2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Tanabe Springs any good?

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Old 05-29-10 | 10:58 PM
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Tanabe Springs any good?

Ive not heard of them but searched and found these. They seem to be ok. I know I should get the adjustable coilovers but Im on a budget right now and my suspension is all original with 208k on it, its worn and very noticable. Im going to get new struts but I thought about spending another few hundred and getting lowering springs. Has anyone heard of these or have them?

Thanks
Old 05-29-10 | 11:51 PM
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IMO... If you are going for looks, than Tanabes GF210's are great, they have the very low drop and give a comfortably stiff ride. But, if you plan to do some racing(autox, drifting, road racing), you are better off saving for coilovers or building your own(ground control).

I made the mistake and got tanabe's with new struts, people like it, but when I did an autocross, one of the more experienced drivers who knew FC suspension was not impressed.

So, for looks they are great; for performance, they are weaksauce.

Hope I helped! Maybe?
Old 05-30-10 | 12:25 AM
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To get the full benefit of them, I think you really need adjustable struts(KYB AGX, Tokico Illuminas, etc). My Turbo II already had AGX's on it when I bought it so I'm going with the Tanabe springs to hold me over until I'm ready to go coilovers
Old 05-31-10 | 06:28 PM
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Ill get the KYBs with them. Whats the most drop I can get with a set of Tanabe springs? I know there are a few different setups though.
Old 05-31-10 | 07:43 PM
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I think I've seen 2" max.
Old 05-31-10 | 08:12 PM
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i just orderd some im going to put on my agx's i cant wait to see how they perform, givin the diff spring rates i feel as though they should do alright as long as the shocks are dialed in correctly, but i only autox once or twice a month and its not a big course its in a parking lot at school so im more into the looks factor more than anything right now
Old 05-31-10 | 10:01 PM
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I had them on an 87 the only problem i had with them is the front ones are pretty wide springs and if you put big wheels on it they rub the wheels pretty bad
Old 05-31-10 | 10:38 PM
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The wheels I have right now are 15 inch and the tires are 205/55/15s.. I know they are skinny and kinda beefy but thats what I was given as a birthday present this year so im not complaining. but by the time I get the coilovers like I want I plan on having 17 or 18 inch rims..
Old 06-01-10 | 02:41 PM
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Yeah you should be good then
Old 06-01-10 | 03:00 PM
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Just installed them on my 86 with tokico blues. They ride very nicely, not overly stiff, with a nice drop. Which is nice on our crappy roads.
Old 06-01-10 | 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by mazdadude
Just installed them on my 86 with tokico blues. They ride very nicely, not overly stiff, with a nice drop. Which is nice on our crappy roads.
I agree with you on this one! I have the same set up and it feels like a new car on rails! But this set up is for street, not autocross or track. If your going track go with coilovers.
Old 06-01-10 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by PistonLessRX
Ive not heard of them but searched and found these. They seem to be ok. I know I should get the adjustable coilovers but Im on a budget right now and my suspension is all original with 208k on it, its worn and very noticable. Im going to get new struts but I thought about spending another few hundred and getting lowering springs. Has anyone heard of these or have them?

Thanks
Don't buy em if your going to buy coilovers later. Save your money for the coilovers. As long as nothing is broken or leaking you should be ok even if you have 208k on your stock suspension.
Old 06-01-10 | 06:03 PM
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I have them on my 7 right now, put them on about 2 months ago, i love them, even with blows shocks they are not bouncy, as some have said go with KYB AGX or Tokico Illuminas, i'll be getting some soon.
Old 06-01-10 | 07:53 PM
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I dont like the way my car rides on bumpy or hilly roads doing 80+ mph.. The backend wants to get sideways and bounce around. I dont feel safe like that. If i end up liking the springs I mights just keep them. I dont plan on taking the car to any tracks any time soon and if I do these springs should be fine. Does anyone have a pic of a car dropped with these with some tires about the same size as mine?
Old 06-02-10 | 12:26 AM
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i have them on mine and have the same tire/ rim size, i just picked up some 16's and am going to be running 225/50, just taking the gamble on the spring rub, but anyway it looks good, but the biggest issue i have is on the rear camber, its visably noticable that the rear wheels are angled, but not too bad, the feel great and don't bounce even with my blown a#$ struts and feel real good at 120 mph, thats the fastest i could get my 87 na haha, and thats after accelerating down a nice little downhill haha
Old 06-02-10 | 01:47 PM
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Can you send a picture to me so i can see?
Old 06-02-10 | 06:19 PM
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New struts would help old suspension out more than new springs. Just buy some new GR2s to hold you over for a year or so while you put back $1000 or so for coilovers. OR you could buy AGX and run the old springs on them while you save for Eibach ground controls.
Old 06-02-10 | 11:31 PM
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Im going to get new struts with the new springs. I want a better looking stance though too. I would keep them for a while and my little brother is saving for his first 7 and if I have my coilovers before he gets his suspension he could just have mine..
Old 06-03-10 | 12:09 PM
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Go with the GR2 auction on ebay for $200. Then go with the Tanabe $189 auction. You'd be spending about $430 or so for a complete package. Swap the factory mounts over.
Old 06-03-10 | 12:23 PM
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cant go wrong with a Tein setup
Old 06-03-10 | 02:28 PM
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pm me your email, my computer is a biiaaatch, i'll just email the pics to you to you
Old 06-04-10 | 12:57 AM
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PM'd you bro.
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