Rep Power: 181

Okay, I don't mean to sound lazy, but even after doing research here on the forum and across the vast expanses of the internet, I'm still not sure what the best option is for lowering my car.

Your mission, if you should choose to accept it, is to help me lower my car properly and for a good price!

First, the Car...
-2005 Honda Civic EX Special Edition USDM

The Wheels/Tires...
-17x7 O.Z. Adrenalina (Offset: 37mm)
-Bridgestone Potenza PP - 215/45R17

The Criteria...
-Must lower at least 1.3"
-Must be capable of stock ride height for winter
-Must be decent quality for long life span
-Preferably black in color, but that's not important
-Should be relatively easy to install, especially that I'm doing it myself
-Preferably less than $700 total
-Good for handling, but not sacrificing too much ride quality (Daily driver, not a track car)
-Does not need to achieve more than a 2" drop

And a question...
I know the basic difference between standard Coil/Shock setups and Coilovers, but what are the Advantages/Disadvantages of both? Which is best for a daily driver?

I don't trust myself in picking suspension on my own, so I'm begging anyone to help me find exactly what I need and hopefully at a good price. I hardly understand spring rates and don't bother trying to explain, because I probably still won't get it. I'd greatly appreciate it if someone can set me up with either a Coil/Shock setup or Coilover set that will work best for me and my Civic. As a complete newbie to lowering, I need as much support as I can get!

Thank you very much in advance for anyone willing to guide me in this project!!

 
Rep Power: 367

eibach springs and tokiko blues
camber kit if you want

edit:
just saw you want to lift.
coilovers or a spring spacer fabricated.
700 is not nearly enough for coils

 
Rep Power: 181

I've heard that about a million times

If you could give specific names, part numbers even, or the best place to buy them, that would be amazingly helpful!

 
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Agreed. I have an 05 LX-SE Sedan. I popped in some Tokico HPs and I was set. Eibach springs come pretty recommended for our cars, though I went with Tein S-Techs since they were a good price. That's about all you need, really.

As far as being stock height, if you're looking for adjustments, then I think your only option is to go coilovers, and that's most likely not in your budget. I get around pretty good on the S-Techs, which I think have a similar drop to the Eibachs. Even the unnecessarily huge speed bumps don't bug me.

As far as part numbers, you can find that easily when you go to any website selling the stuff. Just make sure you're looking for parts for 2005 Civic EX (being special edition does nothing for the parts), and you've got it.

I know dezod.com has them, specifically in a section on the left marked Honda Civic 01-05. Go to springs, and take your pick. Both Eibach and Tein are on there. He's even got a section for shocks/struts, so go and pick out what you want. They're clearly labeled what year they are for. The more popular Tokicos will the the "Blues".

 
Rep Power: 181

So coilovers are the only ones that let you lift back up? i guess that makes perfect sense. It's obvious, lol

A friend recommended these: http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/Gro...-4533.02/6686/ but I don't know if they're any good or what shocks I should get for them. I can't even tell if these will fit my car, but according to the site, they will.

EDIT: coilovers are freakin' expensive: noted. I'll have to live with a low car on coils!

 
Rep Power: 181

Okay then...

Does this seem legit?
I know you should generally avoid Ebay purchases, but this is enticing...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEIN-S-TECH-...ht_4235wt_1259

 
Rep Power: 285

I purchased my Tokicos from Ebay, they served me well.

That seems totally legit, and would be a good set up.

 
Rep Power: 511

The crash bolt on the 03-05's is 16mm.

Since those are advertised as 01-02, then they're gonna be made for a 14mm crash bolt.

 
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I totally missed that

 
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haha, it happens

 
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Curses! The little window towards the bottom says it's compatible with a 2005. I sent a message to the seller requesting more information. I also found a list of compatible vehicles on the page where 03-05 is listed as "Important Part Details". I'll bet they have sets for 03-05 w/ 16mm also.

This is another option, although It doesn't seem worth it for only a 1" drop....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EIBACH-PRO-K...ht_2466wt_1240

 
Rep Power: 285

The second one, with Eibach springs, is much more expensive as a package than they would be purchased separately.

 
Rep Power: 181

Okay new problem...
(I'll probably go with the Teins if I can get the right size)

I still live with my parents and technically they own the car. So far they've let me do whatever to it but when i mentioned lowering it, they immediately got mad at me and rejected the idea entirely. Put simply, my parents would be pissed if I lowered my car.

Any tips to make them understand that lowering is not a such big deal? I'm aware that some alignments may have to be done, but I'm willing to handle that with my own time and money.

 
Rep Power: 285

What is the specific reason your parents opposed to you lowering it?

 
Rep Power: 181

My mom's argument (she's paranoid of winter driving): It's already too low, how are you going to get around in winter?

My counter-argument: It's actually more stable with lowering springs and if the snow's deep, just don't drive in it and get someone else to drive you if necessary. That simple! Rarely are main roads too deep for even a lowered car to drive on in winter. My friends Smart ForTwo is lower...


My dad's argument: We own the car. Lowering it is a very difficult job and it requires alignments that will cost hundreds of dollars. It's already low enough.

My counter-argument: It's not that hard to install and I'm willing to pay for whatever maintenance needs to be done in order to make it safe and efficient.


Once they see how my car will look like a monster truck when my 17" rims arrive next month, maybe then they'll understand.

 
Rep Power: 0

Hmm, I might just buy this set for my '02 Civic. I also don't know much about lowering vehicles either. Do you guys think this is a good setup for my car if it has a body kit already installed? I currently have bad struts that I'm debating whether i should replace them with another pair of OEM shocks/struts or these here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEIN-S-TECH-...ht_4307wt_1261

P.S. Those shocks come with struts right? sorry, don't know much about lowering cars =/

 
Rep Power: 181

lol, that's the same link I shared. You better not buy all 10 sets so I can't get one!

And struts are essentially the whole assembly: coils + shocks. More specifically, coilovers are performance engineered struts.

 
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lol sorry man :P I'll probably buy a set, but it won't be till tomorrow in the afternoon or something. if they're still available :0 I also got 17" rims on, and i'm just hoping it'll be a decent drop for my ride. there's like a 2.5 inch gap too.. but i just don't want to badly scrape the bottom of my kit thus possibly messing it up in the long term

 
Rep Power: 181

Haha, I'm just joking, there's plenty to go around. I'm waiting for a response from the seller to let me know if they have any available for 03-05 coupes because apparently there is a slight numerical difference.

 
Rep Power: 285

Not only do I live in Canada, but I snowboard often, speaking from personal experience a lowered car is not a hindrance. If the snow on the road is deep enough that it the ride height of the car hinders travel, you would already have poor enough traction that driving would be nearly impossible. The car does increase the stability of the car on snow, that definitely helps.

Lowering a car is much more simple than one would think. It took me two hours working alone my first time and was the only job I had ever done on a car aside from changing the oil, there's a grand total 22 bolts to remove, that's it. If your Dad wants a shop to do the work, many only charge $100-120 for labor.

An alignment is necessary, but that's just a part of standard maintenance anyway.

 
Rep Power: 181

That's exactly how I see it! Lowering a car should have little to no effect for winter driving. if you get stuck, you get stuck, big deal, pack a shovel in your trunk!

I think If I wait a couple months and try again, they might allow it. Simply because I've spent a very large amount of money on my car recently and my parents think I should slow down and save more money. Pffft...my money, my problems

 
Rep Power: 511

If you want some defense for winter driving.. I drove an entire upstate-NY winter dropped on tein s-techs with no issues.. So long as where you live takes care of the roads, that is..

When I lived in WA state, I also drove my lowered civic to the slopes to go snowboarding. I did have to use cable-type chains though. I did that lowered more than the s-techs, also.

tein s-techs on tokico blues is a good setup. here's what my car looked like with that setup and 17s


edit: I did ebay those s-techs waaaayyy back when, also. They did me well, then I came across a deal on the coilovers I now have.. That's the only reason I swapped that suspension setup out. If you can't seem to find a tokico setup you're comfortable with, thmotorsports.com is always a good place to go to. Free shipping over $100, and the coupon code "5offfive" still works. A full 4-shock setup will run you 460 shipped though.
http://thmotorsports.com/tokico/toki...s/g-50357.aspx

 
Rep Power: 256

first any coilover can be drilled to fit your knuckle its only 2mm and if its to big you can purchase reducing washers from K-sport. and if its your parents car im with them maybe you should save your money and buy your own car to modify or buy it from them out rite then go under your own insurance so if you *** something up it your responsibility not there's.

 
Rep Power: 181

Basically, even thought they purchased most of the car, it's like a gift to me. They bought my sisters Grand Am 3 years before mine and she has full rights to trade it in or sell it and collect the value. Therefore, I don't see what's different about me putting money into my car. They practically bought it for me to own and do what I want with. I'm prepared to take responsibility for any damage that I may cause. If I have to, I'll even reinstall all the stock parts if necessary.
Hmmm.... parents :P

 
Rep Power: 352

Remember. You live under their roof, it's their rules.

Unfortunately that's how it works

 
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are you under there insurance ???

 
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Eh, my parents aren't really strict. As long as i show them I'm passionate and responsible about something, they'll eventually give in. And yes, I'm under their insurance. Today I further convinced my dad to let me do it but he said I should wait a few months first. (that was my plan anyway, to wait about a month or two.)

 
Rep Power: 181

All right... I think I've convinced the parents to let me lower it.

Now, let's see how generous you people are and see if you can help me find the best price.

I've decided I really love the Tein springs! As for shocks, I want anything compatible and high quality at a decent price. The Tokico Blues are okay, but if there's another option, I'm open to it.

Can I be a bother and ask of you guys to help me find an online store that can get me a nice coil/shock setup with Teins for a reasonable price? And anything else necessary to lower my '05? That would be so awesome!

I've started looking around, but I'm not sure what the ballpark price is for this kind of setup. If someone can provide a link to the ideal setup for me, both shocks and Tein S-tech springs, that is totally awesome and I wish I could spam your Rep. button 1000 times!

P.S. this is random, but as a guy whose studied Japanese culture and language and visited Kyoto before, Tein is pronounced "Tay-een" not "Tine" or "Tee-in", lol, just sayin'

 
Rep Power: 181

Please read previous post first.

Does this look like a good deal if I combine these 2 purchases?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Blue-Toki...ht_3060wt_1008

and

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEIN-S-TECH-...ht_1215wt_1008

 
Rep Power: 189

The link you posted earlier is probably the best deal. You have to look at shipping costs as well as the advertised price. The earliest link you posted has free shipping. Not sure if someone mentioned it but I believe Tein looks like they sag in the back like 75% of the time. For a little bit more there is a kit by the same vendor on ebay that is for tokico HPs with eibach sportlines. From searching on this forum, people seem to be very happy with eibach springs. The sportlines are probably what I'll be riding on as soon as I get out of school for the summer.