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Thread: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

  1. #1
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    Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    I've read the stickied threads about which to buy, and how to choose the right ones but after all that I'm still confused.
    First off, most of the things listed either don't exist anymore, or the links don't work. So I tried using google to find most of the parts, but only Ground Control have the proper coilovers for my 89' Accord Hatchback. But they are listed at $339, which is a bit pricey for just the coilovers (but you can adjust the height which is a big plus). But, reading another thread, they are extremely stiff and would require even more expensive struts. So here's what I'm looking to do;

    -Drop the ride height to a reasonable level (maybe an inch or 2, what do you recommend?)
    -Greatly stiffen and improve handling, because right now the stock suspension is very soft and has a lot of body movement around corners and such.

    I am running soft snow tires still so I know that's a big problem, but I am looking into just buying a new set of wheels, probably steelies and popping the snow tires on those for the winter. Sounds like a good idea to you?

    Also take note that I am 18 years old and just trying to learn So any help would be great appreciated!
    -Thanks.

    EDIT: I found these on eBay, extremely cheap but they seem to do the job. Tell me what you think:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DNA-H...Q5fAccessories

    Also found these struts,
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...Q5fAccessories
    What coilovers would go good with those?

    And here's some H&R Sport Springs
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H-R-S...Q5fAccessories

    Good combo here/bad? Opinions please
    Last edited by james9120; 03-10-2011 at 12:50 PM.



  2. #2
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    your options are very limited these days when it comes to shocks

    only shocks available are tokico blues which are only 10% stiffer than stock. this means you cannot run most of the spings.. some people get away with a 1" to 1.5" drop using those with ok results (depending on how much you tolerate a bouncy ride)

    other than that, the only other option are the k2 coilover/shocks which are pretty expensive, but you get full adjustability

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Quote Originally Posted by frantik View Post
    your options are very limited these days when it comes to shocks

    only shocks available are tokico blues which are only 10% stiffer than stock. this means you cannot run most of the spings.. some people get away with a 1" to 1.5" drop using those with ok results (depending on how much you tolerate a bouncy ride)

    other than that, the only other option are the k2 coilover/shocks which are pretty expensive, but you get full adjustability
    Thanks,
    I'm trying to limit the bouncy ride to the minimum, and k2 as in K2motor.com? If so, they only list CIVIC under the Honda category.

  4. #4
    LXi User 88lxi-shortram's Avatar
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    I think he meant ksport
    88 lxi:
    shortram, msd blaster 2 coil, lowered 2.5" in the rear 3" in the front, stripped because race car XD

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    I think I'm going to skip the ride height drop, it seems anything more than an inch would be expensive and cause other problems, such as with camber.
    So now my main goal would be to stiffen the suspension and improve cornering/handling.

  6. #6
    2.0Si User ShyBoyCA6's Avatar
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Quote Originally Posted by james9120 View Post
    I think I'm going to skip the ride height drop, it seems anything more than an inch would be expensive and cause other problems, such as with camber.
    So now my main goal would be to stiffen the suspension and improve cornering/handling.

  7. #7
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Well stiffer springs helps... Learn about the tophat mod and go from there
    88 lxi:
    shortram, msd blaster 2 coil, lowered 2.5" in the rear 3" in the front, stripped because race car XD

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Quote Originally Posted by ShyBoyCA6 View Post
    I don't get it...
    Seriously, if you don't have anything helpful to say, skip this thread.
    Last edited by james9120; 03-10-2011 at 01:45 PM.

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Quote Originally Posted by 88lxi-shortram View Post
    Well stiffer springs helps... Learn about the tophat mod and go from there
    Thanks, I checked it out, and, if I fully understand, the tophat mod would help take stress off the struts when using lowering springs? And also allow them to travel there full distance?

  10. #10
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Kinda.... Think of it this way: you can buy lowering struts for alot cars but since we can't we basically make it shorter by extending it. Also mushroom toy used ef struts which requires a little custom fitting but as far as I know his setup is legit. Don't cheap out on suspension you get what you pay for. If you can't afford decent stuff hold off and wait til you can because it's better to spend the money once and get something nice than to spend money and then have to spend more compensating for what you wasted. Get what i mean?
    88 lxi:
    shortram, msd blaster 2 coil, lowered 2.5" in the rear 3" in the front, stripped because race car XD

  11. #11

    Fedor B.'s Avatar
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Quote Originally Posted by 88lxi-shortram View Post
    it's better to spend the money once and get something nice than to spend money and then have to spend more compensating for what you wasted. Get what i mean?
    I agree, saving up for something like this.

    http://www.carbodykits.com/85-89-Hon...CHD240-KP.html

    The shipping will already cost me 250,-

  12. #12
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    They are well worth the wait in my books... Just wish I could get some
    88 lxi:
    shortram, msd blaster 2 coil, lowered 2.5" in the rear 3" in the front, stripped because race car XD

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Ahh alright, I see now. Thanks for the help and support.

  14. #14
    SEi User Strugglebucket's Avatar
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    If you don't want to lower it and you just want the car to handle better, get a set of ST sway bars. Or if you're broke, a set from an LX-i will be better than what you have now.
    Originally Posted by Justanothermike
    my A20 is not SLOW. ur A20 is slow.

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Quote Originally Posted by Strugglebucket View Post
    If you don't want to lower it and you just want the car to handle better, get a set of ST sway bars. Or if you're broke, a set from an LX-i will be better than what you have now.
    The lowest year I could find was 90 for an Accord, but 89' for a Civic. Same thing or different? I mean the ST sway bars.

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    they will be different

    here's the bars:
    http://www.autopartsdealer.com/suspe..._content=rank5

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Quote Originally Posted by frantik View Post
    they will be different

    here's the bars:
    http://www.autopartsdealer.com/suspe..._content=rank5
    Ah, thanks a lot for the help.

  18. #18
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    lol i myself have never been able to find those bars but now i found them so i will be getting them .... i think ill be running those bars with gabriel struts on a top hat and a 2.5 - 3" drop... probably 2.5 though because i know with 3 ill have alot of other stuff to do along with it
    88 lxi:
    shortram, msd blaster 2 coil, lowered 2.5" in the rear 3" in the front, stripped because race car XD

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Quote Originally Posted by 88lxi-shortram View Post
    lol i myself have never been able to find those bars but now i found them so i will be getting them .... i think ill be running those bars with gabriel struts on a top hat and a 2.5 - 3" drop... probably 2.5 though because i know with 3 ill have alot of other stuff to do along with it
    What about springs? Just curious

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    sway bars make a HUGE difference btw.. one of the best investments you can make for your car imo..

  21. #21
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Quote Originally Posted by frantik View Post
    sway bars make a HUGE difference btw.. one of the best investments you can make for your car imo..
    And I don't think my struts have ever been replaced, that could be a problem too lol.

  22. #22
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    i have a car for sale that has all this stuff

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned

  23. #23
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    yep a sway bar helps heaps. vigor ones fit too, made a huge difference to my car

  24. #24
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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    Quote Originally Posted by james9120 View Post
    What about springs? Just curious
    Dropzones. But I'm going to do alot more to make sure my struts are ok. I'm going to get mushroomtoy to help me do the tophat and then I'm going to cut a 1/2 inch off of my damper fork so I can get a safe, decent riding, low as. Hell car..... But I'm still debating if I want to do it so extreme maybe just 2.5 But after seeing a a guy on here with his coupe sosososo low I want mine like that to
    88 lxi:
    shortram, msd blaster 2 coil, lowered 2.5" in the rear 3" in the front, stripped because race car XD

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    Re: Help finding the right struts+springs/coilovers?

    I just ordered dropzones as well. Worried about my struts, the only ones available are blues? And can someone explain the tophat?

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