krudmuphin

iTrader: (1)

I have my mind made up that I want to get Tein Coilovers at the end of the month but I'm having some sort of nervous breakdown. I've never installed suspension and it appears to be a bit risky. I'm worried some sort of adjustments are going to be screwed up as a result of me not being experienced. On top of all this, my parents are very upset with my decision to lower my car. (they aren't going to prevent me, but they're not pleased with the idea)

I'm posting this thread as a request for moral support. It's a tough (and quite expensive...) decision and I want all the positive feedback i can get. That way I can feel confident about this purchase and installation. Also if you have any first time tips for installing coilovers, it would be greatly appreciated. As far as I know, the coilovers I'm getting will require dis-assembly of the stock struts to utilize the stock top hats.

Thanks guys!

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

Swapping springs was the first mod I ever did on my car. I was 18, my helping friend was 16, we were both equally inexperienced. Before then, all I've done on cars was an oil change and watch my dad change brakes. Four hours from start to finish in my dad's driveway, me and my friend were on our way to get that post-lowering alignment done.

You got this. The spring swap DIY guide we have is quite helpful, and very detailed, at that. It's the same DIY guide I used when I cracked into it

lowlife9

http://gametrax.net/springs/index.html
[autostream]http://autostream.com/ibcivicforums/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=1224& transactionid=1334466976-693738116&posted_by=lowlife9_www.civicforums.com&y outube_video_id=VZ2HcRl4wSk[/autostream]

BlueEM2

iTrader: (1)

To be totally honest... I have the monetary means and the know how to lower my car. The payoff just isn't there for a DD. I have no intention to lower or change a perfectly good functioning suspension. Hence why I haven't done it. If my shocks ever blow, sure, I will lower my car. however, until then I will keep my money going towards things the car actually needs

This probably won't help you decide because you've already decided, my general consensus on this is if it ain't broke don't fix it

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

for some reason, this feels fitting

[autostream]http://autostream.com/ibcivicforums/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=1225& transactionid=1334468148-6822738189&posted_by=xRiCeBoYx_www.civicforums.com &youtube_video_id=AZKpByV5764[/autostream]



I've said this in another thread before: every experience, good or bad, is a great learning experience. If you wanna work on a car, the best way (that I've found, at least), is to learn by doing. You have a vast database at your hands (sure, it kinda sucks to search sometimes, but there's still LOTS of information), with more than enough people to help guide you along your way. If you get stuck, take a break from working, post up a thread asking for help.

/confidence boost mode

krudmuphin

iTrader: (1)

I kinda have that same mentality, but I'm also a very artistic person and a bit OCD at times so when I look at my car riding high on the new 17" rims, it just doesn't look complete. Any amount of money is worth making something look cooler in my opinion

And thanks everyone else! Just needed a good boost. i will be referring to the suspension DIY on this forum for help.

TFMEX

I felt similar about 2 months ago when I needed new struts.... decided that if I was going to spend the money I was gonna drop it. Its my DD and I LOVE IT. it can be bumpy and stiff depending on the road but it just looks so good!!! Im not a fan of aftermarket rims and a fist gap.... looks like a monster truck. Drop that ****. Its not as hard as you think. its fun too!

krudmuphin

iTrader: (1)

Thanks a bunch guys! Very funny conversation too XD

I probably wouldn't be so nervous if it wasn't such an expensive task. But I practically have to get coilovers if I want to survive a Nebraskan winter.

Even though it's a DD, I don't care if it's stiff. I'd rather feel like I'm in a stable car than a floppy one. It's not the initial shock of bumps that bothers me, it's the bouncing of the car afterwards and the horrendous body roll in the corners that annoy me... so dropping it only seems logical.

And I totally agree... a fist gap above my 17"s is hard to stomach...

Do you guys think I'll have issues with rubbing with my 215/45 tires if I only lower down to a "2-finger" gap?

Muirsy

^ no you shouldn't have a problem with rubbing.. and if you do just roll your fenders its easy to do

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

I don't have rubbing issues with that tire size. I haven't rolled my fenders, either.

I'm pretty sure I'm a tad lower than a 2-finger gap, too

PearlVic

well...
GET THEM, one up me because i can't afford them
(really i could if i wanted to.. but i have a nagging girlfriend, might as well say fiance, that wont shut up about saving money and im not even out of college yet) I JUST WANT TO SPEND WHILE I STILL CAN lol
but clearly ill have to wait
but when i had my tacoma i didnt car how it rode or nothing, as long as the suspension worked and didnt bust or make me crash, i could care less how it rode as long as looked good,
but, i do have a local friend that just got tein coilovers, ive heard nothing but bad stuff about the lowering springs they make, but the coilovers, i was told rode very well, somewhat stiff but still cushiony
So all in all, more power to you my fiji blue friend, one up me and get coilovers haha
oh PS.. i have to sadly spend the money on new taillights now because the guy that blacked mine out put 3 coats of PPG paint and 2 coats of PPG clear on my taillights and you cant see my brakelights during the daytime only night... MONEY MONEY MONEY
makes the world go round

krudmuphin

iTrader: (1)

Cool, so hopefully rubbing is not a problem then! I will have to get my exhaust mid-pipe redesigned before I lower it though, otherwise I'll be scraping everything...

Sorry, don't mean to make you feel inadequite bro, haha
If it makes you feel better, I'll practically have no moeny after the coilovers get sent on their way.
Totally agree with this quote. I'm gonna get all this work done now while I don't have to pay college loans or house payments, lol.

PearlVic

yep, i have a $1000 dollar loan to pay back now... guess for what.. haha
wanted to start buildin my credit so i took out a loan then decided to buy my tires and wheels with it lol, shouldve just took out a $2000 loan and bought coilovers too aye

TFMEX

I am riding 215/45/17 on my 04 and have a ZERO finger gap and only rub in the front on decent bumps (infrequent though I do cringe even though its the splash guard which i refuse to remove)

I did however have to roll the rear fenders. I did not have a fender roller so I used a heat gun and a small rubber mallet. Worked fantastic! they are rolled and look great! NO RUB! I did rub like a motha before they were rolled on bumps and corners. I also had some flaking and rust underneath so I got a bottle of touch up paint did some sanding and made them look like new and prevent them from rusting.

Depending on the stiffness that you set you may be able to go to a 1 finger gap with no rub however I would suggest rolling the rear with a 215 tire and they will no doubt rub if you hit a decent size bump. up to you!

krudmuphin

iTrader: (1)

Dang... that reminds me... I was going to start building my credit when I bought my wheels and tires but I totally forgot, haha. Credit is so stupid, haha, let's just buy houses with straight up cash and call it good. Screw the banks!

Thanks TFMEX, I love the stance of your car! I probably won't have to roll any fenders with the height I'm going to achieve. Also my coilovers don't have adjustable stiffness, so the taller the better in terms of longevity.

TFMEX

Thanks. Took me a few weeks of adjusting the preload to get the right feel I wanted. I'm dropped with Skunk2 Pro S II's. I know most wont have nice things to say about them but they ride GREAT and are very easy to adjust. I dont have the adjustable dampers either. Does your pre-load get adjusted independent of the ride height?

My only gripe is that the back cant get any lower without removing a spanner nut which isnt a big deal but with the 215 tires it rubs on the inside of the fender wall (not the fender itself). I do have about 1.5+ " of adjustment in the front tho. which would nearly put me on the ground (22").

I live in NH in the northeast and the roads arent that great at all. Id destroy something the first day....