Battle Royal: KYB vs Tokico
 

Anyone know the real benefit between Tokico and KYB suspension components? I researched both- KYB struts for all four corners would total about $204, and the Tokicos would total around $374. I've always heard that Tokicos are superior, but are they really worth the extra $170?

The KYB struts available for our cars.. from what I've read, they aren't even as good as stock ones.. people use them as a stock replacement if they don't want to lower their car to be more compatible with the tokico HP struts (with stock springs, it'd be kinda harsh on tokicos)

*sigh* I wish Konis were available for our cars :(

Yup, KYBs are stock replacements, not performance struts. I don't think the quality is bad--the stock struts are made by KYB. But the GR-2 model, I believe, is valved less aggressively than stock P5 struts.

You can get HPs on eBay for $320 shipped. Many (including myself) have done it without issue. If you're running stiffer aftermarket springs, it's much better to go with HPs. If you're running really stiff springs, Illuminas.

^^ there's no such thing as really stiff springs. I bought the stiffest I could find (according to the spring buyers guide chart) and they match with the HPs very well

you might be equating spring rate to stiffness, when i dont think its the same thing. stiffness in this sense is subjective; upgraded springs give people a sense of a slightly stiffer ride quality when compared to stock spring rates. now i can be completely wrong because im the farthest thing from a mechanic, but just something i noticed when reading up on suspension mods.

That chart is far from comprehensive.
Megan Racing 280/230 lb/in f/r
MazdaSpeed B-Spec 246/212 lb/in f/r

when you're talking about which struts pair well with a specific spring, stiffness = springrate and is not subjective.

Hence Josh saying that for really stiff springs, use illuminas, and me saying that my springs are the stiffest I could find, and HPs work great.. all referring to springrate when mentioning 'stiffness'

Well I'm not about to put Megan Racing springs on my car. I had low quality springs.

The Mazdaspeed b-specs probably weren't included because they're difficult to find, but then again there's autoexe stuff on there too.

True, true. :)

All right, sounds like a unanimous thumbs up on the Tokicos. And yes, I was looking into the HPs (the blue ones) as the Illuminas seem like total overkill for a car that will likely never see a track day. I mostly use my Protege for backroad bombing in the hills around my home. Reason I'm researching this is that my car has over 80,000 miles, and I read in multiple publications that it's a good idea to replace shocks at around 75,000 miles.
So, it also sounds like if I get the Tokicos, I'm going to need some different springs. Anybody got any recommendations? I'm also concerned about the harshness of the ride quality; my car already bounces and shudders over bumps and has an extremely rough ride. Is this maybe because my old shocks are worn out? Did anyone else have this problem as mileage accumulated? I don't mind a stiff ride, but right now, it feels more like my car has no suspension at all.

All I know is Tokico HP + goldline springs (progressive springrate, at their stiffest they are equivalent to MSP springs) was harsh and bouncy. Now I'm running the same HP struts with tein s-tech springs (much stiffer) and it isn't at all bouncy anymore.

I think tokico actually sells a bundled spring/strut combo that I would imagine is paired well.

If you don't want to lower the car or get stiffer springs, you might be better off getting the KYB struts, as they are commonly used as replacements for the stock struts.

So, Kansei, stiffer springs work well with the Tokicos? I'm guessing that using the softer stock springs with the firmer struts would make the car even more like a pogo stick eh? I'm okay with the car being an inch or so lower, if that's a consequence of the stiffer springs; I'm sticking with 15" wheels so I've got a couple inches between the tires and wheel wells.
My main goal is really just to make my car stick to the pavement. At the moment, it seems to skip over road imperfections rather than dig down and get a grip on the pavement. I'm hoping that the Tokicos will help me to gain traction.

By the way Kansei, your Protege5 looks badass. What kind of power gains did you get from your turbo?

Tokico handling kit is a good value and on the stiff side.
Tokico HPs will also work with Tein S-Techs, Eibach, Tanabe GF210, H&R Sport springs, and Racing Beat springs. Most of those are about 30% stiffer than stock and drop the car about an inch and a half, except the milder RB which are 20% and 3/4".

The racing beat springs seem like they'd fit what gman86 is looking for.

as for power gains from the turbo.. I dunno it's still slow I think :)

I was just looking into the Tokico package with the struts and springs combo, about $500. Anyone know approximately how much this combo will lower my car? The website didn't say...