I've been scanning several different forums and websites to try and figure out what I should get for my son's 2000 EM1.

He is looking at getting some 16's, new cat-back system and lowering his car. I am all for it, but have a stipulation on the lowering part of it. We live in a snow state (MN) and this car is a daily driver. He needs to drive 30 miles one way to school three or four days a week during the school year. I feel that he needs to be able to raise the car back up to the original height and use the HX wheels for the snow months, then he can lower it with the 16's for the spring, summer and fall months. We are looking for and adjustable ride height setup.

I have been doing a ton of research on adjustable ride height coilover systems and up until about a week ago, thought I had a set picked out. I was considering the Ksports, but after reading about some ppl having problems with them, I've changed my thinking. I also have been told by a supplier that they shold last about 40,000 miles. Thats unacceptable. I've been noticing that the Ksport, D2, F2, Buddy Club, and Skunks all appear to be basically the same thing with the same spring rates. The stock Si spring rates are 200 lbs/in front and 99 lbs/in in the rear. His car definately rides stiffer then my stock 04 civic, and I don't want his car to be much stiffer then it is already.

I keep reading about Koni's with GC's or Illumina's and want some recommendations (exact setup) for our 00' Si. We are looking for near stock ride for daily driving (not racing) with adjustablity for about 2 inch drop in the summer months. Also looking for any camber adjusters that may be needed for a 2 inch drop. I also see that Koni is offering an adjustable setup with threades body, but I can't find spring rate numbers on them. Please help, he's starting to get on my nerve's. You know how it is, a 16 year old thinks the world will end if he has to go another week with his car still not lowered.

 

anybody?

 

Come on all you hardcore H-T guys, looking for set-ups. What sring rates, do I need camber adjustments for 1.5 to 2 inch drop etc.

 

I sent you a PM that should explain some things. If you need more help you can always PM me back.

 

It's safe to say that you will not be able to duplicate the stock ride quality with the sort of coilovers that you are looking to get - you will not even be close. A quick glance at the spring rates offered should make it clear; even the mildest rates are typically 2x as stiff as stock. One reason is to account for the reduced shock travel you will have.

If the car will not be raced, and your son needs a reliable and comfortable setup to get him back and forth from school, there are plenty of good lowering spring + shock combos out there that will get you the lowered look he wants, without breaking the bank OR sacrificing large amounts of ride quality. In the winter, simply throw the stock suspension back on and get an alignment.

You won't need a camber kit. You will need an alignment though, anytime you change the ride height.

 

Koni Yellows and custom rate Ground Controls.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1935513 + http://www.hondamarketplace.co...69581 + http://www.ground-control-stor.../CA=5 =

 

You will be much better off with Koni/GC with off the shelf rates.
(I suppose if you wanted you could get custom rates that equal the stock rates)

You also much be aware that every time you adjust the ride height, you will have to get an alignment.

Have you considered getting eibach sport kit with tocikos or konis and being done with it?

 

Well CrazyDave, here is what I was thinking, right wrong or otherwise. If a got the pillowball top bracket, I could have the car aligned at stock height and keep track of the adjustment made to the pillowball. I would then lower it to the desired height and have it aligned again and take note of the pillowball position when lowered. When the snow starts, I could raise the car back up and adjust the camber myself now that I know where the pillowball was set when I got the initial alignment.

I didn't think abnout the toe-in issue though, but I'm sure a guy could take some measurements after the raised and lowered shop alignments and get it in the ballpark on my own.

What do ya think?

You said that I would be better off going with a koni/GC setup with off the shelf spring rates, then turn around and ask if I considered getting the Eibach sport kit with tokicos or konis and being done with it. Well I'm definately leaning towards a koni/GC setup, but whats the advantage/disadvantage of the Eibach sport kit?

 

There is no reason for a pillowball upper mount for your application. A pillowball is another name for a spherical bearing, where your stock upper mount is a rubber bushing. While the benefits of having a spherical bearing up there are debateable for race cars I suppose, there is no reason to use it on a street car. In addition, camber adjustments are not made via the upper mount on your son's car - it is a double wishbone setup up front, not a macpherson, and so camber adjustments are made the upper control arm. There would be no adjustments to make, therefore no adjustments to keep track of.

You don't want to eyeball or estimate toe settings, even the slightest toe can cause significant wear. Plus, you don't want to be driving in icy/snowy conditions on janky alignment settings. Take it to an alignment shop when you make those height changes - better safe than sorry.

 

Eibach Kit / Koni:
Pros: Don't have to do anything after intial alignment
cons: Your stuck with your ride height

GC/Koni:
Pros: You can set your Ride height to whatever you want
Cons: You will be adjusting your alignment everytime you change your height

Yes you can get it close, but it's a pain to have to align your car all the time. trust me I know, I used to do it. After a few times, I got sick of it and said screw it, and left it alone.

If you're off, by 1/8 of an inch on toe, you will kill your tires. Make sure that you have a good level place to do your alignment. You will need it to be consistent and repeatble.

 

I see, no pillowball for me. That saves some money. Now you got me thinking. I never even crawled under the car yet, I assumed they where macpherson styled. The struts on a civic mount to the bottom control arm and travel up to the top housing by passing through the middle of the top control arm. What in the heck would I want to waste my money on a pillowball top for?

Thanks fellas, I appreciate it.

Honestly, I think what will happen is we will lower the car once, pay for an alignment and say "**** on it, lets leave it alone".

 

I got my lifetime alignment at the local Firestone for $125 or something like that. And they have a newer alignment machine that has low ramps so lowered cars with lips have no problems getting up on there. Check around your area.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PIC Performance &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I got my lifetime alignment at the local Firestone for $125 or something like that. And they have a newer alignment machine that has low ramps so lowered cars with lips have no problems getting up on there. Check around your area.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Same here, and they do a good job at my store too, always dead on.

Jon