Greetings all. I am on the cusp of purchasing a pre-owned (ummm, duh - whoops) 00,01, or 99 Prelude. I am not new to Hondas, or modifications for that matter, but modifying Hondas, yes.

Soon after purchasing, improving the handling / aesthetics will be my first upgrade. i.e. A set of Eibach Pro-Kit or H&R Sport Springs (H&Rs too low? Tucked?), and some shocks to complement them. I am considering Eibach because I’ve seen and had friends use their products before, and trust their quality; H&R are in consideration from research here.

1.) shock recommendation?

From my searches here, this seems to sum it up pretty well. Is this the general consensus?

2.) With these springs, either Eibach PK or H&R SS, is a camber kit needed for just a 1.4” drop? Eibach recommends it. Per TireRack’s website ‘Lowers: Avg Low 1.3"F 1.3"R’

3.) If not an Eibach kit, who else make a quality camber kit?

Eibach KIT DETAIL
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/e...ded+Align.+Kit

Eibach PK SPRING DETAIL
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/e...Kit+Spring+Set

H&R SS SPRING DETAIL
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/h...ort+Spring+Set


4.) Obviously, with the factory 16s, the gap will be larger than with the 17s down the road, but just a a guess, how much space, finger gaps, do these kit allow between the top of the wheel and the fender? I don’t want a “tucked” look, simply a tad lower with a little firmer ride and less roll. (Sways and STBs come later[and wheels, and tires…..])

5.) An finally, once you’ve made you recommendations, do you guys have sponsoring / non-sponsoring vendors here that can be trusted for great service and reliability.

Thanks for all your help.

 

I'd go wtih Koni Yellows as well, I've never heard anyone say anying but good about them. Another consideration would be Ground Control coilovers using the Koni Yellows, that way you can adjust ride height.

 

Howdy 'Guy'. I just wanted to tell you that your Prelude is about dead on what I hope to accomplish with regard to aesthitics in the near future. Very clean.

Now about the coilovers........

#1.) I have the perhaps, (mis)conception that they are all stiff and uncomfortable to navigate on typical city streets. I won't be tracking the car, so a little firmer with less roll, I think can be accomplished by spings and shocks. Right?

#2.) I don't forsee the need to be able to adjust the height of the body.

I mean, what do you really get with coilovers? Is there like a coilover FAQ somewhere I can study up on?

 

IIRC there was a really good write up on the grassroots motorsports page a while back on coilovers. The ride wtih coilovers is dependant on both the shocks and springs used. Something like a TEIN HA which I have is pretty stiff and if you want a nice city ride there not for you. I'd say your correct in looking for a spring/shock combo. For springs I would only want Eibach or Tanabe since I've read good things about both, and for shocks of course only the best in the Koni Yellows.

 

I'm riding on GC's with Koni Yellows, and I'm very pleased with the ride. Rates are 350F/280R if I'm not mistaken, so they aren't much stiffer than a typical set of aftermarket springs, although they do have linear rates. While a good set of aftermarket springs/shocks will be fine for your purposes, the notion that coilover sleeves/systems lead to unstreetable ride quality is a myth. As long as you go with a set of good shocks, you should be fine. I would go so far as to say that Koni yellows are probably the most widely used shocks in SCCA SoloII.

As for adjustability, it's been a saving grace in preventing tire rub when I went from 15" to 17" wheels.

Shingo

 

This is the one idea I've been thinking about over the ast couple days, thus steering me to the GCs.

Thanks guys.

 

If it snows in your area, then you have the additional option of raising the ride height during the winter months. I mentioned GC's just because everyone and their mom in Solo II uses them. The cheaper sleeves/systems are junk, and I doubt you'll need the more expensive true coilover units.

You also don't have to worry about uneven drops, and you can adjust your height for the "perfect" look. Mind you there are several different versions of the GC's, and custom spring rates are available for an additional price.

I'm starting to sound like a Ground Control Rep.

Shingo

 

LOL

No, no; by all means; I need the info. I'm still reading up on the GCs, and truly want to go with a quality setup and I've read nothing but good things about them. Here's one good article I've found so far.

http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/groundc...dcontrol.shtml

But that guys changed and revalved so much, I'm not sure which setup would be right for me.

Therefor, I do have questions about how to really guage what spring weights I'll need. I basically want a firmer, lower ride, without filling-rattling harshness.

I will want to be able to crank it down to be stiff on occasion. I won't be tracking the car, just every now and again going out for spirited drives.

So how to pick spring rates?

 

With the GC's you will be stuck with the spring rates you order; there's no way of varying it once it's on the car. (besides ordering new springs).

The rates depend on what you're going to use your car for. The stock GC rates for their koni edition will work excellent on the street and for the casual autocrosser.

One warning about custom rates: the koni yellows are only valved to be able to handle a certain range of springrates. Revalving koni yellows for higher springrates + the custom springs themselves will run you well past a full coilover setup. So unless you're an avid autocrosser/road racer, I would stick with the stock rates. The koni yellows are adjustable for rebound only (or is it bound? uh oh... h: ) and this will primarily decide ride quality. Softest setting for freeway driving, turn it up a notch for competition (2 full rotations = stiffest setting)

Otherwise, I think you're question about springrates would be better handled in the competition forum. I know preludes are heavier than our integs but I've seen many people run anywhere from 350F/400R to 400F/550R (stiffer in rear for better rotation). I think the koni yellows can handle up to rates of 600 before requiring a revalve. You also have the option of getting shorter springs/shocks for better handling if you plan to really dump your car to the ground.

But yeah, I would stick with the stock GC rates. All of the above custom mumbo jumbo will probably run equivalent to a Mugen N1 Coilover system. You can ask around in the competition forum before deciding. I'll stop whoring the prelude forum now

Shingo