Rims And Suspension

[95blackcoupe]

Hey everybody....i am new to this forum and i am also kind of a newbie at tuning my honda....hehe....so bare with me....hehe....i have a question for the wiser......

Ok my car is a 1995 black honda civic Dx. The previous owner put some embarrasing 13" rims on it!!! LOL!! Obviously i feel i need to upgrade these.....i have decided to get some 16" R-1 racing rims.....and Kuhmo 205/40/16 tires......now obviously my ride is gonna need to be dropped a least 1.5 or so inches......My question is...


How do I go about dropping the car? I have been told to get just "springs"...or "coilovers" (please explain these terms!!) or shocks/struts! (what are these???) How much will it cost to upgrade the suspension or do i have to?
Basically i am asking....."ive just put on 16inch rims and need a drop...." what do i do from here!??? Explain this idea to me like i am a 10 year old please!!! hahaha......thanks a lot!!!!

[96HondaCivic]

It all depends on how much money you have to spend on the suspension setup. IF you want a really good suspension system i would prefer Tein coilover system, or HKS coilover system. BUt if you dont have much money like me just get springs. The coilvers are good because you can lower and raise the car at any time, but it makes the behicles bounce like hell. I have springs on my car and i am thinking about getting new springs that a lower.
as far as the terms
Springs: When you look behind the wheel at the whole suspension system, it looks like a spring or a spiral.
Coilovers: The coilovers are twice as small as the springs but they have a circular cylinder with threads so you can adjust the height of the car by turning the rings on the threads.

[BullShifter]

If you must have ride height adjustments you really should invest into a true set of coilovers(not just sleeves) - $800.00 & up. You will also need camber kits & an alignment EVERY time the ride height is changed. For street use & some race aftermarket springs & struts will be the best choice. Every day conditions will make adjustable collars rust to the threads leaving you with 0 adjustment. Check www.tirerack.com look into H&R or Eibach springs with Koni or KYB struts. Neuspeed also makes nice springs. Koni yellow struts have 15-25mm of ride height adjustment due to threaded spring perches - very nice strut.

I dont suggest any more than 1.75" of lowering for street use.

"Coilover" is a very over/mis used word. Almost EVERY modern production car uses coilover springs, even your honda. Generally when people refer to coilovers they are meaning fully adjustable(true) coilovers or coilover sleeves.

True coilovers are much more expensive than sleeves and feature both springs& struts in 1 package, with ride height adjustments built into the strut & also strut dampening adjustments

Coilover sleeves are springs & a threaded collar that sits between the SPRING(not sleeve) perch & spring, aftermarket struts needed. The only sleeves I recommend is Ground Controls, try to stay away from sleeves if at all possible. Sleeves can & will break spring perches. There aren't any struts that will work properly with a 3" or more drop. Most sleeves have 4-5" of lowering. With true coilovers it's all there built to handle it.

If you do your springs/struts right upper strut bars really wont do much. Your better off investing into a larger rear sway bar.

[3rdWrldRcr]

Personal owner of Eibach coilovers here. Easy to install and very cost effective. Cut springs work but, more often than not, they are cut incorrectly and cause more harm than good. Heat compressed springs is a good alternative to cut but i wouldnt trade anything for my coil-overs.

[xproductionz]

its all for your preference... lowering you car can be very inexpensive... now if you want the ride to be smooth instead then your gonna have to invest more.. just moake sure you do your resaerch

[BlackCiv00]

Hi guys, maybe you guys can help me with my problem then....i mean, since you guys seem to be explaining everything to the point where, yes, a ten year old can understand.....here's my problem/question. I was rear ended in January and had to get the driver side rear replaced, along with my wheels. I originally had 17's on and since insurance picked up a new set of wheels, i decide to get 18's (i know, its probably kinda ricey...but hey, i like it you know). anyways, i have noticed that the 18's rub when i have people in the back seat....i have a coupe and glad that this is happening since i am not a taxi for anyone, lol...but i also hear a rub when i hit little hills, as if the back drops too much and rubs. this was not happening with the 17's and i did put them side by side to see if the 18's with tires were bigger, but no, they are the same size. could it be that the stock shock was damaged in the accident? if so, i really dont want to put an OEM stock/spring set up, i'd rather shell out the extra cash and get an aftermarket high perf suspension. what do you guys think?? what do you guys recommend?? just know, they dont rub all the time, but when i go fast and hit a "hill" on the road, the one side rubs. I have been told to "shave the fenders"...what does that mean and how do i go about that?? thanks for all your help guys and sorry if i have consumed much of your time with my problem.

[dat1laosguy]

Originally Posted by BlackCiv00

Hi guys, maybe you guys can help me with my problem then....i mean, since you guys seem to be explaining everything to the point where, yes, a ten year old can understand.....here's my problem/question. I was rear ended in January and had to get the driver side rear replaced, along with my wheels. I originally had 17's on and since insurance picked up a new set of wheels, i decide to get 18's (i know, its probably kinda ricey...but hey, i like it you know). anyways, i have noticed that the 18's rub when i have people in the back seat....i have a coupe and glad that this is happening since i am not a taxi for anyone, lol...but i also hear a rub when i hit little hills, as if the back drops too much and rubs. this was not happening with the 17's and i did put them side by side to see if the 18's with tires were bigger, but no, they are the same size. could it be that the stock shock was damaged in the accident? if so, i really dont want to put an OEM stock/spring set up, i'd rather shell out the extra cash and get an aftermarket high perf suspension. what do you guys think?? what do you guys recommend?? just know, they dont rub all the time, but when i go fast and hit a "hill" on the road, the one side rubs. I have been told to "shave the fenders"...what does that mean and how do i go about that?? thanks for all your help guys and sorry if i have consumed much of your time with my problem.

well for this problem i had before all i did was jack up the back so the rear wheels are off the ground and get a bat and put it between the tires and fender and let down the jack slowly till the bat is in tight and twist it from left to right and that should bend the part that is rubbing. or you could have it cut off but its easier with a bat no money involved at all.