Bang for Buck: ek9 springs/shocks on Em1/Ek4

[Alvis]

You can do it yourself with a mate. Tricky (and dangerous part) is separating springs and shocks. There are heaps of DIYs out there. All 1996-00 Civics are the same.

Thanks for all the replies guys. Keep the info coming.

Thanks man, yeh I've had a bit of a look around and looks as though I'll need one of those coil guns so can remove top of damper.

But I'm glad to say i finally decided to order a set of the Spoon progressive springs from that NZ auto company!

+ also got Mugen front strut bar - got a good price because even though it's brand new they don't have the original Mugen box it came in, but still comes with all the parts - they'll just put it in another box

Have you decided what option you're going?

[Mikecivic78]

no not yet. I'm planning to do sussy feb/mar. I'll keep my options open.

[vinnY]

not massive, but the CTR will be more comfortable.
But if im paying money, i would get the Spoon..

actually.. fark them all get the eibach sportlines

don't think anyone here's keen on a 2.5" drop

always wondered, when spoon claims 20mm drop what car are they claiming this on? ek9? ek4? ek1?

[mugen_ctr]

if im not mistaken, they only work on the ek9 models, the flagship model, so odds are its for ek9, never seen spoon work on a ek4

[Alvis]

don't think anyone here's keen on a 2.5" drop

Agreed lol - must be this perception out there that the lower your car is, the better it is. I seriously don't get it. I just laugh at people with ridiculous drops.

always wondered, when spoon claims 20mm drop what car are they claiming this on? ek9? ek4? ek1?

That's actually a really good question. I checked out the Spoon website and it says 'EK4/EK9' - so who knows what that means...

But I looked at the spring rates they list as 'standard' on the Spoon website and they are FRONT: 3.6kg and REAR: 2kg.

http://www.spoon.jp/eng/details.php?...md=civic&cid=5

Now that's no where near the 4.3kg stated for the standard CTR front and rear - it's actually more like the EM1 Si model if you look back at the spring rates on the previous page... so kinda weird huh...???

[Alvis]

ok thought a few visuals might help us:

Stock EK9:

By civica at 2011-01-07

Spoon Progressive Springs and Damper Kit:

By civica at 2011-01-04


Doesn't look 20mm lower than stock EK9 to me... looks more like it's based on an EK4 or EM1/EJ6/8 drop based on these photos


Stock EK4:


By civica at 2011-01-07

This is the rear, but you get the idea with height:


By civica at 2011-01-07


EM1/EJ6/8:


By civica at 2011-01-07

looks like a tank the poor car! how could Honda not give it lower springs lol

[DC5.Raven]

don't think anyone here's keen on a 2.5" drop

always wondered, when spoon claims 20mm drop what car are they claiming this on? ek9? ek4? ek1?

Personally I think a 2.5 drop is quite nice on an EM1, which is what the Skunk2 Springs offered.
Then again each to their own.

Here's a pic btw:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k..._/0fbd6304.jpg

Got the springs but never had a chance to install it before I sold the car

[Alvis]

Just another post for your info guys - I just had a niggling feeling after i bought Spoon springs that EK4 dampers were different to EK1 and I might blow my EK1 shocks; but I can confirm in the below post EK4 dampers = same as EK1 dampers.

EK4 has stiffer springs, thicker sway bars etc, but dampers are the same read the article if interested lol

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/archive...p/t-23566.html

[mugen_ctr]

i alway suspected that ek4 an ek1 suspension was similar if not the same, i cant imagine honda making different dampers for ek1 an ek4, since they both are mass produced, an making 2 differnt types of dampers for near identicle cars seems bad move from business pov. makes sense to make stiffer springs, as its much cheaper to manufacture em.

Ek9 on the other hand is a proper sports car, so i cant see honda really cheaping out on sus parts

[Alvis]

yeh makes sense to me too, I don't think they would have made different dampers either plus Honda was starting to 'skimp' on the Civic in the late 90's/early 00's.

I'm a little concerned how the stock dampers will go with the new springs, but guess I'll find out soon enough when the parts arrive

[mugen_ctr]

yeh makes sense to me too, I don't think they would have made different dampers either plus Honda was starting to 'skimp' on the Civic in the late 90's/early 00's.

I'm a little concerned how the stock dampers will go with the new springs, but guess I'll find out soon enough when the parts arrive

Just to give u an idea, im running kings lowered (2 finger gaps) on stock ek1 dampers.. the ride does feel firmer, an u feel the bumps alot more, but the spring rates on kings are crap hole, slighty stiffer than oem, but no where near as good as spoon, so id imagine spoon springs will feel totally different to what im feeling

[Alvis]

Well, they finally came guys - springs arrived in the mail today:

Will let you know how they ride on the stock dampers when installed (+ just got Mugen front tower bar) and leave feedback

This is the company I ended up getting them from - excellent customer service and fast shipping, so definitely recommend them:
http://www.fortyone.co.nz/