New to lowering. How do these springs look?

[juntjoo]

www.extremepsi.com/store/product.php?productid=20740&cat=1400&page=1

I'm assuming I just swap out the existing ones with these? My current struts won't care?

How's two inch drop? I don't want it like the rice rockets you see zipping around like those electric track cars they had popular when I was a little kid circa late 70's.

I was looking at these "coilovers". What's their extra +$600 benefit? ability to adjust (dampness?). pretty expensive investment for an early nineties car. tho...

I saw these:

www.extremepsi.com/store/product.php?productid=16813&cat=1400&page=1

for an extra $100 which state to have 'progressive dampening' or something. That sound good right?

 

[mitsu-man]

The first set of springs would be okay but the the amount it would drop your car in my opinion would be way to much if you plan on DD this car. If it was my choice I would go with the second set of springs, they have a good rep. and they only lower your car 1.5 in. instead of 2 in. like the other ones. If you are going to be replacing your springs and if the original struts are still in the car they are most likely junk. I would also replace the struts if it's in your budget. Coil-overs are a whole different animal, you can adjust ride height and stiffness in most sets, I think they are worth the money and would be worth putting on your car. With coil-overs you would notice a dramatic improvement in handling but it is a harder/ stiffer ride than the lowering springs, Megan Racing makes a good set of coil-overs.

 

[Yomero]

I have a set of Megan coil springs on my car along with Tokico blues, poly bushings and brand new strut mounts, the height is perfect for me and Love the ride. I had never tried the eibach brand myself but only heard good things about it, and coilovers are going to be my next upgrade as soon as I get bore of my setup. I think if you want something good from the beginning and don't mind mess with adjustments just go with coilovers. Just an opinion.

 

[tay97gst]

Keep in mind it's not a great idea to put lowering springs on stock struts, so that's something to take into account also.

 

[n0de]

agreed. The two dsm's in my avatar pic were purchased with bad struts, they shared in common one other thing, both had stock shocks. Now I've never had the experience of putting on lowering springs w/stock shocks, so I wouldn't be able to tell you how long the shocks last, but I will confirm that both cars that I've seen with lowering springs + stock shocks were blown out.

 

[race_me89]

Up until a few years ago I didnt understand the big deal about coil overs and "matching" shocks to the lowering springs. I just thought if the car was lower it automatically handled better boy could I be wrong!

Best comparison came to me a buddy of mine had a stock srt4, after driving it around for a little bit I was excited how well it handled I didn't expect a stock car to feel that tight. Next thing I know he says to me hey I lowered the car, and it drives soo much better. I got in the car and it was the worst ride I have ever taken
I was genuinely upset because the car was bouncing all over the place in corners it was no longer stable or tight
I didn't have the heart to tell him what he had done.

Then I purchased a civic, it was what I thought was the coolest thing ever at the time. The car did however come with things I would never have purchased on my own until I drove it. K sport coil overs with adjustable dampening , strut tower braces, all the control arms with adjustable camber on all four wheels. After driving that car I can never just put coil springs on a car. That car made me understand what it means when people say that car is on rails. I drove that little turd way harder then anyone should drive a civic , but the closest way to describe what it felt like was a go cart. If you turned the wheel it was going no questions asked.

Sorry about my rant just figured I could share when I learned

 

[gieri002]

^ Good stuff.

 

[juntjoo]

Thank you all. So...

What's the harm in putting lowering springs over old struts? Does the shorter travel room make them bottom out or something? Per spring height do you need so much strut strength? Would this be spec that the manufacturers provide?

Also, so coil overs are stiffer than stocks even at their softest setting?

I want them for obvious reasons but might just go the lowering springs/stronger strut solution, but again, how do I shop for struts for aftermarket springs?