I'm getting a set of 16x7 Drag DR20s w/ 195/50/16 tires. I'd like to lower the car but want to avoid a harsh ride at all costs. Before I destroy the ride quality.... I'd rather just leave the car at stock ride height. That's how serious I am about an OEM like ride quality.

Any suggestions on a setup? Would I really need more than 1" all around? What spring rates for front and rear?

This car will never ever be raced, so keep in mind this is only asthetic. The car is a 99 Civic coupe.

 

I think either an eibach prokit or an H&R spring will give you the closest to the OEM like quality.

 

I'm pretty sure a brother of mine put an Eibach Pro spring kit on his car and it rides like trash now. Keeping in mind this was a Celica and he went to 215/40/17... which is a big difference from my wheels, but I still think whatever spring rate they are using in that kit is too aggressive.

Basically when I say OEM like quality, I mean you shouldn't be able to tell the car has been lowered other than looking at the car. The reason I've chosen 16s is so the car wouldn't have to be lowered as much as a car with 15s to make it look good. I also chose to go with 195/50 rather than 205/45 because I wanted a softer ride.

 

I doubt you would notice the difference between 195/50 and 205/45, especially on a 7" wheel. 195mm is a bit narrow for a 7" wheel, which means the sidewalls would have to stretch a bit more than with 205/45, which could very well negate the 5mm extra sidewall height.

I would still go with 205/45-16 tires. I do not notice much difference in ride quality when I switch between my stock 15x6 wheels with 195/55 tires and my 16x7 wheels with 205/45 tires.

 

you sure he didn't have a sportline kit? I'm not sure how aggressive they are on honda's but my friend has the pro kit on an 08 altima and it rides smooooooooooth. I have the sportlines on my civic and it does ride pretty bumpy. I don't know anyone that has a pro kit on a honda though

 

195mm is 7.6", so its not narrow at all for a 7" wheel. And there will be a noticeable difference with a 195/50 vs a 205/45... I know because I've mounted both tires... and the 45 is a little harder to mount because of the stiffer sidewall.

 

Actually your right. I called him up today to confirm, and he said he had the sportline kit. So its safe to assume the pro kit is less aggressive than the sports?

 

yeah, if you google sportline vs pro kit you will see. The pro kit is just designed for the drop and slightly stiffer. The sportline kit is more geared for the "enthusiast" or as they call it. I'm sure somone here on HT has a pro kit on a car and they can vouch for them. Again, I'm not sure how it compares to my friends 08 altima but it was verrrrrrrry smooth. Couldn't even tell the difference from stock.