Here's the deal. I recently bought a '97 Civic LX (5-spd, of course!) and though the suspension is soft, the handling is a lot better than I expected given my experience with other Hondas (namely, old Accords and a DA Integra) I've owned.

Still, the car understeers and has low limits. It also crashes over expansion joints because damping is so marginal.

What I want is basically a car which doesn't understeer quite as much, with some added substance so it doesn't crash over large bumps or dive while braking (thus making the weak braking even worse) and higher cornering limits.

So my plan is to retain stock wheels/tires, add 4 bilstein HD shocks, a set of H&R OE Sport springs and the combo 22mm rear sway bar/subframe reinforcement from ASR. I may upgrade to 199/55/15 tires on the lightest wheels I can find if it's not enough, but I have a feeling stock tires might be enough for aggressive day-to-day driving, the kind I do all the time.

I want your advice. Remember, very aggressive daily driving is what I do in an area with crappy roads. I can install it myself, with a buddy. Total cost with shipping is about $1100.

What say you?

 

Koni/Ground Control. 350ish spring rates front and rear, maybe stiffer, with that sway bar and ASR.

 

What is the benefit? I've heard better things about Bilstein HDs vs Koni Yellows, but as the latter are adjustable, it's difficult to know how to compare the two. Is the Koni Yellow a monotube?

Also, what are the drawbacks vs the combo I originally posted?

 

besides 70% of this site will swear by koni/gc?
life time warranty, ability to pick your own spring rates, rebuildable, very nice ride, adjustable.

don't know too much about blistein. but those are some top reasons for koni/gc.

 

Thanks guys. I've made the decision on H&R oe sports. I just need to know which shocks are best. I'm worried KYB GR-2s would be underdamped. I'm told Bilstein HDs would be overdamped but I'm not so convinced there's any reason to choose Koni Yellows over them. Esp since I'm not interested in rebuilding/revalving/adjusting.

Please advise and provide me some insight. I've got an open mind.

Some people say Bilsteins are the best thing that's happened to them, some say they're too stiff.