MKI Suspension

4290 Views 23 Replies 6 Participants Last post by not12listen, Apr 12, 2013

SuperchargedMR2

Discussion Starter · Aug 8, 2010

3

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. :naughty: 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? :chug:

Front.....

Rear.....

Current ride height on the Eibach springs

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NoHonduhs

· #2 · Aug 8, 2010 (Edited)

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

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 8, 2010

NoHonduhs said:
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. :thumbsup: I'll be able to ask you in person as I saw that you will be at the MR2 beach meet too.

mr2tim

· #4 · Aug 9, 2010

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

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 10, 2010

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. :thumbsup: I have new rear brake calipers coming too. I'm having them powder coated now instead of me painting them. :naughty:

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msncorolla422

· #6 · Sep 10, 2010

SuperchargedMR2 said:
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. :thumbsup: I have new rear brake calipers coming too. I'm having them powder coated now instead of me painting them. :naughty:

:smokin::smokin::smokin::whatwhat:

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

all in good time I guess

SuperchargedMR2

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 10, 2010

msncorolla422 said:
:smokin::smokin::smokin::whatwhat:hyeah: 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. :lol:

msncorolla422

· #8 · Sep 10, 2010 (Edited)

SuperchargedMR2 said:
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. :lol:

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

· #9 · Sep 11, 2010

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

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 11, 2010

not12listen said:
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. :thumbsup:

not12listen

· #11 · Sep 11, 2010

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

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 11, 2010

not12listen said:
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 :thumbsup:, even better. :smokin:

SuperchargedMR2

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 3, 2010

I ordered my Koni Yellows yesterday!

I can't wait to get them installed! :naughty:

not12listen

· #14 · Nov 3, 2010

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

SuperchargedMR2

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 5, 2010

not12listen said:
i hope that you enjoy them as much as i have enjoyed mine.

I have no doubt that I will.

not12listen

· #16 · Dec 14, 2010

so, any feedback on the Koni's? i'm curious on your impressions of them.

SuperchargedMR2

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 15, 2010

2

not12listen said:
so, any feedback on the Koni's? i'm curious on your impressions of them.

Funny you should ask, look what I picked up today.

They came in last week but I hadn't been able to pick them up yet. I still need to order my new strut mount bearings before I install every thing. Luckily it's the rainy season so this is my time to order every thing I need before installing for my spring fun. :thumbsup: :naughty:

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SuperchargedMR2

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 13, 2013

Update.......I have enjoyed the Koni's very much over the past year plus. They are so much better than the Tokico Blues that I had before. I highly recommend them to anyone that wants some adjustability.

Reactions: 1

mr2tim

· #19 · Jan 25, 2013

After 24 years of Supercharged Model ownership including as many years of competition I see you as seeking out 2 truths.
1. you want a suspension that doesn't bottom out
2. you want a pillow soft ride and not "beaten up" when you cruze

You might well have to compromise as most all ameteurs must on the street.
Many go to the route of best compromise. Tuning for the track requirements and dialing down softer for the street, that is, if you can afford the price of the adjustible componets.

I believe in the end you will have to satisfy yourself with the car being the best for performance and hope the choices allow for the pleasant ride. Is this your priority?

Now, the question is, is your sway bar transferring enough weight for your canyon demands? If it is the OEM bar, I suggest it is not.

Professional racers use coil-overs with scales to adjust the car properly and safely. Are you ready to perform this service frequently?

Good luck in your quest.

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calus001

· #20 · Feb 10, 2013

The konis are awesome, I agree. I've had mine on for a couple years with a ground control setup and its perfect for street and autocross. It's just a pain to remember exactly how to put them for autocross because they don't click. I have to make marks on my camber plates with a grease pencil for different settings (street, autocross, backroad hoon)

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