Hi HT'ers,

I've been searching the archives for days on this one, finally decided to just join up and post.

Have a BONE STOCK 2003 EP3 approaching 100K mi. Original struts are finally starting to leak. Need suggestions on strut (and, if needed, spring) replacement options that will either improve on (or maintain) stock ride comfort, without making handling any worse than stock.

I do not Auto-X, and I do not drive that aggressively anymore due to my unfriendly driving conditions (see below). I DO NOT NEED TO IMPROVE HANDLING, nor do I need a drop.

I'm listing specific needs/conditions below, for those that like to read a lot of extra typing:

DRIVING CONDITIONS: I drive in Los Angeles, in a neighborhood with ancient cracked-concrete streets and lots of winding hills. . . sprawling asphalt repair joints, tree root bulges . it's a mess.

I also have to drop off a curb to back out of my apt parking spot each morning, so lowering the car (at least no more than an inch) isn't something I should consider. The EP3 is the only non 4x4 vehicle I've found that doesn't scrape on the curbs, driveways, and other pavement anomalies here. . . might be nice to keep it that way. . . and let's be honest, an inch drop isn't going to make that much difference in how the car looks.

PRIORITIES: I want to be as comfortable as possible on these cracked streets, without taking any hit in the handling dept. . . for me, a stock EP3 is a good compromise between volvo station wagon and a miata, that's what I love about it. . it's juuuust sporty enough. . . I'm not trying to turn it into a corolla, nor am I trying to make it handle like a big Mini, I just don't want to make it any less of a handling dud than it already is.

COST: If I put adjustable struts/coilovers on this car, I'm telling you now I'll never adjust them. . ever. Total waste. I just want to spend as little as I have to to meet my objectives for this high-mileage daily driver. . . I want something that will last at least 50k. . . I'm hoping we can keep the parts cost to $600 or less.

TIRES: I'm rolling on some Bridgestone tires identical in size and rating to the factory Michelins. . . sidewall stiffness is comparable too, they grip a bit better than the factory tires, but otherwise they behave as stock.


WHAT OTHERS HAVE SUGGESTED SO FAR: a local performance-oriented shop I trust recommended putting in KYB GR-2s with the stock springs. . . Showstoppers (like 5 miles away) recommended Tokico blues with Eibach Pro-Kit as the most budget-minded solution.

I recall a thread on Ephatch.com (I think) where several users were praising the Tokico HPK (blues + springs) kit for the EP3, saying that the combo took a lot of the nervousness out of driving on uneven pavement, without making the ride more painful, while making the car a bit more fun to drive. . . but both performance shops I've talked to have steered me away from either Tokico struts, springs or both. Seems to be competing theories on the merits of progressive springs for daily driving purposes.

What do Honda Tech EP3ers recommend?

Thanks for any advice.

 

HFP is ur best bet prolly

 

I concur with the HFP kit...great marriage between a slight performance gain and stock drivability, not much of a drop, but a little more edge than stock.

 

Thanks guys!

Only problem is that kit sold out a year ago. I checked with Majestic Honda last week (most recommended source for HFP kit), and their website is out of date, they haven't had it in a long time. Any idea where I could find one? Other than scrounging it used off someone in the marketplace?

 

I would highly recommend the KYB GR2 struts. They are an OE recommended replacement strut. They claim the dampening is OE but from what I have experienced with them is that they seem to be just slightly stiffer than stock. They also have a KYB stated LIFETIME WARRANTY. Hang on to your receipt and you are covered. I think anything else will be too stiff for what you are requesting.

Check them out and good luck!

 

thank you for the first-hand account square_1! How long did you have the gr2s on your EP? Where they paired with stock springs?

That's 2 recommendations for gr2s from people with first-hand experience...I'm liking this trend.

 

I would say, Tokico Blues with TEIN S-Techs. The blues offer about 30% more stiffness than stock, but is designed to be a direct replacement. S-Techs offer about 1" of drop at the most, while retaining OEM standard ride quality. If you are going to replace, might as well purchase a small bit of performance with it.

 

Oh... Sorry to mislead you. I don't have GR2s on my EP3. I have Konis. They are stiff as hell and not recommended for a "quiet, daily driver" attitude. Ha ha.

But I do have KYB GR2 first hand experience on other cars. And from what I have been able to tell with those they were great. I work at an auto parts store and people constantly tell me how much they love the GR2s and my room mate has them on his Mazda MX3. He uses them with B-G springs which are about an inch lower than stock and progressive spring rate.

If I was going to buy a "stock style" shock to put on my car again I would get the GR2s instead of the Tokico blues cause I have heard that the Tokicos blow easily on a lowered car.

I don't wanna be the guy that says "I heard this" blah blah blah. But with first hand experience with the KYBs and a lifetime warranty for a pretty good price it is hard to beat that deal.

 

No worries, I shouldn't have jumped to the conclusion that your kyb experience was with an EP3. It's solid advice either way.

So. . . Given that:

1. The best price I can find on Honda OEM struts is about $200 more than the best KYB Gr-2 price I can find. ($600 vs. $400)

2. Honda OEM EP3 struts are the softest option on the market, with KYB being the next-softest. (unless maybe Bilstein makes something soft?)

and

3. Tokico blues (also in the price-range) are known to be softer than a lot of options, but firmer than KYB or OEM.

I don't see why I'd want to go with anything other than KYB GR-2 for my needs.

The price of the Tokico HPK strut/spring kit is really appealing ($530 shipped on ebay), and even I would admit that the pictures I've seen of the drop that particular kit provides on stock rims make an 02/03 look more proportioned (even gap all around tire). . . but nobody here is vouching for that combo's longivity, nor it's ride capability. . and I can't afford the risk right now. If it makes the car ride noticeably rougher over the f'd up LA streets, it's a total loss for me. . . and (again) my trusted mechanic is telling me to stay away from blues altogether due to blowout problems.

So. . . assuming I go with KYB GR-2, are the stock (linear) springs my best bet for a comfortable ride, or should I go with progressives that have a forgiving "street" rating and a very modest (1" or less) drop? My mechanic is warning me against progressives on the EP3, saying that they can cause constant floating/bounding motions during freeway travel. . . . anyone have any thoughts on that?


Thanks guys.

 

Look around for the prices on the KYBs and if possible try to order them from a local auto parts store. Most of them will match online pricing (plus shipping) as long as it isn't an Ebay auction. Ordering them locally means that if you DO have a problem you can take them back for a warranty swap or whatever a lot easier. Even if you have to pay a little extra it'll probably save you cash in the long run.

I run progressive springs on my EP3. They are made by B-G suspension. I don't really know if you will need to run an aftermarket linear spring. I don't really have any complaints from my springs other than I wish they were a little stiffer to compliment the Koni's. I would probably just run stock springs if you don't wanna worry about bottoming out your car or scraping on driveways. But if you do decide to get a spring get the Eibach kit or something that drops a very little amount. If you go with too stiff of a spring you will probably end up damaging the top strut mount because it is a just a plastic bearing/bushing and the hard spring with just beat it up on the crappy LA roads. I have had to replace mine twice so far just from having a stiffer setup and no one offers a pillowball setup for the springs I have.

On the other hand... The Ep3 with a little drop does look a lot better... :D

 

Your best bet on finding the hfp suspension is going on ephatch or clubep3.Im riding on the Koni yellows/H&R and I love it

 

I agree. . . especially the 02/03. The 04/05s with the sideskirts and 16s cover up the biggest aesthetic weaknesses (IMHO, the massive 4X4-looking wheel gap and the unsightly area the sideskirts are designed to cover up).

I always intended to put 04 headlight housings, 04 skirts, and either an inch of drop or a 5-lug conversion to run the 04/05 16" rims on it when I moved away from this neighborhood, but it looks like I'm here to stay for a few more years. It may be a creaking 200Kmi beater by the time I leave.

Anyway, any additional thoughts from anyone about this non-kidney-jarring suspension challenge would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

You seem to be onto several worthy combinations that will meet your needs. I would concour with the HPF for not being overly aggresive and "plug & play". One good deal I've seen:
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthr...hpf+suspension
For me it will most likely be Raceland CO's when mine eventually blow - but I like to tinker.

 

Just as others have stated HFP would be your best route.

The second option you have with very little modification is the RSX A-spec suspension. However with this route you will need to purchase front tie-rods with the nuts and shave a little off of the rear strut mount because the mounts on the EP rear LCA is not as wide as the RSX.

 

Thank you for the link! I had checked out that sale, but didn't see that the suspension was actually still avail.

What do you guys think about buying used struts? What are the risks?

 

This looks like an excellent deal to me.
A) He is a reputable trader over there.
B) He tells you exact mileage and time on struts.
C) These should be fairly indestructable as the cannot be "dropped" or mismatched.
D) He's not a "racer" that I know of.

And no - I don't even know the guy. Just looked like a great deal. I'd hit him up and ask how he used & liked them. Then see how low he will go on price. Just my .02!

 

So glad to have found this thread!
I also have a bone 02 ep3, looking to upgrade the shocks and springs. I want a ittle more handling and fun but close to stock ride. 1-1.5 drop
I want the hfp but can't find it so I was thinking of going with a kyb gr2s
and a set of springs. My question is which springs!!!!
Look at all these!!

I dig the kyb/eibach prokit package and am considering that but can anyone comment on any of these other springs?


Thanks, honda-tech rules!!


Eibach Pro-kit: Spring Rate: (15-20% more than stock) - Drop: (1in Front/1.1in rear)

Eibach Sportline: Spring Rate: (20-25% more than stock) - Drop: (1.4in Front/1.5in Rear)

H&R Sport: Spring Rate: (25-30% more than stock) - Drop: (2in all around)

Neupseed Race: Spring Rate: (200 Front/280 Rear) - Drop: (2in all around)

Neupseed Sport: Spring Rate: (200 Front/280 Rear) - Drop: (1.5in Front/1.5in Rear)

Progress: Spring Rate: (280 Front/500 Rear) - Drop: (1.8in Front/1.5in Rear)

Sprint: Spring Rate: (20-25% more than stock) - Drop: (2in all around)

Spoon Progressive: Spring Rate: (413 Front / 458 Rear) - Drop: (1.5-1.7in all around)

Tanabe df210: Spring Rate: (10-15% more than stock) Drop: (2in Front/2.3in Rear)

Tanabe nf210: Spring Rate: (10-15% more than stock) Drop: (1.5in all around)

Tanabe gf210: Spring Rate: (20-30% more than stock) Drop: (1.3in Front/1.5in Rear)

Tein H Tech: Spring Rate: (257 Front/476 Rear) Drop: (.8in Front/.7in Rear)

Tein S Tech: Spring Rate: (280 Front/515 Rear) Drop: (1.4in Front/1.3in Rear)

[Ground Controls]
Dropzone: Spring Rate: (? Front/? Rear)

Ground Control EP3 kit: Spring Rate: (375 Front/450 Rear)

Skunk2 Coilovers: Spring Rate: (440 Front/330 Rear)

[Full Coil-overs] Spring & Shock (fixed height)

Mugen: Spring Rate: (283 Front/439 Rear) Drop: (1.4in all around)

Honda Factory Performance: Spring Rate: (? Front/? Rear) Drop: (?in all around) - very similar to the mugen kit, awaiting specs

[Full Coil-overs] Spring & Shock (adj height)

Buddy Club Racing Spec: Spring Rate (559 Front/894 Rear) (Adj ?? min - ?? max)

JIC FLT-A2: Spring Rate: (504 Front/560 Rear) Drop: (Adj stock - 3.5in max)

KW V2: Spring Rate: (340 Front/515 Rear) Drop: (Adj 1.4in min - 2.6in max)

Progress C1: Spring Rate: (350 Front/640 Rear) Drop: (Adj 1in min - 4in max)

Tein Basic: Spring Rate: (336 Front/448 Rear) Drop: (Adj ?? min - ?? max

Tein Type Flex: Spring Rate: (448 Front/559 Rear) Drop: (Adj ?? min - ?? max)