MKI Suspension

[SuperchargedMR2]

I've been driving my 89 Supercharged MR2 for 2+ years now on Tokico Blue struts & Eibach springs. I've never really been happy with the combination & I think that I have blown out my left front strut as it bottoms out on fast high speed corners when I hit a bump. I don't use my MR2 as a daily driver & only drive it in nice weather on "fun" drives. I don't want to get beaten up when cruising but I also want something better for high speed canyon carving.

I'm worried that coil overs will be too harsh but I'm sure that they can deliver in the handling department. If I stick with springs & struts I was thinking of getting the Koni adjustable struts as I've heard great things about them. I like the ride height but my Eibach springs seem to be to soft & since they are progressive springs they seem to have too little coil travel. Here are some pics of the springs in a compressed form on flat pavement.

Any suggestions?


Front.....


Rear.....


Current ride height on the Eibach springs

[NoHonduhs]

hey: sorry about your hard luck, susp. isnt that cheap.
i just bought tokico illuminas 5 way adj. off e-bay for about 412.00 plus s&h another 30.00 and i went with b&g lowering springs cause the drops another .4 inches over the eibachs and those were 230.00 i need a few more things before i put it all together but it might be a couple weeks.
if you can wait i'll let you know how the ride is, plenty of "canyon carving" on the olympic peninsula. p.s. forgot to mention how nice your new wheels are they fit the car well

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by NoHonduhs

hey: sorry about your hard luck, susp. isnt that cheap.
i just bought tokico illuminas 5 way adj. off e-bay for about 412.00 plus s&h another 30.00 and i went with b&g lowering springs cause the drops another .4 inches over the eibachs and those were 230.00 i need a few more things before i put it all together but it might be a couple weeks.
if you can wait i'll let you know how the ride is, plenty of "canyon carving" on the olympic peninsula. p.s. forgot to mention how nice your new wheels are they fit the car well

Let me know how you like your setup. I was thinking of the Illumina 5 way too but I heard that the Koni were much better. I don't care about the cost as much as getting it right this time. I'll be able to ask you in person as I saw that you will be at the MR2 beach meet too.

[mr2tim]

If you've blown a interior shaft seal there's a good chance you might just see internal strut oil puking out of the top of the offending strut. Look for a wet look at the top of the strut under the spring perch or near the top of the strut housing where the chrome shaft extends out.

Boca Raton, South Florida

[SuperchargedMR2]

Here are some of the parts I received from twosRus.com for my suspension rebuild this fall. New TRD springs, ball joints front & rear, tie rods front & rear, brake booster brace, shift bushings & new e-brake cables. I still need to order my Koni adjustable struts & sway bar end links. I have new rear brake calipers coming too. I'm having them powder coated now instead of me painting them.

[msncorolla422]

Originally Posted by SuperchargedMR2

Here are some of the parts I received from twosRus.com for my suspension rebuild this fall. New TRD springs, ball joints front & rear, tie rods front & rear, brake booster brace, shift bushings & new e-brake cables. I still need to order my Koni adjustable struts & sway bar end links. I have new rear brake calipers coming too. I'm having them powder coated now instead of me painting them.

Im so jealous! The Corolla's, matrix, previa, and mr2....I want your life geez

all in good time I guess

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by msncorolla422

Im so jealous! The Corolla's, matrix, previa, and mr2....I want your life geez

all in good time I guess

That's how I did it. I paid one off, than looked for a good deal on the next & paid it off & kept the cycle going. Give yourself some years of job building & see what you can achieve. My 07 Matrix & 09 Corolla I bought new but the other 3 I bought used when the deal was right. My 09 Corolla was about the same as my 89 MR2, 94 Corolla & 95 Previa combined.

[msncorolla422]

Originally Posted by SuperchargedMR2

That's how I did it. I paid one off, than looked for a good deal on the next & paid it off & kept the cycle going. Give yourself some years of job building & see what you can achieve. My 07 Matrix & 09 Corolla I bought new but the other 3 I bought used when the deal was right. My 09 Corolla was about the same as my 89 MR2, 94 Corolla & 95 Previa combined.

Ah I see. I plan on keeping all my cars...Ill try at least. I want to buy a ninth gen xrs one day even though it might have a lot of miles, I will just have to find one perfect for me

wow thats crazy how you corolla is those 3 cars combined in price

[not12listen]

i've driven on the ST springs with Tokico Illuminas, bone stock, slightly modified, etc...

in my AW11, i spent the extra cash and got the Koni Yellows.

while, they are NOT as easy to tune for your preference of compression/rebound reaction as the Illuminas are, they do a better job overall.

so, my suggestion is to go with the Koni Yellows. if you like, i can PM you with brief descriptions of my driving style and what parts i have broken because of my driving, which will help to demonstrate how picky and demanding i am of suspension pieces.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by not12listen

i've driven on the ST springs with Tokico Illuminas, bone stock, slightly modified, etc...

in my AW11, i spent the extra cash and got the Koni Yellows.

while, they are NOT as easy to tune for your preference of compression/rebound reaction as the Illuminas are, they do a better job overall.

so, my suggestion is to go with the Koni Yellows. if you like, i can PM you with brief descriptions of my driving style and what parts i have broken because of my driving, which will help to demonstrate how picky and demanding i am of suspension pieces.

That would be awesome. I was quoted $620 for a set of Koni 5 way adjustable struts today. That's the best price I've seen yet. I would love to find them for around $550 if possible.

[not12listen]

if you can find them for $550, then jump on it. mine cost me around $720, and they are ABSOLUTELY worth it!

the koni's are not '5 way adjustable' as there are no numbers or notches with pre-defined settings. you get 2 1/2 turns from full soft to full stiff. you can turn it as much (or little) within that 2 1/2 turn ratio.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by not12listen

if you can find them for $550, then jump on it. mine cost me around $720, and they are ABSOLUTELY worth it!

the koni's are not '5 way adjustable' as there are no numbers or notches with pre-defined settings. you get 2 1/2 turns from full soft to full stiff. you can turn it as much (or little) within that 2 1/2 turn ratio.

Infinite adjustment , even better.

[SuperchargedMR2]

I ordered my Koni Yellows yesterday! I can't wait to get them installed!

[not12listen]

i hope that you enjoy them as much as i have enjoyed mine.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by not12listen

i hope that you enjoy them as much as i have enjoyed mine.

I have no doubt that I will.