Where do I start? (Lowering)

[VBOMB]

Looking at lowering my Civic hatch 2" or so - can anyone point me in the direction of a good thread/FAQ or recommend what I need? :) Thanks!

[Red_EG4]

There's plenty of ways for you to do it.
Lowering springs with stock shocks.
A sports/lowering spring shock combo.
Adjustable coilovers.

It's really all up to your budget and preferences.
Have a really good search around the net.
Go talk to some specialists.

[VBOMB]

What kind of prices am I looking at? I believe going as far as 2" I'll have to switch from the stock springs - someone mentioned in another thread you may get away with lowering stock springs ~1" or so.

What are the differences between an expensive set and a not so expensive set? I just hate the car looking so high above the wheels is all but suspension wise I'd still want it to be comfortable :)

[--drew--]

Eg4 has got it down :P.

I have mine lowered on super low king springs.
I would say 1-2" lower than stock and and the car handles very well for just super low springs and no other suspension work.

[Red_EG4]

What kind of prices am I looking at? I believe going as far as 2" I'll have to switch from the stock springs - someone mentioned in another thread you may get away with lowering stock springs ~1" or so.

What are the differences between an expensive set and a not so expensive set? I just hate the car looking so high above the wheels is all but suspension wise I'd still want it to be comfortable :)

If you go just a lowered spring on your standard shock you will reduce it's life.
So some people will suggest you swap in aftermarket shocks.
I'm not 100% sure on prices but king springs are around 350 plus installation?

[SHOGUNOVDDRK]

You start with a Budget.

Tell us what you want to spend and we can then help.

[VBOMB]

Under $500 preferably :D I'd rather add aftermarket springs

[SHOGUNOVDDRK]

Then IMO you should bump it up a little more...

Well, its your call (I understand being broke and working on a next to nill budget)

But IMO If you buy some aftermarket shocks and some lowering springs in the long run you will fair better.

Like a 2" drop on OEM shocks are ok but after a while they wear out and you get epic bottoming out.

With the aftermarket shocks their designed for it and will fair better.

[VBOMB]

What else would I add besides aftermarket springs?

[IndoStyler]

you would add after market shocks to go with ur aftermarket springs as the ride will feel better than aftermarket springs on OEM shocks. OEM shocks and aftermarket springs will give u a much more bumpier ride and even more soin the long run when ur OEM shocks are well worn out. if u want to lower ur car and still have the comfortability u'd need to get both aftermarket shocks and springs to suit

[VBOMB]

Can anyone recommend an online shop with a good range of parts in this area? :D Or 'packages' etc?

EDIT: I guess like this but not as expensy lol ;) http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p284.m184&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&item=280381020948&refitem=280383520942&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&viewitem=&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%252BSS%26itu% 3DSI%252BISS%252BUCI%26otn%3D4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&sspagename=MERC_VI_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&itemcount=4&salenotsupported

[Bludger]

with your budget, just chop your current springs

[Chriskoss]

500 you can get some king springs or similar low or super low, I think if you want 2'' lower go king spring low's
they are yellow
your local suspension place should be able to get them in for you for like 250 an end so 500 all up, and if theyre nice theyll put them in for you because you bought it there

or you can ebay it, grab a set of 4 springs and take it to a place and get them fitted

but for 500, you wont be able to get anything else besides springs
good luck

[VBOMB]

What kind of budget should I be looking at for shocks? Would be great if I could get them both fitted at the same time. I don't plan on taking it on a track or anything like that but still want a comfy 'road' drive etc

[SHOGUNOVDDRK]

Or wait untill a Ozhonda member has them for sale (usually very cheap) and then get bennjamin to install them for you

[Bludger]

What kind of budget should I be looking at for shocks? Would be great if I could get them both fitted at the same time. I don't plan on taking it on a track or anything like that but still want a comfy 'road' drive etcthe whole of Ozhomo wants what you want.

good ride, good handling, good everything, but just like the rest of ozhomo, you're not prepared to spend the money.

the proportion of want must equal the proportion of money you let go of.

[VBOMB]

$500 is the budget for the springs. Budget for shocks is whatever I see fit :) keep up negative nancy

[flipfire]

I payed $500 for superlows + installation at wholesale suspensions. But if your shocks are old and worn just go with coil overs. I regret not getting coil overs

[psdaus]

Not trying to hijack the thread but what budget should I be looking for coilovers plus installation for 140xxxkm for 00' Ek Hatch ? Currently have OEM shocks and springs

Again my car is only for sydney roads and don't need top of the range.

[EK1.6LCIV]

depends, going to Fulcrum for ADR approved Tiens (Super Street models) back when I was looking (06') were around $3k installed and supplied, they also provide a rebuild service as well for down the track, worthwhile option imo

I went for the Koni option tho due solely for the use of my car as a daily when they went on, installed and supplied with the sports pack complete with Koni lowering springs installed with a full alignment was $1700

I wont buy Chinese brands when it comes to suspension, just whatever is around with a great warranty, mainly got these as my mates Datsun has them and they havent needed a rebuild in nearly a decade

[psdaus]

Thanks for info...

I was quoted $2K for Koni / Kings superlows combo with wheel alignment so I have been saving for that at the moment.

[EK1.6LCIV]

Thanks for info...

I was quoted $2K for Koni / Kings superlows combo with wheel alignment so I have been saving for that at the moment.

that's still not too bad a price, superlows? dayum, u have a part number for those springs, thought they only sold lows for ek civics?

[SHOGUNOVDDRK]

2k for Springs and Shocks?

GTFO!

TBH You'd best search on US ebay, hell even google can help you.

Please, do lots of shopping around.

If you want to save a little in your pocket you've gotta be patient (that means get it from overseas and wait the X weeks to get it home)

[flipfire]

2k is pretty pricey, you can get Buddyclub N+ installed for less than that. Even BC coilovers for even less.

They sold lows, super and ultra for EK's. I had lows on mine now i got superlows, it isnt really that low to be honest. Still a gap big enough you can stick your hands in.

[EK1.6LCIV]

I remembered grabbing the cat out ages ago on those springs and not seeing anything lower than lower for ek's, nearly bought the dobisons (spelling error) for $250 off the bay back then

shit if u get buddy's installed for that price, I'd do it, but theyre not a ADR legal design, so there goes insurance as theyre a race only part to the best of my knowlegde

[Killa From Manila]

for $500 u can get superlows installed, dont get lows or u will be very dissapointed, even superlows arent very low at all. install it urself and save some money. its easy, only thing u need is spring clamps to compress the spring while u assemble the shock+spring back together and a basic socket set. coilovers are even easier to install coz theres no messing around with the spring abd u can adjust the height to ur needs.

another option would be ground control coilover sleeves with koni shocks, they should be pretty comfy and are also height adjustable.

u will probably end up doin what i did. i got superlows as a quick fix then saved for coilovers coz i wanted it even lower and much better handling

[EK1.6LCIV]

if u get the ground controls, invest in their brand of top hats for the front and back, just throwing it out there

[psdaus]

Any recommendations store (sydney) ? as I'm not very technical with cars.
I read in other threads some suggestions were at Moorebank & Penrith

Any others I should try ?

Again many thanks for all your input

[VBOMB]

I just want it 2" lower .. can't suspension shops organize to have it lowered to that exact extent?
and yeah I do most my shopping from overseas anyway :D even my wheels and they fit great

(bennjamin offered to install etc too so if I got them off ebay I'd be ready to go)

[SHOGUNOVDDRK]

Believe me, just wait for some EG or EK springs to pop up on the forum and buy those :thumbsup:

Get Ben to do it :)

Even if you get them from a trader here.

[VBOMB]

Will do, might shoot Ben a PM and see what he thinks too

I might be ok for a few months on springs alone until something else pops up, we'll see :D

[Red_EG4]

I just want it 2" lower .. can't suspension shops organize to have it lowered to that exact extent?
and yeah I do most my shopping from overseas anyway :D even my wheels and they fit great

(bennjamin offered to install etc too so if I got them off ebay I'd be ready to go)
Only if the lowered springs are rated for that height or you you put in adjustable height coilovers with enough range for a 2 inch drop.
They can't make magic happen out of nothing.