Ok, so I'm comparing Bilsteins to the Tokico HPs to ordinary KYB GR-2s. Bilsteins will run over $500, Tokicos will be around $325, while the KYBs will be around $150.

For a car I only spent $1,000 for (I'm a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep sales manager, and bought the car wholesale), $500 hurts...but I do intend to keep this car permanently and eventually do a full restoration. Its in great shape now, but I'm sort of a perfectionist. Other than weld-in SFCs and an STB, the rest of the chassis will remain stock...for me, this is a cruiser, not a racer.

I have Bilsteins on my Z and love them, but I wonder how the ride quality and overall durability of the lesser brands compare? Any help is appreciated...it still has OEM struts on it, and they're killing me!

 

The KYB's are pretty much a stock replacement. I have no experience with the Tokicos but I know I love my Billsteins

 

tokicos is a big import brand, if i had the money I would be all about billstein, but I have no problems with my KYBs

 

To be honest, I have the $$$ to do the Bilsteins...I just don't know if I want to spend it! I need to have the front bumper sprayed, then the outside is mint. The A/C needs a recharge minimally (hoping that's all it needs!!!), and the driver's seat will cost about $180 to repad and replace a bolster. Plus I need to tune it up.

So yeah, while I CAN spend the $$$ on the Bilsteins, it needs other things too...so I wonder what to do. I know Tokicos are more an import thing, but I found them online and they seem to be better than the run-of-the-mill KYB/Monroes, without the Bilstein price.

Like I said, any opinions are appreciated...I may just have to end up doing Bilsteins

 

Monroes, kybs and tokicos are on the same level... period... if you are considering these buy the cheapest ones.... the adjustables are a joke too...
Bilsteins are great, konis are great, id like to see a review on the edelbrock shocks....

 

Not to start any trouble but what does it matter if Tokico makes parts for Imports? Does that mean its automatically junk? I think we're gonna miss out if the Import scene can control our perception of what parts are acceptable to use on our cars. I've used Tokico HP's and Illumina's on my 3rd gens and while I agree there may be better struts/shocks out there, I think they're worth the money. Whenever I've re-done suspension on a 3rd gen and I wanted to do it on a budget I've gone with the HP's. You can get them on E-bay new in box for $235 all 4. In my opinion they are a step above stock replacements, but my opinion is based on using them with both stock Z28 springs and mild drop springs (Eibach Pro-Kit). Probably wouldnt be a good choice for really low/stiff springs. When doing my latest project IROC-Z's suspension I decided to try the Illuminas because they were 5 way adjustable and around $400 new in box on E-bay through the same distributor. I've been using those with weight jacks and a mix of 775# Eibach RR front springs and SSS #175 rear springs, seems to work good so far. For the original poster, if you can afford the Bilsteins I would say go that route. But if its gonna be a budget then I say go with the HP's.

 

Well, I ended up doing the KYB GR-2s...I couldn't stomach the cost of the Bilsteins when you consider I got the KYBs, my Accel cap/rotor/8.8 wires/Bosch Platinum +4s/O2 sensor/serpentine belt/EGR valve/EGR solenoid and other tune up bits for less than the cost of the Bilsteins alone

I will do the Bilsteins down the road, but for now the KYBs make it fun and safe to drive. Can't wait to drive it once I get all the work finished! The cap was crap inside, the 02 sensor was garbage, the EGR doesn't even work (hence the new solenoid), and the plugs are crap...should be a nice rip when done

 

sorry i'm late to the game, but the best ride quality will come with the HP's on the stock springs. The HP's are NOT in the same class as the KYB's. The KYB's are a step down from stock, the OEM on these cars is made by bilstein. The HP's are excellent on stock springs where bump compliance and a taught responsive ride are desired. The bilsteins are the best performance choice of the 3 but if i was spending 500 bucks i would get the illuminas.

 

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Kyb's are a good oem replacement... ive used them many times... those shocks are better than blown shocks...

 

i've got a set of bilstein's and a pro-kit with about 20k on them, shoot me a pm if you are interested.

Justin

 

Fyi if you haven't installed the bosch platinum +4s my opinion is don't!!! I bought them for my camaro and it ran like complete hell and had a mild misfire after installing them. I thought for sure i just got a bad plug or a spark plug boot or such wasn't on right so i took them back got all new ones and installed them again, same problem slight miss, less responsive just no improvement whatsoever over stock styled.

Mine is now running stock styled copper ac delcos and i couldn't be happier, no ignition miss now either and it's much more responsive than it was with those plugs.

Anyways after much research i've found that you should buy manufacturer specific spark plug for the specific car, in other words if it's a ford get motorcraft plugs, if chevy get ac delco so on.....

If nothing else take my word that they are no better than stock styled copper ac delcos which cost 30$ less lol.