Coilovers or Lowering Springs
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Honda-Tech Member
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Coilovers or Lowering Springs
Im buying a 97 civic hx. The shocks on the front are blown. every bump you hit you feel the shock grinding. I want to lower the car in the near future but not too much. I am debating over Lowering Springs or coil overs. I really dont care about adjusting them or anything. this car is a daily driver and i just want the car a little lower, Not slammed but a good looking height and to take some corners better. What Springs are recomended and what shocks should I get? I really want to stay under 200 for springs. and 250 300 for the schoks. i was thinking tein springs with kyb gr 2 shocks. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also if i only lower it 1.7 inches or so do I really need a camber kit that bad? Also how much should i lower it? i dont want it too low but i want it to be noticiable form stock height.
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From: TRILLINOIS....WAY downtown, jerky.
Re: Coilovers or Lowering Springs
Tein springs are very non-agressive. Lots of body roll and it kinda feels like jello. I've ridden on a few cars with Tein springs. GR2 shocks are just OEM replacements.
You could do Ground Control sleeves (standard spring rates) with Tokico Illuminas. The Illuminas are around $400-500 on ebay and the sleeves themselves are like $250-300.
If you're allready in the $800 range, the skunk2 PRO-C coilovers are suprisingly good. My friend has them on his 00 EX and they ride and handle really well. You can set the height without messing with shock travel since the body of the shock can be shortened. This is really good for ride quality and handling. He's only had them for like a few months so I can't say anything about the longevity...but the initial quality is really really really good.
PIC is a local company that makes coilovers for around $900. They have a really good reputation around here and they put a lot of R&D into their work. I know the guys personally. They seemed very knowledgeable. They also sponsor WMHM events..which makes them very rad dudes.
Those may be a bit over your budget, but it's a really nice setup. Plus you can set it to whatever ride height you want. So stretch the money a little. That way you're happy the first time around.
Buy some nice swaybars later. For your car, you could use the 24mm front bar found on any 98+ integra or 94-97 GSR/ITRs. Use a 22mm ITR rear bar with subframe reinforcements.
Nice tires. Wider wheels. Good alignment. Done.
Lowering springs are nice...but the drop is always inconsistent. The manufacturer's drop height may or may not apply to your particular model. For example: My eibachs were only supposed to drop my car 1.6''. They dropped it like 2+''. It would have probably dropped a CX hatchback 1.6''...but because no I have a Si, it's a lot heavier.
The ride quality on springs is hit and miss also. Usually name brand springs will have a good ride quality with decent shocks, however.
You don't need a camber kit for a 1.7'' drop. Maybe a rear one since 96+ cars gain a lot of neg. camber in the rear. But probably not. If the rear is within -2deg, it's still within spec.
Camber doesn't do much tire damage. Toe does. So get the car aligned and have the toe straightened out. Set the rear toe to 0. Spec is +0.8deg, IIRC. 0 rear toe will get you some more rotational oversteer for handling and it will reduce tire wear.
You could do Ground Control sleeves (standard spring rates) with Tokico Illuminas. The Illuminas are around $400-500 on ebay and the sleeves themselves are like $250-300.
If you're allready in the $800 range, the skunk2 PRO-C coilovers are suprisingly good. My friend has them on his 00 EX and they ride and handle really well. You can set the height without messing with shock travel since the body of the shock can be shortened. This is really good for ride quality and handling. He's only had them for like a few months so I can't say anything about the longevity...but the initial quality is really really really good.
PIC is a local company that makes coilovers for around $900. They have a really good reputation around here and they put a lot of R&D into their work. I know the guys personally. They seemed very knowledgeable. They also sponsor WMHM events..which makes them very rad dudes.
Those may be a bit over your budget, but it's a really nice setup. Plus you can set it to whatever ride height you want. So stretch the money a little. That way you're happy the first time around.
Buy some nice swaybars later. For your car, you could use the 24mm front bar found on any 98+ integra or 94-97 GSR/ITRs. Use a 22mm ITR rear bar with subframe reinforcements.
Nice tires. Wider wheels. Good alignment. Done.
Lowering springs are nice...but the drop is always inconsistent. The manufacturer's drop height may or may not apply to your particular model. For example: My eibachs were only supposed to drop my car 1.6''. They dropped it like 2+''. It would have probably dropped a CX hatchback 1.6''...but because no I have a Si, it's a lot heavier.
The ride quality on springs is hit and miss also. Usually name brand springs will have a good ride quality with decent shocks, however.
You don't need a camber kit for a 1.7'' drop. Maybe a rear one since 96+ cars gain a lot of neg. camber in the rear. But probably not. If the rear is within -2deg, it's still within spec.
Camber doesn't do much tire damage. Toe does. So get the car aligned and have the toe straightened out. Set the rear toe to 0. Spec is +0.8deg, IIRC. 0 rear toe will get you some more rotational oversteer for handling and it will reduce tire wear.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 343
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From: TN
Re: Coilovers or Lowering Springs
X2 on everything he said. Your not really gonna find much stuff in that price range, at least quality. You DEFINITELY need to stay away from ebay coilovers, they are junk and there are numerous people that will agree. Buy the name brand. Save your money, and buy the good stuff. I bought a set of ground controls for $300, and am lookin to buy new shocks. I didnt go with the Koni ground controls, so ill be looking at the KYB AGXs or the Tokico Illuminas which both tend to run 400-450. Ive read more people prefer the AGX, but again its all opinion.
CONCLUSION - DON'T GO CHEAP, BUY NAME BRAND!
CONCLUSION - DON'T GO CHEAP, BUY NAME BRAND!
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: WV
Re: Coilovers or Lowering Springs
Tein springs are very non-agressive. Lots of body roll and it kinda feels like jello. I've ridden on a few cars with Tein springs. GR2 shocks are just OEM replacements.
You could do Ground Control sleeves (standard spring rates) with Tokico Illuminas. The Illuminas are around $400-500 on ebay and the sleeves themselves are like $250-300.
If you're allready in the $800 range, the skunk2 PRO-C coilovers are suprisingly good. My friend has them on his 00 EX and they ride and handle really well. You can set the height without messing with shock travel since the body of the shock can be shortened. This is really good for ride quality and handling. He's only had them for like a few months so I can't say anything about the longevity...but the initial quality is really really really good.
PIC is a local company that makes coilovers for around $900. They have a really good reputation around here and they put a lot of R&D into their work. I know the guys personally. They seemed very knowledgeable. They also sponsor WMHM events..which makes them very rad dudes.
Those may be a bit over your budget, but it's a really nice setup. Plus you can set it to whatever ride height you want. So stretch the money a little. That way you're happy the first time around.
Buy some nice swaybars later. For your car, you could use the 24mm front bar found on any 98+ integra or 94-97 GSR/ITRs. Use a 22mm ITR rear bar with subframe reinforcements.
Nice tires. Wider wheels. Good alignment. Done.
Lowering springs are nice...but the drop is always inconsistent. The manufacturer's drop height may or may not apply to your particular model. For example: My eibachs were only supposed to drop my car 1.6''. They dropped it like 2+''. It would have probably dropped a CX hatchback 1.6''...but because no I have a Si, it's a lot heavier.
The ride quality on springs is hit and miss also. Usually name brand springs will have a good ride quality with decent shocks, however.
You don't need a camber kit for a 1.7'' drop. Maybe a rear one since 96+ cars gain a lot of neg. camber in the rear. But probably not. If the rear is within -2deg, it's still within spec.
Camber doesn't do much tire damage. Toe does. So get the car aligned and have the toe straightened out. Set the rear toe to 0. Spec is +0.8deg, IIRC. 0 rear toe will get you some more rotational oversteer for handling and it will reduce tire wear.
You could do Ground Control sleeves (standard spring rates) with Tokico Illuminas. The Illuminas are around $400-500 on ebay and the sleeves themselves are like $250-300.
If you're allready in the $800 range, the skunk2 PRO-C coilovers are suprisingly good. My friend has them on his 00 EX and they ride and handle really well. You can set the height without messing with shock travel since the body of the shock can be shortened. This is really good for ride quality and handling. He's only had them for like a few months so I can't say anything about the longevity...but the initial quality is really really really good.
PIC is a local company that makes coilovers for around $900. They have a really good reputation around here and they put a lot of R&D into their work. I know the guys personally. They seemed very knowledgeable. They also sponsor WMHM events..which makes them very rad dudes.
Those may be a bit over your budget, but it's a really nice setup. Plus you can set it to whatever ride height you want. So stretch the money a little. That way you're happy the first time around.
Buy some nice swaybars later. For your car, you could use the 24mm front bar found on any 98+ integra or 94-97 GSR/ITRs. Use a 22mm ITR rear bar with subframe reinforcements.
Nice tires. Wider wheels. Good alignment. Done.
Lowering springs are nice...but the drop is always inconsistent. The manufacturer's drop height may or may not apply to your particular model. For example: My eibachs were only supposed to drop my car 1.6''. They dropped it like 2+''. It would have probably dropped a CX hatchback 1.6''...but because no I have a Si, it's a lot heavier.
The ride quality on springs is hit and miss also. Usually name brand springs will have a good ride quality with decent shocks, however.
You don't need a camber kit for a 1.7'' drop. Maybe a rear one since 96+ cars gain a lot of neg. camber in the rear. But probably not. If the rear is within -2deg, it's still within spec.
Camber doesn't do much tire damage. Toe does. So get the car aligned and have the toe straightened out. Set the rear toe to 0. Spec is +0.8deg, IIRC. 0 rear toe will get you some more rotational oversteer for handling and it will reduce tire wear.
Also look here for helping you decide.
http://www.civic-eg.com/viewtopic.php?t=1683
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,770
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Re: Coilovers or Lowering Springs
get coil overs. I have Neuspeed sport springs on stock shocks. I love the way my car handles with performance 205mm wide tires and strut bars front and rear. But I want more. I wish I had coil overs and a little wider tires for better handling, i'm thinking of putting SI sway bars on. I want to be able to rail turns hard core.
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