What's up with struts (lowering)?

[TeKKnoTeKK]

I really just wanted to know why when you lower it a certain amount, why would you need a special strut?.....I mean, is it a set amount, say, 3"+? Or just a recommendation? Cuz I know a shorter bodied strut would be better, but I don't see where to begin lol. I plan on gettin coilovers and lowering another 1.5-2", so I guess a 4" drop or so (crazy).

[GDGuy11B]

i think its because lowering springs are stiffer than OE Springs, so you need aftermarket struts to handle the stiffness. correct me if I'm wrong Jim!

Micah

[Jims 86LXI HB]

Originally posted by TeKKnoTeKK
I really just wanted to know why when you lower it a certain amount, why would you need a special strut?.....I mean, is it a set amount, say, 3"+? Or just a recommendation? Cuz I know a shorter bodied strut would be better, but I don't see where to begin lol. I plan on gettin coilovers and lowering another 1.5-2", so I guess a 4" drop or so (crazy).

Micah, he's going a different direction with his question about shorter bodied struts, but yes even the shorter bodied struts need to be firmer.

Well the reason a shorter bodied strut is a good idea is because, going that low you dramatically increase the likely hood that your bottom out the strut. That is one of the single most damaging things you can do to it. And I could see a argument that the strut won't work as well if it's asked to operate in the top upper most range of travel all it's life, kinda out of it's sweat spot in the middle. You can purchase a pair of Koni's and have them shortned by Koni. That shortning will cost a extra $65 each. Or you could call Koni and ask for a tech named Gordon and tell him you need to compair the bottom mount to top mounting lengths, rod length's, minimum rod(or piston) length's and maximum rod length's, between 3rd gen struts and 2nd and 3rd gen integra struts. I would highly recommend that you purchase the sport model if the demension's work. But you might be able to sqeek by with KYB AGX adjustable's. I asked the same questions concerning the 4th gen accord struts and found out they are way to long to use on our cars. If you can't get ahold of gordon at Koni, you can find out what you need by calling Jack at Bilstein.

[TeKKnoTeKK]

Hey Jim what were the struts you mentioned.....they were integra struts I think, KYB's?

[Jims 86LXI HB]

Originally posted by TeKKnoTeKK
Hey Jim what were the struts you mentioned.....they were integra struts I think, KYB's?

Well what I'm talking about is finding out if the travel range of 2nd and 3rd gen integra struts match up with the 3rd gen accord. We already have a member that say's he's using stock teg struts he pulled from a junk yard. But what we don't know is if it's a good idea. I't entirely possible that the teg strut piston can't travel as far as you could need for the 3rd gen accord. I will try and call and speak to either Koni or Bilstein to do the math on this. If it makes sense to me, I will call KYB and try and find out the demensions of the AGX strut for the teg.

If you notice, I pretty mention the KYB AGX almost in passing. They seam to be more suiteable for mild spring rates, ground controls would be in the upper limit's of what could be called, mild. The AGX's can be had for $86 each, cheap for a performance adjustable strut.