Opionins on Suspension and Exhaust 00' EK

[Amanda]

Hi Guys,

Id like a few opinions of some suspension and exhaust setups for my car. I own a 2000 Civic Cxi Manual Hatchback. Ill start off with stating what I want to get out of these mods.

Suspension: Id like a bit of a drop. My car has aftermarket 17" rims (Lite 7's), and I would like to reduce the fender gap but dont want any rubbing or scraping at all as it will be a daily. It would mostly be for the asthetics but if I can manage to get better handling out of it then that would be great aswell.

Exahust: Id like a setup that sounds nice and deep when acelerating (no ricey loud crap). I currently have the stock muffler/exhaust on my car.

I dont have a huuuge budget for these things but if you have an idea of price then could you please list that aswell? :thumbsup:


I could do the labour myself so that isnt a problem. Cheers in advance for your replies :)


Amanda.

[Limbo]

suspension - get some springs to drop about 1.5" should be fine, will help slightly with handling. cost should be around $200 -250.
Handling wise i'd recommend a rear swaybar will be best bang for buck on this car.

Exhaust get a cat back 2" will be fine. Mandrel or press won't matter too much.
A good quality muffler will help, Magnaflow make some nice ones. again about $250+ depending on your muffler.

[EK1.6LCIV]

Hi Guys,

Id like a few opinions of some suspension and exhaust setups for my car. I own a 2000 Civic Cxi Manual Hatchback. Ill start off with stating what I want to get out of these mods.

Suspension: Id like a bit of a drop. My car has aftermarket 17" rims (Lite 7's), and I would like to reduce the fender gap but dont want any rubbing or scraping at all as it will be a daily. It would mostly be for the asthetics but if I can manage to get better handling out of it then that would be great aswell.

Exahust: Id like a setup that sounds nice and deep when acelerating (no ricey loud crap). I currently have the stock muffler/exhaust on my car.

I dont have a huuuge budget for these things but if you have an idea of price then could you please list that aswell? :thumbsup:


I could do the labour myself so that isnt a problem. Cheers in advance for your replies :)


Amanda.

Suspension you cant go past Cuscos coilovers for value, I personally run Koni Yellow struts and Koni springs for the daily properties they offer and the height isnt a big change (40mm)


As for exhaust, I'd look at some s/s ebay headers 4-2-1 prob pick up for under 300, then have an exhaust shop cutom make up a 2" system with a cat, resonator and muffler of your choice at the rear out of mild steel for a good price, will sound nice

[Amanda]

Thanks Limbo. What springs and swaybar would you recommend? ie. brand

[Amanda]

Suspension you cant go past Cuscos coilovers for value, I personally run Koni Yellow struts and Koni springs for the daily properties they offer and the height isnt a big change (40mm)


As for exhaust, I'd look at some s/s ebay headers 4-2-1 prob pick up for under 300, then have an exhaust shop cutom make up a 2" system with a cat, resonator and muffler of your choice at the rear out of mild steel for a good price, will sound nice

How much for Koni parts for the setup you are running? Im not sure if I want coilovers.. (or is what you have coilovers??... sorry Im suspension noob)

Amanda.

[EK1.6LCIV]

for rear sway bar I'd go a stock ek4/em1 one for the rear (wreckers still have em), the front will be fine, you're not tracking your car are you? for daily duties the stock will suffice. But if you were to go a thick rear sway bar (22mm) you'd be up for 300 for a ASR brace & 250 for the sway bar and fittings

I only have Koni Struts (coilovers have the ability to change height by winding up the spring using a wrench) I dont run coilovers, I see it only being benefical to race cars imo. My set up was $1000, call up Fulcrum for the parts as I bought them yrs ago and prices have changed (gotten cheaper) Plus they are made to suit your car as a direct replacement, nothing to mod or change, out with old in with new. I love them, as they have dampening adjustment :)

[jesmine0]

U can get some extra low king spring for very cheap price. I had them in my EK n it drop like 1.5 - 2". But it doesn't change much for handling.
If u wan better handling, ASR reinforcement kit is very good option (<$300). The first time i install it into my car without other reinforcements, I feel instant change on the handling. Highly recommended. :P

As from EK1.6LCIV, just get cheap ebay exhaust n change a better muffler. You can get wat u wan.

[Gio]

for rear sway bar I'd go a stock ek4/em1 one for the rear (wreckers still have em), the front will be fine, you're not tracking your car are you? for daily duties the stock will suffice. But if you were to go a thick rear sway bar (22mm) you'd be up for 300 for a ASR brace & 250 for the sway bar and fittings

I only have Koni Struts (coilovers have the ability to change height by winding up the spring using a wrench) I dont run coilovers, I see it only being benefical to race cars imo. My set up was $1000, call up Fulcrum for the parts as I bought them yrs ago and prices have changed (gotten cheaper) Plus they are made to suit your car as a direct replacement, nothing to mod or change, out with old in with new. I love them, as they have dampening adjustment :)

Na Ryan i called fulcrum and prices have rocketed due to the economy.

No bingo.

[Amanda]

If I look into getting a stock ek4/em1 rear sway bar, and then just getting some King Low or Super Low springs... would this still be ok handling wise and be ok on my stock struts (car has done 91xxx kms)?? That $1000+ price tag is scaring me off a bit :eek:

[SiReal]

EK1.6CIV, great recommendations but a little overkill for her intended purpose.

Get a stock Honda EK4 VTiR or EM1 VTiR Rear sway bar (very rare - good luck). and get a set of lowering springs that aren't TOO low. for example, kings lows or eibach prokit (a little more pricey).

as for the exhaust, just get an xforce twin loop from axle back. keep is relatively quiet whilst not looking as cheap as a coffee can.

dont spend too much money on a car during this time when exchange rates are crap. if possible, just wait till the economy gets better.

[Gio]

i have eibachs (Y)

[Amanda]

How much of a drop could I go before i'd need to get aftermarket struts/shocks aswell? If I only needed to get some springs for the ride height im after, then its all cool and dandy.

Here is an example of my car at its current height:
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/8177/civicsidejpgji7.png (http://imageshack.us)

[RtN]

EK1.6CIV, great recommendations but a little overkill for her intended purpose.

Get a stock Honda EK4 VTiR or EM1 VTiR Rear sway bar (very rare - good luck). and get a set of lowering springs that aren't TOO low. for example, kings lows or eibach prokit (a little more pricey).

as for the exhaust, just get an xforce twin loop from axle back. keep is relatively quiet whilst not looking as cheap as a coffee can.

dont spend too much money on a car during this time when exchange rates are crap. if possible, just wait till the economy gets better.

I might have those on sale soon in maybe a month?

[MikeyG]

hey,

for the height

Race Nation has them for quite cheap actually with or without koni

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55669

for exhaust honeslty cant really give an opinion, i would say get a mugen twin loop but that 900>

[Amanda]

Anyone have a review on these?
D2 Adjustable coilover Suspension

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/D2-Adjustable-Suspension-HONDA-CIVIC-EK-96-00_W0QQitemZ150320472401QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car_ Parts_Accessories?hash=item150320472401&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66&#37;3A4%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

VERSUS

BC Adjustable Coilovers

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BC-Adjustable-Coilovers-NEW-HONDA-CIVIC-EP3-2000-On_W0QQitemZ390024173500QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car_ Parts_Accessories?hash=item390024173500&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[twing]

I was thinking about coilovers, but ask yourself: how often are you going to adjust them?

My suggestion: koni yellows + OEM spring. Koni yellows allow height adjustment too..
only by an inch though. not much.

[Amanda]

I was thinking about coilovers, but ask yourself: how often are you going to adjust them?

My suggestion: koni yellows + OEM spring. Koni yellows allow height adjustment too..
only by an inch though. not much.

I dont think I would adjust them too much... Probably set and leave. As long as I have a nice drop with no tyre rubbing or clearance issues.

[twing]

What is your nice drop?
If you after 1+ inch then go for coilover, otherwise go for koni yellows.
Koni is made to perform, not just for look.
I think you can get a set of koni yellows cheaper than those coilovers.

[EK1.6LCIV]

x2 can't think or name a better shock absorber

plus you can adjust them with a Ground Control sleeve kit made for them if you want


otherwise combo the Koni Yellow with a Kings Spring and you're laughin :D

[Amanda]

Ok, this is sounding then like a better option for me than coilovers... as I wont be adjusting them much..

What could I expect to pay for a full set of Koni Yellows?

[twing]

check the trader, they sell them... or search for 'koni yellow' in the forum

[nd55]

I you're gonna go with Koni yellows, ask for the Koni SSK kit.

SSK = Yellows and a set of matched lowered springs.

Nick.

[spuderump]

get GAB fully adjustible suspension got it on my EK handles like a dream

[Amanda]

The combo I have decided on for my susp. is Koni Yellows running the hardest setting with Kings Low springs. Will update once I have installed something.

[nd55]

> is Koni Yellows running the hardest setting with Kings Low springs.

I think running the shock settings harder than necessary is a route to shortened shock life.

IIRC 1/4 on the front and 1/2 on the back was a recommended setting.

> I own a 2000 Civic Cxi Manual Hatchback

Get a second hand VTi-R 14mm rear sway bar. For the 'Value' upgrade.

IMHO, dump the exhaust uprade and go with a 26mm front swaybar and 23mm rear/subframe brace.

Then get an alignment to realize the suspension's potential. (zero toe, 2-2.5 neg camber front 1-1.5 rear.).


Nick.

[Amanda]

Hmm ok, thanks for that tip Nick.

[EK1.6LCIV]

the firm setting will not effect it's life... lol, they're an adjustable damper, that's what they have ebeen engineered to do... these will out last a Civic's life time

Been running mine for alot longer and many more ks than ppl with coilovers that cost triple the price on similar firmness settings and they get inspected every 6 months by myself and my mech and they're still just as new

[dahon]

nice choice on the konis...
but did u consider secondhand/used ek9 sussy
lowers by only say an inch & improves alot on stock oem springs.

as for sways... anything over oem would be overkill for normal road use.. (and damn expensive)

[Frankie]

if you do suspension upgrade got to remember to change the oem camber aswell

[kriZy]

does EKs come stock with 26mm front sway bar?

[Limbo]

does EKs come stock with 26mm front sway bar?

yup.


I'd recommend a whiteline 22mm rear sway if your want better handling, but anything is better than none.

If you do get the whiteline one your gonna need an ASR brace(that's my recommendation)

[siir]

guys.. will the ek4 & em1 vtir front & rear sway be a straight bolt on?
also if u have 99' cxi - what's needed for upgrades ie. lca, bushings, etc??

[EK1.6LCIV]

guys.. will the ek4 & em1 vtir front & rear sway be a straight bolt on?
also if u have 99' cxi - what's needed for upgrades ie. lca, bushings, etc??

the front is the same as the vti

the rear to install the stock ek4/em1 sway bar to ur cxi you'll need everything in my thread, I did everything for under $120 using only brand new oem mounting brackets :D

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101739

[RtN]

I got the mounting bracket + stock sway FS =] if u need i g0t.

[dahon]

guys.. will the ek4 & em1 vtir front & rear sway be a straight bolt on?
also if u have 99' cxi - what's needed for upgrades ie. lca, bushings, etc??

check if your car has rear sway bar holes in your rear lcas and if they dont get lcas with sway bar holes... if they do have holes then as above check out ek1.6c's post

[paps02]

dont buy cheap headers off ebay.. you pay for what you get on that place and you'l find they will either not be perfect fit or have bad worksmanship and be made of cheap product..

if you are really concerned about your budget a set of stiff springs will do the job and not require the adjustable shocks. i have been running kings since iv owned my car and the handling is fine for what i do...

xforce twin loop axle back ftw!!!

[siir]

the front is the same as the vti

the rear to install the stock ek4/em1 sway bar to ur cxi you'll need everything in my thread, I did everything for under $120 using only brand new oem mounting brackets :D

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101739


thanks heaps for the info bro :)

[siir]

I got the mounting bracket + stock sway FS =] if u need i g0t.

just curious.. which one are you selling? em1 or ek4?
would that be front & back?

cheers..

** sorry to the OP for dropping in ;)

[dahon]

^^ em1 and ek4 rear sways are the same, same mounting brackets etc
pretty sure all civics come with front sways that dont really need to be upgraded...
just add a rear sway and voila...

[vinnY]

afaik cxi's didn't come with front sway bars, though i think the gli/vti's came with 22mm fronts? whilst the ek4/ek9 had 26mm front sways

might need different lca's to have a front sway bar added to a cxi, may not have the endlink holes
i believe the rear lca's on all ek's were identical though, none were without sway bar holes unlike eg's

[siir]

afaik cxi's didn't come with front sway bars, though i think the gli/vti's came with 22mm fronts? whilst the ek4/ek9 had 26mm front sways

might need different lca's to have a front sway bar added to a cxi, may not have the endlink holes
i believe the rear lca's on all ek's were identical though, none were without sway bar holes unlike eg's


anyone can confirm? ek4 & ek9 has the same size for front? i guess for the rear should be different... also what is the measurement for both?
thx :)

[kriZy]

FRONT
ek4 and ek9 both have 26mm front.

REAR
EK9 - 22mm Rear Sway bar for sure cause i have an OEM one installed in my EK4 with ASR support
EK4 - rear sway bar im not sure, i think its like 16mm-18mm

[vinnY]

oem ek4 is 14mm

[EK1.6LCIV]

the difference going from not having a rear sway to even adding the ek4 is noticable

[dahon]

^^ trudat...
ek4 rear sway + fatter tyres are perfect & cheap for a daily street setup...

[Mullensxxx]

i think it all really comes down 2 how much u wanna spend, obiously for suspension the cheap options are replacing the springs (king springs etc) ex[esive options are the coilover packages fightex are around the 3k mark from memory :P

exausts like easiest option would be just go 2 a muffler shop and get a custom 2" cat back with a nice muffler, D series IMO are not really worth spending 2 much money on

if ur planing on keeping the car for its whole life id really recomend spending the extra money and buy some quality parts, do it once do it right has always been a good saying 2 live by, but yeh end of the day comes down 2 u and whats more important 2 u, personally i would wait and get the quality part opposed 2 getting the cheap and nasty now

end of the day forums can create alot of confusion due 2 many people having differnt opnions as 2 whats the best for u but i think u have

just my 2c

[siir]

thanks guys... :)

* btw i prefer doing it rite, and gud quality parts but not spending hardcore :)

** Sorry for hijack Yo **