Lower/Drop Experts

[DropdHatch]

I am not sure how much to drop my 1988 civic hb. Im probably gonna have 14" Ls integra rims with like 180/70 tires or so. I am not sure how it would look or feel while driving. I wanted to be low enough to almost tuck if not like a couple hairs away but I dont know if its like that I would get good turning ability and scrap things.

[DropdHatch]

One more thing I forgot if I were to cut the springs let alone it being illegal. What would it do in time to my suspension. My friend has a 1990 CRX n he cut his springs to where the spring was almost loose and could bounce around. Nothing happend to his so I was wondering what would it matter to buy or cut them.

[BullShifter]

I dont recommend more than 1.75" of lowering to any street car. You would need more than 2" for the look you want. There will be a very shitty ride.

Cutting springs is not illegal as far as I know, its dumb. Cutting is the LAST option if no company supplies aftermarket springs or coilovers. That's about the worst thing you could do if all 4 aren't cut the same, guess what? You got yourself one shitty riding car with no going back. When lowering a car you MUST increase the spring rates!

Originally Posted by www.spdusa.com

Second, many people change their spring rates and do not realize that the damping rates of the strut's shock absorbers have been calibrated to control the behavior of the springs. Major changes in spring rates will upset the ride quality AND cause poor handling if the shocks are not also changed to match new spring rates. This is why SPD Tuning Service sells only shock or shock/spring kits, but no spring kits, except for the rigorously tested Eibach units.

Ever see cars "bouncing" down the freeway every time they hit a bump or even a small undulation in the road? They have either cut their springs or purchased a lowered spring kit that takes them over the edge. The energy in their springs is so great that the shock damping rates are simply over powered and the car jerks all over. They went for "the look" and lost their ride.

[DropdHatch]

Is there anyway someone can get me a pic of a 1.5 inch lower at least so I can see what it looks like.. Also say I get it cut evenly though. It will still be a horrible ride?

[DropdHatch]

and really over I dont car for the horrible ride. I am not looking for luxury I had a 1990 cougar... Now thats luxury. I hated when it bounced up and down when I went over a lil bump or like took a turn.

[BullShifter]

My 91 si lowered 1.5"

more in my gallery

If they are cut perfectly its still gonna have a poor ride. You will care about the ride after a few months, spend the $$$$ and do it right or don't do it all. Cut springs on stock struts, Now that's a bouncy ass ride.

[DropdHatch]

Do you bottom out a lot... about how high is your car from the ground and what size tires are they cuz all that will help on how mine will look.

[DropdHatch]

One other thing with like a 1.8 or so drop will I need a camber kit or something ro straighten the tires so I dont eat away tires. And by any chance do you know if lowering the car will cause me to fail inspection?

[BullShifter]

No, I don't bottom out the car or suspension. Tires are 185/60R14

Camber kits are needed any time a civic is lowered for correct alignment, but tire wear doesn't really become an issue until 1.75" drop. Plus a little negative camber is a good thing, a little not a lot. After the car is lowered an alignment is needed to correct the toe. If camber is way off then camber kits should be installed.

[NerveAgent]

I have a 1996 honda civic coupe. If i drop it 1.5 inches can i still go over the parking blocks?! And am i suppose to drop it both 1.5 in the fornt and back.. Or should i drop it 1.5 and 1.75 in the back.
thanks

[BullShifter]

By parking blocks are you meaning the cement things in parking spots? My car doesn't clear, nor do I want it to.

Most quality lowering spring kits are already figured out by the engineers. Most cars will get more lowering in the back than front because at stock height the rear end is slightly higher. This way the car sit's level.

[jajimo]

My Accord is dropped about 2" and I clear the cement things, but I try not to get close to them just incase.

If you cut your springs, you're more likely to blow a strut, and your car may look all fucked up and cock-eyed if they all aren't even. Lowering springs can be as cheap as $150 (Tein S-Tech) which is nothing compared to what you can spend on a car. But then again, it's not my ride, so do what you want!

[GScivic7]

Originally Posted by jackasssi

Cut springs on stock struts, Now that's a bouncy ass ride.

I can completely vouch for that. We chopped the springs on my friend's 89 Metro so it was lowered about 5" in the front and 4" in the back. I'm surprised I don't have kidney problems after riding/driving that thing as much as we did. We flossed that Metro with pride lol, all the ricers loved it.

[DropdHatch]

Is your accord have a camber kit so the wheels are not on an angle?

[tkdo23]

I lowered my 2002 Civic EX and now I need a camber kit. I don't know if it will work because the back tires are right next to the rear fender and I don't think it will clear it. Any advice?