Hey fella's. Just was a little curious about something and was wondering if you had come across a similar scenario. I have a 91' CRX DX that I daily drive. I *like* the dropped look, but A) I'd rather not have to watch out for every pothole, and B) If I dropped, I'd do it right, and don't want to spend 6-700+ at the moment. I do carry a good bit of weight from time to time in the back, and my stock springs back there have a good bit of bounce, and if I corner with weight sometimes tires will scrub on the quarter lips (I am running 15" wheels with 195/60/15s. Big I know, but I like ride comfort more than anything).

SO, I'm wanting to stiffen up the rear a bit, WITHOUT having to get away from stock struts right now (AKA not much drop at all). I was most curious, if ground controls, at a high height, are about stock height or not? If they are, I could throw them up high on stock struts for now, and upgrade struts later if I want to drop. If there are other, potentially better, idea's out there, just let me know. Thanks all

 

i will say that ground controls will work for the purpose you are trying to use them for as long as you dont take them all the way down, BUT, with the stock struts, and the spring rate on the ground controls, their rebound may be bouncy as well after while. as well as the stock struts cant take to much drop without blowing after a period of time. what i suggest, (because i ran with the same setup on my 88 crx hf) the ground controls and wen you get more money is the skunks 2 struts. the bounce and rebound was comfortable and sporty and well planted when it came to handling. i think that may help you out. im just throwing some suggestions. just please DO NOT buy the cheap ebay coilover sleeves, spring rates equal bounce you out of your moonroof. hope this helps

 

Stiff springs on tired old struts = blown struts in no time.

You don't have to spend $600+ to "do it right". Moderate sport springs (H&R Sport or H&R OE Sport, for instance) and some quality new struts (KYB GR-2/Excel-G) is a great setup for the street. Your big tires will rub though.

 

Back in the mid 90's, i lowered my 89 crx with a set of Suspension Techniques coils, about 1.4", and at the same time used a set of Tokiko Blue struts. Not only did my car ride better at the lowered height, but handled noticeably better too.

Adding a beefier rear strut bar, and even some new and/or better bushings can do wonders on a 20+ years old car too

 

Sway bars. Best upgrade minus shocks.

 

Appreciate all the input fella's. I honestly would LIKE to just do it all out right away. But finances are gonna divied up elsewhere for a while. What about say doing a rear sway bar, and then maybe just getting some new OE shocks/struts for back there? That would at least ensure I have the best ride I can out of stock level equipment. I have no idea how old the stuff on the back is

 

Why would you use oem struts in the rear, when you can get Tokico HP Blues for the same price? They will perform better

 

Wasnt even aware of the blue's. Always just read about the illumina's. Can they handle any kind of drop and last?

 

I think you should skip the springs and shocks for now.
As already suggested, replace the bushings first.
Replacing the old and decayed rubber will do wonders for the feel of the car!
You can get stiffer materials like polyurethane, but even just replacing with new factory rubber is awesome!
Any upgrades you do (stiffer shocks and springs, sway bars, chassis bars, etc) will obviously help stiffening, but the slop from the old rubber won't go away.

Also, consider upper and lower chassis bracing before shocks and springs.
Controlling the flexing and twisting of sloppy uni-body will make any spring shock combo feel a lot better.

 

The car feels tight. Thats not an issue. The only thing in needing is a way to stiffen up the back. I know its kinda *** backwards, but figured id ask anyway.