I was looking through this group looking for strut recommendations. Most of the talk seems to indicate that the ZX2 strut gives a good price/performance ratio, but seems to be taylored to a 1" lowering. I would like to keep my car at the stock height, what are the best Struts for this application (daily driver usage). My friend suggested KONI. Opinions?

Rick
90 GT
NGK wires, Brembo Rotors, otherwise stock.

 

I really haven't heard too much out koni struts, and I haven't ridden in a car with them, so I can't comment on them.
1" drop isn't that drastic. The ZX2s improve handling greatly compared to any of the OE struts or direct OE replacements.

For the money, they're hard to pass up. Course, you do have to buy the eibach springs to go with them. The improved handling might actually save your *** a couple times on the freeway or streets.

 

I am not a real DIY guy, I would rather buy the best for the application if I can afford it. I guess since it's a daily driver there has to be a compromise of comfort / performance, with the ratio leaning towards a comfortable ride with better performance than that of stock. ( I don't want fillings to be rattled out like my friend's CRX )

Rick

 

With that said, your best bet are the tokico ZX2s. Best struts you can buy for the low price.

You don't even have to buy camber plates/bolts. They don't change the profile of the suspension drastically where you would need such devices.

Good luck and enjoy the ride.

 

Originally, i wanted to keep the OEM height as well....but as zenilder said 1" isn't THAT much; so i decided to go with the ZX2 struts and Eibach springs...got it all from www.oemfordparts.com for just over $400!! I rode in Darryl's car and it felt REALLY good...
You might also look at the KYB e-spec stuts from corksport. I honestly don't know anything about them other than they are $103 each...

 

Thanks to everyone for your opinions, I am trying to source out a Canadian Dealer for both the springs and struts. I talked to a friend that just had some stuff sent up, and he said it ended up costing aprox 2.5X what the original cost in US after duty etc.. so I am trying to minimize these extra costs if possible. He also mentioned that Gabriel makes a strut for the Protege 1st gen and said that he has installed some a couple cars (not protoges) and was very pleased with the results.. They are "VST" strut that are supposed to be quite good.
I looked into Mazdaspeed struts, Mazada Victoria says it a American division and there is no source up here
So the search continues....

 

If you're not looking for performance, the KYB GR2 struts aren't that bad, at about $50-55 a piece. They will feel stiff at first (compared to worn out stockers), but are a nice compromise offering just a little more performance.

And the ZX-2 struts will work fine with the stock springs. They will work much better than the stock struts when used with lowering springs, but springs aren't necessary.

 

Rick,

A couple of things:

1) I have a complete set of KYB GR2 struts with about 7k miles on them I'd sell for cheap, say $100US for the set. I just upgraded to the ZX2 Tokicos and don't need them anymore.

2) I'm a short distance from you in Bellingham, if you want to buy the springs and struts in the US and have them shipped here, then take a trip to the mainland and get them, I'm cool with that.

If you're interested in the KYB's, I might be able to help you install them if you wanted to drive over. That way I could check out the great GT seats!!

tom

 

Thanks for the offer Tom! At present, I am probably going to be installing a KL motor into my GT (still looking into the details) but I am not sure what will happen since the front struts will be coming off a MX-6, I have to figure out what to do with the rears.

Any suggestions?

 

You got me on that one, I'm not sure what you'll need to convert to 5 lug hubs. I know a few others have done it, so you might start a new thread and ask.

tom