lil' suspension advice..

[kittman]

My 89 Si HB's ride is getting pretty bad. The struts need replacing no question, but I'm toying with the idea of adding some H&R sport springs to lower it a bit. With the H&R OE sport springs, I would get about .75" lower and would use KYB GR-2 struts. Or, I could get the "normal" sport springs, and get about 2" lower. But what struts to use? would the GR-2's be OK? Anyone running GR-2's with sport springs?

cheers

kittman

[GTA]

gr-2's are good, i like my Tokico Blues aka HP's though. both are non-adjustable performance struts. i would check ebay, i see the Tokicos with the springs that are matched for the struts by tokico for a lil over $300 +shipping.

[kittman]

ah yes, I see 'em out there. Looks like $350 with shipping. I priced out the H&R sport springs and GR-2's at tirerack.com, $430 shipped. Hmm.. $80 less...

[kittman]

also, if I lower about 2", do i have to do anything else? camber adjustments, etc? Don't wanna eat up my new tires!

cheers

[GTA]

definetly get an alignment, you might or might not need a camber kit.

[SiZ]

Neuspeed Race.

No seriously.. Drop it like 2", you gotta lower it.
Get a camber kit and some new shocks. Suspension is fun.

[habib_88]

Usually most any of the tokico shocks are better valved than the compareable KYB units. And Konis are usually considered abover the tokicos for valving but they are also more expensive. Hence most people go the middle road approach and get the tokicos. Not trying to sway your from the KYB's but just giving you a idea of whats able to be done hehe. FYI my shocks are tokico illumias (the adjustables) and I love them to death.

If you gonna do springs just get something brand name!!! Don't buy some ebay speicals because someone took springs outta a matress and painted them neon green hehe. But H&R, Progress, Neuspeed, and Eibach just to name a few all make really good springs. And yes below two inches of drop i'd recommend a camber kit. Around 1 inch of drop you should be ok for that.

[BullShifter]

Matress springs, lol
DO NOT lower 2" without aftermarket struts, I don't recommend ANY lowering on stock struts. As I've stated many times before Tokico & KYB are stock lenght struts not designed or intended for 2" or more of drop. KYB recommends 1.5" max. With 2" or more I suggest Koni's or Bilsteins.

1.75" or more NEEDS camber kits for proper alignment.

[kittman]

Originally Posted by jackasssi

Matress springs, lol
DO NOT lower 2" without aftermarket struts, I don't recommend ANY lowering on stock struts. As I've stated many times before Tokico & KYB are stock lenght struts not designed or intended for 2" or more of drop. KYB recommends 1.5" max. With 2" or more I suggest Koni's or Bilsteins.

1.75" or more NEEDS camber kits for proper alignment.

Well, I've read some of your comments on suspension when I was searching for info, so I'm glad you chimed in! I'm trying to make my ride nice again, but if I could lower it some without spending much more than it would cost me to do stock, that would be a bonus. I'm looking for the best handling bang for the buck, ya know? So, in your opinion, would the KYB GR-2's be OK with the H&R OE Sport Springs? Those are the ones that lower about .75".

I just looked up the Koni's at tirerack.com, $150ea! Way over my budget. I'm trying to spend no more than $400. That would get me the KYB's and the OE springs, and .75" lowering. Plus a MUCH better ride than I have right now.

The other setup that has caught my eye is the tokico strut/spring sets. $350 on ebay, 1.25 drop.

Not sure I really want to mess with a camber kit, so I guess I'm leaning toward the H&R's.

cheers

[90civicracer]

You get what you pay for and I'm sure if Jackasssi would read this last post he would say the same thing. I have mine dropped about 1.5" and after a while you do notice tire wear uneven so I would still suggest a camber kit unless u just get the H&R that lower like 3/4".

[mr.death]

I have Eibach springs w/ Gr2s' and am quite happy. The ride is comfortable and would recomend this combo for sure.

[1PhatCX]

well i have apex springs (1.8 inch drop) and GR-2s, the ride was good but something happened. we got a cold snap this winter before the snow hit and the ride went to shit, the shocks felt really really stiff, i felt everybump, i got the car air born a couple times hitting dips that the car would normally just drive fine over. i think its time for a new choice in struts for me, personally, i wanna go with Koni, my buddy has Koni Yellows in his supra and the ride is fucking amazing!!

and with a camber kit.... how much does one cost? and how do you install them??

[rosshatch89]

yea i wanna know my cars been lowered not sure how much but i wanna know can a normal alignment shop fix my camber its pretty bad just wondering how much do alignments usually cost sorry kinda stupid question but i've never had to get one

[habib_88]

Originally Posted by jackasssi

Matress springs, lol
DO NOT lower 2" without aftermarket struts, I don't recommend ANY lowering on stock struts.

Damn I tottaly forgot to mention that, yea thats super important good call jackasssi lol. Also Kittman about that tokico strut/spring set. I've never had a personal experience with them yet but everyone I know whos tried them has said they are good bang for the buck. And its tokico quailty not some off brand so thats good if you just wanna slap something on there and be done with it for good.

And if you want street springs that offer lowered ride that isn't harsh and doesn't need a camber kit, I suggest the eibach prokit springs. For street duty I loved them, for autox however i've definally grown past them but they got the job done. Overall a good spring for the price if you just wanna handle better without a camber kit or shaking your teeth out. If you wanna see how low they are look at my car in the sig (keep in mind my back end is squating from accerating).

[DpSyChO]

I read somewhere,maybe here,that you can use accord struts on a 4g civic and it will lower it a little/give more suspension travel.Dont remember what year accord struts were used,here is a post I found on another board,I thought I saw it in a post here also though :
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=544680