shock/strut q's.

i feel like such a noob at this. probably because i am.
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i have neuspeed race springs...and what i hear now is that i'm going to blow my shocks within 6 months. so i think i'm just gonna buy new shocks now, save myself a pain in the ass switching springs/shocks later.
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my questions are...
1. what are struts?
i hear people saying. "you'll blow your struts" and others saying "you'll blow your shocks." and then looking @ ebay...or sites that are selling suspension...some offer shocks, and some offer shocks/struts. what's the difference...i know that shocks dampen...what do struts do?
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2. what's the most bang for the buck?
i've heard good things about kyb agx's. and i can get shocks & struts new for $400. good deal? also seen lots of stuff on tokico's. seen lots of people with "tokico blues" on their integras. i'd really like to keep it under $400, but i don't wanna have a shocks/struts that suck, or will blow up after a year.
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i'd really appreciate some help. or be pointed in a direction to find the answers to these questions.
thanks,
corona.

Shocks, struts, dampers are all the same thing - just different terms.
I would say the AGX's are the best bang for your buck - dont bother with the GR-2's. If you do get adjustables do not drive all the time with them set on the highest settings, this will wear them out quickly & besides the ride would be very shitty to deal with every day.

www.summitsportcompact.com
www.tirerack.com
www.jcwsportcompact.com

Struts and shocks do the same thing but are designed differently.
Struts have a ring at the bottom where a bolt goes through and a strut rod at the top which gets bolted onto the strut tower, Shocks have rings at both ends and are connected to the car by putting a bolt through the rings.

I'd go with tokikos over KYB any day, tokiko blue's do really well, illumina's have the adjustability. But before you get them check out koni's.

Personally I would say either tokiko or koni, but i tend to lean toward tokiko (only cause I've used them before)

yea, i wish i could go koni yellows.
but i ain't rich.
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how are illuminas or blue's for durability?
will they hold up on a car that's lowered 2 inches?
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i think i'm leaning toward tokico illuminas (approx $350).
maybe blues. but i've heard some stories about them being too soft, and getting real bouncy after a year of use.
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let me know what you think.
thanks,
tifish.

I have the Illuminas and they are not too soft. The adjustabilty is good and when you have them stiff they are just that.