Suspension questions
9" member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: pittsburgh, PA
Heres the scoop on suspensions:
Coilovers will never produce the advantages of a lowered vehicle as normal springs and struts will. Coilovers are designed to raise and lower the vehicle, mainly 1" - 4" drop. By changing the springs compression, you'll get various results. But none will provide better results then a normal spring.
The whole purpose of lowering the vehicle is to provide better handling obviously, and for many people, the look. The car handles better lowering the center of gravity, which aids in cornering. Now the stock Civic chassis is designed to withstand up to a 1.75" drop. This means you can lower the vehicle 1.75" and more than likely you will not need camber correction. The rear wheels will receive more camber than the fronts will. If you notice the rear wheels bending in, then you'll know you need a camber correction kit. Many people will say that this slight angle of the tire improves cornering.. this is a false statement. Yes the tires are bending INTO the turn, kinda like a hockey skate on ice, but its less tire surface touching the road, which tears the tires to shreds and really messes with the chassis.
Now the ideal choice for most people are suspension KITS. Kits are brand name springs and struts sold together. These are highly recommended because the company obviously tests their springs with their struts. And example brand would be TOKICO. Using onle of these kits not only drastically reduces the chances of needing a camber kit......but it provides a FUNCTIONAL SUSPENSION. A suspension that produces very noticable handling improvements. Coilovers will not produce the functions that a selected suspension kit will.
So in choosing a suspension, you basically need to decide one thing.... Why am I getting a new suspension? If its for the simple look and "luxury" of changing your ride height, then coilovers are the way to go. If you want performance, less problems down the road, and an overall more fun car to drive, get a brand name suspension kit.
wow, my fingers hurt..
Coilovers will never produce the advantages of a lowered vehicle as normal springs and struts will. Coilovers are designed to raise and lower the vehicle, mainly 1" - 4" drop. By changing the springs compression, you'll get various results. But none will provide better results then a normal spring.
The whole purpose of lowering the vehicle is to provide better handling obviously, and for many people, the look. The car handles better lowering the center of gravity, which aids in cornering. Now the stock Civic chassis is designed to withstand up to a 1.75" drop. This means you can lower the vehicle 1.75" and more than likely you will not need camber correction. The rear wheels will receive more camber than the fronts will. If you notice the rear wheels bending in, then you'll know you need a camber correction kit. Many people will say that this slight angle of the tire improves cornering.. this is a false statement. Yes the tires are bending INTO the turn, kinda like a hockey skate on ice, but its less tire surface touching the road, which tears the tires to shreds and really messes with the chassis.
Now the ideal choice for most people are suspension KITS. Kits are brand name springs and struts sold together. These are highly recommended because the company obviously tests their springs with their struts. And example brand would be TOKICO. Using onle of these kits not only drastically reduces the chances of needing a camber kit......but it provides a FUNCTIONAL SUSPENSION. A suspension that produces very noticable handling improvements. Coilovers will not produce the functions that a selected suspension kit will.
So in choosing a suspension, you basically need to decide one thing.... Why am I getting a new suspension? If its for the simple look and "luxury" of changing your ride height, then coilovers are the way to go. If you want performance, less problems down the road, and an overall more fun car to drive, get a brand name suspension kit.
wow, my fingers hurt..
Thread Starter
Don't touch me I'm tender
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,015
Likes: 0
From: Va beach/Blacksburg, VA
Originally posted by tokyoracer
dood... just buy a full coilover and save urself the hassle in the long run. i plan on autocross too.. so this saturday i'm getting the tanabe sustec pro ss installed for 900 flat.
here is the link where i posted where to buy it at.
https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/s...ghlight=tanabe
dood... just buy a full coilover and save urself the hassle in the long run. i plan on autocross too.. so this saturday i'm getting the tanabe sustec pro ss installed for 900 flat.
here is the link where i posted where to buy it at.
https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/s...ghlight=tanabe
where are you getting those for so cheap
Need zzzzz's
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
Originally posted by 1999civicEX
Heres the scoop on suspensions:
Coilovers will never produce the advantages of a lowered vehicle as normal springs and struts will. Coilovers are designed to raise and lower the vehicle, mainly 1" - 4" drop. By changing the springs compression, you'll get various results. But none will provide better results then a normal spring.
The whole purpose of lowering the vehicle is to provide better handling obviously, and for many people, the look. The car handles better lowering the center of gravity, which aids in cornering. Now the stock Civic chassis is designed to withstand up to a 1.75" drop. This means you can lower the vehicle 1.75" and more than likely you will not need camber correction. The rear wheels will receive more camber than the fronts will. If you notice the rear wheels bending in, then you'll know you need a camber correction kit. Many people will say that this slight angle of the tire improves cornering.. this is a false statement. Yes the tires are bending INTO the turn, kinda like a hockey skate on ice, but its less tire surface touching the road, which tears the tires to shreds and really messes with the chassis.
Now the ideal choice for most people are suspension KITS. Kits are brand name springs and struts sold together. These are highly recommended because the company obviously tests their springs with their struts. And example brand would be TOKICO. Using onle of these kits not only drastically reduces the chances of needing a camber kit......but it provides a FUNCTIONAL SUSPENSION. A suspension that produces very noticable handling improvements. Coilovers will not produce the functions that a selected suspension kit will.
So in choosing a suspension, you basically need to decide one thing.... Why am I getting a new suspension? If its for the simple look and "luxury" of changing your ride height, then coilovers are the way to go. If you want performance, less problems down the road, and an overall more fun car to drive, get a brand name suspension kit.
wow, my fingers hurt..
Heres the scoop on suspensions:
Coilovers will never produce the advantages of a lowered vehicle as normal springs and struts will. Coilovers are designed to raise and lower the vehicle, mainly 1" - 4" drop. By changing the springs compression, you'll get various results. But none will provide better results then a normal spring.
The whole purpose of lowering the vehicle is to provide better handling obviously, and for many people, the look. The car handles better lowering the center of gravity, which aids in cornering. Now the stock Civic chassis is designed to withstand up to a 1.75" drop. This means you can lower the vehicle 1.75" and more than likely you will not need camber correction. The rear wheels will receive more camber than the fronts will. If you notice the rear wheels bending in, then you'll know you need a camber correction kit. Many people will say that this slight angle of the tire improves cornering.. this is a false statement. Yes the tires are bending INTO the turn, kinda like a hockey skate on ice, but its less tire surface touching the road, which tears the tires to shreds and really messes with the chassis.
Now the ideal choice for most people are suspension KITS. Kits are brand name springs and struts sold together. These are highly recommended because the company obviously tests their springs with their struts. And example brand would be TOKICO. Using onle of these kits not only drastically reduces the chances of needing a camber kit......but it provides a FUNCTIONAL SUSPENSION. A suspension that produces very noticable handling improvements. Coilovers will not produce the functions that a selected suspension kit will.
So in choosing a suspension, you basically need to decide one thing.... Why am I getting a new suspension? If its for the simple look and "luxury" of changing your ride height, then coilovers are the way to go. If you want performance, less problems down the road, and an overall more fun car to drive, get a brand name suspension kit.
wow, my fingers hurt..
The main benefit to coilovers is being able to corner weight and set up the car. You can also choose spring rates to alter handling characteristics. I agree that a manufacturer's spring/shock combo is a good, inexpensive solution but there are compromises built in. Also, negative camber is not detrimental to handling depending on the situation. It can help in autocrossing and track racing (which sman789 seems to be interested in) but it will probably hurt traction in drag racing. You're right though that he does need to decide on exactly what he's looking for with his new setup.
sman789, you're saying you don't care about ride quality so much and you don't care about slamming your car? One of the good things about adjustable coilover kits is that you can choose some relatively stiff rates and keep the car higher than some lowering springs will allow. The "onepiece" racing kits are definitely cool but you have to find out what kind of support they offer. Choice of spring rates? Damping adjustability? Rebuilding services? Will the threads rust?
Oh, and just to say, you'll also be perfectly fine with a spring/shock combo because autox is something like 90% driver, 10% car...or something to that effect. Just ask CivicracerSi.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 58,579
Likes: 0
From: Lll
Originally posted by Crash&Burn
So, if I wanted a 2.5" drop, and didn't want to face camber problems later, I should get new shocks/struts/springs? I want to lower it 2.5", but don't want to have to spend money fixing more problems later.
So, if I wanted a 2.5" drop, and didn't want to face camber problems later, I should get new shocks/struts/springs? I want to lower it 2.5", but don't want to have to spend money fixing more problems later.
the only camber problem i usually see is on the tire. if you want a 2.5" drop, along with a set of shocks and springs, invest in a camber it. remember to align the car right afterwards and rotate tires every oil change.
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Administrator ☂
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 56,734
Likes: 3
From: NY
Originally posted by agent87
I have to strongly disagree.
The main benefit to coilovers is being able to corner weight and set up the car. You can also choose spring rates to alter handling characteristics. I agree that a manufacturer's spring/shock combo is a good, inexpensive solution but there are compromises built in. Also, negative camber is not detrimental to handling depending on the situation. It can help in autocrossing and track racing (which sman789 seems to be interested in) but it will probably hurt traction in drag racing. You're right though that he does need to decide on exactly what he's looking for with his new setup.
sman789, you're saying you don't care about ride quality so much and you don't care about slamming your car? One of the good things about adjustable coilover kits is that you can choose some relatively stiff rates and keep the car higher than some lowering springs will allow. The "onepiece" racing kits are definitely cool but you have to find out what kind of support they offer. Choice of spring rates? Damping adjustability? Rebuilding services? Will the threads rust?
Oh, and just to say, you'll also be perfectly fine with a spring/shock combo because autox is something like 90% driver, 10% car...or something to that effect. Just ask CivicracerSi.
I have to strongly disagree.
The main benefit to coilovers is being able to corner weight and set up the car. You can also choose spring rates to alter handling characteristics. I agree that a manufacturer's spring/shock combo is a good, inexpensive solution but there are compromises built in. Also, negative camber is not detrimental to handling depending on the situation. It can help in autocrossing and track racing (which sman789 seems to be interested in) but it will probably hurt traction in drag racing. You're right though that he does need to decide on exactly what he's looking for with his new setup.
sman789, you're saying you don't care about ride quality so much and you don't care about slamming your car? One of the good things about adjustable coilover kits is that you can choose some relatively stiff rates and keep the car higher than some lowering springs will allow. The "onepiece" racing kits are definitely cool but you have to find out what kind of support they offer. Choice of spring rates? Damping adjustability? Rebuilding services? Will the threads rust?
Oh, and just to say, you'll also be perfectly fine with a spring/shock combo because autox is something like 90% driver, 10% car...or something to that effect. Just ask CivicracerSi.
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Thread Starter
Don't touch me I'm tender
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,015
Likes: 0
From: Va beach/Blacksburg, VA
Originally posted by EliteAccord
Hi Steve remember me? 
What I recommend is Eibach Prokit with KYB AGX. Check out www.coximport.com great prices free shipping on the KYB AGX. They are reliable, fast and located in North Carolina.:thumbup:
Hi Steve remember me? What I recommend is Eibach Prokit with KYB AGX. Check out www.coximport.com great prices free shipping on the KYB AGX. They are reliable, fast and located in North Carolina.:thumbup:
One-pieces are nice, but their expensiveness is really nice
...maybe later in my life....me=17
h:
9" member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: pittsburgh, PA
Yeah, grab a suspension from COXIMPORT.com I got my TOKICO Blue struts and springs from there for $391 SHIPPED. Thats a sick ass deal. Another good website with cheap suspension prices is OPTAUTO.COM. Good luck.
9" member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: pittsburgh, PA
Coximport.com / OptAuto.com / autotoys.com are three of the best websites in price, speedy shipping, and customer service i've had a chance to do business with. I'd always check those websties before maknig a purchase...
........ and BTW: ELITEACCORD ...... it is friggin' hard to type when right in front of me is that picture you have thats flashing some skin......oooooh.
........ and BTW: ELITEACCORD ...... it is friggin' hard to type when right in front of me is that picture you have thats flashing some skin......oooooh.