what would you suggest to replace or install to improve handling on a stock civic?

You can always start off with some springs and shocks .... then maybe swaybars, strut bars, tie bars, and wheels and tires ...

any suggestion of what to do first?-- tie bar? strut bar? I have ordered my Rims already.

What size wheels and what size and type of tire are you planning to get?

IMO, since you have the wheels on the way, think about shocks and springs. They'll stiffen up the ride (in a good way if you have quality pieces) increase road feel and lessen body roll. Also with the wheels they it will lower the fender gap making the car look much nicer.

Do a search on this forum to get tips. It all depends on what you want. How far a drop; Are you looking for comfort or balls out performance etc. Then you have to determine a budget.

There a sooo many ways to adjust and modify what is already a great stock suspension, many good but just as many bad.

Good luck!

The order I would do everything is ...
-springs
-shocks
-swaybars
-strut bars
-tie bars

Other people would do it differently but this is the order I would do it, to me it makes the most sense ...
(i see you're from calgary too :))

umm the order you gave is fine except for one thing spring and shock need to be done together. you handling can potentially get worse if you just buy springs. you will bounce like crazy then you shocks will blow and thats dangerous. im getting kyb agx and sportline springs this month so i will let you know how things are going im may. just remember when you do something major like springs and shocks make sure you get quality stuff. and also do tons of research

Originally posted by onesojourner
umm the order you gave is fine except for one thing spring and shock need to be done together. you handling can potentially get worse if you just buy springs. you will bounce like crazy then you shocks will blow and thats dangerous. im getting kyb agx and sportline springs this month so i will let you know how things are going im may. just remember when you do something major like springs and shocks make sure you get quality stuff. and also do tons of research


speakin of dangerous, the KYB AGX series struts arent designed for anything lower than 1.5" below stock ride height.

ya i know this forum doesnt go for them but ive talked to several people that have about a 2.5 drop and im going to have about a 1.6 so im not worried about it

Originally posted by onesojourner
ya i know this forum doesnt go for them but ive talked to several people that have about a 2.5 drop and im going to have about a 1.6 so im not worried about it

It is not this forum, it is the company. KYB says the struts are not made for cars that low...people here are just reiterating their words. Just something to consider...

well i dont think honda would want you to lower your car at all but we still do and they do fine. i understand where you guys are coming from but i deff dont consider this dangerous. it is possible that the shocks will blow early but if they do crap i should have listened but its a risk im going to take. i will let you guys know how this thing turns out

Originally posted by onesojourner
umm the order you gave is fine except for one thing spring and shock need to be done together. you handling can potentially get worse if you just buy springs. you will bounce like crazy then you shocks will blow and thats dangerous. im getting kyb agx and sportline springs this month so i will let you know how things are going im may. just remember when you do something major like springs and shocks make sure you get quality stuff. and also do tons of research
The order I gave was just something to look at ... not something you need to follow ... Why not do it all at once? You'd have the ultimate suspension?!? I rode on Skunk2 coilovers and stock shocks for a season, it will bounce but nothing I consider dangerous ... I know a bunch of people that start off with just lowering springs THEN shocks ... I'm riding on Tein's now and that's just the beginning to my setup ...

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What size wheels and what size and type of tire are you planning to get?

IMO, since you have the wheels on the way, think about shocks and springs. They'll stiffen up the ride (in a good way if you have quality pieces) increase road feel and lessen body roll. Also with the wheels they it will lower the fender gap making the car look much nicer.

Do a search on this forum to get tips. It all depends on what you want. How far a drop; Are you looking for comfort or balls out performance etc. Then you have to determine a budget.

There a sooo many ways to adjust and modify what is already a great stock suspension, many good but just as many bad.

Good luck!
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I GOT A GOOD DEAL ON SOME MOTEGI MR8 16'S AND BF GOODRICH SCORCHERS 205/40-16. THEY ARE COMMING IN 2 WEEKS TIME SO WELL SEE HOW THAT GOES.

take some pics when you get the wheels on