I'm probably due replacing my old shocks/struts but I'm on a pretty tight budget. I was wondering what would be the best for the money? I was also considering a sway bar. Would that be a good option?

My car is a commuter and I don't want to change the ride height or stiffen the suspension to uncomfortable levels. Since my car is a commuter I need to keep high mileage tires on it but I was considering some Hankooks probably the 80,000 or 100,000 mile tires from Discount Tire.

 

Do a full bushing set. Hardrace, energy suspention, or suja1 all make great bushing kits and they are under 380 for a full set u will feel a huge difference

 

Not exactly the advice I was expecting but it sounds like good advice. I looked at the energysuspension on Summit and I'm a bit confused as to what kit I will need.

 

Throw a set of OE replacement shocks and call that a day.

a rear sway bar would definetly be an improvment. 99-00 SI, or 94-01 Integra (non R) will work..


A far as the bushing kit. Hard and PIC are great. IIRC, the PIC kit is actually cheaper then the hardrace and is a bit stiffer.


Take a look at the bushing kits and come back with any questions.

I will warn you, install is a pain in the ***!

 

This kit seems kind of cheap...Is it not as complete at those others or just not as good?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EN...103R/?rtype=10

 

Yeah that's a bit cheaper then ES sells them direct. The ES kit is NOT a full kit....

 

Forgive the noob question but what would make this a complete kit?

Would this one by chance?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-16-3114G/

 

No, the kit you looked at first already has thoughs in it.


What would make it a full would be it having all of the bushings in it, such as the Hardrace or PIC kit.

 

Ah I think I found the full kit. Is this one it?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-16-18110G/ oops nevermind this one doesn't look like a full kit either.

If I find a full bushings kit within my budget I'm thinking I'll go with a rear Integra or SI sway bar, and shocks (I'm thinking about Bilstein shocks).

If I did these three changes how much improvement would I be able to expect? Or would I be hurting the handling of my car by leaving something important out?

 

No ES is a full kit for this car.

Take a look at this. This is a full kit.
http://picperformance.com/store/scri...?idProduct=233

All 3 will be an improvment.

these cars aren't getting any newer and the stock bushing wont last forever, if they already aren't in need of replacement.

Putting a rear sway bar on this car will diferenty be a noticable upgrade.

Bilstiens are good.


What I also reccomend, taking a look at the suspension as in, ball joints, tie rods, etc. See what needs to be replaced and do it all at once.

Don't forget to get it aligned!!

 

If you're on a budget and looking for shocks I'd recommend APX shocks on Ebay. I know plenty of people will bash alleged ''no name" parts, but after doing some research before purchasing them, I found that they make the OEM shocks/struts for Volvo and another company that I can't recall right now. I had them on my EJ8 because I needed new shocks ASAP and at the time they were all I could afford and they were exceptionally comfortable; Even with a mild drop on springs, they functioned well. I believe they were somewhere in the range of $120 for all 4.

 

As far as sway bars go do I have one in the front but not in the back?

PhantomPharter, thanks for the suggestion on shocks I will look into them.

 

You should have one in the front, it did come factory. No, you do not have a rear sway bar.

 

Thanks for the info.

I think that leaves me with plans to do a rear sway bar, bushings and possibly shock/struts...nothing fancy I guess.

Has any magazines or anyone track tested a gen 6 Civic with mild suspension modifications like these and documented the numbers compared to the stock number... I think the factory has my car pulling something like a .77g which isn't exactly burning up the track but hey it is a base model econo car.

 

How mild are we talking here? I promis everything you can think of doing to this car has been done, or someone has taught about doing it.

Don't forget TIRES! Quality tires are key

 

Rear sway bar from say an Integra or SI, bushings (ES or something very budget), and budget shocks/struts (maybe just factory replacement or better if comparably priced). I'm just planning to stay as cheap as possible by finding a wrecked car.

I would like to find some 15" Honda, Acura or other factory looking budget wheel to replace steel wheel with busted covers I already have (one is slighty bent). I have to stay with high mileage tires because I drive a lot of miles in one day so I'll probably goe with some of the Hankook high mileage tires (60,000 to 100,000 mile tires).