i posted this in the "honda civic suspension" section but realized i might get better results here.
Alright, i'm new around here as you can see. I have been reading around for awhile though. Seems like a great forum. I have an 02 civic lx coupe.
Off to the questions:
1. How far can you lower an em2 without needing a camber kit? or is recomended for any drop? I'm not looking to slam it just close the gap because i have nice wheel/tires on the way. around an inch or maybe a little more is ok cuz cops are pricks about lowered hondas in nh.
2. When lowering is it ok to do just springs (looking at eibach pro). Or do you have to do more? like springs AND shocks or coilovers ext....?
I'm not extremely familiar with the em2 suspension scene, so i'm looking for any advice you guys have for me.
you can search a little, but I'm dropped with S techs (1.3/1.4) with tokico blue (almost stockish feel) and I needed a camber kit in the rear. Its not slammed but i still needed a kit. You can just get the springs, but it is going to put more strain on your shocks, thus shortening the life span on it.
If your going to lower do it right the first time, I've been down the road of only doing springs or adjustable springs without camber or new struts its bounce and a rough ride especially when struts blow. Do it right the first time.
i lowered my car on the s techs on stock struts from Kcari and the ride quality is oemish. i am going to get tockio and a camber kit down the road. but for now i just have the springs on. so yeah you dont need to have the struts and camber kit right off the bat but maybe later on down the road look in it
you can just go with a quality spring/shock combo if you're not too picky about height/gap, but if ur like me and really picky, get adjustable coilovers, whether sleeves or not. brands like koni yellows and ground control sleeve coilovers are a popular combo as well as tein coilovers.
i also only have a camber kit in the rear as i'm riding on a no finger gap. When I was on S techs I had about 2 fingers with 17 inch rims and I didn't need one.
get coilovers, but the neuspeed springs will give u a drop of about 2" which is pretty damn good for springs, and u def need a camber kit if ur dropping u dont wanna fuck anything up.
if ur gonna get springs get struts as well, if u ride with the stock struts they'll give in after a few months
My advice on top of the other good advices is do it right the first time, springs, shocks, and at least rear camber kit in the rear, follow by an alignment in a day or two.
thanks for all the advice guys. I have read quite a bit of the stuff on here but hadnt seen where it said how far you can go without the camber kit and such....will keep reading some more.
you need a camber kit for any drop. and you need new shocks for any drop that work with lowered suspension. stock shocks do not work on a lowered car.
i have an 02 civic lx and have tien 1.5 drop springs on camber kit,stock struts.i have been driving/racing on this stuff for atleast a year and still going strong.
if you are tight on cash go with sport springs they wont go as low as coilovers but if you wand to go lower than 1.5" then you are gonna need some performance struts. Sport springs ride just as good as stock and give your car a lower stance, while puttling minimal stress on your oem shocks.
you don't "need" a camber kit or aftermarket struts. But they are recommended. I would atleast get some tokico hp's even for the prokit. Now the camber kit is debatable cause its only a one inch drop, and you probably won't see any significant tire wear daily driving it. But it couldn't hurt, its up to you. Just get a proper alignment.
Re: 02 coupe lowering questions 
