Dzone Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 I need your advise!I will be changing the front struts on my Starion andI hope to get the same feel as the STOCK Subaru impresa/wrx.1)So i want to know if the kyb struts are as good and feel just as new oem struts.? 2)I know that the oem will bolt right up. But will the kyb's bolt right up too? 3)I called Summit but was quoted about $40 for each strut.Though, for that price are they refuring only to the inserts?Cause I was quoted 200 each for oem struts. Shipping incl to Canada. 4)Is there anything els that I should change, because the dealer said it would be a good idea to change the bearings at the top of the struts too.I would appreciate your feedbackThanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzone Posted February 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Well I Called Summit today just to confirmIf for $39 dollars would I get Kyb struts or inserts?And yes they are just inserts.So I guess I will have to just order the Oem compleat struts.But before I do, tommorow I will call KYB (the company)To see if they sell the compleat struts for less then the dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 KYB is going to be cheaper. The fronts are inserts(no matter who makes them), and the rears are full body struts. I run 'em, I like 'em... :wink: Strut isolators should be replaced, since you'll be in the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzone Posted February 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Hey thanks for your reply. I was just reading the 3sx site and it says that stock Mitsubishi struts are KYB,Intresting... I really hope I can reuse the outer strut case.I think one may be damaged.That's why I wanna find the strut insted of the inserts. By the way what are isolators?Are they that black triangular ruber cap that sits at the top of the shock with 3 bolts And should I also change the tie rods or bushings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzone Posted February 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 I brought it down to two options.Tokicos or Kyb front inserts. With Kyb's I must pay shipping from the US plus tax duty... Tokicos I can get here, no shipping duty ect... So they end up at the same price Does anyone know if just regular front Tokico insertsFeel the same as the KYB inserts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starcon88 Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 Stock is Tokico. If you want a nice smooth ride then KYBs but if you want handling then Tokico all the way, Hey its what was stock Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star_V8_Quest Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 I think KYB makes the car sit lower?Thought i read that somewhere on here I have KYB and the ride is fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artinist Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 hmmm, both are stiffer than stock. tokikos are stiffer than kyb GR2 and can be ordered with different valving(at least we used to be able to order them that way) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzone Posted February 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 Well it seems that there is mixed opinions as to I was trying to get that impressa feelI rented one for a short time2006 it looked like a wrx but it was a hatch backAnd the suspension felt nice smooth but sporty it never leanedAnd it was stock. That's what I was trying to get.But since its easyer to just order tockico from my local parts center, then that what I will get.I hope it sits as low as it is now, But then again one shock is blown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
questnc Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 I ordered my KYB's of E-bay all 4, for around 180 something, 210.00 shipping & all. They are stiffer than stock. Tokico's were stock on our cars like stated, its written on the housing of the shocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberquest Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 what about replacing a shp adjustable strut, can they be swapped for regular struts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 Tokico. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artinist Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 the stock tokikos have nothing to do with the aftermarket tokiko cartridge replacements. and none of the shocks have anything to do with ride height. you could take out the shocks and put the car just on the springs and it will be the same height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzone Posted February 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2006 Today I picked up two Tokico front inserts.The parts guy had ordered all 4 shocks just incase I would do all.But I only got the fronts for now. I also made a trip to the Mitsubishi dealer and orderd all the rest of Oem dust boots, washersInsolators ect....I will reuse the original springs to keep that nice smooth road feel.Though I bet Eibachs would have made a great combination. But anywaysThanks for all above who gave input.All I have to do now is wait till everything arrives so I can get a mechanic to install them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzone Posted February 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Well I'm happy to say I installed my tokico front shocks and they feel awsome I was worried that they would be to stiffBut they feel nice..... Very niceJust like I wanted like the subaru impreza... Both my original were compleatly toast... Now I have a bit of gap...Wish I had installed eibachs.... But my mechanic had to cut the bottom piece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brando_B Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 Dzone, any chance you can post the part numbers for the dust boots, isolators, and other parts you got from mitsubishi and how much they cost. I am planning to change my struts soon as well. Thanks,Brando Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstieg Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 It may be hard to compare our setup with other cars based on feel or even brand/type of parts. Stiff/soft ride and aggressive handling also includes variations of springs, tires, bushings, steering components and sway bars. Good call with the new boots. Isolators might not be needed depending on the condition and milage on yours. At about 55k but 15 years old, mine were perfect, but the front original shocks were toast. I put Tokico Blue inserts up front and love em. Ended up selling the new isolators I bought just in case. I put in some ajustables in the rear from an old SHP car, but one has since crapped out on me, so I'm putting in Tokico's in the rear too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzone Posted March 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Dzone, any chance you can post the part numbers for the dust boots, isolators, and other parts you got from mitsubishi and how much they cost. I am planning to change my struts soon as well. Thanks,Brando Brando I'll see if I can get them. AgainI new I would need to keep the original sticker tags for the price.I think there may be a link as well too.Sorry for the late reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smog Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 I've never owned a starion that had good struts, all my cars have blown out struts, ims ure my handling will increase greatly once I get some Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzone Posted March 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 It may be hard to compare our setup with other cars based on feel or even brand/type of parts. Stiff/soft ride and aggressive handling also includes variations of springs, tires, bushings, steering components and sway bars. Good call with the new boots. Isolators might not be needed depending on the condition and milage on yours. At about 55k but 15 years old, mine were perfect, but the front original shocks were toast. I put Tokico Blue inserts up front and love em. Ended up selling the new isolators I bought just in case. I put in some ajustables in the rear from an old SHP car, but one has since crapped out on me, so I'm putting in Tokico's in the rear too. Well you were right, the isolaters were still in good condition but I replaced them anyways.The only thing is that my mechanic did not cut the bottom of the shocks even and I remember one was taller then the other.He also said I did not need oil inside,I did asked him but we just left watever oil was left there, there.Now the only thing is that the fender sits about 3 inch from the wheel.I think I will buy the back shocks as well, I don't know about new springs..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
questkiller2005 Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 my struts are stamped kyb from the factory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 my struts are stamped kyb from the factory Oddly enough, so is the power steering pump.. Right on the rear case cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 I think KYB makes the car sit lower?Thought i read that somewhere on here I have KYB and the ride is fine I've never heard of struts affecting ride height.... especially inserts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 Oddly enough, so is the power steering pump.. Right on the rear case cover. Maybe we can start selling them as a "KYB Performance PS pump upgrade" if you wanted to be a crook like some other people on ebay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliConquestAlex Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 I run Kyb-gr2's and suspension techniques springs and I LOVE the way it feels. it's not too stiff, but it dramatically decreased the body roll and improved handling. My stock suspension setup had well over 200k on it though so it was toast. The front kyb's go right into the stock struts with minimal effort. As far as lowering the car with the kyb shocks....i don't know... I put the new springs on and it was lower, but the springs were shorter. I think that if you use the stock springs and bump stops then the ride height shouldn't change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts