greenlantern94

Hey everyone. I'm toying with the idea of completely redoing the suspension on my protege. I would go with the Suspension techniques sway bar set, and eibach springs. I was wondering though, for those of you with eibach springs, which struts hold up the best? Or, is there a better spring/strut combination out there? i'm going for handling, i don't care how it looks. Thanks for your help.

macklum

When I did the suspension I used suspension Techneques sring with tokico struts ,I never had a problem .

greenlantern94

Thanks for the quick response. How'd it handle? Was it on a first gen protege? Thanks.

macklum

Yes it was a1st gen ,It handled great

Ghost

I have the KYB E-spec struts with Suspension Techniques springs. It's like riding on rails. I can hit about 70 on freeway on-ramps. It's great to see some guy in a high power pony car in my rear view for those sweet few seconds in a corner. On the straights...a whole different story It's all good though cuz my focus is on handling anyway.

greenlantern94

That's awesome dude...i noticed so far that you guys seem to stay away from eibach. i always thought they were better? or are you just paying for the name? thanks again.

greenlantern94

i have a question for you, ghost. you said with just the struts and springs its like "riding on rails". how do you think it would be if you added sway bars? i'm trying to decide if i should do everything, or just upgrade some components.

also, anyone else out there with opinions on struts/springs? thanks guys!

macdaddyslomo

Tokico....the best...5 ways if available with yur budget

greenlantern94

i'm sorry, i don't know what you mean....5 ways what?

macklum

He'ds talking about tokico illumina's 5 way adjustable . The ajustable is the damping of the strut

greenlantern94

ahh, gotcha, thanks. are these the ones that corksport sells for 95$ a piece?

Ghost

greenlantern94, the only thing I did to improve on the sway bars was replace the old bushings with Energy Suspension pieces. FYI: It was a Ford application, part number 4.5139G, for a 3/4" sway bar. One kit includes end-link bolts, mount bushings, and various other bushings and washers for the end-links. You'll need (2) kits to cover the front and back. I can't remember how much I paid for them. It was about three years ago. But the car seemed more responsive. The stock sway bars are good for me, I don't race or anything so buying stuff I feel I don't need is pointless. That's just me tho, so you do what you feel would suit your needs. That's what this sport is all about...personalization.

greenlantern94

thanks for the info, ghost.

alright i know i ask a lot of questions, but i have another one. would you guys recommend doing springs/struts only, sway bars only, or everything? which would make the biggest difference?

ps. i'm not going for looks, i want good handling.

bazooka joe

hi folks! just finished up my install of the tokico luminas. wow what a differance over my old set up (stock struts and prokit springs, awr 21mm sway bar)! these springs are awesome! love the 5 way adjustability. really improved my ride and handling. i'm extremely pleased.

greenlantern94

that sounds awesome, but when i go to tokico's website, they don't have a listing for illumina's for our car...whats up here?