Who makes decent shocks for the S2k? Tokiko doesn't make any and Bilsteins are $1200. I plan on doing 8 track events this year plus street driving so I need some adjustablity

 

Under $1200? No one makes anything that's better than the stock shocks.

If you want to spend more, then do a search of the forum for shocks and there have been plenty of discussions about Koni, Penske, JRZ, Moton, TEIN, etc.

 

I agree. You're looking at a minimum outlay of about $3500 to make the car faster than it is on stock shocks. I'm in a bad financial spot this Christmas because I just dropped $4400 on JRZ's. I wouldn't have spent that if I could have been fast for less.

 

Ok, let me ask this, I've seen these questions a few times. Lots of talk about CO's under 3k won't make a bit of differance.

I installed a set of Buddy Clubs, the next track day out I noticed that the car handled much better then stock ( almost 4 years old ) and that I was definatly faster then I was before.

I can't deny that I noticed a huge improvement in my car. I sadly use oem tires, but I do drive to limits of adhesion, and IMO, other then better lines, I couldn't really go much faster, ( ok, save for that little bit I hold off, becuase I want to drive my car home after )

So whats the real deal? am I wrong?

 

My understanding is that the lower-end CO's may feel stiffer and more responsive than stock, but doesn't improve absolute grip and laptime when both are driven at the limit. Since your OEMs were 4 yrs old, that could be the reason for the huge difference.

 

Penskes from ARE are about $3000. A great shock for stock springs. And, I would venture to say, an improvement over stock shocks.

Just my $0.02

 

Don't pay any attention to how fast the car FEELS. It's the laptimes that will tell you the truth.

I have JIC's with 12 kg/mm springs. The car FEELS like it's a rocketship on rails at the track. But when you compare laptimes between my car and a car on STOCK shocks, my car runs as much as 4 sec/lap SLOWER, with all else being as equal as we can get it. That's why I just bought JRZs. And also part of the reason I sued JIC (I won in small claims last month, but they just appealed; so I have to go to CA Superior Court next month to beat them again).

BTW, I don't know about the lower-end Penske's at all, but Penske triple adjustables (8760's) are $5000.

Look for something with an external reservoir, if you can. Single body shocks don't have enough fluid capacity to resist heat on the track (particularly in the rear).

 

Rev, any pics?

 

I'm installing them Sunday, so I'll take pics while installing them and get back to you with all that.

 

The Ankeny Racing site appears to be down right now, but I can vouch for shaggy's statement that they sell double-adjustable Penskes for around $3000, and singles for less.

Most people wouldn't benefit significantly from triples as opposed to properly-valved singles.

Steve