03DSG

does anyone have the illunima(sp) shocks? I was wondering how the levels of adjustment are, being if the ride quality can really be improved if needed and how much stiffer are they able to go over stock. being a DD, and my only car I do take long road trips to see friends so a cushier ride would be nice, but when im in town I'd like to stiffen it up a bit.

machnjo

I've never owned Illumina shocks, but when there was a big deal about everyone getting them a few years back, I lloked into it and asked alot of my friends about them. This is the conclusion I came up with:

They are decent shocks and add alot of performance and you can adjust them to what ever driving conditions require, ie dragging to street comfort. They have a lifetime guarantee, which is very handy because most of the people I know that have had them, have needed to send them in for repair or replacement. I have a handful of friends that keep 2 sets, so when one set is being repaired, the other is on the car. With that in mind, I opted not to buy 2 sets of Illuminas and will be buying one set of Bilsteins instead.

__________________
2004 Screaming Yellow Mach 1 (5spd)
2002 Mineral Grey GT (auto, DD)
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2534038/1

Sig courtesy of wnracing

r3dn3ck

I like them. Not for beginners to be adjusting but set em at level 2 or 3 and just go with it.

03DSG

i know im not real experienced in this area, but i think about it like this, I do want a firmer more responsive suspension. but on the other hand I take 4+ hour drives up north to fish, hunt etc. and I have a good 2 years till this thing is paid off and i can buy truck (im never going to rid of this car, only make it better after its really mine). so with that in mind, i would like to have a better ride for the long hauls I often take up north and have a firmer suspension/ responsive suspension around town. I know I wont get the best of both cause i cant have that, but i dont want to go all one way or the other either. just a little softer when i want it,..and a little firmer when i want it. thats why im asking for people with these shocks/struts to let me know what they think of them. any quality issues, how the ride acctually is and stuff like that.

r3dn3ck

Given that, Tokico HP's (mach1/bullit came with them) and FRPP B or F springs should be about ideal. Illumina's are better for a bit firmer ride than I think you're looking for.

03DSG

even with them on the softest setting?

r3dn3ck

They'd be set up pretty well but still, you're paying for performance you aren't using. The HP's don't have to be adjusted and are good for most any sport level spring. hotter springs like FRPP C's or H&R Super sports would need the added valving of the Illumina at setting 3 or higher.

If you get the Illuminas, set them at 1 and check for excessive bounce. I use a floor jack, jack up the car and then let each corner down kinda fast. If it compresses, then extends then compresses past neutral (meaning it comes back up again) then you can to bump to the next setting. Don't set it too high or bumpy roads get kinda harsh.

You should notice a significant bump in ride firmness but it shouldn't be too jarring.

03DSG

its for performance im not using yet though, no real heavy mods are comimg until after its paid off. I dont plan on getting rid of it ever, I plan on building it into one mean machine. thank you for the tip on the seetings

r3dn3ck

it has been a full 2 years since I've looked at or used an illumina set but IIRC the lower number are lower firmness.

Even if you plan on upgrading your mods later, I'd stick with the HP's. Spend less on parts that you'll toss later (they don't last forever). When you decide to go whole hog, then upgrade to Bilsteins and you still avoid the whole adjustment issue and have better performance.

For the ultimate in comfy ride + solid performance a MM coil over kit front and back is the best solution. You can use 250# front springs and 175# rear and ride like stock but perform like a car with C springs. It is more expensive initially but later on you save on changing the setup and it's much easier to deal with in general.

If you're stuck on Illumina's or you have a deal in the pipe.. go ahead. You won't be "disappionted" but you'll have untapped potential in a wearable part. It's your call... you haven't showed me a "bad" choice yet so I don't have any actual objections. What spring are you looking at anyway?

03DSG

right now, maybe eibach or ffrp F springs (i think they are the same). nothing to radical right now. Like i said I have a couple years until shit really starts to happen. I dont have any deals in the works Im just trying to find out as much info as i can. I just want to avoid buying a single rate shock/ strut setup and have it too soft or too stiff. thats why i thought about adjustable's. cause i know its one or the other pretty much.

r3dn3ck

Take the F's and a set of HP's or Illuminas. Your choice but it'll ride better either way.

03DSG

word, thanks for the help...