cut springs

[big tex84]

ok Im a total newbie to fwd suspension set ups, my friend has a 93 civic hb, he cut his springs and says he is riding on bump stops, is this even safe? if so i was gonna bring my car (89 civic hb base model) down 1.5 to 2 inches, would I have any probs that anyone could think of? just trying to take it down cheaply, dont care how it rides, and im rollin on 15inch factory si rims. any help please

[rick18]

ive been told that its a bad idea because your springs were made specifically for your cars weight and other variables and when you go and cut them they no longer have the right specs so it can be dangerous. but on the other hand i know a couple people that have done it and its fine just isn a nice ride.

[eurobeaner]

first thing thatl happen, camber problems. second, bad tire wear due to camber, third thing, bad ride, forth thing, blow your shocks/struts quick. if anything, i would go with some CHEAP coil-overs off ebay, ths like 40-60 dollars. itl be safer than ridin with short spring with stock spring rates. if you get the coil overs, you will have adjustment... you could have it ride stock height, 2" down, or down right tuckin at 4" down... the spring rate is higher so you dont bottom out the strut(which is very uncomfortable feeling). BUT the ride is rough... but you said it didn't matter, so, thats the way you should go.

[DriftingCivicSi]

Camber Kit would help. I rubbed 2 sets of tires dead before I decided to scrap new springs from a local junkyard (aka my toys-r-us). I also had to get a new alignment like every month. Its a risky move to cut springs.

[BullShifter]

Riding on the bumpstops in not safe, the tires can become airborne. Not to mention the damage it does to the struts and the terrible ride/handling. If you're going to lower a car do it right or don't do it at all. The only time springs should be cut is when there are no aftermarket springs available, the market is flooded with Civic parts. The first rule for suspension: DON'T BE CHEAP. Some things you can be cheap with. Your ass can't feel a difference between a $20 intake or a $200 intake on the other hand your ass will defintaley feel the cheap springs. Stay away from cheap coilovers, buy a decent set of springs & struts. If you lower more than 1.75" you WILL need camber kits or frequent tire replacement. Don't forget to have it aligned after lowering, even if aren't using camber kits. The toe needs to be adjusted. Toe in will eat up a whole tire while negative camber eats up the inside edge. There is a cheap way to fix rear camber issues - http://home.earthlink.net/~civicex95/rearcamber.html

[DriftingCivicSi]

On the other hand, cut springs were popular back in Japan when mountain drifting came around. But still, like Bullshifter said, there are many Honda parts out there.

[big tex84]

thanxx for the info, I dont wanna spend money replacin tires so I know what a camber kit will do for me but is it something easy to install and would I be able to adjust it?