Hi Guys,

I currently have a 1994 Civic VX Hatchback with about 190k miles on it. I don't think the previous owner changed anything out on it so I thought I would change it out to hopefully get a more comfortable ride since they may be shot. This will be my daily driver so comfort is the main factor. It won't be lowered, raced, or anything like that at all.

I wanted to find out what the best setup would be for that.

I'm not a wrencher but will probably have some friends that will help in order to do this swap.

TIA

 

bushing and shocks would be what i check first.
kyb gr2 shocks, and some sort of bushing if not oem.

does it ride bad now?

 

Most comfortable is stock. Just put new OEM bushings in. Urethane bushings, sport shocks and such, they all sacrifice ride quality for handling. I feel more comfortable being able to take interstate off ramps at 50+ mph, but I feel the bumps, gooves, everything also.

 

just get skunk2 coilovers and kyb struts, you get a nice ride and lowered look...

 

it rides ok now. i just got monroe quick struts for my gf's escort wagon so i thought i'd have the guys help me do both cars at the same time.

is there a good all in one setup that i can buy? or would buying separate pieces from different manufacturers be the better route? cost isnt an issue so long as it doesn't go overboard.

when searching... saw some setups from HFP? would that suit my purposes or would it be overkill?

thanks.

 

for a dd i wouldnt, what i would do is go with a nice spring such as tein,h&r or something and good aftermarket shock and go oem bushings.

i dont know about monroe i have heard good things and bad things, but no personal experience.

 

yep. OE is the way to go for comfort. Any lowering setup will be either stiffer or junk.

I mean, mine's lowered, and it rides great, but I have no illusions that it rides as comfortably as stock.

 

Thanks guys. Sounds like stock is the way to go. Second to that would be the Tein H and GR2's. Any suggestions on cheap places to get OEM stuff? Already looking at majestic honda and DCH. Any other places?

 

well there is some really good guys on the marketplace that can hook you up with oe stuff. and for cheap because nobody gets stock ride height stuff. like the others said stock bushings and new shocks and youd be set.

 

Stay away from KYB or Tokico if you want good suspension. KYB can't valve to save their lives and Tokico doesn't last too long.

Get some Bilstein or Koni replacement struts, replace your bushings and springs, get a good alignment and you'll be ok

 

I second Bilstein. I've had KYB and Koni and Bilstein has always lasted longer and has a more comfortable ride. They always seem to be hard when needed and be soft when needed. Koni always was hard as a rock (like you loose your fillings) and KYB has always died out too early. Although I must admit that the best performing shacks I've ever had were KYB. That car handled fairly well and I could take speed bumps comfortably. They just didn't last as long (or cost as much) as the Bilsteins.

 

What kind of rims/tires are on the car now? from the way you said it seems to be stock.

Keep them 165 70/13 for they will be more comfortable then the lower profile tires. And since your keeping it stock you won't have ot worry about anyone jacking it which is always a plus.

When you need tires look for tires with a softer sidewall if you want comfort, it's not going to give you any performance benefits but then again that is not your purpose.

 

its the stock vx rims and the tires i will be putting on are the sumitomo htr t4's that are 165/70/13's.

 

Most comfortable ride....Tokico Blue struts with OEM springs!!!
If you want a lower stance just a touch and still a good ride quality, get a set of Suspension Techniques Coils, they ride like stock, and have 2 different lowering options...1 set is about an inch, they other is about 1 3/4" (i have this done to my crx, i love it!!)

 

hmm.. just in reading reviews... many have said that tokicos dont last long.

unless my springs are rusted, i will stick with them.
and then maybe go oem shocks ($400)
or
bilstein heavy duty - monotube design (430)
or
bilstein touring class - twin tube design ($250)

anyone have experience with the different bilsteins?

 

Aren't Tokikos hard as rocks? Hard as rock = uncomfortable ride. A friend put some in his car and the ride suddenly became like a pick up truck.

 

hey sf,

which bilsteins did you have?

 

I've got monotube's that have been threaded and revalved. If all you want is comfort then get the twin tube. They'll be valved softer and have less rebound so you're not bouncing all over when you hit bumps.

 

No no.....they are smooth as silk, i have used many sets over the years, they are imo, some of the best out there!!!

Perhaps you had illumina's or something....the "blue" series are top notch

 

Thanks for the help guys. I ended up getting the Bilstein HD's since they were 20% off for Black Friday. I was going to go with the Touring Class twin tubes but they don't make rears for our hatchbacks. I'm going to stick with the stock springs and hopefully they are still in good shape. Got to still pick up some new bushings as well.

Figured while I'm down there, I bought Hawk HPS pads and going to get some Brembo blanks. Will let you know how it comes out.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

Cool, post up an after action report please.

 

do you guys happen to know the part numbers for the OEM bushings? Need to buy it for all around.

TIA

 

just call ur honda dealer or log online to the honda store

 

didnt know what they looked like. went into gardena honda and they asked me which bushings. the ones on the torsion bars? i said no, the ones that are usually swapped out when you change shocks. he didnt know which ones those were. i didnt have a clue either and thought i'd ask you guys first.

 

H&R springs gets my vote..whether on stock or preferably aftermarket springs..

Very comfortable.