Since you guys know more about what I am asking that any board I have found-

I on the right track for a fun handling car and comfortable daily driver?

I have a 96 civic cx hatch with no power steering/ac- specs say 2250 lbs without me in it. I am setting it up for aggressive twisty driving- 7/10 on sections where i can see type stuff- nothing silly or sustained- no races or auto x, just a solid daily driver that i want to handle predictably and fairly neutral. So far all i have done is put 14" hx wheels with falken 512 175 65. (crappy tire, 1 ply sidewall, a mistake- they need 40lbs not to not fold up) and i installed front 24mm and rear 19mm sways. I handles pretty darned well considering imo, neutral on a feathered throttle, pushes a little power on, but it can be rotated with the brakes or with a quick turn-in adjustment while in a corner- in fact the negative trait that is showing is the rear wants to come out too easily. So springs and struts are in order- I bought koni yellows- and I am trying to select springs and already bought some eibach sportlines with a 310/275 spring rate and 1.75 or so drop.. am I on the right track for a fun handling car and comfortable daily driver? or would eibach pro kit 290/190 (or something with similar spring rate) be a better choice. My inclination would be to put the koni spring perch on the lowest setting at the back to get the rear down in either case, and I like the sportlines much tougher rear spring rate as I think it will keep the rear from swinging out (it actually feels like over sometimes) but wonder if expansion joints on interstates will be a nightmare (this is a road trip car too). the car will never be tuned past 140 wheel h.p. and is not going to get a closed diff.

any help appreciated.

thanks-

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mini-e &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> 7/10 on sections where i can see type stuff- nothing silly or sustained- no races or auto x</TD></TR></TABLE>

Spend the money/time on autox - making yourself a better driver will pay much bigger gains than any $$ you can put in the car and its something you can always use.

 

that is a thought- i am moving to portland in a couple weeks and will be living a mile or two from the track. I am cedrtain I would learn a great deal auto-xing. i already bought the shocks and springs and am looking for a little guidance as to tuning the suspension because i am in fact tuning the suspension.

thanks-

 

Koni does NOT recomend using lowering springs on the "lowered" settings of their shocks. The lowerd grooves are really ment for stock springs or coil-over sleeves. The problem you would face is that most lowering springs are relativly soft & that would leave you very vulnerable to consistant bottoming out...

I have heard very good things about koni's with any eibach lowering, as well as neuspeed, lowering spring kit. Both offer very good quality & reasonable price. Your best to go with those springs to start out. And if you wish to go a different way later on, those springs will have a good resale value (very important if you don't know exactly what you want right now)...

You will be very pleased with the Koni's since they offer you a great range of adjustability. Dialing in the attitude of your car is very easy & also pretty fun...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94eg! &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Koni does NOT recomend using lowering springs on the "lowered" settings of their shocks. The lowerd grooves are really ment for stock springs or coil-over sleeves. The problem you would face is that most lowering springs are relativly soft & that would leave you very vulnerable to consistant bottoming out...
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thanks- good to know, i'll go dow load pdf's from koni and eibach (if they have any) as i bought the shocks used (uninstalled) without instructions. i feel good about the koni's and am a little nervious about the springs being too hard as a daily driver.

 

lowering springs are relativly soft. It's usually the "coil-over sleeve" springs you have to look out for. You won't be dissapointed...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94eg! &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">lowering springs are relativly soft. It's usually the "coil-over sleeve" springs you have to look out for. You won't be dissapointed...</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks for the info!

 

after reading about the ek sway bar related rip out problem i am going to go ahead with the sportlines as the jump from oem rear spring rate will help protect the frame from the sway induced loads. i should probably invest in one of the brackets that reinforce that area as well..

thanks-

 

That is a good idea when using a 19mm rear bar. The EK subframe is very delicate...

 

You sound as if you are headed in the right direction. on the Konis. The Eibach Sportlines are a good starter spring, and later if you are ready to get some coil-overs your Konis will be ready too.

 

Thanks Guys- I look forward to getting this set up on the car.