TOKICO 'ILK' Suspension Kit

[Spooled]

Does anyone have this kit on their MSP? Does anyone know anything about this specific kit? Corksport has it listed in the Protege section, but it just has a generic description from the manufacturer. They are matched shocks and springs, but there is no mention of the spring rate, ride height, etc specific for the MSP. I would hate to buy it an find that the rear is slammed and the front is raise 2" (exaggeration, I know). It's a good deal at $800 for all four struts/springs if they are made specifically for my car. Ideally I'd get full coilovers, but a good kit is twice that price.

[Spooled]

Actually, I found them cheaper at a lot of places, including here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKICO-ILLUMINA-SHOCKS-SPRINGS-MAZDA-PROTEGE-99-03_W0QQitemZ180217277036QQcmdZViewItem

[ND4MSP]

It advertises a 1.25 inch drop. But it could be based off of a wagon or base sedan which might equal not much of a drop for a msp. Are you going for a certain look? Prob a nice setup though if you are due and just want to freshen things up.

[njaremka]

the springs are meant for the sedan, so they work best with the sedan. the springs will lower slightly more in the rear on a pro5. but, seeing as you have a mazdaspeed, it doesnt matter.

i have the HP kit, which uses the same springs, and its actually a decent kit. springs and struts come from the same place, so they are matched for each other. springs rates are about the same as tein's rates, but the drop is different. i say if you are looking for a stock replacement, that would be a good kit for you.

if you want to play around with damping, get the illumina kit. if adjustability is not a requirement, save some money and get the hp kit.

[Spooled]

Thanks for the info, guys.

njaremka - Do you have any photos of the wheel gap in front and back?

I'll have to check out the spring rates. If I can find a good coilover sleeve with the same rates at the ones that come with the kit, then I would consider doing that to have height adjustment. Maybe a combo of GC + Illumina.

[Spooled]

Does anyone know what the difference in valving is between the stock MSP Tokicos and the Tokico HP?

[njaremka]

Thanks for the info, guys.

njaremka - Do you have any photos of the wheel gap in front and back?

I'll have to check out the spring rates. If I can find a good coilover sleeve with the same rates at the ones that come with the kit, then I would consider doing that to have height adjustment. Maybe a combo of GC + Illumina.

i'll have to see what i have. failing that, i'll give you my current ride height measurements.

Does anyone know what the difference in valving is between the stock MSP Tokicos and the Tokico HP?

nobody knows, just different

[Spooled]

i'll have to see what i have. failing that, i'll give you my current ride height measurements.

nobody knows, just different

Thanks again for the info. I'm going to be getting something VERY soon and it just makes me nervous with all othe old threads talking about different pearch height on the rears. I guess that would only affects it if you used springs made for the stock Tokicos. I am actually shooting for the strut/spring kits from Tokico since they are made for each other.

[njaremka]

well, no good pictures, but i might be able to get one for you tomorrow morning. ride heights are: front - 13in, rear - 12.5in. (measurements taken from the fender lip to the center of the wheel)

[njaremka]

here's a profile shot for you from this morning -

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2283/2486476826_4d8a8bed57_b.jpg

keep in mind, my tires are smaller in diameter than MSP tires, but just by a little bit.

[Viralphrame]

Does anyone know what the difference in valving is between the stock MSP Tokicos and the Tokico HP?

as far as i know, the only difference between MSP-spec blues and off-the-shelf blues is perch height

edit: njaremka--i've completely fallen in love with FD stockers on 3g proteges... i wish they were easier to get a hold of!! thanks again for your help!

[njaremka]

as far as i know, the only difference between MSP-spec blues and off-the-shelf blues is perch height

edit: njaremka--i've completely fallen in love with FD stockers on 3g proteges... i wish they were easier to get a hold of!! thanks again for your help!

they are supposedly valved different too, because the MSP spring rates are different /softer than the kit springs.

and... thanks!!!

[Spooled]

Thanks for posting the photo. It looks like the rear sites a little lower than the front, sort of like the stock MSP does. I might end up getting coilover sleeves if this is the case. I'm not a big fan of uneven gapping...


here's a profile shot for you from this morning -

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2283/2486476826_4d8a8bed57_b.jpg

keep in mind, my tires are smaller in diameter than MSP tires, but just by a little bit.

[njaremka]

yeah, there is still a little bit of rake in the body lines, but from the measurements the rear is lower. and but, when i slide my jack under the car, it fits easier in the rear than it does in the front. go figure.

anyway, glad to help.

[Jarpo]

This is probably a silly question, but I'm needing some new struts bad. If I buy this set of 4 Tokico HP struts will I need anything else for them to be installed, or will they just swap out the stock struts? Also is there any advantage to getting the Illumina struts/springs if I just use my MSP as a DD/work car (200 miles/day)?

[bgibb68]

This is probably a silly question, but I'm needing some new struts bad. If I buy this set of 4 Tokico HP struts will I need anything else for them to be installed, or will they just swap out the stock struts? Also is there any advantage to getting the Illumina struts/springs if I just use my MSP as a DD/work car (200 miles/day)?

you can adjust the illumina struts, hps you can't....i kinda wish i waited and got the illuminas.....

[Jarpo]

you can adjust the illumina struts, hps you can't....i kinda wish i waited and got the illuminas.....

Alright..simple enough. I saw the auction on ebay for the struts and lowering springs...coming from stock MSP struts at 95k miles will those make the car ride better? Obviously the struts on my car now are shot, but what I'm saying is will they provide a better ride compared to when the car was new?

[bgibb68]

well i can tell ya on my p5 they lowered about 1.5" all around....rear is the same as the front....is it a better ride???matter of oppinion.....my car is about 50% stiffer than it was with the oem...personally i think it ride better especially if i'm running a road but if you hit a bumb you'll feel it

[Jarpo]

Hmm..I guess I don't have too many options with this car. Wish I had the money to get rid of it and get something more practical for what I do now. Oh well, looks like I might pick up the HP struts for $300.

[bgibb68]

the hp set is a fun ride though.....handles so much better than the oem....but then again all my struts were blown for some time before i swapped