08 shocks vs Tokico HP Blues
08 shocks vs Tokico HP Blues
I currently have Tanabe GF-210 springs so should I go with 08 oem shocks or Tokico HP's? Are the Tokicos the same as the 08 oem shocks? Need some quick help.
Last edited by tumzilla; Sep 5, 2009 at 06:50 AM.
Nissan changed the oem shocks 3 times, which version Tokico modeled the HP after, who know's.
The 350Z HP has been alleged to have 30% more rebound then oem, if that's the case 30% more then 03/04, 04.5/05 or 06/08? And oh, guess what, when Nissan revised the suspension in 04.5, guess what changed damping wise,.....less rebound NOT more (at least in the rear).
The 350Z HP is also alleged to have shortened shock bodies and piston rod lengths vs oem, which makes no sense what so ever and I have never seen in any HP application that I'm familar with, almost want to buy a set for no other reason then to measure against oem units.
As was said, it's a $270 shock. What model year of oem shock it's as good as or better, good question. I would think they'd be better then 03/04 however.
The tanabe springs will blow out the OEM shocks eventually. I'm running the HP Blues on my car right now with gf210's and the ride is excellent. So far I have about 65k miles on them and couldn't be happier.
If you can spend the money to go with the coilovers, I would do that, especially since you can get them for $500. However, the HP Blues are great and are made specifically for lowered cars.
If you have any other questions specifically, post here or feel free to shoot me a PM.
I think I got the shocks shipped from Ebay for around 240 for the set of fronts and rears.
If you can spend the money to go with the coilovers, I would do that, especially since you can get them for $500. However, the HP Blues are great and are made specifically for lowered cars.
If you have any other questions specifically, post here or feel free to shoot me a PM.
I think I got the shocks shipped from Ebay for around 240 for the set of fronts and rears.
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Reliable info, we don't have.
Nissan changed the oem shocks 3 times, which version Tokico modeled the HP after, who know's.
The 350Z HP has been alleged to have 30% more rebound then oem, if that's the case 30% more then 03/04, 04.5/05 or 06/08? And oh, guess what, when Nissan revised the suspension in 04.5, guess what changed damping wise,.....less rebound NOT more (at least in the rear).
The 350Z HP is also alleged to have shortened shock bodies and piston rod lengths vs oem, which makes no sense what so ever and I have never seen in any HP application that I'm familar with, almost want to buy a set for no other reason then to measure against oem units.
As was said, it's a $270 shock. What model year of oem shock it's as good as or better, good question. I would think they'd be better then 03/04 however.
Nissan changed the oem shocks 3 times, which version Tokico modeled the HP after, who know's.
The 350Z HP has been alleged to have 30% more rebound then oem, if that's the case 30% more then 03/04, 04.5/05 or 06/08? And oh, guess what, when Nissan revised the suspension in 04.5, guess what changed damping wise,.....less rebound NOT more (at least in the rear).
The 350Z HP is also alleged to have shortened shock bodies and piston rod lengths vs oem, which makes no sense what so ever and I have never seen in any HP application that I'm familar with, almost want to buy a set for no other reason then to measure against oem units.
As was said, it's a $270 shock. What model year of oem shock it's as good as or better, good question. I would think they'd be better then 03/04 however.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: ny
The tanabe springs will blow out the OEM shocks eventually. I'm running the HP Blues on my car right now with gf210's and the ride is excellent. So far I have about 65k miles on them and couldn't be happier.
If you can spend the money to go with the coilovers, I would do that, especially since you can get them for $500. However, the HP Blues are great and are made specifically for lowered cars.
If you have any other questions specifically, post here or feel free to shoot me a PM.
I think I got the shocks shipped from Ebay for around 240 for the set of fronts and rears.
If you can spend the money to go with the coilovers, I would do that, especially since you can get them for $500. However, the HP Blues are great and are made specifically for lowered cars.
If you have any other questions specifically, post here or feel free to shoot me a PM.
I think I got the shocks shipped from Ebay for around 240 for the set of fronts and rears.
The the hp blues and gf210 did u need a rear camber kit. Im about to buy hp blues. i just want it to be as good as stock but i want everything to be new what springs should i go with that i wont need a rear camber kit. im thinking of using hotchkis springs with it cause its only a 15mm drop so i dont think i would need a rear camber kit
Last edited by infamous350; Mar 11, 2010 at 05:00 AM.
I just put the blues on my 04.5 two weeks ago, replacing my 75K mile shocks. My ride is much stiffer now, feels great, and body control is a lot better. Feels stiffer than when I first got the car with 44K miles on it. So far i'm happy... but it's only been two weeks, no telling how long these $300 set of shocks will last. I'm hoping to go to the first auto-x of the season on Sunday so i'll report back if I go how the shocks felt.
The the hp blues and gf210 did u need a rear camber kit. Im about to buy hp blues. i just want it to be as good as stock but i want everything to be new what springs should i go with that i wont need a rear camber kit. im thinking of using hotchkis springs with it cause its only a 15mm drop so i dont think i would need a rear camber kit
With the Hotchkis you can get away without a kit.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 516
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From: ny
I ended up ordering TOKICO BLUE HP and TEIN H.TECH LOWERING. The Tein springs have even less of a drop. i believe it is 9mm in the front and 7mm in the rear. The hotchkis was around 17 and 19mm. So i should def have no need for a camber kit. I just wanted something equal or greater to Oem. I am pretty sure these will be better then the oem. Just in case anyway else who wants the tokico blues and the tein. I paid $275 for the struts shipped on ebay and $182.99 for the springs shipped. Cant beat that the. thr z store wanted $232 plus shipping for the springs and more for the struts. Got New struts and springs Equal but most likely better then oem for 457.99 now that's a steal. Now im gunna try and install on my own im no mechanic but i think i can do it. If not i gotta guy who will install for $175
Last edited by infamous350; Mar 13, 2010 at 09:52 PM.
Tokico shocks suck nutz. They don't last worth a shiat. Spend the extra money on higher quality shocks that last more than 10k miles. I have tried Tokicos in two different vehicles, with poor results.
The HP is a great OE replacement. The variance in rebound and damping compared to OEM is not significant to throw handling off balance.
Like any brand new shocks installed on a high mileage car, they will feel good. Eventually they will wear out, losing the ability to rebound quickly. Slowly it will lose damping as the shock fluid losing its elasticity due to wear and tear. They would feel new for the first 20,000 miles if you don't on bumpy roads often. After that you will notice a loss in rebound.
Don't expect them to last over 60,000 miles. They would still ride just fine with that kind of mileage, but rebound would be lost significantly.
For $280 shipped, they are disposable every 50,000 miles. I wouldn't worry about their longevity. They are almost as cheap as a set of good brake rotors.
Like any brand new shocks installed on a high mileage car, they will feel good. Eventually they will wear out, losing the ability to rebound quickly. Slowly it will lose damping as the shock fluid losing its elasticity due to wear and tear. They would feel new for the first 20,000 miles if you don't on bumpy roads often. After that you will notice a loss in rebound.
Don't expect them to last over 60,000 miles. They would still ride just fine with that kind of mileage, but rebound would be lost significantly.
For $280 shipped, they are disposable every 50,000 miles. I wouldn't worry about their longevity. They are almost as cheap as a set of good brake rotors.
I've run HP Blues on both of my previous cars
one with HP Blue and Eibach Sport Line
one with HP Blue and Eibach Pro Kit
They matched up perfectly with the pro kit
They were a little under dampened for the Sport Lines
I got a little story on how tough they are.
Wife driving car about 65-70 and runs over a piece of firewood that fell out of the back of some guys truck. Full on plowed directly into the log with the RF tire.
Broke:
Rim
axle
bent lower control arm
The Tokico HP didn't burst, bend, nothing. I pulled it out of the car and cycled a couple times and it seemed fine. I continued using it after the other parts were replaced and didn't notice a difference.
one with HP Blue and Eibach Sport Line
one with HP Blue and Eibach Pro Kit
They matched up perfectly with the pro kit
They were a little under dampened for the Sport Lines
I got a little story on how tough they are.
Wife driving car about 65-70 and runs over a piece of firewood that fell out of the back of some guys truck. Full on plowed directly into the log with the RF tire.
Broke:
Rim
axle
bent lower control arm
The Tokico HP didn't burst, bend, nothing. I pulled it out of the car and cycled a couple times and it seemed fine. I continued using it after the other parts were replaced and didn't notice a difference.