Pick The Shocks: Tokico, Koni or Bilstein
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From: Weedsport, NY
Car: 1986 Camaro SC
Engine: Bolt-on/cam 305
Transmission: 700R4 w/ 2500stall
Axle/Gears: 3.73 10bolt Posi
Re: Pick The Shocks: Tokico, Koni or Bilstein
I have Tokico Illumina 5way adjustable shocks with Tokico lowering springs, they work very well for me. The ride on lowering springs, full poly bushings, and firm shocks might not be daily driver material for some, but its a weekend warrior w/ a keen eye for auto-x and it works well for me. No quality issues or problems in the 2.5yrs that I've had the car.
Last edited by atc3434; Jan 23, 2009 at 09:44 AM. Reason: Details, details...
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Posts: 421
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From: IL
Car: 91RS, 91RS
Engine: 305TBI, 3.1MP
Transmission: WCT5, TH700
Re: Pick The Shocks: Tokico, Koni or Bilstein
I second Tokico adjustables for value and quality. A lot of people are going to say Koni Yellows, and yes if I had that kind of money I would most certainly have them as well. But lets face it not everyone has that kind of paper to be throwing around.
As for Billsteins, there was a set on the front of my 91 when I bought it. Rode ungodly stiff in the front end. HOWEVER, one of the shocks had some internal malfunction and the shaft could wobble in the strut body. This surely effected the ride quality in some way, let alone the loud "click-clack" whenever I hit a bump. Those have since been done away with.
Max,
As for Billsteins, there was a set on the front of my 91 when I bought it. Rode ungodly stiff in the front end. HOWEVER, one of the shocks had some internal malfunction and the shaft could wobble in the strut body. This surely effected the ride quality in some way, let alone the loud "click-clack" whenever I hit a bump. Those have since been done away with.
Max,
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Naples, FL
Car: 91 RS Camaro, 75 L82 Corvette
Engine: LO3, 383 Stroker
Transmission: 700R4, TH400
Axle/Gears: 4th gen 3.23 posi/LS1 discs, stock
Re: Pick The Shocks: Tokico, Koni or Bilstein
I have Koni Yellows and I don't have a single complaint on my daily driven Camaro. Along with a Prokit and all UMI suspension. A great ride on the highway, and it can hold on the twisties.
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From: East Tennesse
Car: 1991 RS Camaro
Engine: L03 (want LS1)
Transmission: 700R-4 (and T56)
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.23 posi
Re: Pick The Shocks: Tokico, Koni or Bilstein
KONIs.
Adjustable, two different valving options (Red or Yellow), most aggressive valving you can get on sub $1000 shock-set that I'm aware of, lifetime warranty to the original owner.
The ride can be a little harsh on rough secondary roads/pot holes, but that's partiall due to flimsy/noisy nature of the cars. The Bilstien HDs are a nice shock, but for the money I'd rather have adjustability and the warranty.
The option between Red and Yellow really depends on what your plan for the car.
Adjustable, two different valving options (Red or Yellow), most aggressive valving you can get on sub $1000 shock-set that I'm aware of, lifetime warranty to the original owner.
The ride can be a little harsh on rough secondary roads/pot holes, but that's partiall due to flimsy/noisy nature of the cars. The Bilstien HDs are a nice shock, but for the money I'd rather have adjustability and the warranty.
The option between Red and Yellow really depends on what your plan for the car.
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Re: Pick The Shocks: Tokico, Koni or Bilstein
The quality of the Koni shocks are just far superior internally. They do not foam under gas charge, the valve discs do not allow slop in midstroke changes between compression and rebound and the vice versa. 1/16" slop here on a shock in th erear can result in sometimes as great as 1/4" undampered movement of the tire.
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From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 383 with Edelbrock ProFlow EFI
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 12 bolt 3.73 Eaton posi
Re: Pick The Shocks: Tokico, Koni or Bilstein
Koni SA here...
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Re: Pick The Shocks: Tokico, Koni or Bilstein
i just installed koni yellow sports to replace my 3-4 year old tockico blues. the tockicos are great for the money, i pulled them for the new/better koni's. the difference is the car rides better, even with the stiffer valving, and the handling is way better, more stable, with a better ride. for $250 i love my tockicos. i bought the konis brand new on ebay for $450, or i would still be using my tockicos.
i was happy with the tockicos untill the koni's were installed now i wouldn't go back.
both are liftime warranty.
within days of the install i got my J&M caster camber plates, new stut mounts are neceassary with new shocks the old rubber ones had up/down play. which means the rubber was flexing and the shock wasn't really duing it's job
i was happy with the tockicos untill the koni's were installed now i wouldn't go back.
both are liftime warranty.
within days of the install i got my J&M caster camber plates, new stut mounts are neceassary with new shocks the old rubber ones had up/down play. which means the rubber was flexing and the shock wasn't really duing it's job
Last edited by 1988-305-tbi; Jan 26, 2009 at 06:52 PM.
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From: East Tennesse
Car: 1991 RS Camaro
Engine: L03 (want LS1)
Transmission: 700R-4 (and T56)
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.23 posi
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