please explain coil-overs and shocks and such

I'm getting a 92-94 civic HB sometime this december and I will already have money to put 17s on it. I want to know though how high would my ride be if i didn't do anything to the suspension? I worry that it'd be like 5 inches off the ground and look like a monster truck. Do any of you guys know what it would look like?

But if I do get suspension I will be on a budget. I've heard that I could get coil-overs with shocks, or psycho ballistics, etc... But what does this all mean? I would like my ride to be lower than it would be completely stock, but at the same time I don't need it to ride 2 inches off the pavement. I would just like it to be low and not have to spend that much cash. What is the best bet?

Thanks- Tyne :)

well here's my car before and after lowering, although its not a civic, you get the idea. btw, its about a 2" drop.
http://[email protected]/images/mycar1.jpg
http://[email protected]/images/[email protected]

well depends if you want adjustability. the cheapest way would be to get shock and use stock struts. you can get a set for $100-200, install them yourself and thats it. it just depends on what you want, and what youre willing to pay

well i don't really want to take that route because i'v heard bad things about that and that your ride would be bouncing everywhere. Is there some way I could drop it for about 300? and also how much would it b if i wanted to adjust my ride height

oh wow yeah arter the tires were put on that thing was riding damn high. Are those 17s on that?

Coilovers are nice for the adjustability, but if you don't set it up right it can handle worse than stock. Coilovers are also stiffer and paired with the right shocks can handle better than a Ferrari. For the average novice I would suggest just springs and shocks. Coilovers involve alot of fine tuning to get right.

I had Neuspeed Sports about 1.8" drop all around with Tokico Illuminas and they worked great. Fenders were about 1" from the tires. Wasn't too low wasn't too high. Right now my car is dropped 2" on custom rate ground control coilovers with Koni Yellows and this set up is prolly the best so far, little stiff for PA roads, but dealable.

You want to match your springs or coilovers with a nice set of shocks to dampen the spring rates of your springs/coilovers. Don't put springs or coilovers on stock shocks. Your shocks will not last long and your car will end up bouncing down the road.

Originally posted by tynebeach
oh wow yeah arter the tires were put on that thing was riding damn high. Are those 17s on that?
yea, theyre 17's with 215/45 tires. bigger than im supposed to have to keep stock height, but i wanted a little wider.

yeah, I'm jsut starting out and don't really need the best. So you guys are suggesting I just buy different shocks and springs or what?

and what are some good companies to go with then?

A good starter package is Tokico Illuminas and neuspeed sport springs (1.8" drop). I had this for my first lowering job and worked great.

Originally posted by CivicSiRacer
A good starter package is Tokico Illuminas and neuspeed sport springs (1.8" drop). I had this for my first lowering job and worked great.

Agreed. that's a good starter package. The Neuspeed sports are great, lower a nice amount (not too much, not too little either) and feel pretty good too. I know a friend with a set of those on some Koni Yellows, and his ride feels NICE to say the least. :) With the Illuminas, you get some ride comfort adjustment to them. I think 5-way if I remember right...