Should you lower your ride before installing a Body Kit

[Wister06]

Some People say you should lower your ride before you buy a body kit what are your opinions on what you should do???

[94hondaacc]

i think with a body kit you can only lower it a little, i would have the bodykit on first then you will be able to see how much you want to lower it.

[eckoman_pdx]

Obviously, what a body kit does is make the bumpers and side sills of course lower, but the underside is the same height. That being said, I personally would take care of the suspension before the body kit. The reason some say to put a kit on before the drop is due to the fact the kit makes the bumpers and side skirts lower, and after a kit some people may not feel comfortable lowering as much as they had wanted to before. I personally don't have a problem with it. Kit or no kit, you have to learn how to drive a lowered car. I lowered imine before I messed with body modifcations. Sure, the body kit does make the front bumper and side skirts lower, but it's not so bad I can't drive it with a 2.06" drop. Of course, I suppose it's all a matter of preference.

I would personally lower it with a good suspension before I put a kit on, but that's me. That way you get used to driving a lowered car before you have your expensive kit installed. If that kit is fiberglass, you'll crack it much easier than the OEM bumper (which is urethane). Learning how to drive a lowered car with a fiberglass kit installed would result in more damage if you hit a curb, etc than would occur with the OEM parts. It would then result in a more expensive fix. I would get used to driving the lowered car before the kit. True, you have to be a bit more careful after you install the kit, but at least you'll have gotten used to driving it already. Thats my 2 cents.

[Wister06]

oh i understand it all now!

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by Wister06

oh i understand it all now!

I'm glad I could help.

[Wister06]

I'm goin to purchase the Tien struts and coilover package =)

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by Wister06

I'm goin to purchase the Tien struts and coilover package =)

Just curious, which level you going with? The Basic, SS, Flex? Also, just so you know, Tein offers custom spring rates and lengths, it's $200 to upgrade your springs. They claim their shocks can handle a 2kg/mm upgrade in spring rates before they need to be re-valved. I have talked to Mark @ Tein before, and he did say that you CAN go a 3kg/mm upgrade with the adjustable shocks like the SS or Flex, though it's not their recommended "max upgrade" range. They'd recommend keeping them on the stiffest setting in this case. Teins's have a 1 year warrenty.

Also, for future reference, in case you or anyone you know ever considers sleeve type coils versus a "tuned set-up" like Tein, Ground Control is pretty much the only sleeve type coils I'll recommend in most cases. They also are the only other company I know of who offers custom spring rates and lengths. They have a lifetime warrenty. A good shock to pair them with is Koni yellows (Sports). Those spring right over the Koni snap ring and don't have to sit in a perch like on mist shocks due to the Koni design. Also, the Koni's are a very good shock and can handle extreme drops. A tuned set-up like Tein will usually tell you how much of a drop they recommend and can handle, and it's usually more than most seperate shocks you'd buy. However, Koni yellows CAN handle an extreme drop of over 2" fine. Also, they have a lifetime warrenty. They are rebound adjustable. In Koni's I prefer the Nuespeed spec ones, which have a 20mm shorter shaft, 5-way adjustable perch vs. 3 and a few other things the regular sports don't have.

[kicker1_solo]

Originally Posted by eckoman_pdx

I'm glad I could help.

way to go Mr. Knowitall

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by kicker1_solo

way to go Mr. Knowitall

Hey, long time no see man!!!! You back now?? I hope so, we could certianly use your knowledge in this forum.