To Lower an OLD Civic

Hey all, I thought it would be funny to lower my old 1971 Civic Hatchback. I would like to know how to go about doing this? Anybody got ideas? Is it possible?

-Josh

I wouldn't even know where to start with a car that old :)

Try calling Progress Group.

well my dad suggested I cut the springs... but whats that (lol I am bad with cars... but I am workig on it.) How would I do this?

-Josh

I would advise not cutting the springs! cutting springs will lower the car but will ruin the ride and will be shaky on hard turns I can't think of anybody who makes springs to lower a 71 but you might be able to find something from japan. good luck and plz post the pics when its done.

Oops I just realized ( boy am I stupid ) It's a 1981 not 71. Sorry for the mistake. Ya, if I am able to do it I will definately post pics. But I must warn you, it is not a cool car I am only doing this to be funny. I know it will not make it look cooler either. lol I just fealt like making fun of my pimping 81. I already put a nify stearing wheel cover, sticker visor, and racing seat covers on... they make it go faster lol.

-Josh

btw, this is the car as it is now: http://joshuabrown_2.tripod.com/id27.htm

Well cutting springs just makes a car somewhat uncontrollable. Because now when you hit a bump you will run into the bumpstops which would send the shocks into infinity. Sorry not very technical, but it's very unsafe.

All i got to say is its awesome looking IMHO. it'll look great i love the all old the civic looks. Keep up with adding the pics that thing is sweet no joke! :coolguy:

lol thanks, you really think it's cool?! you have GOT to be pulling my leg... this is the car I am saving up for: http://factoryfive.com/table/ffrkits/roadster/roadsterkit.html :sun:
lol I will be able to get it in like 2-3 years.

Oh yeah, I did do a couple things to the civic, again, just for fun. I put one of those neeto sun visors in the form of a big sticker with a asian design on it lol. And Racing seat covers, and a NOS steering wheel cover. I have already added 100 hp just from those three mods lol.

-Josh

No joke i really like the looks of the old civics (i'm also into old cars too) but if you really want some mad ponies you gotta jam altezzas on even though they don't make them for yours just use duct tape then you'll be running 9s. BTW that one your saving up for is tight.

Actually cutting the springs will work just fine for a slight performance increase, just so long as it's done properly.

This means that you can only cut about 1/2 of a coil off the spring.

To do this remove the spring and make a chalk mark directly across from the end of the spring so that when you cut it it will remove only 1/2 of a coil.

Next cut the half coil off with an acetylene torch. After the half coil has been removed heat the spring just below where you made the cut so that you can bend the new end into the proper flattened shape.

Once the spring is heated quickly turn it upside down and press it down against a hard surface(like say your driveway, or the sidewalk). The spring should now look just like it did before except half a coil shorter.

Now let the spring air dry, DO NOT pour water on it or do anything else to cool it faster as this will change the spring rate of the spring and make it useless. Once it's cool your ready to put it back on, although while it's off I would suggest giving it a nice coat of paint for both looks and protection from the elements.

Note though that this will not give you to much of a lowered look, probably only about 1/2 to 1 inches. However it will be slightly lower, handle a bit better and not cost you the probably large ammount of time and money it would take to get a set of lowering springs for such an old and obscure car.

Originally posted by CAptynCrunch
Actually cutting the springs will work just fine for a slight performance increase, just so long as it's done properly.

This means that you can only cut about 1/2 of a coil off the spring.

To do this remove the spring and make a chalk mark directly across from the end of the spring so that when you cut it it will remove only 1/2 of a coil.

Next cut the half coil off with an acetylene torch. After the half coil has been removed heat the spring just below where you made the cut so that you can bend the new end into the proper flattened shape.

Once the spring is heated quickly turn it upside down and press it down against a hard surface(like say your driveway, or the sidewalk). The spring should now look just like it did before except half a coil shorter.

Now let the spring air dry, DO NOT pour water on it or do anything else to cool it faster as this will change the spring rate of the spring and make it useless. Once it's cool your ready to put it back on, although while it's off I would suggest giving it a nice coat of paint for both looks and protection from the elements.

Note though that this will not give you to much of a lowered look, probably only about 1/2 to 1 inches. However it will be slightly lower, handle a bit better and not cost you the probably large ammount of time and money it would take to get a set of lowering springs for such an old and obscure car.

There is no correct way. Doing this (cutting or heating the springs) is the cheap ass way of getting yourself killed. WOuld you want that on your head? Do it right the first time or you may regret it later.

Check out Progress Group like I said they have suspension components for every Honda out there.

I'm sorry Si, but it is true. If you don't trust me then pick up a copy of "Chassis Engineering" by Herb Adams. He's the father of the Firebird and was one of pontiacs top engineers. The method I outlined above is word for word from that book.

I'm not saying that it's as good as buying new springs. I'm just saying that I think it would be a perfectly acceptable option in this case where it's for a vehicle that will probably not be heavily pushed. Also, even if progress does end up having springs for his vehicle he said this is being done as a joke, so I douubt he'd really want to pay the cost of new springs.

Originally posted by CAptynCrunch
I'm sorry Si, but it is true. If you don't trust me then pick up a copy of "Chassis Engineering" by Herb Adams. He's the father of the Firebird and was one of pontiacs top engineers. The method I outlined above is word for word from that book.

I'm not saying that it's as good as buying new springs. I'm just saying that I think it would be a perfectly acceptable option in this case where it's for a vehicle that will probably not be heavily pushed. Also, even if progress does end up having springs for his vehicle he said this is being done as a joke, so I douubt he'd really want to pay the cost of new springs.

You are talking about Pontiacs, I'm talking about Hondas. I know too many people who cut corners later to realize that they should have done it the right way the first time - either by experience or word of mouth.

Even on Ebay you can get cheap springs that will lower your car the right way, instead of the POS way.