Did a search...couldnt get a clear cut answer, so I figured I'd post this question for a friend.

He's got a '97 Accord 4 door, 4 banger, 5spd. He has 18" rims, and he wants to drop the car about 1 1/2". But he has 'heard' you cant do that with rims of that size.

My question is...can you drop it, and if so, how far, with those size rims? He doesnt do any of the work himself...I'll probally end up doin' it for him, but I'd rather not have to futch around too much in there.

Also, what are some good springs for this job? He's got a good amount of money, so we dont need cheapo's...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

And yes, I posted this on the Suspension Forum...but that doesnt exactly seem to be a hub of activity...

 

I've got a '97 with 18's and its lowered about 2.25 inches with no problems.
As far as which setup to go with, if money isn't an issue I'd get full coilovers. Tein, Apexi, H&R are good brands. Ground Control coils with AGX shocks seem to be popular as well but I'm not really a fan of that setup. If you go with just springs get Eibach or H&R.

 

As long as you aren't running monster tires or a really odd offset, you shouldn't have any problems with a 1.5" drop.

And JDM.Accord I don't know who told you that GCs and AGXs were a popular setup, that's not really a recommended setup at all unless you have custom rate softer springs on the GCs.

for a 1.5" drop I would suggest something like Eibach Pro-Kits and Bilstein Sports, Koni Yellows, Tokico Illuminas. The KYB AGX will work as well, for that drop.

But yeah, if money isn't an issue, you can go all out with some full coilovers and then you can lower it to a position you are certain will work.

If you're going to do it right, plan at least $1,000... that should be good to cover the springs/dampers, alignment costs, any potential camber issues, etc.

 

Thanks guys...hehe, his eyes are probally gonna bug out when he hears a 1000 bucks, but I am saving him a buncha money by doin the work for him.

I just didnt wanna drop the kids car, and ruin his rims and tires. He just 'heard' that is wasnt good to drop em with 18's, so I decided to double check.

 

you'll proabably have to roll the fenders when you drop it, just make sure you keep an eye on the wear when he first starts driving it and you should be just fine

 

Eh, I'm a domestic/engine guy, I've only done minor body work (hood pins, knockin' out dings, rust and welding), could you elaborate more on 'rolling the fenders'?

Thanks again.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by propwdialogue &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you'll proabably have to roll the fenders when you drop it, just make sure you keep an eye on the wear when he first starts driving it and you should be just fine</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, I didn't have to so he shouldn't either.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LordAccord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
And JDM.Accord I don't know who told you that GCs and AGXs were a popular setup, that's not really a recommended setup at all unless you have custom rate softer springs on the GCs.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Dude, half of the Accord forum is either currently running this setup or has at one time. It's an Accord forum bandwagon

 

So I dont gotta roll the fender?

 

There's a chance you will have to, but you may not know until you drop the car.

JDM:Well this is an Accord forum from a different dimension, then, because I've been modding suspension and handling questions from Accord owners all across the honda communities for a long time, and I hardly ever see stiff spring setups like that paired with AGXs. No offense to those that recommend it, but in my experience, it's anything but the ideal setup.

Didn't mean to offend, obviously I'm new to these particular forums, but I've been dealing with Accord suspensions for quite a while.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LordAccord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There's a chance you will have to, but you may not know until you drop the car.

JDM:Well this is an Accord forum from a different dimension, then, because I've been modding suspension and handling questions from Accord owners all across the honda communities for a long time, and I hardly ever see stiff spring setups like that paired with AGXs. No offense to those that recommend it, but in my experience, it's anything but the ideal setup.

Didn't mean to offend, obviously I'm new to these particular forums, but I've been dealing with Accord suspensions for quite a while.</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, I wasn't offended. If you look at my original post I mentioned that a lot of people run that setup but that I wasn't a fan of it for the very reasons you pointed out. But there are a lot of people in here running it and recommending it. I always recommend full coils though.

 

good man