Setup:
2000 EM1
off the shelf Ground Controls 8" front springs (331#) and 7" rears (251#)
Koni Yellows
ground control progressive bumpstops
stock top hats

At the front, with the car jacked up, I have the collars turned all the way up tight to the bottoms of the springs. Results in about 1" drop...was what I wanted. However, I notice that with the wheels on the ground there is no gap between the top of the shocks and bumpstops. Is this to be expected and do I really need extended top hats? It seems to ride fine, but I was expecting there to be some sort of gap with only a 1" drop and the shortened bumpstops.

 

That doesn't sound right. There should be plenty of travel with a 1" drop. Are those bumpstops universal...and should they be cut down?

Are the bumpstops touching the base of the shock as well? Or are they just floating?

 

Definitely dont cut these down as they're shortened already. Ground Control - Foam bump stop ($12.00ea)

Just checked again and slowly let the front down with the jack, and the bumpstops just barely touch the tops of the shocks, so they're not loaded at rest and they seem to ride fine, but like I said I was expecting a gap there.

 

Wait....so they're touching the shock base as seen in the pic. But are they also touching the bottom of the top hat?

 

Yes, technically, they're also touching the bottommost washer that is sandwiched between the top hat and the nub on the shock shaft. If I jack up the car a little, a gap appears between the bottom of the bumpstop and the top of the shock body.

For what it's worth, the koni's have three grooves for the circlips, and I have them in the central groove. I dont think this matters with adjustable sleeves because it seems to only be a function of the spring stiffness, no? B-Serious, from what I've read, didn't you have this exact same setup on an EM1? I think a lot of people ride on progressive bumpstops without knowing it.

 

Brain fart.

 

Why would that affect shock travel positively...or in any way, if the spring is adjustable? His end ride height will stay the same if he runs the spring downward to compensate for the sleeve moving upward.

In fact...if you use the top ring, I think the threaded sleeve would protrude over the shock base, causing LESS travel (less space between the top hat and whatever its going to hit, coming downward).

 

I used the stock bump stops and cut them down a bit. I believe the instructions showed this. That way, when the spring compressed a certain amount, the bump stop would add spring rate and slow it down instead of letting the shock base smash into the top hat.

You're using the bump stop for additional spring rate at normal ride height. You sure that's how its intended to work? It might be. I've just never seen it.

 

I installed my GC/Koni the way it came from the factory. Fronts on the top clip.


Rears on the middle. Should the rears be on the top clip?

 

Damn, brain fart. I'm definitely wrong.

I had in my mind for some reason the fork rested on the circlip on konis and thats certainly not right.

Sorry bout that. Thanks bs

On the EM fork and KONI shock, can you still drop the shock down the fork? THAT will directly give you more travel and pretty typical for EF,eg,DA,DC. You need to remove, or not include and brake collar but thats not a big deal.

 

I've bolded the issue. If you aren't using extended upper shock mounts, then you really can't use a full length bumpstop with a lowered ride height without constant bumpstop contact (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially with softer spring rates like those). Many cars come from the factory designed such that the bumpstop is an integral parts of the suspension tuning.

If you want to use the GC bumpstop (and you probably do, they're much more progressive than stock resulting in a better ride quality since you will be making use of them as supplemental springs), you'll want to cut them down, same as if they were stock pieces being used with the GC sleeve.

However, the better solution really is extended upper shock mounts. The poor car really is lacking in adequate bump travel. And consider dropping the shock down into the fork if possible, as mentioned by Tyson.

If it were me, I wouldn't worry about it sitting on the bumpstops too much, and would just lower the shock in the fork. You will need to adjust the shocks accordingly to the combined spring rate of spring plus bumpstop, but that shouldn't be an issue. See how you like it that way, before worrying about making other changes.

 

i wouldnt do both top hats and dropping the shock in the fork. the free length is doubly shortened, and probably too much.

dropping the fork is a better option than extended top hats.

 

I don't remember the EM1 having that removable collar. But....my memories are fuzzy.

 

I'm already using GC bumpstops which are already shorter than stock and are not meant to be cut.. I guess what I've learned is that this geometry is typical. After some spirited slaloms and sweepers in a big abandoned parking lot, it drives phenomenal compared to stock. With a 22mm rear sway, it's handling very neutral so I think it's where I want it for now till I get more seat time.

FWIW, I'm running the konis with the fork collars because I'm personally not comfortable with the fork trick. I've heard too many (online and in person) horror stories of shocks slipping down the forks and koni specifically indicated not to do it for that very reason, so I will probably go the extended top hat route in the future if its needed.

 

If you take off the collars you want to slide the fork all the way up to the ridge the collar would normally set on. There is no way for the fork to slide up anymore than the collar would. Been like this on my car since 01 and I have done this on at least 4 other cars since then with no issues FWIW.

 

what horror stories?

several ppl, and the north american director of Koni have said its fine. already told you this. https://honda-tech.com/suspension-br...llars-3249475/

i dunno who you talked to at koni or what horror stories you have, but its the most direct way to give you more travel, its typically done, and no side effects.