Is This True?

[imported_DIYperformance]

Okay, so I talked with a "tech" guy at Tokico. As soon as this guy said hi, I didn't feel as if he knew what he was talking about. He just seemed to delay for a short time after I asked everything, so I didn't know if he was typing my questions into a search engine or something!

So anyways, I'm looking into the Tokico RAK coilovers as opposed to using their shocks with Skunk2 or Ground Control coilovers. But I couldn't help but notice how much shorter the RAK shock bodies are. The tech guy said that if I am going to the tracks with the car, which I am, that I must use these because they are shorter so I can lower the car down to the pavement if I needed to. So I said "what about all the people who use the regular illuminas as well as any other mixed shock and spring set"? He said that the standard OEM size shocks will bottom out because they are too tall.

Now I know I'm not crazy when I say that people with KYB's, Illuminas, Koni's etc. go to the track and drop the car all time, so what the hell did this guy mean? He also said that their springs are NOT made by Eibach, where I had a few different people at shops telling me that they did.

???

[imported_SkorchedZero]

naa Tokico isn't made by Eibach.

[hkspowers]

I beg to differ. In their print adds they say that their coilover systems are utilizing Eibach springs. I am looking at the add right now in importtuner.

Might want to call back and hope u get someone different.

James

[imported_MKNTRAXX]

Tokico springs ARE rebadged eibachs...

And stock replacement shocks will wear out faster if you lower your car really low.

The tokico coilovers are a nice choice rather then a coilover-shock setup like skunk2 or ground control IMO

[cynosurecivic]

hey if you got the loot to do it, get the full coilover. if you got lots of loot, get tein. they friggin kick ass.

[imported_biocac]

:werd:

[imported_DIYperformance]

Trust me, if I had all the loot, I'd get the KW inox setup. But true coilover systems are like $1200-$2500, and probably more than that. But a guy on ebay sells the Tokico RAK full competition/street coilover system for $670 shipped. Pretty much the same price as mix and match, so no brainer, right? So I'm gonna buy that. I just wanted to know if the info on not being able to drop a full bodied shock to the pavement was B.S. or not. Because lots of people go with mix components to the track all the time. Maybe they bottom out though???

[Calesta]

Quite a few aftermarket coilover systems have shorter shock bodies for several reasons:

1: You get more suspension travel at the same (lowered) ride height when compared to standard length shocks

2: You rarely use a full coilover system at the standard ride height

If you're going to drop a car on standard length shocks, you're losing already. You never use the full stroke of the shock- so you're effectively wasting part of it. You also give up suspension travel. Here's a crude diagram:

Standard : Coilover - both at full extension

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That's at full extension, comparing a standard shock to a shorter coilover system's shock. If you're running at standard ride height, you want the standard shock. If not, shorter shocks help. Assume the crappy diagram above shows the two shock halves- top is the reservoir, bottom is the shaft.

Lowered two segments:

Standard : Coilover

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The shorter shock body at a lowered ride height still maintains its full length, while the standard length shock sits halfway compressed.

Under full compression:

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See? You regain some suspension travel with the shorter shock body. The standard length shock bottoms out with one segment's compression, while the shorter body still had more room to go.

When you lower your car, you ideally want to have a shock that's at almost full extension when your suspension is at rest, full extension when your car is in the air, and is not quite bottomed out at full compression. If you drive a lowered CRX, you'll know the feeling of bottoming out on your shocks... it's relatively easy to do on the CRX. That's why you can substitute out with an 89 Accord shock to get some more travel... but not everyone knows about that.

[imported_DIYperformance]

Wow, interesting write up Calesta. Thanks.

I guess it's a confirm then. I mean for the price, a full coilover system? Duh. But thanks for the info guys.

[imported_biocac]

Brian, look around if you are serious. You can come across some pretty killer deals on full coilover systems every now and then.
Ya might even want to shoot Draven a pm and see if maybe he knows of anything.
I'll keep my eyes open for some just in case.

Good luck man