I have a '91 Civic Si HB. I live in the suburbs of Chicago and don't drive my car in the winter. I am getting new suspension right now and wanted to get some opinions on whether or not it is a good setup, if I should change something, get something else, or not get something. I am not looking to take it autocrossing. I would like a smoother ride with good handling. I don't need superb handling, not the best of the best. Good handling, smooth ride.

This was my plan:
Eibach Sportline Springs
Koni Yellow Struts
Energy Suspension Bushing Kit

I have 17" Motegi MR-7 rims with 205/40/ZR17 Yokohama Parada Spec-2 tires.
I was looking into getting 16s, same type, rims and 205/45/ZR16 Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R tires.

Suggestions?

 

that sounds good

 

i'd consider ground controls instead of the sportlines u get adjustable ride hight and you can choose what spring rate you want there eibach springs too but if you don't care about adjustable ride hight and just want that set drop i dont see anything wrong with that setup

 

dont forget the camber kit, so you get even wear all the way around.

 

About the camber kit; the Energy Suspension Bushing Kit comes with:
Leaf Spring Bushings which control body roll and shift,
Sway Bar Bushings which control high speed cornering, and
Control Arm Bushings which reduce unwanted camber change.
Isn't that really doing the same as a camber kit; reducing camber?
If I do get a camber kit, how hard is it to install? What is the best brand? And how much do they cost?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ef 4 door &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dont forget the camber kit, so you get even wear all the way around.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Incorrect. Camber has almost nothing to do with tire wear. Toe is what you should be concerned about, and Toe can be zero'd out on an alignment rack with factory adjustments.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Control Arm Bushings which reduce unwanted camber change. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Not the same thing as a camber kit. A camber kit lets you adjust static camber. Harder bushings reduce dynamic camber changes that occur when the suspension is loaded/unloaded.

Camber kits are easy to install, it is the removal of the old parts that may cause problems. If you need to ask, you probably will want to take this to a mechanic to do.

 

? really so why is it recommended for cars with aggresive drop of 1 1/2" or more. I know that there are some vehicles that need aftermarket kits to help eliminate camber wear or inner tire wear when people drop their cars.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ef 4 door &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">? really so why is it recommended for cars with aggresive drop of 1 1/2" or more. I know that there are some vehicles that need aftermarket kits to help eliminate camber wear or inner tire wear when people drop their cars.</TD></TR></TABLE> Marketing at it's best.

 

only reason you need adjustable camber kit is if you need MORE neg. camber. Toe kills tires, not camber...

 

The person who is helping me install my springs, etc. knows how to install a camber kit. I was just curious on if it was really necessary to purchase. If it will help reduce wear on my tires as well as increase rubber to pavement for handling, then I'll get one.

 

In case I get one, any suggestions on what brand camber kit to buy?

 

those 17's alone are not going to provide a comfortable smooth ride, especialy with the 40 profiles.

ES suspension bushings kits dont make the ride any more comfortable at all either.

why do yo think you need those?

koni/eibach is fine for the street. sportlines are a bit stiffer than i would consider comfortable, but thats subjective and you do get used to these things, including the stiffer bushings and low profile tires.

its just that everything you listed and saying you want a comfortable ride isnt consistent.

you can have a good handling car at a modest drop and 15's and still be comfortable.

 

I was just curious because I have heard people getting new bushings they help. I will stick with the Eibach / Koni setup then. It'll be 1.7 and 1.9 drop. I also should have mentioned that I am getting new rims and tires. I currently have 205/40/ZR17 (Motegi MR-7 rims and Yokohama Parada Spec-2 tires). After my suspension is done, I am getting 205/45/ZR16s instead. Same rims but Bridgestone Potenza RE-01 R tires. Upgrading to the 45 instead of 40 tires will help also. Plus I have shitty, awful, generic brand coilovers now with stock struts which make the ride horrible no matter what tires are on there (I didn't buy them; they were on the car). That is why I wanted new suspension. The coilovers blow.