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I see so many people going with coil overs and adjustable shocks ,, i couldnt find an answer to my question.

If i was to go with a non-adjustable shock, and a regular lowering spring kit ,, is there any draw back to that? I mean, other than adjusting ride height and firmness. If i was to get a nice non adjustble set of shocks, and springs, would the ride be good as stock? I see everyone talking about how good the ride is with the GC and Koni Yellows, what is a good
non-adjustble combo that is gonna ride just as good? Can u list brands please. BTW im looking for around a 1.5 to 1.75 drop.

Also, you will have to forgive my ignorance, ( im new to the civic world) But in the DIY section, it shows someone installing a set of konis on a civic. Why does he take the stock strut and drill into it and cut it and all that? I thought you bought a new set of springs and struts and completely replaced the old?

Thanks

 
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Well the draw back to OEM style aftermarket shocks will be that they aren't ready for performance. some companies do make some that are good for lowering and aren't adjustable. It depends what you wnat out of your ride. as of now there aren't any other shocks out there besides the konis.
The neuspeed race will give you a 1.75" drop. Please read the FAQ for a list of springs with drops.

The konis are inserts, they aren't full replacements. Because of that they need to be mounted to the strut by drilling holes into them. If you get full replacement shocks, you won't have to do that. They will replace the whole setup.

PS I just got rejected by UGA for grad school!! BLAH ATHENS!!

 
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If Tokico, KYB, Bilsteins or even Monroe come out with some non-adjustable replacements, I bet they'll be equal or better in performance. A non-adjustable shock or strut usually means its been designed for the best ride between comfort and performance.

 
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i think the sports are 1.75, the race are 2.25 i believe.

 
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oops my bad, your right. I meant sportlines! sorry!
Also, I didn't mean in performance like they were going to perform well, I meant more that they might not perform as well on a lowered car. They are designed for OEM height driving. But i could be wrong

 
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When Tokico, KYB make shocks for our cars does anybody know if they will be full replacements of you will have to drill and cut and all that like for the koni's?

 
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we are all assuming they will be full replacements because they are taking so long to be made.

 
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I say go with Neuspeed sport and koni's. its a good drop if you dont want to go too low but still have an agrressive look. maybe im biased since i have them but theyre pretty smooth.

 
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well,, i had no idea that any lowering performance strut was not a direct replacement. That sucks that i will have to drill out the old to put in the new. So there is no aftermarket direct replacement out that will give me 1.75?

Im about to say F it and go with the TEIN. What is the best place to get these? And do they have them for a 2002ex? I see a few others that people talk about that are true coilovers, but is the TEIN the best?

 
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There will be full replacements when the tokicos and kybs come out but now the konis are just inserts.
if you want coilovers JIC is probably the best out there but it will cost ya around $1500. B&G and Tein are both good companies. Most people here have preferred the Tein SS. The Tein Type Flex isn't out yet and that would be better than the SS but more expensive. Tein SS don't drop as far as B&G tho. The tein basic damper is out but it is WAY too expensive right now. HP racing, Progress, and H&R all have coilovers on the way if you can wait.

Check tornactive or the groupbuycenter for best pricing. they should be around $1050 shipped. And yes they should fit all 7thgen civics and RSXs.

 
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Tein vs B&G

B&G can drop probably 1"-1.5" farther than Tein (3.5" vs 2")
Tein is a little less expensive
B&G has rusted on some cars, Tein has not
B&G can be a little more noisey than Tein's
Ride Quality - I'm going to say they ride comperably even though I haven't riden in both. From everyone's posts, it seems like they are both comfortable rides.
Tein SS has adjustable dampering, B&G uses something called a progressive coil spring (while I'm not overally familiar with the nuianses of this type of spring, it basically acts similiar to a damper but is obviously not adjustable to your preferance...in some cases, this is better, in other cases, this is not better...I dub this a Draw).


In my opinion, it comes down to this:

Quality vs. Drop

If you aren't getting a bodykit and live in an area where the roads are decent, go with B&G

If you have a bodykit and/or the roads where you live aren't perfect, go with Tein.

I say this because Tein can drop approximately 2" while B&G can drop ~3.5". With a bodykit, a 3.5" drop is impossible (atleast with the Kaminari Kit it is).

From people on this sites experience, both products are very high quality. Yet, B&G has seen some rust and long-term effects of this are still unknown.

Yes, both are avaliable for 02 EXs. For best prices, look around. Stores are constantly changing their prices on these and I wouldn't be suprised to see the Tein SS's drop 5-10% on average over the next week due to Tein Basics arrival on the scene.

Hope this helps. I'm no guru but this is how I came to my decision on buying Tein SS.

Matt

 
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thanks for the in depth response. Well,, the roads i go on are pretty good here. I don in the future plan on getting a body kit. But i wouldnt want to drop 3" with a kit anyway.

I can wait to do the drop. I would rather wait till a company comes out with a full replacement strut assembly like you were talking about. Like a lowered full strut instead of replacements. I dont want to mess with drilling out the strut assembly. I just want a pretty good drop like between 1.5 and 2" with great ride. It dont even have to be adjustable. So i may just wait till those full strut assemblys come out.... will they come with a lowering spring? I would like to just buy the spring and strut together as a whole. Anyone with a ETA on those?

so that kit from eibach and tockico are just inserts? or is it they just dont lower it enough?

 
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They probably won't come with Springs...I dont see why they would...you could buy springs separtely though.

I was going to wait too...but then I decided this:

1. I did not want to wait
2. I would not want to have the "first run" of a new product
3. I decided I'd rather be able to adjust my ride height if I decided I wanted it higher or lower
4. I dont know the price on the "coming suspension"
5. I dont know when they will be out
6. I dont know how they will ride...

etc etc

For me, there is just so much "what if, how is it going to" to merrit holding out.

Matt

 
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There is no kit from eibach and tokico. And no they won't be inserts. And sovereign, tokico does make Spring/Shock packages that usually lower around 1.5-1.75".
Tokico
Tokico2
Hopefully they will make one for our cars too.

 
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Hopefully they will, I was more commenting on them coming standard with the shocks. I am aware that some/most of the "Shock" companies also make springs.

 
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kinda found some misleading information here..

cup kit offers spring/shock combo. the shocks are designed for the springs so they're shorter. also gives you adjustable damper. they said it should be released soon and that shops should sell it for $600. if everything is true, sounds like a winner, only thing is it drops 2.25.

 
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but all these kits you are talking about.... you still have to drill out the old one and install these like the Koni's? Im looking for a kit or a strut that you bolt right in. So there is no such thing yet?

 
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ONLY kit where you have to drill/cut is the current koni yellows.
all other forms of shocks, tein, b&g, are all bolt on.

reason why you have to drill with koni yellows is they are INSERTS. most of the time shocks are full replacements, just so happens that konis arent.. the up and coming shocks should be direct replacements(so they should bolt right on).

 
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the h&r site:


cupkit:
2" front 1.7" back
sug. retail $929.00



i really hope they go for $600 though
i got excited when i read that
of course i could be looking at the wrong info...

vnlilman, whered you find $600? and when did they say theyd be released?
$600 for shocks and springs is neato to me

 
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could someone please post what direct replacement bolt kits are available now,, and what they drop? And maybe what is coming out and when? i would really appreciate it. I dont want to go out and get something that sucks, and then a week later something good comes out.

I want a nice ride, with a decent drop.(1.5-2) but a direct replacement... no inserts....

THanks!!!

 
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We told you bro. If you want a direct replacement WITH shocks then you need to get true coilovers, B&G or Teins. HP racing also has a set i believe. PRogress, JIC, and H&R will have some coming soon, and the mythical H&R cup kit is supposed to be out. What more do you want? There are no direct replacement shocks yet, you need to get coilovers or the HR cup kit, plain and simple. Did you not read anything we said?

 
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what more do i want? i want to be able to come to a website to get help ,, and not get smart assed remarks

 
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It isn't a smart *** response, but all the information you want is in the thread, can be found by searching or reading the suspension FAQ. You keep asking the same questions over and over again, like we said nothing to you. Read what we post.