GRM Shocks/Struts for the CRX: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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April 24, 2010 10:35 a.m. teamdixonracing Dork

I'm looking to upgrade the shocks/struts on the 84 CRX.

It looks like the only ones readily available are KYB GR-2, Tokico HP, and Tokico Illumina. There is also a Tein Coilover kit on heeltoe for $1200ish. Used stuff doesn't seems to really come up for sale often.

Since this is going to be a challenge car price is important.

The KYBs are cheap but I'm not sure they're as stiff as I was thinking. Any experience with KYBs on a 1g CRX?

The Tokicos should be better but also cost more money.

Another thought is to get something with similar dimensions from a heavier car. The crx has torsion bars and struts in the front. Anybody know where to find a list of with true struts or any suggestions?
April 24, 2010 12:59 p.m. teamdixonracing Dork

Can anyone speak to how much difference there is between the KYB GR-2s and the Tokico HPs?

The GR-2s would be about $150 and the HPs would be about $260. Is it worth the price difference?
April 24, 2010 1:48 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork

Hate to answer a question with a question, but have you increased the spring rate/changed the t-bars?
April 24, 2010 2:04 p.m. joey48442 SuperDork

Gr2s on one of my Miatas...It feels like stock.

Joey
April 24, 2010 2:35 p.m. teamdixonracing Dork

poopshovel wrote:

Hate to answer a question with a question, but have you increased the spring rate/changed the t-bars?

I made the decision this afternoon (been debating back and forth) that I'm also going to use the car for h stock. If I read the rules correctly I have to run stock springs and t bars. Am I correct on that?
April 24, 2010 3:28 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork

Good call keeping it in H-stock. I like the Illuminas. If you buy the KYB's or the HP's, I'm guessing you'll wish you'd spent the extra coin. I've heard lots of complaints about durability.

Option B: There's a Gabriel or Rancho truck shock that I know will fit. Jinx Jordan used to run them. Pop a front and rear out, take them to the parts store and start comparing. Non-adjustability sucks, but the 17 - 30 bucks a pop part rules.

If you EVER find a reasonably priced set of used Konis, buy them. They're unobtanium now. I missed out on a set for $100 a couple years ago in Jacksonville. Somebody here on the board got 'em.
April 27, 2010 6:36 p.m. teamdixonracing Dork

Another thought I had. Are 1G Integra shocks direct mount to the 1G CRX? If they are, would they therefore be stiffer shocks since they are for a heavier car?
April 27, 2010 11:09 p.m. 1slowcrx HalfDork

I replaced the 170k mile oem stuff on my 87CRXSi years ago with GR-2's and could tell no difference between them and the stockers.

If it were me, I'd save the money and then go with the Tein's. I've got a friend who runs that set up on his 1g teggy and it's perfect!
April 28, 2010 4:04 a.m. PubBurgers Dork

Another vote down for the GR2s. I had them on my old 85 Si and was unimpressed, i kept wishing i'd saved up for something better. As far as i know the integra shocks will not fit.

Are you on redpepperracing? That's likely the best place to find a used set online.
April 28, 2010 9:01 a.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

Vote down on GR2s.

Vote sideways on HPs.

Vote UP on Illuminas.
April 28, 2010 10:44 a.m. Matt B Reader

93celicaGT2 wrote:

Vote down on GR2s.

Vote sideways on HPs.

Vote UP on Illuminas.

Agreed.

I used the HP's with some mild aftermarket springs (Prokit) on an EG hatch and they controlled the rates well enough for the street. Autocross had me wanting more damping though. Perhaps with stock springs they'd still be a budget option if Illuminas were out of reach. I never had a problem with mine, but I have heard of a lot of HP failures in the past few years. However, I wonder if people were just pairing them with spring rates that were out of their damping range. Not known for their durability either way.
April 28, 2010 10:48 a.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

Matt B wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote:

Vote down on GR2s.

Vote sideways on HPs.

Vote UP on Illuminas.

Agreed.

I used the HP's with some mild aftermarket springs (Prokit) on an EG hatch and they controlled the rates well enough for the street. Autocross had me wanting more damping though. Perhaps with stock springs they'd still be a budget option if Illuminas were out of reach. I never had a problem with mine, but I have heard of a lot of HP failures in the past few years. However, I wonder if people were just pairing them with spring rates that were out of their damping range. Not known for their durability either way.

I have GR2s on the MX6 paired with some Megan Racing springs, and it's not bad at all for the street. Comfy, and slightly underdamped.

I have HPs on the Escort paired with some Megan Racing springs, and it's GREAT on the street. The damping seems just about perfect for the street, but i can already tell that they wouldn't be ideal for competition. I don't think they would hold up real long with the springs i've got.

After the Challenge, i will be replacing the GR2s on the MX6 with 2nd gen MX6 illuminas in the front, and 1st gen HPs in the rear.
April 28, 2010 10:56 a.m. oldsaw Dork

I have GR2s on the Prelude - better than stock.

I have my second set of Illuminas on the Civic. The first set was installed when the car was a few months old and were a HUGE improvement.

My first 84 CRX Si had Illuminas and they were also a HUGE improvement over the oems. I've owned three first-gen CRXs and would recommend Illuminas long before GR2s and even the HPs.
April 28, 2010 9:05 p.m. teamdixonracing Dork

PubBurgers wrote:

As far as i know the integra shocks will not fit.

Hmm...for some reason i was thinking the shocks and springs were interchangeable between the two.

I'll have to do more research.

I've been watching redpepper religiously. Not a whole lot over there as far as shocks and springs.
April 29, 2010 5:42 a.m. PubBurgers Dork

In reply to teamdixonracing:

If i remember correctly the rear springs do swap but not the shocks. I have (sadly) been out of the first gen game for a few years though.
April 29, 2010 12:13 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork

teamdixonracing wrote:

PubBurgers wrote:

As far as i know the integra shocks will not fit.

Hmm...for some reason i was thinking the shocks and springs were interchangeable between the two.

I'll have to do more research.

I've been watching redpepper religiously. Not a whole lot over there as far as shocks and springs.

I wouldn't bother. I seriously doubt there's more than 25 lbs/in. difference in the already soft-ass spring rates from the factory, and therefore, probably not much difference between the damping capability of the struts.

I'll maintain that the tokicos are going to be the best value. Sure the TEINs would be the uber-pimp setup, but you're never going to need that much adjustment/damping capability on stock rate springs/t-bars.
April 30, 2010 12:15 a.m. gamby SuperDork

I had GR2's paired w/ Neuspeed Sport springs on an EG Civic ('92 CX) beater/daily driver a few years back. Put 90k miles on that setup and it was good throughout. Great ride quality, but far from a performance setup.

I'm actually considering the ebay DropZone shock/sleeve combo for my current DD. An acquaintance said that the ride quality on it was suprisingly good for a budget setup.

For performance--Koni Reds or the new Koni STR paired w/ whatever springs float your boat
April 30, 2010 12:45 a.m. RedS13Coupe Reader

joey48442 wrote:

Gr2s on one of my Miatas...It feels like stock.

Joey

Had the GR2 on my 240... Never had it with stock, but would never have guessed it would be something that is considered a performance mod by some. Seemed very much a stock replacement. Seemed to work well enough for that though.