1 Grand limit, what sussy should i get?

[Gio]

Wanting to purchase some shocks for my ek1.

Can get a set of 4 new skunk2 shocks for $400.00.

Any known problems with skunk2 shocks etc?

And what springs should i look at getting to go with them, i want body role minimised massivly, i currently have 15's.

[Sp00ny]

Skunk2 shocks have been known to leak and not have very good life, particularly when the ride height is significantly lowered.

There are many factors to consider when buying suspension to help you decide which setup best suits your needs and budget.

Main Considerations When Buying Suspension:
- Costs
- Ride Height Adjustability
- Damper Adjustability
- Spring Rate
- Ride Comfort, Handling or "Best Balance"?

If you are not going to track your car and don't have any real interest in racing, then a spring shock combo will more than suffice. Depending on your ride comfort and handling demands is where you meet the two to find a set-up that is best suited to your needs.

Firstly;
Progressive Springs: Spring Rate ("Stiffness") increase as compression increases in order to give a "better" balance between handling and comfort.

Linear Springs: Spring Rate is "linear" and does not change regardless of preload. Good for steering response and sharp cornering.


Ride Height
Be careful when choosing springs as the springs will be the main determinant of ride height, you also have to consider that some shocks come with lower spring perches than OEM thus even if you install the shocks with STOCK springs the ride height will be changed.

Spring Rate
Depending how stiff you like your car and your comfort/handling needs will determine the spring rate...unfortunately if you are one to choose comfort over performance...then spring rates don't differ too much and aren't very customizable when it comes to Progressive Springs. Progressive springs will also increase the life of your dampers.

Brand/Recommendations
When it comes to suspension it is important to ensure it is high quality. As the last thing you want is to rebuild them down the track or have to purchase replacements due to premature wear or faulty workmanship. I would recommend buying Japanese/European usually you couldn’t go wrong. (Koni, KYB, Bilstein, Eibach).

I personally have Spoon Springs / KYB AGX Shock combo...Brand new from a local dealer you will pay around $1200 for both...which is expensive for a spring shock combo...but I chose the set for the adjustability of the KYB Shocks and the Spoon Springs currently (according to my research and others) have the highest spring rates of the progressive springs available today. My ride does get bumpy when the dampers are brought up to 3-4 but for comfort when on 1 all round the comfort is stiffer than OEM but still has an OEM Feel

Also if your looking to reduce body roll a Whiteline or similar rear sway bar and reinforcement kit would dramatically reduce body roll and ensure that your ride comfort is kept at an acceptable level for the street. Easily the best value for money suspension modifications for Honda's and other vehicles alike.

Then there is the option of Adjustable Spring Perch coilovers...remember MOST suspension setup's on HONDA's are COILOVERS. Easy way to tell is if the spring and damper combo can be removed as one. The slang term often used on forums "coilovers" refers to a specifically engineered spring/shock combo that has an adjustable spring perch. (For ride height/preload adjustability).

If you have the money and want the greatest handling benefits these are the way to go however they will cost much more than a good set of springs/dampers (equal quality) and I recommend staying away from Taiwanese made coilover setups such as D2 etc.

Recommendations: KYB AGX / Koni Yellow / Eibach

KYB and Koni are fairly readily available from local stockists and traders on this forum.

EDIT: Although I have experienced when changing the height with the Ground Control type kits the ride became stiffer thus increasing rebound force and the wear of the shocks..."string" has emphesised that he has not had these issues on his Ground Control/Koni Yellow Setup...so my criticism is withdrawn

That was longer than expected... -_-

[Gio]

Wow man thanks for the post, some great info there.

[Gio]

basically i want just for street, no track or racing. I just want firm handling, reduced role and lowerd to the top of my tyres

[string]

<e240 Edit: no need lah - keep it civil>

You can't be lowered to the top of your tyres and expect good handling on a street car - you wont' have enough suspension travel for the stiffness of the springs you go for. Riding on front bumpstops = terminal understeer, and unlimited driver frustration. I know this because I've been there and done it with stiffer springs than you will buy.

[Gio]

So what would u suggest then?

[string]

No idea, I'm just telling you that when you lower to the tyres, don't expect miracles.

Do you have a large rear swaybar? If not then you should.

[Gio]

Yeah i have been told its best to have some clearence.

What is the min. you would drop too before it starts affecting the things u talked about?

[Sp00ny]

<e240 Edit: no need lah - keep it civil>

You can't be lowered to the top of your tyres and expect good handling on a street car - you wont' have enough suspension travel for the stiffness of the springs you go for. Riding on front bumpstops = terminal understeer, and unlimited driver frustration. I know this because I've been there and done it with stiffer springs than you will buy.

Sure. I have a mates car that has tokico shocks and ground control kit...which are both only about 2 years old (f/all k's about 15000) it is noticably softer than when he first got it. The car was sitting just above the tyres.

Not with all shocks but you have to remember when you adjust the preload of a linear spring your also causing wear to the shock. ANY SPORTS SHOCK and non-"coilover" set up will wear quicker when used with a linear spring. By preloading a spring you increase its recoil or retraction force thus wearing the valves in the shocks much quicker. A suspension specialist from KYB said to me specificially in an email to NOT USE the ground control type kits.

<e240 Edit: no need lah - keep it civil> You ALSO have to pay close attention to the maximum rate and rebound that the shocks can handle. Remember most sports shocks are not designed for an adjustable spring perch, excluding the koni yellow's; however they do come with one already, so the valving would be stronger etc.

I also stay i would recommend...it wasn't an order...just a recommendation from personal experience.

[string]

On a EK I have no idea, the only way to truly know if you are on the bump-stops is to tie something around the shock shaft and see where it ends up.

Perhaps I over-estimate how much performance you're after, but a nice big rear swaybar (ITR) and some good shocks (even on your stock springs) will give you a great platform to start on.

[string]

By preloading a spring you increase its recoil or retraction force thus wearing the valves in the shocks much quicker.

ALL Springs are preloaded the instant you drop the car onto it's suspension.

KYB and Tokico are garbage shocks if you are after performance - of course they're not recommended for anything but low spring rates.

Once you go linear springs, you'll never look back.

[Gio]

yeah but i want it lower and thos springs are gay