hey guys i've been shopping around for suspension. i've seen that tokico makes a full package (struts, shocks and springs). has anybody used the full set and what did you think of it? would i be better off using different springs?

 

ive heard recommendations of eibach with tokico d specs....from what i head its really great

i plan on getting d specs but keeping my tanabe springs

 

None of what I'll say will matter for those that aren't concerned with performance and maintaining as much of the "as delivered" feel of the car. Be VERY carefull as many of these people with 1" or greater drops are compressing the front shocks to the bump stops and getting the impression that they have this great increase in front spring rate. Such spikes in rate aren't healthy or productive in the end, especially on real world roads that aren't glass smooth.


You won't do better with a different spring choice, all other's compromise performance by being progressive, some with awfully high rate spreads. Problem is, the aftermarket is geared more to end users that will be keeping their oem shocks vs replacing their shocks too. Wish that both Koni and Tokico would have made their front shocks at least 1" shorter in body and piston rod length, but then again that just advances the argument towards coilovers.

I won't get into vs oem rear rates because oem baselines vary greatly 03/04 to 04.5+ by 24%. (342 to 427)


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Tokico D-spec shock & spring package 350Z - DSK512
Spring rates in LBS 375f/375r - Linear Springs 1"/1"

vs

Tanabe GF210 Series 350Z progressive springs 1”/1.2”
Spring rates in LBS 336/375 (only peak rates are published, softer initial progressive rates unknown)

Front: Tokico +20% to oem
Front: Tanabe +7% to oem (remember you have to compress the softer inital GF210 rates to get stiffer final rates)

Rear: Both are the same (looking at peak Tanabe rates only)
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Vs. Pro-Kit

Eibach 350Z progressive springs 1”/1” drop
Spring rates in LBS initial/final front 296/384 initial/final rear 316/421

Front: Tokico +20% to oem
Front: Pro-Kit +22% to oem (remember you have to compress the softer Pro-kit inital rates to get to the stiffer rate)

Rear: Pro-kit +12% to D-spec (remember you have to compress the softer Pro-kit inital rates to get to the stiffer rate)


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Vs. Sportline (notice the high rate spreads)

Eibach 350Z sportline progressive springs 1.2"/1.2"
Front: 239/400 Rear: 257/435


Front: Tokico +20% to oem
Front: Sportline +27% to oem (remember you have to compress the softer Sportline inital rates to get to the stiffer rate)

Rear: Sportline +15% to D-spec (remember you have to compress the softer Sportline inital rates to get to the stiffer rate)

 

Are the 350z tokicos 1" shorter than the g35 in the rear? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

 

I too am looking into the Tokico D-Spec struts/shocks and am curious as to how much of a spring rate they will support. I assume just about any spring currently available. I want a more track'ish setup without the $$$ coilover package price- so far the Swift springs look pretty good.

 

Ive been looking into this for a while. I was leaning toward tokiko springs and struts, however there are tom springs that are much better number wise, or the sprint springs. G35sedan can chime in, i think he has the tom motorsport springs i think they're called.

 

I'm currently running Tanabe GF210 spring on my Z's, they are great, want to keep them, been thinking about add the Tokico D-Specs shock as a combo, how is the handling vs. OEM? any better?