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Hey guys,

New to the forums and in need of some assistance.
I have a 03 honda civic ex sedan all stock and want to upgrade to 17". I have been reading the forums about the parts needed and most of you guys have Eibach pro kit and tokico blues(should I get coilovers?). I'm a novice when it comes to the right parts to buy. I live in barbados and some roads here are smooth, some very bumpy. What I'm going for is good handling with the 17" and I don't want to worry about the wheel rubbing or shocks blowing or anything else.

So my question is what parts do I have to buy to give me a good ride without the problems listed. It would be great if you guys can give me a detailed product listing on parts to get. Budget is 2,000USD.

Thanks

 
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Is your budget $2000 for the wheels and suspension or just the suspension?

 
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Just the suspension. I was thinking a Coilover Kit?

 
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yes. get a coilover kit

i suggest progressive, buddy club, tein SS, megan...etc

also u will need a camber kit. stay away from SPC. they rust and suck.

then an alignment.

 
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Thanks a lot, which is best between the ones you listed?

 
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$2000 is an excellent budget, you have your choice of all but the highest end coilovers within that budget.

Tein SS, Tein Flex, Buddy Club N+, Buddy Club Racing Spec, KW varient 1 or 2 are all excellent choices that will give superior handling, while maintaining a smooth drivable ride. If your not planning on actually tracking the car I would personally recommend the Tein SS with EDFC and pillowball mounts, that's my set-up and both the ride performance are outstanding for street driving. If you are planning on tracking the car I would go with Tein Flex with pillow mounts and EFC or Buddy Club Racing Spec EVO, which are both slightly over your budget but outstanding dampers.

You should definitely consider ES control arm bushings, a good rear camber kit and a progress rear sway bar as other suspension mods that will give you an excellent performance increase for relatively low cost.

 
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I dont think EDFC is necessary because I won't be doing any racing. I just want a really good driving car so I can take corners hard and drive comfortable with 17". So with that said how do these look?
http://www.tein.com/products/super_street.html

 
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Yup, that's exactly what I have and love them. xRiceboyx is also on Tein SS, so pm him if you'd like another members opinion on them.

For me EDFC is less a racing part than it is a convenience part, I run at mid stiffness most of the time, but when reach a road with tight corners or a terrible road with tons of bumps I can adjust it quickly to max stiffness for having a bit of fun or down to the softest setting so I don't need to deal with uncomfortable stiffness.

 
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Sweet! So that's the coilovers down. What about the ES control arm bushings and a good rear camber kit(is it possible to show me a link of some good ones?), and is a progress rear sway bar necessary? Sorry if I'm becoming a pain but I'm planning a miami trip just for these parts and want to make sure I have the correct ones.

 
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The ES bushings are a good idea mainly because the stock bushings are very prone to failure, they stiffen up the ride and improve performance a bit, but the main reason for upgrading to them is that they will outlast your car once you replace them unlike the stock replacements.

The camber kit is essential, without it you won't be able to get a proper alignment done in the rear with a stiff lowered suspension. As Sl33py stated, the spc tend to rust, but ingalls has a great reputation as a manufacturer of suspension components and they're pretty reasonably priced.

The progress sway bar definitely isn't essential, I just thought I'd mention it because aside from coilovers the it's one of the best suspension modifications anyone can put on a 7th gen.

ES bushings.
http://www.dezod.com/pd-energy-suspe...17-engines.cfm

Ingalls camber kit, excellent quality.
http://www.dezod.com/pd_ingalls.cfm

 
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Thank you so much MindBomber! You have been a great help to me. I really really appreciate it!

 
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Happy to help

 
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zion, if you are choosing a coilover kit, you want to choose one with ADJUSTABLE DAMPENING capabilities. so you will be able to adjust the stiffness and softness of the ride quality for different situations.

the KW v2 or tein SS are all dampening adjustable (just an example)

http://www.dezod.com/pd_kw_suspensio...ic_02_incl.cfm

http://www.dezod.com/pd_tein_super_street.cfm


for a rear camber kit, look into Ksport. the body is made out of aluminum so it doesnt corrode like the metal ones (ingralls and SPC)...especially SPC...they rust up like a ****.


also, getting a rear sway bar (or upgrading a rear sway bar if u have an EX) with the RSX 19mm or progress 22mm one will definatly increase ur handling.

and last but not least, getting ES front lower control arm bushing will really complete ur package. because the stock LCA (lower control arm) bushings are JUNK and will break if u lower ur car.

 
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Thanks Sleepy, The sway bar will come in time. Unfortunately I have to buy a steering rack first. Plus I'm still getting the wheels also. But will definitely consider it for the next trip!
Thanks again.