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I'm new to this site and really like the "threads" so I'd thought I'd ask this question (no laughing please): I have an 02 Civc EX Coupe and it rides, I think, very hard on it's stock springs and struts. I am not a racer or modifier and want a "smoother" less ridgid ride. This is my 3rd Civic and I was surprised at it's ride qualities. My daughters 99 Civc EX has a much smoother and less jaring ride over normal streets etc...
Any thoughts on what I could replace the stock struts / springs with to "soften" the ride up?

Lar

 
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now thats a new question i havent seen..... I'm not sure you'll be able to soften the ride that i know of. Heh, i thought mine was WAY soft with my stock springs

 
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What PSI are your tires set at? and if you want a softer ride, you'll need 2 things. Softer springs and softer valved shocks.... the springs can be found, but I dont think there are any shocks out that have softer valving then stock.

 
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Thanks for the quick replies! Tires are at 31 F/28 R. I've tried taking them lower but not much change in ride quality.
I would be willing to do the springs. Suggestions on what kind and where to shop etc..? Do I need to know stock spring rate?

Lar

 
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I would say get some eibach sportlines or eibach prokit springs. They will give you a drop though. Best bet would be the prokit, they only drop the car about 1 inch. Check any local race shop, they can get them for you. But I would try the internet. Alot cheaper. Here go to this link

http://robearracing.com/pd_eibach_prokit.cfm

robearracing is a great place to get online stuff for our car. Rob is a great guy. very good customer service and fast shipping.

Also I would keep the tire pressure at between 30-33 for the front and rear. Anything less would make your ride worse.

 
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The older civics have a completely different suspension when compared to our 7th gen's, which is probably why ours ride "harsher" than the older civics.

Or at least that's what I'm lead to believe.

 
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im not a big suspension person but i think better springs that fit your description and shocks to go with it will satisfy you.

we have many springs to choose from for our 7thgens. to find out which springs have the softest spring rate and hardest, gotta do a lot of searching for that

as for shocks, we have 2 out on the market. koni yellows and tokico blues. the konis have adjustable dampers i believe? but a price to pay for. tokico blues are a good set of shocks for daily driving. but not adjustable at all.

springs - $100-200
shocks - $300-500

here are couple sites to purchase goodies:
www.robearracing.com
www.importhorizon.com
www.dezod.com
www.streetlevelperformance.com

those sites should have good parts for your 7thgen.

welcome to the site

 
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I would recommend the konis. I have them and love them. They make the ride alot firmer and alot better handling. Yes there are pricey, but just look around. I got mine brand new off ebay for $530 shipped. Plus the $160 I paid for the install. Only bad thing about them is the front are inserts, as were the tokicos are full replacements.

 
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You could downsize the front swaybar from the 25.4mm to a 15.9mm from the 03' and 04' civics, that would give you a smoother ride over uneven bumps. The downside is this would give you more body roll. Aftermarket struts and springs are going to be stiffer and give you a firmer ride. Trade it in for a Camry?

 
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thats what he is looking for, a better ride. Good shocks and springs will give you a better ride.

 
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He said he wants a smoother ride, and to be not as harsh. He says he has stock springs and struts. Sounds like he wants a squishy ride, so he should look into the smaller swaybar and different tires, or a different car. The konis are valved higher than stock, how would they give him a squishier ride?

 
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My car runs no where like stock ran. When he says smoother ride, it is the same thing. My car runs alot better with konis and sportlines. I do agree though, get a camry, he will love the ride. My mom has one and it is incredible.

 
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I got the vibe he wants squishy, and I would think the Konis couldn't give as squishy a ride as stocks. They're going to control the springs better, but initial bump should be stiffer than stock, resulting in a firmer ride. I don't have konis though, as you do, I can only guess according to how I tune mountain bike dampers.

 
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The konis give me better handling. The ride is firm though, I go over speed bumps and stuff slow as hell as to not try and blow the suckers. But I have to say they are way better than stock.

 
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You could also add more weight.... That would give you a softer ride

 
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time to hit the buffet

 
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If your looking to go softer, then dont get an Eibach kit. The Pro-kit is 10-15% stiffer over stock and Sportlines are 20-25% stiffer. This is what the Eibach tech told me when I asked. However, theyre progressive and will have a close to stock ride feel until you push them harder.

 
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Well I thought they would be better. I have them with the konis and it feels way better than stock.

 
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Much thanks for the quick replies and all the info / direction and links. You guys are great!

No thanks on the Camry (had to chuckle at that one)...love my Hondas.

Lar

 
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Stock sucks, but it is soft. The real issue with the stock civic is the shocks, they wear out fast and don't have good performance...(good to me is BMW ride quality).

Also, I don't think replacing the springs is going to smooth out the ride.

I rode in a civic with B&G's, it had a one finger gap...
The ride was smooth, flat, and comfortable.. in general: much less body motion, and way better performance then stock. It was firmer, when you pull out of a driveway you know it's a performance suspension, but I thought the ride comfort was excellent.

 
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I agree.

Are you still having a hang-over after your test drive?

you ask me if there was any difference after running a cat-back exhaust and a header, you could probably test it on monday so you can judge for yourself.

 
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I would assume any type of aftermarket spring would make the car handle better via spring rate. I think the another solution though.... is air suspension.... but no one makes that for the Civic.

 
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you are wrong about that. There are several companies that make air ride kits for civics. there are also a few members on here with air ride on there 7thgens.

 
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really? I apologise........

 
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http://www.excentrixauto.com/main.cgi?l=civic

thats one.

 
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get hayames
ur car will bounce like NO OTHER

 
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I thought you fixed your problem, bro?

 
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How about those Teins? Those are a lot of money though... I wouldn't pay so much just to improve a softer ride. If my car was still stock I wouldn't be scared to blow my shocks b/c I could just go to Honda at get get it replaced with warranty. (mine is extended up to 100,00, but obviously not on my suspension anymore. Just on my stock engine I guess)