az good az my 2.5" drop H&R race springz and ride even better. I have my illuminaz set at 2 all-around for daily driving, there iz a major difference with the settingz; 5 iz stiff N bouncy, 1 iz soft like a sponge
Originally posted by Matt1600 I’d have to save up 2x as long to get some Konis
2x? arent konis going for as low as 550? 150 more… definitely worth it. now if you were going just front pair first then rear later i could understand getting something else… agx even hehe
Originally posted by TouringTeg
[B]I had illuminas over gcs
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too stiff
many other members have traded in their illuminas for true coilovers or yellows for this reason
otherwise they perform great ! [/B]
you must just not like a stiff ride. I’ve got illuminas on skunk2’s (these spring rates are much higher than the GC spring rates) and i love the setup. its a bit firm, but definitely not too stiff for me. Thats why its so hard to recommend suspension for other people. Someones idea of stiff may be extremely different from someone elses. Its best to try out some of your buddy’s cars and see what you can handle.
Originally posted by 91IntegGS
you must just not like a stiff ride. I’ve got illuminas on skunk2’s (these spring rates are much higher than the GC spring rates) and i love the setup. its a bit firm, but definitely not too stiff for me. Thats why its so hard to recommend suspension for other people. Someones idea of stiff may be extremely different from someone elses. Its best to try out some of your buddy’s cars and see what you can handle.
Very true…I have illumnas myself with progress springs. Illumnas are externally adjustable meaning with a turn of a screw you can adjust it. I dont know how you think illumnas can be stiff because at its first setting of “1” it is probably softer than stock and even a bit bouncy. You must’ve set the shocks to like 4 or 5 in order to make it that stiff. Personally i use #2 setting up front and #3 setting in the back for everyday driving. The results are a firm, but not a stiff ride perfect compromise between streetability and handling. Yes the koni’s are nice, but could be overkill. I also heard some people have trouble setting koni shocks all the same because they are infinitly adjustable. Go for the illumnas.
Very true…I have illumnas myself with progress springs. Illumnas are externally adjustable meaning with a turn of a screw you can adjust it. I dont know how you think illumnas can be stiff because at its first setting of “1” it is probably softer than stock and even a bit bouncy. You must’ve set the shocks to like 4 or 5 in order to make it that stiff. Personally i use #2 setting up front and #3 setting in the back for everyday driving. The results are a firm, but not a stiff ride perfect compromise between streetability and handling. Yes the koni’s are nice, but could be overkill. I also heard some people have trouble setting koni shocks all the same because they are infinitly adjustable. Go for the illumnas. [/B]
the reason you think that the illuminas are soft is not the shocks, its your springs. The progress sport springs are VERY soft springs. I used to have them on my car, they are good springs, just not as performance oriented as others that are out there. Setting the illuminas to 4 or 5 with stiffer lowering springs or coilovers makes the ride quite harsh. You can feel every single tiny crack in the road (yes, cracks, not just bumps and potholes).
and if my stiff coilovers were paired with some koni yellows the ride would be much softer.
I hope this is showing the person who is posting this that different setups will feel very different.
2x? arent konis going for as low as 550? 150 more… definitely worth it. now if you were going just front pair first then rear later i could understand getting something else… agx even hehe [/B]
somone recently posted a group buy for 530 shipped.
I just got mine for a little over 420 brand new woohoo! (i got lucky)
I have been riding on Illuminas with Suspension Techniques race (1.8-2") springs for nearly 3 years now with no problems. I like the stiff ride but I think I will get coilover sleeves for them because I need to drive in the winter and want to raise the chasis height to clear the unmentionables.
I usually drive with the front at 3 and the rear at 4. On my last long drive (3000km), I set the front at 1 and the rear at 2 (nice ride but be carefull if you dig into a hard corner like this).
I will for sure now go with the Illumina’s and some GC’s. I’d have to save up 2x as long to get some Konis and I want to get my car riding coo ASAP. Thanx for the input though.
woohoo! (i got lucky)