what suspension is needed for my daily driver?

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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 07:13 AM
  #1  
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Default what suspension is needed for my daily driver?

i searched this and found sooo many different answers. but everyone had different needs for their cars. some just wanted to lower their car, some wanted better handling.

So here is what I have now and what I'd like.

I dont know all too much about suspension at all. Alright, I know nothing. I know I have coilovers. but thats it. Someone once said I have cheater sleeves..err, whatever that means.



there's what it looks like. I have stock shocks and struts. I dont know what struts are. I've seen tokico shocks and struts on ebay for 200 with like 30 shipping. Are these good? My ride is horrible right now, so incredibly bumpy. It still handles really well, but i cant take it going over a bump. I still want my lowered stance, I can tolerate a somewhat stiff ride, seeing as there is no way it could possibly get worse right now.

So does anyone have any suggestions for a good ride, while keeping my coilovers?
I'm Looking to spend 400 and under.
Sorry If I said something wrong, I really know nothing about suspension.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 07:28 AM
  #2  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (wompwomp61)

All sleeve coilovers will wreck your ride when on stock shocks..and will blow them out ..

If I had $400 to spend..I would get tokico illumina off ebay for $300 shipped and those are externally adjustable shocks..and come with a better warranty then kyb
And get rid of those coilovers and get some 1.5"-2" inch lowering springs..Can be had for under $100 off ebay..(Sprint,eibach,tein-s,etc...)
Dont get H&R springs because those springs sag more then an old womans tittys...
The springs would give you a much more comfortable ride then coilovers..

The best thing to get is full coilover set-up..But those will be alot more then $400.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 07:31 AM
  #3  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (wompwomp61)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wompwomp61 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what suspension is needed for my daily driver?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Stock.

The stock suspension on my daily driver is rather comfortable. Soft and lots of travel. Can't beat it. I wouldn't want anything else on a daily driver.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have coilovers. but thats it. Someone once said I have cheater sleeves..err, whatever that means.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You have coilover sleeves. They are threaded sleeves that fit over your dampers to allow you to adjust the height of the spring perch relative to the shock body. They allow you to choose the damper you want to use - as opposed to what is referred to as "full" coilovers, which have the threads machined directly onto the shock body and are typically (though not necessarily) more expensive and higher-end.

"Cheater sleeves" . . . well, whatever. Probably a derogatory term made up by someone who doesn't know too much or is bitter . . .

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have stock shocks and struts. I dont know what struts are.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You don't have struts; you have shocks. I prefer to call them dampers to avoid confusion. These are commonly misused terms.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've seen tokico shocks and struts on ebay for 200 with like 30 shipping. Are these good?</TD></TR></TABLE>
For that price, they are probably Tokico HPs (a.k.a. "blues") which is more or less a heavy-duty stock-replacement damper, and not really intended for performance applications with stiff and low aftermarket springs.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My ride is horrible right now, so incredibly bumpy.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Is it bumpy, or is it bouncy? There is a distinction there. A stiff spring will cause a "bumpy" ride. A damper that does not have enough force to control the spring will cause a "bouncy" ride. I have a feeling that you're dealing with both. I also have a feeling that you're riding too low with springs that are too soft, and are bottoming out or riding on the bump stops.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It still handles really well</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'd be willing to bet it doesn't.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i cant take it going over a bump. I still want my lowered stance, I can tolerate a somewhat stiff ride, seeing as there is no way it could possibly get worse right now.</TD></TR></TABLE>
How low are you? Show us.

Ride quality, low height. Choose one. You cannot have both. If you want to ride low, you're going to need stiff springs to avoid bottoming because of the reduced travel, and you're going to need high performance dampers to control them - and those cost money.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So does anyone have any suggestions for a good ride, while keeping my coilovers?
I'm Looking to spend 400 and under.</TD></TR></TABLE>
For that price range, I'd suggest Tokico Illuminas.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 07:44 AM
  #4  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (Targa250R)

i agree stay away from tokiko blues, the illumnias are okay, i prefer kyb over them and they are the same price,

what i personally would do is get these shocks now and save up for some better springs like h&r and then replace the slip on coilovers that you have.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 07:56 AM
  #5  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (Mrspeaker)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mrspeaker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The springs would give you a much more comfortable ride then coilovers.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Not necessarily.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 08:31 AM
  #6  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (Mrspeaker)

Originally Posted by Mrspeaker
All sleeve coilovers will wreck your ride when on stock shocks..and will blow them out ..

If I had $400 to spend..I would get tokico illumina off ebay for $300 shipped and those are externally adjustable shocks..and come with a better warranty then kyb
And get rid of those coilovers and get some 1.5"-2" inch lowering springs..Can be had for under $100 off ebay..(Sprint,eibach,tein-s,etc...)
Dont get H&R springs because those springs sag more then an old womans tittys...
The springs would give you a much more comfortable ride then coilovers..

The best thing to get is full coilover set-up..But those will be alot more then $400.
yeah two of my shocks are blown already. So if i get illumnias, this just replaces the shocks. how will the ride be?? how are shocks adjusted? stiff/not-stiff?

the coilovers..did they take the place of anything? are they there instead of springs?

Originally Posted by Targa250R
Stock.

The stock suspension on my daily driver is rather comfortable. Soft and lots of travel. Can't beat it. I wouldn't want anything else on a daily driver.

i'm also looking to keep it lowered, or i'd go this route


You have coilover sleeves. They are threaded sleeves that fit over your dampers to allow you to adjust the height of the spring perch relative to the shock body. They allow you to choose the damper you want to use - as opposed to what is referred to as "full" coilovers, which have the threads machined directly onto the shock body and are typically (though not necessarily) more expensive and higher-end.

"Cheater sleeves" . . . well, whatever. Probably a derogatory term made up by someone who doesn't know too much or is bitter . . .

yeah thats the way the guy seemed


You don't have struts; you have shocks. I prefer to call them dampers to avoid confusion. These are commonly misused terms.

so what are struts?


For that price, they are probably Tokico HPs (a.k.a. "blues") which is more or less a heavy-duty stock-replacement damper, and not really intended for performance applications with stiff and low aftermarket springs.


Is it bumpy, or is it bouncy? There is a distinction there. A stiff spring will cause a "bumpy" ride. A damper that does not have enough force to control the spring will cause a "bouncy" ride. I have a feeling that you're dealing with both. I also have a feeling that you're riding too low with springs that are too soft, and are bottoming out or riding on the bump stops.

indeed it is a little of both, a lot more so bumpy though. once in a while, its bouncy. but only when going over a dip or something. I have springs? Are these those blue things on the sleeves? I feel it bottom out a lot.


I'd be willing to bet it doesn't.

In my eyes it does, but i'm willing to bet this is only due to the fact that i drive the car everyday and havent drive other cars that are good handlers.


How low are you? Show us.







Ride quality, low height. Choose one. You cannot have both. If you want to ride low, you're going to need stiff springs to avoid bottoming because of the reduced travel, and you're going to need high performance dampers to control them - and those cost money.

I want low height. not neccesarily as low as it is now. I love the look of the size of this drop, but cant take the ride anymore. I'd be willing to sacrifice a little stiffness for a couple inches


For that price range, I'd suggest Tokico Illuminas.

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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 08:32 AM
  #7  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (slowpokesi)

i appreciate the help a lot. and thanks for not flaming me for not knowing whats going on

added: does the fact that i'm using a large rim have anything to do with the ride?
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 10:39 AM
  #8  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (wompwomp61)

its not so much the large rim, but the low profile tire,

i had 17s for a while and i just went down to 15s with a bigger tire, and the ride is improved sooo much!

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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 11:13 AM
  #9  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (slowpokesi)

I have a set of Eibach sportlines and Tokico HP shocks for sale on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...=WDVW
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 11:20 AM
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (slowpokesi)

Yeah larger wheels will affect ride quality, because they require low-profile tires, I went from 15's to stock 13's and 15's felt fine, but i could still feel the increased ride comfort.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 11:53 AM
  #11  
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My 89 crx si rides like a million dollars. Here's my setup...Suspension Techniques springs and sway bars, Tokico HP blue struts, and select energy busings running on 15" wheels running Toyo T1S tires. I have nothing but good things to say about each of the products listed. I've had this setup now for 6 years.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 01:16 PM
  #12  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (Mrspeaker)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mrspeaker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Dont get H&R springs because those springs sag more then an old womans tittys...
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Hmm, in how many years will that take? I'm on my 2nd year of H&R race's and they're still kickin just fine. I believe they warrant their sagginess you speak of.
knockoffs or not, i still love those wheels, look great. a friend had them on a prelude.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 02:01 PM
  #13  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (B16_madman)

Read over these two threads:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=469485
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=904004

Then post back with questions.

Oh, might as search under "suspension" and "spring rate" and read all of those threads too.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 02:05 PM
  #14  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (B16_madman)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B16_madman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Hmm, in how many years will that take? I'm on my 2nd year of H&R race's and they're still kickin just fine. I believe they warrant their sagginess you speak of.
knockoffs or not, i still love those wheels, look great. a friend had them on a prelude.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i agree mine do not sag! and ive ran them on every car ive owned, 3 cars thus far!
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Old Dec 4, 2004 | 08:31 PM
  #15  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (slowpokesi)

alright. i checked out ebay. if you guys could look through the listings and tell me which would be the best bang for the buck i'd appreciate it. if you could also list the pros and cons for any of the following listings it'd be great. a quick question though..when buying any of these, am i getting rid of my coilover sleeves? or can i buy any of these and also keep my sleeves. to make it easier just refer to each by their corresponding numbers. you really dont know how much i thank you guys for this.

1. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

2. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

3. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

4. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

5. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

6. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

7. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33582

8. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590
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Old Dec 4, 2004 | 08:59 PM
  #16  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (wompwomp61)

I'm not going to click and analyze each of those links, but i can provide this information:

Tokico Blue/KYB GR2 = stock replacement shocks.
Tokico Illumina/KYB AGX = performance, adjustable shocks.

What you want will depend on what you do with the car, and the spring rate of your springs. I suggest you read up about those before you lay down any money. So, search and read about the following:

"spring rate"

and

The name of each one of the shocks i mentioned up above. There have literally been 2078932476 thread covering suspension. Just pick any thread that sounds somewhat relevant and i'm sure you'll learn something new. You might just find some outside links that explain suspension to greater detail.
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Old Dec 5, 2004 | 09:50 AM
  #17  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (erikiksaz1)

why buy tokico blues for stock replacement if you can just buy oem shocks? are they a little better as stock replacements or something?
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Old Dec 5, 2004 | 09:56 AM
  #18  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (wompwomp61)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wompwomp61 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why buy tokico blues for stock replacement if you can just buy oem shocks? are they a little better as stock replacements or something?</TD></TR></TABLE>

some people buy the blues because they think they are good shocks , however there about as good as oem, so hes telling you not to waste your time with them, that they cant handle aftermarket springs!
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Old Dec 5, 2004 | 11:29 AM
  #19  
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For a daily driver, I just have stock springs (new) and KYB GR2 shocks. Very nice ride. Sorry, I don't want to lower my rex.
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Old Dec 5, 2004 | 11:39 AM
  #20  
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (wompwomp61)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wompwomp61 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">alright. i checked out ebay. if you guys could look through the listings and tell me which would be the best bang for the buck i'd appreciate it. if you could also list the pros and cons for any of the following listings it'd be great. a quick question though..when buying any of these, am i getting rid of my coilover sleeves? or can i buy any of these and also keep my sleeves. to make it easier just refer to each by their corresponding numbers. you really dont know how much i thank you guys for this.

1. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

2. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

3. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

4. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

5. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

6. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590

7. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33582

8. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...33590</TD></TR></TABLE>

go with #8 if u can afford it...if not go with #6
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Old Dec 6, 2004 | 08:13 PM
  #21  
wompwomp61's Avatar
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Default Re: what suspension is needed for my daily driver? (Stefndogg)

up for more answers
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