Me again, (just working on my post count heh heh), I am about to undertake the task of installing a body kit and suspension on my accord (among many other things). I already have custom wheels with low pro tires. The handling is ok but I know it could be better. If I install the kit I need to install new struts / springs to drop it down about 1 - 2 inches to make everything look just right (not coil overs, i hate the "clunk"). If you're interested the kit is found here that I'm thinking about > http://images.extremedimensions.com/...b2complete.jpg

My question is this, 1. what suggestions do you have for decent strut / spring packages to improve handling and drop the car a bit and 2. how difficult is this project? I've done one on a 2001 stratus and it was a bear. One of the front springs almost took my head. Perhaps there is a step by step somewhere? A place close by could do it for $1200 out the door but if I could do it myself why not. I've swapped engines in foreign and domestic cars as well as suspension work on others in the part how hard could this be? Maybe there are special tool. Thanks!

 

Ok here is my little opinion first. I just think that a body kit would not be the best choice personally dude. Because sure some do look good, but if lower it and get a body kit, you are just asking to scrape it. I mean 1-2 inches plus a body kit is very very low dude. I think you should lower it first and see where you are at, then if you still want the body kit go ahead. But, the money you spend on that body kit you could get some really good other stuff. But, you know its your money and your car, just throwing it out there to you that one bump in the road and you just fu**ed the whole front bumper you put on. Not bashing the idea what so ever, just giving you pro's and cons.

Now for suspension wise, there is a walk through in the FAQ section. Pretty easy, and you were saying a spring almost took off your head, as long as you use a spring compressor to get it off the strut and then decompress it you should not have any life threatening moments doing it haha. I personally have Skunk2 struts and coilovers on my 95. Now the struts are great, ride is stiff but not uncomfortable, and after I got my toe alignment fixed it was really good. Great turning and stuff like that. I have heard some others are great too, a lot is personal preference. I would just really think about the whole body kit situation.

 

Gotcha about the kit. Yeh, it's an idea and I know what it's like. I did a dodge stratus with combat kit, hood, wheels, lower and a bunch of stuff. The car had some decent power but with it low as it was, yeh, i banged a few things. The main reason is that I have a ding on the from from some stupid new driver who pulled of in front of me with crap insurance and my wife accidentally hit the rear with her car. So, font and rear need to go. I'm debating simply going stock and being done with it. I just may. I would love it if I could find a junked Honda with the same color "Raisin Pearl" whatever that is. We shall see. Otherwise, I have a guy who can do the whole thing and restore it to factory condition for a modest $1600.

I'll prob do the lowering job myself again if it's not to much of a bear in the front. The rear looks like nothing really. Thanks for the suggestions and warning. All well received!

 

In my opinion, I think honestly when you take a 5th gen accord and lower it, it looks ten times better. Now if you grab some JDM stuff for the exterior, it looks bada**. Like JDM headlights, SiR bumper lights, the JDM fogs, and stuff like that. I would pick a JDM 5th gen over a body kit 5th gen. But I would say if you really want to do it, once again lower it, then see if you want it, and do not be afraid to search around for a better price, cause that seems a little high, but it could be your area.

 

I have a 99 LX 4door that is lowered some on adjustable coils, I think they are some maxspeed springs (no sure, were on the car when I bought it). I replaced the shocks with the Tokico Illuminas and I'm happy with that. Car is on 18" Racing Hart C5s. I want to get the newer Ingall's replacement upper control arm to replace the Ingall's replacement upper ball join as the current setup kills a lot of suspension travel room.

 

Is your car from the rust belt? If so be prepared to have broken bolts, rusted together suspension pieces. I just did this very project, and I ended up breaking both rear shock mount bolts. I had to take apart the entire rear suspension because of everything being so rusted together. My advice after having just done this is to take it to a shop.

 

I hear ya about the rust belt, and yes, I am. I do love the way the car looks lowered. I do have some crappy news though. I went to TFT today for some new tires on my 17" rims. I had my 205 40 R17 BF GoodRich Scorchers removed and replaced with 215 50 R17s instead for the right look, speed reading on my speedometer and a little extra cushion. Those scorchers are stiff! Anyway, TFT did the alignment and told me the the front passengers wheel is 1.6 degrees to the rear! The max should be 1 degree. So, my wheel is to far back. Now, on my way home with the wider tires and Go around a corner to the left with the car leaning in and I hear what sounds like a rum from the tire on the inside of the wheel well. WHEN DOES IT END??? It never does. Oh well. I think I need to figure that out before lowing or I'm just asking for trouble. At least the ride feels 1000 times better! This is good for my 30 commute.

 

haha, Scorchers are stiff. I have a set of 205/40R16 (yellow tread) on my 86 hatch and 3 spare Scorchers in case of blow out. But the tires never wear down on my car. They still look new and I do have fun leaving my share of two-tone burn-outs here and there.

 

Yeh, I'm selling them. Got em on craigslist. Good tires but you feel everything. The new rear tires are rubbing on the wheel well edge as I turn a corner hard. The tires are the correct rolling diameter but with the rims they are wider and extend out just enough to rub. I may take an aluminum bat and carefully rub the bead in a little. The tires are great though. I just wish I could get this knockety knock in zee engine to go away!