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So finally I got my sway bar problem fixed. Now onto my next mod springs/shock or coilovers.

I'm not here to ask what springs/shock setup is the best or which coilovers will be the best for my application. Instead I want to learn a few things that I've been hearing and don't quite understand. (thats what forums are for right?)

Ok heres my general understanding about springs/shock. The springs have a specific rate they rebound at and the shock have a specific rate dampen at. Now my understanding is that when you have springs/shocks (non adjustable) you want to match these rates some how? Yes No? So that you get a suspension that works well togethere. Now if you get springs/shocks (adjustable) you want to adjust the dampen rate to match your application, softer for street and harder for track. Why soft harder? Road conditions? What numbers do I look at when I'm researching and what are they telling me?

Lastly coil overs, now my understanding of coil overs is that they are set spring/shock all in one units that have been matched rebound to dampen rate and allow u to change the drop height of your car. Certain coil overs allow you to adjust the rebound and dampen rate? such as Tein ss? How is adjusting the rebound and dampen rate a greater advantage? What does adjusting one of the 2 do?

Please help me clear up what i'm reading and hearing, tell me if i'm right or wrong and elaborate more. I'm sorry I don't understand all of it, but I'd like to catch up and know what i'm doing before I run into a store and buy $500-$2000 worth of parts that I'm not going to need or won't fit what I want to do.

Thanks!

 
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There can be two types of adjustment with coils/shocks: rebound and compression. Most coilovers/shocks only let you adjust compression/dampening. The KW V3's if they ever come out will allow you to adjust both. You do not need to adjust both if you aren't racing. Do you plan on racing?

There are no perfect answers to your questions. Some shocks/coils are only 5 way adjustable and some go up to 32 way adjustable, if not more. The more adjustments you have the more ability to tune the car correctly, but if you aren't planning on using them specifically for racing then I wouldn't get anything more than 16 way adjustable.

There are different types of coilovers. Matched or full coilovers have a matched shock/spring set. However, the shock can be monotube or inverted monotube. In addition each full coilover set adjust differently. With sleeved coils and shocks you adjust the height by using the spring perch. The same is true for coils like Tein Basic/SS and B&G. However Tein Flex and JIC adjust the height by screwing the whole shock into the shock mount and the spring perch is specifically used for cross weighting/corner balancing/adjusting the pre load.

With springs and shocks, the springs are usually progressive not linear. This means that as the spring compresses, the spring rate increases. Usually, companies offer a range (25-30% stiffer than stock) that the springs work in. Full coilovers usually have linear springs which means they have a set spring rate. The higher you go, the more the ride quality will suffer and the stiffer the car will be. You do not want to go too rough or you can hurt your chassis (and break your teeth!). Generally, in the 7thgen around 375-500 front to 450-600 rear is really stiff. You want to get a good disparity from front to rear. For instance, puttin 375 up front and 500 rear will help the car lose some understeer. This is specifically for FWD cars and specifically the 7thgen. Other cars are different.
First, you need to tell us what you want to do.
Second, don't rush into anything.

 
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Wow, awesome information Rob, thanks so much. I was just gonna post a similar question. I was thinking about getting these Tenzo springs that are on sale, but they're just a set of springs and I'm not so sure they'd function properly with just my factory shocks. Guess I'll hold off till I can do a proper suspension upgrade.

 
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Couple of things to add to Robbs post..

1. as far as a "matched" spring and shock on a Coilover, the only thing the company has done is made sure the shock they are using is strong enough to stop the spring they are using from bouncing. Nothing you couldnt do by picking out the proper shock to work with what ever spring you are using.

2. as some one who "races" their car (Autocross) I couldnt care less if a Damper is 32 way adjustible, 6 way adjustable or what ever... why? Because that tells me nothing I need to know. What i need/want to know is what is being adjusted. such as Bump , rebound or both and what shaft speeds are the adjustments made in (lowspeed Mid speed and High speed). That information would actually be usefull as it actually pertains to how the damper will affect the ride quality and handling balance of the car, and the lack of it is why I am leery of Coilovers in general. because they very rarely tell you what the shock actually adjusts. This is one of the reasons I have Konis... Because I know exactly what the damper adjusts (lowspeed Rebound).

 
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Well...Im trying hard to understand all of this...I wish there was somewhere I could just read up on all this stuff. The suspension FAQ doesn't really talk about all this techincal stuff.

Anywayz my application is pretty simple, city driving, highway driving, I'd love to handle my car in the mountains...like Glendora Mountain Road, and maybe a little autocross..that would be about it. I figured the omni power coil overs would work well but i'm not sure...maybe u guys can help me decide.

Thanks for the post guys/gals.

 
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Read the autox faq, there are many good links in there. Look on koni's site, or tokico's, etc.

 
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So I'm thinking the KYG AGX seem to be a good set for me. 16 way adjustable is more than enough and I don't need to take them of the car. But I got a few more questions, what set of springs should I put on them? and I was looking on ebay and they only have the shocks for 01-02 civics will they fit mine?

 
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http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/sh...66&postcount=1

 
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Thanks ojay