Raul112

Hello peeps, just bought a 98 civic lx and been wanting to lower it. However I don't know if I should purchase lowering spring or coilovers? My goal is to better the suspension on the vechile to the point where it rides smooth. Keep in mind I''m a noob to this whole new Civic world but I greatly appreciate the advice and love. So please help a brotha out.

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

I have had both and would just get coilovers. They offer so much more adjustability to really fine tune the suspension. The springs were nice at first but I quickly sold them for coilovers.

Raul112

What would be the best site for either one?

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Who ever is cheaper. Some sites that come to mind are CarID and Evasive Motorsports. eBay has some sellers, used is always a good option.

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

thmotorsports

corsport?

Raul112

If I buy spring do I have to buy struts to lower it, or do I keep the original ones on?

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

highly recommended you buy new struts. You don't have to, per se, but you will in the near future, depending on how much lowering the springs provide.

Raul112

I also read that it would be better to buy a chamber kit along with the springs and struts, since the alignment would be off once lowered. What I read was BS? Or the guy actually had some sense behind his article?

Also Is there any brand y'all recommend? My budget would range anywhere from 100-500

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

what does that budget include....?

and yes, when you lower the car, camber will go off. Camber kit if you wanna save money on tires.

Raul112

Well at first my budget was $300 (max) just for springs. Not knowing the information I know now. So now my budget would consist of $650 max for springs., Struts and camber kit, I just want to lower my Civic about an inch or so. But I guess in doing so I would need all the above.

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

Here was my first setup, with approximate prices I paid. My car is a 2002 coupe

Tein s-tech springs, ~150 (gave me ~1.5" drop)
Tokico HP struts, ~500
SPC camber kit, ~130

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

I can help with this. I have a used set I can sell you.

For that budget you could possibly get some Tein coilovers.

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

Dont think they'll fit OP's car, nate. OP has a 98 LX

Raul112

"Radom stupid" question here lol, what's the different between choosing springs over the coilovers? Obviously, the price being one but product wise?

Btw nice set up. I actually narrowed my options to tein springs but haven't actually finalized it. I did buy a cold air intake though 🤔 Lol

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Coilovers replace the springs and the shocks all in one where with springs you can choose not to replace the shocks though it is highly recommended. Coilovers allow you more adjustability as you can adjust the ride height to suit your needs/weather. I found that springs did not go low enough for me and the car could handle being lower with the roads that I drive on daily. Some coilovers allow for separate preload adjustment as well as height. For starting out springs may be all you ever need but if you like the flush look, want the tire tucking or want adjustability then I would recommend coilovers.


Smacks self in head! You are right, silly me.

oilspot

I'm gonna catch some heat for this, but run some damn ebay coilover sleeves. When You've got everything apart check your struts to make sure they give you good, smooth resistance in the compression as well as rebound stroke. If you're gonna slam it, run tophats to keep the struts from bottoming out (and killing the struts). You will want camber adjustment, if you're gonna slam the thing, but if you're only going down 1-2" you'll be fine.
This is of course, if it's just a daily driver type street vehicle. Not anytype of track vehicle.
Yes they are going to be a higher spring rate than stock. I've personally found this to work well on a street car.
If later you want to play with spring rates you can get different springs that fit, with no modification, the cheepo ebay coilover struts.

Now, if you must go FULL coilovers, I personally would stay away from anything ebay.