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Hey Everyone,

My Car - 2002 Civic SIR (SI) HB, 125,000KMs

I'm fairly certain that the suspension on my car is stock. A mechanic did mention a couple months ago, while the top end of the engine was being rebuilt at 100,000kms , that my shocks were leakin a little bit of oil. Now, from the ride alone, the suspension is done! I've been down this road before with my 94' civic HB and I changed the entire suspension to Koni Yellows with ground controls and polyurathane bushings. But to be honest, i'm not sure I want to go down that road again for performance suspension.

So in simple terms... does anyone have any recommendations for a good suspension set up? Some really good shocks? As of right now, i'm not looking to lowering the car, cause I think it looks good as is with my rims in the summer. I'm just looking for good set up of shocks, comfortable ride and a little sporty... stock? I found that my Koni Yellows on my old civic, were way too rough but it handled great! And the poly bushings were noisy! haha

I'm also thinking of changing out the springs to just new stock springs? Does that make sense? I'll probably be replacing as many bushings as possible as well.

I've seen Tokico HP "Blue", KYB's, Monroes, Koni STR.T

Any comments and recommendations are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 
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Tokico Illuminas are very nice riding shocks. They are of high quality, relatively inexpensive, and you can adjust the dampening.

 
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Koni Str.t would be my choice if you just want to change the shocks.

 
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x2

koni makes some great stuff

 
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Thats actually what Im using right now. They ride great.

 
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I know H&R makes OE replacement springs that are very slightly stiffer and only drops it about 0.25 inches. Surprisingly you can use them and still stay in stock class at autocross. But they might be what you're looking for if you want to replace springs but not really lower it.

 
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Are you sure they make those springs for Ep3s, Zef?

The selection for suspension components post-2000 becomes quite a bit more limited.

 
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Have you considered SKUNK2 PRO-S?

 
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If the priority is a quality ride, suggesting anything skunk2 is not wise.

 
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Cant go wrong with the Koni Srt.t. They are a great O.E. replacement that offers additional stability, control and handling without a harsh ride.

 
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My bad. Newbie. Good thing I didn't get them.looks like its Koni yellows for me.

 
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No problem.

You can never go wrong with Koni Yellows.

For the record, Skunk2 is not very good at pairing spring rates to dampers or maintaining consistency between units, and as a result the coilovers they produce ride very rough. If I could only find the thread created by someone who switched from Koni/GC f550/r650 to Skunk2 and was furious at how poorly they performed....

 
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Hey Again,

Thank you for everyones responses.

I'm leaning toward the Koni STR.T based on everyones review. I would like to try an adjustable shock, however I think (from what I remember with Koni Yellows) that all adjustable shocks are made firm and will never get anywhere near a smooth ride, regardless of the setting. I found that my old Koni Yellows were either stiff, or stiffer haha. They were great for taking turns... But I live in Edmonton Alberta where the roads suck! Also, I'm not sure how easily I could adjust the shocks in the SIR. Especially in the rear.

Do you think it would be worth my wild to buy and install new, stock springs? They won't be lowering spring, just like to get the suspension to almost brand new.

Thanks

 
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Specifically Variable Rate Coils

 
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I personally love the way the my Koni Srt.t's ride. I have never driven with them on my stock springs, but I would venture to say its an even smoother ride than with the eibachs I have now. I live in Ohio (where the roads are also terrible).

Maybe try getting the Koni Orange (Srt.t), slap them on and see how it rides. If not up to your standards. Buy yourself some O.E. replacement springs.

 
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The Koni STR.T are orange... from what I can see.

Does anyone know where I can get stock springs? I can find alotta lowering springs... but its difficult to find stock. RockAuto.com seems to be providing the best variety, however the variable springs (any better?) are limited quantity.

Thanks

 
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You could try getting a quote for the cost of springs from a dealership, but it might be exorbitantly high. Springs wear out very slowly, I honestly would't worry to much about replacing them.

 
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I've heard that springs take awhile to wear out... however these are going on 11 years old! I'd like to swap them out.

 
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I've bought the Koni STR.T's. I should have them in a couple weeks!

As for coils... would I notice a difference from OEM replacements or Genuine honda coils? It's either I pick a complete set from Rock Auto or from a genuine online Honda distributor. Price may range $100 between the two.

As for Bushings.... I'd like to get a complete set, rather than buying them individually and it seems the only way that'll happen is if I buy polyurathane bushings. I've been down this road and found they were extremely noisey/squeeky. I bought the complete set from EnergySuspension for my 94's civic. Anyone else had this issue? Would you recommend PolyUrathane?

Thanks

 
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Energy suspension or any poly bushing is squeaky, totally unavoidable, especially in cold weather. I'd recommend you get stock replacements.

I'm picky about suspension parts, so I would only buy springs direct from Honda or from another major name in springs like Eibach.

 
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keep the springs, they should last a lifetime if not for rust in snow places

 
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Good choice

 
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Hey,

Thanks again for everyones help! I wanted to outline what i've ordered:

4x Koni STR.T
4x Honda Front and Rear Springs
2x Bolt, Trailing Arm
2x RR. Shock Absorber LOWER BUSHING
2x RR. Arm LOWER/INNER BUSHING
2x RR. Arm LOWER/OUTER BUSHING

I haven't really had a good look under my civic... but does anyone see or think of anything else i'll need? I ask because I'm driving to my other home, 3 hours away and I have limited time to work on the car. Is there any other bushings, or bolts that require replacement so I can order now?

Thanks!

 
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That's a very good list.

You might encounter difficulty with the bolts holding the control arms to the subframe, they're problematic for the same reason trailing arm bolts are. If you are in a location where it could be tricky to get replacement bolts, I would consider having them on hand.

There's a good chance you'll break the tie rod ends and there's a strong possibility they're on the way out anyway. I would consider replacing them as well.

 
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Let me add my .02...

I am currently running these on my EM2 and while they are nice for the price I paid NEW (~$750) they are not the easiest to sweet spot. you really have to play with the pre-load and ride height to get your desired ride height and "stifness" and it takes a good amount of time.

Pros - Looks good, ride is probably a 7 out of 10, good amount of height adjustment up to about 3"

Cons - spanner nuts on the front can come loose if you do not tighten them adequately, non adjustable dampening, hard to adjust ride height (have to remove the shock/ strut to turn the base (and be prepared to do it a decent amount of times to get it perfect)

The "EH" parts - bouncy for the first 1000 miles.... im about at that mark and still trying to "perfect" my ride. the fronts are starting to "squeek" like a rubbing on rubber squeek. Not sure what it is yet as I know its in correctly and bolts are tight. If anyone else has insight that would be great.

If I did it over again id get the Pro-C's OR go Progress. Hope this helps