Paiige

Posted this in the wrong section earlier apparently, trying again

Okay, so I know there are a million suspension threads out there. But I've read them all and am looking for some opinions from people who have personal experience with these parts and applications.

The Tein S Techs are apparently on backorder forever. I know they're all over ebay but have heard that a percentage of them are counterfeit parts and I don't really like the thought of playing a guessing game and hoping I get parts that aren't junk.

Basically, I'm going to be putting whatever springs I get on my stock struts for a little while, and when they're ruined I'm gonna either go with AGXs or Tokiko Illuminas, not sure yet but I'll decide when the time comes.

I've heard mixed reviews on the Teins but I know they're what I want - not an insanely rough ride and just enough drop (about 1.9" fr and 1.7" r). And I know they won't ruin my stock struts IMMEDIATELY.

My options then, since I can't go with the Teins, have pretty much been narrowed down to Eibach Sportlines, H&R, and Skunk2. But I don't really know what's gonna be best to be riding on stock struts for a little while. I know the Skunk2s have a lower drop, a super stiff ride and will probably ruin my struts immediately, but I haven't been able to find any info on running the H&Rs or the Eibachs on stock struts. The Eibach supposedly lower 1.8" all around, which is fine, and the H&Rs are listed at 1.5-1.8".

Does anyone have any experience on running the sportlines on stock struts? Also, is the listed drop correct in your experience?

Same question goes for the H&R because 1.5" isn't quite low enough so I'm hoping it's closer to the 1.8".

EDIT: Just did some research on Tanabe but no one seems to have them so I don't know what to think. A guy at a local performance shop said they'd recommend them but I wanted to see what people on here have to say.


Any input would be appreciated

43!

iTrader: (3)

Your best bet would be to save up some more money and get Koni Yellow/GC setup like everyone else in lieu of wasting your time and money dicking around with lowered springs on stock shocks.

There is a reason it's a popular setup.

Paiige

But that's not what I'm asking. Money isn't really an issue, if I wanted a full coilover set up I would have just gotten it already.

And like I said, I'm only going to be on my stock struts until they die. I don't need more car parts lying around my house and I would just end up holding onto them because they're in pretty decent shape right now.

Jujutsuka

Your stock struts won't "die"
But your handling will suffer.
I ran Eibach lowering springs on an EM2 civic and I ran it pretty hard. Never had my struts fail.
So you have nothing to worry about. You will be good till you get your coilovers later down the road. Just be aware although you center of gravity is improved and body roll. Your suspension wont respond to bumps very well so avoid trying to push your car in turns on bumpy roads as you could lose traction easy.

Paiige

Thank you, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear

Jujutsuka

No problem.
Like I mentioned earlier. I ran Eibach springs.
This was like 7years ago, but I don't remember the ride being horrible or rough. Unless you are racing your car the only thing that will stand out will be stiffer suspension because you are on performance springs. And having to adjust to driveways that are raised incline and speed bumps that are high. But I never had much of an issue with that either. I rarely scraped my bumper. And if it did... no one would even know it because it was directly under the bumper.

Paiige

Yeah I've been making a point to kind of 'practice'- I have the same commute every day and I've pretty much memorized every pot hole and speed bump and there is. I know it's gonna be a lot different but I don't drive super hard and if I do it's only briefly so she'll be okay

B serious

iTrader: (1)

Eibach Sportlines are WAAAAY too low for stock shocks. And they ride like ****.

Eibach Pro kit springs are what you want if you plan on using stock length shocks (OEM, Koni yellow/orange, Illumina, etc). They're better quality than the S-Tech as well.

Koni yellow/GC would be a good option as well. Just don't lower it more than about 2""....or 2.5" at the absolute max with OTS koni yellows. Extended top hats would be good to buy for a 2.5" drop.

There are reasons to buy different shocks even though your OEM shocks are "good". But...you seem pretty set on using your stock shocks. So...the advice would be to buy something like:

Eibach Pro kit springs. (About 1.5" drop).
H&R "OE" springs (about a .75" - 1" drop).
Stock ITR springs (about .75 - 1" drop).

Paiige

Thanks for the input. The Sportlines are already on their way though, so we'll see what happens haha

theYBLEGAL

Back in 2008 I put S Techs on my stock struts. I was also making a new engine harness, so car was sitting for a while. Well, after sitting on the S Techs and stock struts for only maybe 2 weeks, both rear struts failed. No driving. Face-palmed, replaced with Tokico Blues, and have been fairly happy with em ever since.

And this is 7 years later, and you're talking about using stock struts still. I would not.

15+ year old struts... Waste of time, unless you enjoy taking things apart over and over, and paying for alignments over and over, unless you just eyeball it.

But, I must say, I'm fixin my front calipers right now, and I notice that the S Techs are still in prime condition, no flaking of any green paint, no indications of rust, bubbling, or the like. And I live in Chicago land, and drive it thru the winter, with salt and all that. My other EK coupe came with Groundcontrol sleeves, which were cracked, beat to hell, springs rusting, paint falling off. Replaced those with S Techs as well (2 years ago there).

For straight daily, Tokico blues with S Techs are a great combination.

Paiige

Yeah, I really wanted the Teins but don't want to wait until summer to order a set. And I'm leaning towards AGXs when the time comes. I have some other parts that need to go on and I need the springs done before that can happen.

I don't mind repeatedly taking things apart and fortunately I don't have to pay for alignments because I work at a shop, so I'm lucky in that regard.

The Sportlines are sitting in my living room right now - going on at some point this week. Past the point of no return now And honestly even if it's a horrible combination, at least I can say lesson learned.