Tokico D-Spec Review
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 17,181
Likes: 154
From: OC - So Cal
Tokico D-Spec Review
copied from post in another section:
Originally Posted by OCG35
Finally got mine installed over the weekend 
Much improved from non-sport stock struts! I really like the adjustability of dampening - I started 3 turns from stiff and although it’s a notably rougher ride, it’s much better handling and easier to control the car over high speed bumps. For example, previously when I encountered slight variances in road level on fwy, I'd let off the accelerator upon entry and accelerate just as I end the deviation - this way I could control the cars characteristics while navigating the bumps/whoopdedoos... Not using this technique would cause the car to bounce and float over the bumps, sometimes loosing a bit of traction and rebounding heavily on front end (scraping my Kurookie bumper).
With the D-Specs I can take the same roads at consistent speed enter and exit the deviated portion of the road swiftly without the car acting erratically. It’s a nice control and makes handling the car easier.
Also, I went to the drag strip over the weekend and did as suggested in the manual (also common physics sense) - which is set at softest setting front and rear in order to help distribute weight to rear upon launch (front up, rear squat)... it seemed to work pretty well (coil-overs at softest rear setting would be better for this, but its nice to have this option just from struts)... Softest is 7 turns from stiff (according to manual, even though you can turn it about 11 times before it stops)... If anyone decides to do this, be sure to stiffen them back up before leaving the track - not only is the softest setting going to create the problem mentioned in first paragraph (even worse), it also introduced a clunking sound that perplexed me initially - I thought it was my new A-Arms, and even jacked the car up and looked under for anything loose... the front struts were already re-adjusted but I had not stiffened the rears yet... I drove out of the track to local gas station and adjusted rears before getting on fwy and the sound was gone
At any rate... I've only driven on them over the weekend - and don’t drive the car daily - so from what I have experienced so far, I recommend the D-Specs for sure. Especially if you are non-sport OEM and even for sport suspension due to the d-spec flexibility.
FWIW, I'm using Eibach Pro with these struts. I'll post a copy of this review in the suspension section.
Footnote: purchased from THMotorsports - great price and fast shipping (just took me a long time to get them installed (too many engine projects going on).
Much improved from non-sport stock struts! I really like the adjustability of dampening - I started 3 turns from stiff and although it’s a notably rougher ride, it’s much better handling and easier to control the car over high speed bumps. For example, previously when I encountered slight variances in road level on fwy, I'd let off the accelerator upon entry and accelerate just as I end the deviation - this way I could control the cars characteristics while navigating the bumps/whoopdedoos... Not using this technique would cause the car to bounce and float over the bumps, sometimes loosing a bit of traction and rebounding heavily on front end (scraping my Kurookie bumper).
With the D-Specs I can take the same roads at consistent speed enter and exit the deviated portion of the road swiftly without the car acting erratically. It’s a nice control and makes handling the car easier.
Also, I went to the drag strip over the weekend and did as suggested in the manual (also common physics sense) - which is set at softest setting front and rear in order to help distribute weight to rear upon launch (front up, rear squat)... it seemed to work pretty well (coil-overs at softest rear setting would be better for this, but its nice to have this option just from struts)... Softest is 7 turns from stiff (according to manual, even though you can turn it about 11 times before it stops)... If anyone decides to do this, be sure to stiffen them back up before leaving the track - not only is the softest setting going to create the problem mentioned in first paragraph (even worse), it also introduced a clunking sound that perplexed me initially - I thought it was my new A-Arms, and even jacked the car up and looked under for anything loose... the front struts were already re-adjusted but I had not stiffened the rears yet... I drove out of the track to local gas station and adjusted rears before getting on fwy and the sound was gone
At any rate... I've only driven on them over the weekend - and don’t drive the car daily - so from what I have experienced so far, I recommend the D-Specs for sure. Especially if you are non-sport OEM and even for sport suspension due to the d-spec flexibility.
FWIW, I'm using Eibach Pro with these struts. I'll post a copy of this review in the suspension section.
Footnote: purchased from THMotorsports - great price and fast shipping (just took me a long time to get them installed (too many engine projects going on).
I just installed the rear D-specs on my coupe (haven't had time to do the fronts yet), and compared to the OEM '04 coupe rear shocks, they are much better. The adjustability it definitely nice, and even at 4 turns from full stiff, they make the car flatter and smoother in cornering. I have not noticed any real increase in harshness (probably because of the fact that I am still on '04 coupe springs and 18" wheels) though I have yet to experiment with stiffer settings yet. Combined with the Stillen sways (Med/Med is my current setting) they definitely improve handling confidence & make the car feel quicker in transitions with less body roll.
Can't wait to get the fronts on and keep experimenting.
Can't wait to get the fronts on and keep experimenting.
I have the D-Specs on my '04 G.. and they've been great. Adjustability is nice to have, can dial things in.
Also don't forget about the extension cables for the rear. You can easily tap into the trunk and through the carpet, so you can adjust the rears on the fly, instead of having to compress the suspension and get in there.
http://www.stillen.com/product.asp?i...odel=G35%202DR
Also don't forget about the extension cables for the rear. You can easily tap into the trunk and through the carpet, so you can adjust the rears on the fly, instead of having to compress the suspension and get in there.
http://www.stillen.com/product.asp?i...odel=G35%202DR
So, about that - I followed the DIY someone posted on here long ago and routed the extensions under the baby seat latch covers (I had to drill out the existing holes in the shock towers a bit using a 1/2" drill bit), which is fine, though you really need to pop the covers off to get unfettered access to the dials. How do you route them into the trunk? Do you have cut a new hole in the shock tower?
Been on mine for well over a year and 10-k miles, no complaints other than wanting height adjustability. Always on the look out for some good used coilovers. I paired up my D-Specs with Cobb springs and its a nice firm ride, evened out the drop with a rear spring mount mod just recently. Everything is pretty even and riding nice. Should have my first track event on them in june hopefully. otherwise they just see aggressive street and backroad driving.
So, about that - I followed the DIY someone posted on here long ago and routed the extensions under the baby seat latch covers (I had to drill out the existing holes in the shock towers a bit using a 1/2" drill bit), which is fine, though you really need to pop the covers off to get unfettered access to the dials. How do you route them into the trunk? Do you have cut a new hole in the shock tower?
Trending Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DRG35R
General Tech Questions
4
Sep 16, 2015 05:33 AM
