Rep Power: 245

Hey guys, I have a 05 EX SE Figi Blue. Now i had my check-book set on a AEM V2, but after reading about how they "break" on here im, not sure if i want to do that.

2nd choice, Eiback sportline springs, which a shop here in SD quoted me 275$ installed. Will be using with the stockers (struts)

3rd choice, Nuespeed strut bar. Ive read good things about this!

4th choice, customized carpets for the interior. I know its not a "mod" but dam, this tan interior is gonna get dirty *** HELL eventually.


Let me know what you would do.

 
Rep Power: 360

Honestly from those choices I would go with eibach springs as long as the roads by you arent too bad. strut bar on stock suspension won't do too much.

Only thing to worry about is that the stock shocks won't hold up long with those springs so you might end up replacing them close to 70, 80, or 90 thousand miles.

And don't waste the money on carpets, just get OEM floor mats for like $80 and replace them when they get really bad.

 
Rep Power: 300

yeah get the springs, they should hold up for awhile on the stocks, they arent a crazy drop. and like diskreet said, just replace the OEM floormats when they get dirty.

 
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I got a warn you about the springs. They definitely look great with the cars already aggressive stance, but you will have one of the shittiest, bumpiest rides. Just remember to go about 2 MPH over train tracks But it will handle awesome. One problem I had was that I went over a set of train tracks a little to hard (as in about 20 MPH) and I actually bottomed out the strut and BENT the housing sending my steering wheel off by about 80 degrees! I've replaced all 4 of the struts now and I'm only at 70k. Not normal. But I bought the car with them. *shrug*

The strut bar is nice, you can definitely feel a difference between dropped without and dropped with. But like diskreet said, won't do much on stock suspension.

As for the intake, I took an eBay pipe and slapped an AEM filter on there. Honestly, the only intake that gave any REAL numbers was the K&N Typhoon system and they were only like 8.5 bhp more than stock. Unless you get a turbo or other motor upgrades, intake is not something you should put alot of money or thought to. In fact, the D17 isn't really much of a base motor to start with anyways. But at least when you shut your motor off it will sound like turbo blow-off valve XD

For carpet, do what you want. Just don't waste too much money on it ^^
But if you can find a set of used ones (new are like $400 for full set), the OEM Honda rubber mats look really nice.

 
Rep Power: 300

yeah but rubber mats suck in the rain or snow, they leave mud and crap.

 
Rep Power: 257

I have an AEM V2 it never broke but i dont like it. Im gonna buy a FUJITA intake.
Springs you can do your self in 2 hours or less.
Strut bar would be nice but i wouldnt buy that first.
No comment on custom interior

 
Rep Power: 359

get the eibachs and a camber kit

then later on upgrade the struts

 
Rep Power: 0

Slow, the only way to do springs yourself would be to use pry-bars and the like. Very unsafe, especially for a person who is starting out and doesn't quite know the ins and outs. The best way for beginners (unless they have their own spring compressor and know how to operate it) is to just drop it off and learn how to do it the right way instead of experimenting.

As for the suspension components, what do you plan to do with the car? Show it? AutoX it? Daily drive? There are many different combos depending on your needs. If you are mainly daily driving I do NOT reccommend replacing the springs only. You will be severely unhappy. But like I said, it all depends on what you intend to do with the car.

 
Rep Power: 423

in all seriousness.... for mod number 1, do something stupid. That way if it goes bad, and especially if you don't know what you're doing, you won't be put off in a big way.
The intake isn't a bad idea because its easy. Just pick a different intake. They're basically useless, but they're simple wrench jobs. Put the springs off until you know a little more Its more than just swapping springs and its a total DIY job if you know what to do, don't pay someone to do that, and upgrade the shocks with it. Strut bar is also not a bad thought.
Carpet... whatever. Thats not a mod, just find black interior parts in a junk yard etc....
Crap, the first thing I ever did was put a set of aluminum pedals in the car.... and they're still in there, even after all of this other crap.

 
Rep Power: 245

Thanks for the help guys!

Well i think im gonna do the following in this order.

1. Eibach pro kit
2. Nuespeed strut tower bar
3. AGX struts
4. Progress rear sway bar. However, Im still trying to figure out if this will work for the 03-05, anyone know?

I spoke with a turbo member on this site he says, save up and buy a turbo kit if i want to make more power. Im not sure if this is logical for me, If im going to spend 3k in turbo peices, why not just trade in my car for an EVO or something, However, The EVO doesnt get 35 MPG!! HAHAHAH!!!!!!!

 
Rep Power: 300

**** evos, how many 7thgens you know in your area with turbos?

 
Rep Power: 0

If you're going to spend 3g's on a turbo, spend 3.5 on a Type-S swap for more power. With a basic turbo kit on a D17@6-7 lbs you'll only make about 180 whp and then it's putting stress on the motor. Plus the K20 (Type-S motor) responds WAY better to mods than the D17. How many Civics do you know that got K20's under their hood? I only saw one at last years Hot Import Nights. Let me know what you think of the AGX, I've been looking at them too. Also, what made you go with the Pro kit instead of the Sportline? Just curious.

 
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pro kit is a better ride, and it rides alot heigher but still drops the car a good inch half. Not quite my favorite spring because the ride quality isnt really the best. Do somemore research before you buy the Eibach cuz i think ur going off the name alone. Tien makes some really good springs with varying degrees of drops, check it out, its not as expansive as you think

 
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i went with the K&N drop in filter. although it only 1 whp (est) im sure it was a balanced increase throughout the whole powerband.

but 1 product has been shining lately on here. the Sun Automotive HyperVoltageSystem (GT) and the HyperGroundingSystem.
think of it this way, there are proven gains upto 5whp for most hondas, as well as other attributes. best of all its a universal unit, so when you get a new car, easy drop in to the next car.

-Kevin

ps. if you need a DIY refer to gearbox. he had 2 of them the HVS MR and the HVS GT. get the HVS GT of if you find it on a japanese website its the Hot Inazma and their are different types of HVS and HGS products read up for what suits you.

 
Rep Power: 245

Using the stock struts i was going to go with the sportlines, not as low as the prokit (from what ive heard), but since ill be upgrading to agx, i prefer the lower ride. And K20? Whats with this bandwagon, everything is K this K that If i wanted a k engine i would have gotten the type s, I travel 60 miles per round trip to work, so 35 MPG is a little more important than a little power

On a side note, my shop just got some TEAN (sp) springs in and they say they are good also, may get those since they are 80$ cheaper.

 
Rep Power: 262

I dont know where you live but ive had my sportlines for 2 yrs now on the crapiest roads in N.C. and mine are great. Shocks arent even that bad (stock ones) im a Marine and i know i havent been here to drive it for the full 2 yrs but most of it and my ***** fine. Also i bought my car with 0 miles out of the show room in 2004 so yeah i have only put 30k on it i cant remember when i put the springs on but it was around.....hmmmm..... i wanna say 6k, hope i dont run into problems, but as of right now they are great knock on wood.

as for the guy asking the question, dont be afraid to get those springs, eibach is one of the best springs money can buy besides tein. also i have an aem short ram intake and its been nice i put it on the at like 2k and i have had no problems with it so far. just remember your not going to gain much from any air intake but it looks and sounds alot better than that bulky stock airbox and it might help a little but not what most people are looking for. welcome to the site man.

 
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I don't know if you know how crappy the ride is between with and w/out the springs, but it's a huge difference. My springs have been on there for about 55k (they guy who I bought it from said he put them on when he bought it which was around 14k). I needed to change all 4 struts at 66k because 2 of them were blown. And one was bent from an accident I got into (the other 2 were already blown before the accident). But it looks like you have an 04/05 model so the newer struts may be a little more resiliant to wear and tear (like everything else compared to 01-02). I was just giving him fair warning. You can also ask any true tuner and they will say that it's not a good idea on any car to lower on stock struts.

 
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i would highly recommend the Eibach pro kit, i have them on stock struts. very bumpy ride, you will have this with any drop, unless you do the struts.shocks w.e The Neuspeed front strut tower bar is good, i have it also. I went with the AEM cold air intake (not V2) and i couldnt be happier, the exhaust is noticabley louder, and the filter actually filters the air. 18k miles later my throttle body is still clean. also Many people are skeptical of the throttle body spacers... look into them. they add a great noise to the intake and actually seem to work. As for interior i also have the rubber floor mats. they are great in rain, snow, mud w.e becuase they dont get on the carpet... id recommend those, spray off the dirt when they get nasty. EBAY for like 50-60 bucks. what else do you plan to do to the car?? what all mods?

 
Rep Power: 0

instead of spending 60 bux on ebay cheap rubber floor mats, just get some genuine honda ones for like 100 bux, they are wayyyy more durable and i absoultey love mine. Civic is also on the mats in the civic font haha

 
Rep Power: 0

okay, first off.. your smart paying like $100 for the oem ones... i got the oem ones, that say civic in the same font, haha, for like 50-60 bucks on ebay. i guess you paid 40-50 for installation?? okay. and if your worried about having a good name brand why go with kenwood??? ugh w.e floats your boat buddy. and while your at it, mod a non vtec

 
Rep Power: 0

get the springs lowering is the best mod by far

 
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haha smart *** i got my oem mats brand new from the factory for free, it helps to be related to the owner of the honda dealership in the area. So while you actually PAID money, i just walked over, picked them up and threw em in. Nothing wrong with kenwoods when i dont have the money to spend on high class componnents. And i have no intention of modding my car for speed, i know its not fast and i know it gets good mpg so why change it? You on the other hand...mod up your v-tec because it will never be anything faster than 15's.

 
Rep Power: 336

grab the strut bar, and springs. but do the springs yourself. id costs almost nothing. and its fun and you learn alot too!!!! good luck

 
Rep Power: 0

Well i made the assumtion when you said to buy some from the honda dealership that you had purchased them yourself. From that, i went on to state the fact that you can buy the same ones on ebay for less money.... If you know someone who owns the dealership why are you driving a base model car?? Couldnt you get a deal on that? and saying ill run 15's is realitic, without any major mods. But what will you be running with no major mods?? and you have the nice floor mats. Let me ask, do they replace the vtec, power windows, locks, keyless entry, moonroof, and cruise control? Hows your tachometer doing by the way?? To put it lightly, your driving a stripped down car... keep it for your beater and buy something nicer... just my two cents

 
Rep Power: 252

Save Your Money Up Longer And Get A Full Suspesion System Full. Coilover/dampers ( Tein, D2, Progress, Ksport). This Way You Dont Waste Time Putting Springs On And The Waiting Till The Shocks Blow. Do It Right The First Time. Save Yourself The Grief Of All The Fixes.

 
Rep Power: 319

i said screw riding lowered on stock struts and went with a full suspension off the bat....one of the best decisions ever...H&R sport springs, Tokico D-Spec shocks, and an SPC camber kit

 
Rep Power: 252

I Waited And Got My Tein Ss With Ingalls Camber Kit And The Ride Is Great And I Dont Need To Drive All Retarded Around Train Tracks And Speed Bumps. Just Remember To Do It Right The First Time With Whatever Mod You Decide To Do.

 
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anyone here used cutdown oem springs?

poorboy way lol

 
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haha yeah okay, didnt mean to get some flames going or anything..just figured you were being an *******. And i do know someone in the dealership i did get a deal im buying the car myself so getting a EX Special Edition isnt the wisest thing if all i want is a good mileage new car that will last me for a long long long time..and the VP is as perfect as it gets. Power windows? Not necessary...keyless entery? I have it, plus alarm...moon roof? never use it...cruise control...the one thing i wish i had. Oh yeah how much did i pay for my car? lets just say 4 figures.


DO NOT. i repeat DO NOT Do that. these oem springs will perform SO DAMN poorly if you cut them its not even worth the look... just spend the extra money and get a nice set of springs you'll thank me later

 
Rep Power: 0

Yea, if I only knew... I didn't have alot of experience with 7th gens so I just figured "Wow! That looks bad ***!" Didn't even occur to me that it might be lowered

So now I got the Tein Driving Specs on my wishlist ^^ Can't waith to get rid of this shitty ricer-ride...