How low can i go?

**CvcResponse** · 24-11-2007 04:13 PM

I'm looking to lower my 2000 ek civic - it has 16" wheels, stock suspension. I'm planning to get new springs (koni or eibach) and shock absorbers (probably koni).

Currently there is a 7-7.5 cm gap between the wheel frame and tyre at the front, 6.5-7 cm gap at rear (slightly smaller). I was hoping to drop the car by 2 inches or approx 5 cm.. leaving about a 2 cm gap or enough to comfortably fit one finger through. Lowest ground clearance point is currently at 18-19 cm.

First question - would new springs/absorbers be enough with this adjustment? I don't really feel like doing anything else.

I went to a koni specialist shop and got a quote on some koni springs/shock absorbers. The guy told me i could lower it 3.5 cm max, as it was the maximum recommendation for my car model. The springs, shocks and installment was gonna cost $1500-2000 which seems ok but it's just not low enough for my liking.. i wonder if ppl could even tell its been lowered at all.

I live in Victoria and according to vicroads i think these are the legal requirements - minimum ground clearance 10 cm, clearance between a suspension component and its associate bump stop is not altered by more than 1/3rd of manufacturer specification - i'm not sure what is the manufacturer specs or how to work it out... but i've seen countless civics lowered to what i want plus lower (no gap). Must you add further mods to lower it more than the recommended max or something? Or its just plain illegal ..

I was going to try a different place like Donnellans early next week, someone here recommended them. Will they also say i cant go lower than 3.5 cm? I'd like to stay legal but find it hard to believe thats as low as i can go.. still a significant gap left to pay 1.5-2k for.

**SiReal** · 24-11-2007 05:35 PM

you have two options.

1. Spring/Shock combo - whereby the lowering height will be permanent. Have to disassemble stock strut unit and pull bits over to the new setup.

2. Coilovers - Fully adjustable height. Fully assembled, 'plug and play'.

Seeing that you dont 100% know what height you want, I would suggest coilovers. Coilovers for EK are plentiful and can easily be had for $1.5K to $2K.

If its too low, you can raise it up. and vice versa.

But take your time in buying suspension. Its a big investment into a car.

edit: 3.5 cm is not worth the investment if you are after looks. It will probably handle better than a car slammed to the ground as it will preserve the cars centre of gravity

**kingyy** · 24-11-2007 07:55 PM

i have a 00ek and i have 2 inch kings all way around and it looks ok and i have 17" rims

here are some pics when lowered 2"

my car scrubs out now... no way i am going lower

**CvcResponse** · 25-11-2007 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by SiReal

you have two options.

1. Spring/Shock combo - whereby the lowering height will be permanent. Have to disassemble stock strut unit and pull bits over to the new setup.

2. Coilovers - Fully adjustable height. Fully assembled, 'plug and play'.

Seeing that you dont 100% know what height you want, I would suggest coilovers. Coilovers for EK are plentiful and can easily be had for $1.5K to $2K.

If its too low, you can raise it up. and vice versa.

But take your time in buying suspension. Its a big investment into a car.

edit: 3.5 cm is not worth the investment if you are after looks. It will probably handle better than a car slammed to the ground as it will preserve the cars centre of gravity

Yeah i considered coilovers but thought they were a more hardcore option lol but i'll reconsider them for sure. I presume i'd still have to get them adjusted at a proper workshop if i wanna change the height but that wouldnt cost much. Thanks for the advice

kingyy ur car looks great. I dont know why but it seems the hatchbacks have a lower stock suspension than ek sedans, especially the 99-00 eks.. mine is as high as a kite and wouldnt be as low as urs when dropped 2 inches heh Thats why its fustrating for someone to say i can only go 3.5 cms max, not quite 1.5 inches even.
Is it just the springs u changed? anything else u had to do?

**elim** · 26-11-2007 09:41 AM

to answer your question: yes it's doable with springs and shocks. I think with the yellow koni, the bottom perch sits the car 1" lower than stock and if you install lowered springs (eibach or kings) then it will lower the car even more.

dude, my suggestion is to go coilovers if possible because:
1) the differences in prices may not be significant (i havent checked latest pricing and it also depends on brands/models)
2) with coilovers, the springs and shocks are designed to work with one another. If you buy these two items separate then you have to spend more time researching which spring works best with which shocks plus going lowered springs will wear out shocks faster especially stock ones lol.
3) as SiReal pointed out, you have flexibility of height.

lowered with kings:

lowered with coilovers: