Koni vs Tokico

WE3RX7 · 02-02-2010, 06:32 PM

Has anybody actually used/auto-x'd the Tokico D spec struts yet?

I'm gearing up for some circuitcross and auto-x events again this year after a fun yet so/so (on my performance) 2009 season. I have plenty of room left in my points class and plan to do some suspension mods before trying to bump up any more HP...

Right now I'm set on using either MS springs or PT springs and either Koni sport struts or the tokico D specs.... I'm just having a hard time finding any real world input on the tokicos.

I have used tokico on almost all rx vehicles (typically just the blues) or gone full coilover on others. Never had a bad experience, always happy with their performance - guys who run the illuminas enjoy them thoroughly and the seat time i've had in them has proven satisfying BUT I'm really trying to edge the most out of my 8's suspension without being knocked from my class with coilovers.

The Koni's always seem to be the weapon of choice and again, I have some seat time in these as well, but they always proved more difficult to install and in the rx8's case - in order to make adjustments to the rear, you have to pull the strut out each time. The tokico's can be adjusted with the car on the ground and from the top....

ANY input from the racing 8 world would be appreciated. Most likely I'll end up with Tokico's unless somebody can talk me out of them...

WE3RX7 · 02-02-2010, 06:50 PM

Oh - and I've read just about all the threads on the other forums regarding this strut, but almost NOBODY has any actual autox experience that I could find on the Tokico. Most guys just say "GO KONI" because thats what has been around their camps for ages... I really want to hear if anybody has actual pros/cons of using either strut on the track...

Kentetsu · 02-03-2010, 10:55 AM

I've been racing a 1st gen on Illuminas for a few years now. They do exactly what they are supposed to, and the adjustability is nice (soft for a long cruise, hard for playing). And I've been doing quite well for myself with this setup, with frequent wins in CSP against Miatas on race rubber (I run $45.00 tires). Lots of videos linked in my signature if you care to check them out.

However, have you considered Bilstein? I don't know whats available for the 8, but last year I replaced my rear Illuminas with Bilsteins and I have to say, although they aren't adjustable, they perform flawlessly. The back end is at least as firm as the Illuminas, but just seems a lot "stickier" than with the Illuminas. There was a definite performance increase with this change.

If I ever move away from Illuminas on the front, then I will be going with Bilstein. In my opinion, they are a much better shock than Koni, and they can be rebuilt by the owner rather than having to send them out for changes or repairs.

Good luck with your project.

.

WE3RX7 · 02-03-2010, 11:41 AM

Yea - they have Bilsteins available as a non-adj or as a coilover. The non-adj are fairly priced and I've heard good things with them, I'm just a bit concerned with the lack of adjustability in them since I take part in both autox and circuitx events (the circuitx is higher speed and on a roadcourse) so the ability to adjust for the different tracks would be nice.

I'm still torn now - neither Koni nor Tokico really publish a ton of specs on their struts. I have learned that MOST rx8 guys that run Koni hardly adjust the rears once they are set (usually just a few clicks back from full stiff) and the front Koni's are adjustable like the Tokico's...

Tokico D's adjust both compression and rebound together while Koni is only rebound...

Argh, lol.. decisions decisions!

josh18_2k · 02-03-2010, 10:50 PM

bilstein > koni > kyb agx > tokico illumina

big downside to bilstein of course is they arent adjustable. if you're obsessed with fiddling you wont be happy.

you dont want compression and rebound moving together! they have nothing to do with each other. tokico is essentially advertizing cross talk, which is a bad thing (google it).
generally speaking you dont wanna mess with compression. it should be left how it came from the factory, unless somehow mazda got it wrong (doubt it), or you make serious changes to unsprung weight or suspension geometry.

anyway i vote konis if you're upping spring rates, bilstein for stock or close to it.

02-02-2010, 06:32 PM	#1
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	Koni vs Tokico Has anybody actually used/auto-x'd the Tokico D spec struts yet? I'm gearing up for some circuitcross and auto-x events again this year after a fun yet so/so (on my performance) 2009 season. I have plenty of room left in my points class and plan to do some suspension mods before trying to bump up any more HP... Right now I'm set on using either MS springs or PT springs and either Koni sport struts or the tokico D specs.... I'm just having a hard time finding any real world input on the tokicos. I have used tokico on almost all rx vehicles (typically just the blues) or gone full coilover on others. Never had a bad experience, always happy with their performance - guys who run the illuminas enjoy them thoroughly and the seat time i've had in them has proven satisfying BUT I'm really trying to edge the most out of my 8's suspension without being knocked from my class with coilovers. The Koni's always seem to be the weapon of choice and again, I have some seat time in these as well, but they always proved more difficult to install and in the rx8's case - in order to make adjustments to the rear, you have to pull the strut out each time. The tokico's can be adjusted with the car on the ground and from the top.... ANY input from the racing 8 world would be appreciated. Most likely I'll end up with Tokico's unless somebody can talk me out of them...

02-03-2010, 10:55 AM	#3
Kentetsu RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan iTrader: (1) Posts: 530 Rep Power: 17	I've been racing a 1st gen on Illuminas for a few years now. They do exactly what they are supposed to, and the adjustability is nice (soft for a long cruise, hard for playing). And I've been doing quite well for myself with this setup, with frequent wins in CSP against Miatas on race rubber (I run $45.00 tires). Lots of videos linked in my signature if you care to check them out. However, have you considered Bilstein? I don't know whats available for the 8, but last year I replaced my rear Illuminas with Bilsteins and I have to say, although they aren't adjustable, they perform flawlessly. The back end is at least as firm as the Illuminas, but just seems a lot "stickier" than with the Illuminas. There was a definite performance increase with this change. If I ever move away from Illuminas on the front, then I will be going with Bilstein. In my opinion, they are a much better shock than Koni, and they can be rebuilt by the owner rather than having to send them out for changes or repairs. Good luck with your project. . __________________ "Learn from the past, or it will become your future...." '85 GS 12a + LSD/Sterling carb/Respeed coilovers/Respeed front swaybar/Respeed adj. rear spring perches/Illuminas/Bilsteins on rear AutoX vids @ http://www.youtube.com/user/Kentetsu1

02-03-2010, 10:50 PM	#5
josh18_2k Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gresham, OR iTrader: (0) Posts: 473 Rep Power: 17	bilstein > koni > kyb agx > tokico illumina big downside to bilstein of course is they arent adjustable. if you're obsessed with fiddling you wont be happy. you dont want compression and rebound moving together! they have nothing to do with each other. tokico is essentially advertizing cross talk, which is a bad thing (google it). generally speaking you dont wanna mess with compression. it should be left how it came from the factory, unless somehow mazda got it wrong (doubt it), or you make serious changes to unsprung weight or suspension geometry. anyway i vote konis if you're upping spring rates, bilstein for stock or close to it. __________________

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02-02-2010, 06:50 PM	#2
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	Oh - and I've read just about all the threads on the other forums regarding this strut, but almost NOBODY has any actual autox experience that I could find on the Tokico. Most guys just say "GO KONI" because thats what has been around their camps for ages... I really want to hear if anybody has actual pros/cons of using either strut on the track...

02-03-2010, 11:41 AM	#4
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	Yea - they have Bilsteins available as a non-adj or as a coilover. The non-adj are fairly priced and I've heard good things with them, I'm just a bit concerned with the lack of adjustability in them since I take part in both autox and circuitx events (the circuitx is higher speed and on a roadcourse) so the ability to adjust for the different tracks would be nice. I'm still torn now - neither Koni nor Tokico really publish a ton of specs on their struts. I have learned that MOST rx8 guys that run Koni hardly adjust the rears once they are set (usually just a few clicks back from full stiff) and the front Koni's are adjustable like the Tokico's... Tokico D's adjust both compression and rebound together while Koni is only rebound... Argh, lol.. decisions decisions!