Partizan

Hey guys, I just got myself a 2001 Prelude type sh after having my ej8 civic totaled. So I am not a newb when it comes to Hondas and suspension, but need some help.

I am looking for my first mod to lower the prelude. Now I have heard that there is a difference between the base prelude and the SH when it comes to lowering. Can someone explain that to me, and what do I need to pay attention to?

I am also looking into recommendations on what to lower my car on. In my civic I had H&R Sport springs along with Koni yellow shocks, and that was an ok setup.

For my prelude, I am not trying to get into any crazy race suspension or anything like that, but I don't want to necessarily cheap out on it as well. I do want to improve my handling as well as decreasing that ugly hand gap. I was considering full coilovers, and a friend of mine just gave me a ride in his base prelude with function and form type 1 coilovers and I was surprised by how good it rode for it being so low.

So right now I am considering those, and for around $650 they seem to be a good deal. Any input?

1GPlusSH

i don't know anything about the type 1, but $650 seems pretty cheap for full coilovers. i'd check around on the net to see if anyone has had any issues.

if i had it to do over again, i'd go with koni yellows with some ebay coilover for the rest.

there is a difference in the suspensions for base and SH. im sure kronn has done a write-up for it. when you go to buy your parts, they'll have both types. if it doesn't specifically say SH model, don't get it. i can't remember what the difference is that it actually matters with coilovers, though. we do have a beefier setup from base, though

Partizan

When looking for aftermarket parts, I never saw that suspension parts said it was for an SH model or whatnot. It was only listed by year..

1GPlusSH

then they're probably only for the base model. the only thing that i know for sure that's different are our sway bars. i've never looked at the honda part numbers for other parts of the suspension.

i've seen ebay coilovers for SH models. i have skunk2 coilovers. i'm sure the more expensive ones have SH models

1GPlusSH

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-prelude-4/5th-gens-base-vs-sh-762014/

there you go

"There are actually quite a few differences between the base and the Type SH suspension, The springs are not the same. The type SH springs are a little taller. The struts are different as well, the base where the spring is perched sits lower on the Type SH, hence the taller spring. It results in a little firmer spring rate than the base. Lets not forget to mention the front knuckles are different, the raius rods, the front trailing arms, and the roll bars are a couple of millimeters thicker than the base front and rear. In the rear the springs and struts are different on the SH, it has the same condition as the front where the perch that the spring sits on is slightly lower than the base model, and the spring is slightly taller than the base model, It is not as big of a difference between the SH and Base rears as the fronts are though, the rear trailing arms are a little thicker as well but not much. The only problems with aftermarket struts would be modifying the dust gaurds on the struts with stock springs, however if you go aftermarket springs and struts that are replaced in tandem you will not run into any issues.."

the last line sums it up for your situation. you can go base if all of this is correct. I didn't see anybody argue this point, so you're probably safe.

Partizan

Yeah I actually ended up reading that after making this thread. So now that I know that the parts are interchangable, what do you think I should go with. Any input on the Function Form Type 1's?

1GPlusSH

they are only interchangeable if you get the struts and springs together. i wouldn't replace one or the other...I know you're planning on doing the whole package, but i wanted to make sure...

i've never heard of them and don't know of anyone that has them. hopefully someone here has.

KEVLARsh

I had my SH lowered on KYB shocks and Tein S-Tech springs. THe ride was awesome, stiff, very comfortable for daily driving though. This set up is def inside of your budget range

Partizan

Yeah I understand that you have to replace the whole thing.

How much did you pay for your agx?

CAN97SH

I have a 97 SH and I use the base model preludes Koni Yellows with the GC coilovers and springs. Spring rates are 440 in teh front and 400 in the rear. They work just fine and the install was simple (at a garage).

The hard part is getting a good alignment. You can only adjust toe and caster? I dont think you can adjust camber at all. My last alignment was not that great but I also have no weird tire wear either.

Here is my last alignment just for reference. Note the mechanics warning on the page

1GPlusSH

"NOT designed to be lowered"? is there such a thing in a production car? i think that's just his disclaimer if something jacks up. i lowered mine with no issues. i didn't pancake it, but there were no problems.

CAN97SH

Yeah I think the same thing. I think its because if you lower too much the upper control arms will smack the upper wheel wells. Not too sure as I am not lowered too much either and I've never had problems.

singlecamslamed

My brother has a 99 SH. He just threw Skunk 2 Coilover sleeves on. Not sure if it was SH specific or not. But they work fine. Stock struts are already blown and it bounces like crazy. Lol.

Partizan

Yeah I would assume that comment was made because of liability issues or whatever.

sde780

riding on koni yellow/skunk2 coilover sleeves here. stiff and def not bouncy. make sure you reuse or get new bumpstops, when I didn't have them I bottomed out on everything

Partizan

Any other suggestions?