[LilBluP1]

I am interested in getting opinions and advice on adjustable vs. non-adjustable shocks and struts for my 2001 GT. Currently I have installed the Eibach Pro Kit and will put urethane bushings in the near future. The cars purpose is to be a well handling street car with the occasional trip to the track for 1/4 mile bragging rights. She is my daily driver. HP goals are 50% over stock (S/C in the future).

I am currently looking at the Tokico Illuminas vs. the non-adjustable. Also I have considered the Eibach Pro Damper kit. Koni and Bilstien may be a bit out of my price range.

So the question is what have you used and if you have used adjustable can you notice any difference when you change the settings. How hard are they to tune etc...


M@

[Vortex]

My experience,
Unless you have tried a brand before, i'd go with adjustables...sport shocks, drag shocks, street shocks, etc, all have different stiffnesses. One may be good for autoX but may knock your teeth out on the street. They usually arent that hard to adjust.. usually just a screw-type dial on the tops...

[bob8797]

Yes, you can definitely feel the difference between the softest & firmest settings.
How easy to adjust? Depends on the brand. I use KYB adjustables partly because they are easy to adjust and partly because they were fairly inexpensive.
Do you need adjustables? Depends on you. Is it worth it to you for the adjustability? For drag I don't know. If you did a lot of autox or open-track then yes.

I have the Prokit and KYB adjustables on my SN95 and Prokits w/non-adj Tokicos on my Foxbody. I would call the Prokit/non-adj Toks a firm, controlled ride. Not harsh. Although now that I have over 30k miles on them I'd say the rear shocks can be a bit harsh over potholes and other bad surfaces, but nothing I can't live with.

[LilBluP1]

Thanks for your ideas Vortex and Bob8797. I apologize for not getting back sooner.

I have really taken a lot of time to review exactly what I want from my car and have concluded it will be mostly street driven. So with that in mind I will focus on handeling. I can accept the slower times at the dragstrip due to poor traction (our at least I will have a good excuse)...

Here is my plan...I will most likely get a set of Tokico non-adjustable (5 ways a little pricey). urathene, rear control arms (HP or Steeda), good rubber and sharpen up on my driving skills. Wish list includes offset A arm bushings, C/C plates and bump steer.

Let me know if I got my priorities turned around.