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Hey guys, alright so my shocks and struts are worn.
I wanted to lower the car anyway because of wheel gap.
I'm debating coilovers and camber kits. Or..
Expensive Springs, shocks, and camber kits.

I live in mn so it is winter half of the year, it would be nice to raise it in winter. Though I'm afraid of the salt eating up my coilovers adjustment rings and getting them stuck or damaged.

Anyone run coilovers in winter? Are they fine in the spring? How about multiple winters?
My other option is just lower it on springs and shocks, but not as much; so it is fine in winter still with big snowfalls.
Eibach pro or sport line. Or maybe H&R.
Budget for all parts is under 1k.
I'd like a ride that isn't too bouncy. I had race land in my Mkii Gti and it was super bouncy.

Thanks!

 
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Yes I run coilovers all year long. I am working on my second winter with my coilovers and they are holding up great (I even bought them used).

Cheaper coilovers are not going to be able to stand up to harsher winters.

You are going to want the adjustability of coilovers. The ability to go low in the summer and raise it in the winter is nice. I would just get coilovers instead of springs. With a 1K budget I would save a little bit more and get Progress Coilovers. Even a used set would be good.

Thats because they are junk!

 
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Yeah I know they are, I was on a budget back then. Lol.

$945.00 not bad for those Progress.
Any other brands you recommend under $1000 that you think will hold up well in winter?

Heres another question though, do you get an alignment every winter that you raise it up? Or do you just raise it up 1/2" or so?

That would get spendy.

Thanks man!

 
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higer quality components will have better corrosion resistant coatings but i would still use VHT epoxy paint and anti seize on the collars you should also periodically power wash them in the winter months. i second the Progress technology if i didn't already own progress i would only use Koni yellow and Ground control which are eibach.

 
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^VHT epoxy and anti seize are a good idea.

If you can find a set of KW used they would be great (these are what I have). Other then that Koni and Ground Control like lowlife said. Koni are a PITA to instal and because of that I would just get the Progress.

I dont raise it up in the winter time. I keep it dropped around 2.5" all year.

I do have a 5 year alignment from NTB though. It cost around $230 and you can get it aligned as many times as you want for 5 years. They also offer a 2 year program. If there is not a NTB near you there are other alignment shops that also offer similar programs. You will have to check in your area.

Even if you raise it 1/2" you should get it realigned. That's not to say that you have to but it will maximize tire and suspension component life. The amount of miles you drive may be a consideration.

 
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i don't raise mine either i use mine to plow my neighbors driveways for extra cash. firestone has a lifetime 2 alignments a year thing for around 150 bucks.

 
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This thread is great. I've been debating about lowering mine too. The rear struts on mine are leaking now. The main thing is I don't want to damage the suspension or underside of the car.

I didn't know suspension shops offered multiple alignments for a single price. Both Firestone and NTB sound great.

So it seems like the consensus from reading a few threads is to use coilovers. I definitely like that they would be adjustable.

I was thinking maybe lowering either 1 inch all around or else 2 inches in the front and 1 inch in the rear.

 
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some firestone's won't do it if your car is to low to get it on the lift without using blocks so ask around first. some but not all coilovers use shorter strut bodies so even at full lift they will still be lower then stock progress technology is one company that utilizes this.

 
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Coilovers are the way to go, you will want the adjustability even if you don't ever raise and lower it. Just being able to dial in the height perfectly is worth the extra cost.

The NTB that I go to will also do custom settings. I tell them my camber and toe settings and they make it happen. If this is important I would ask that as well as if they will align a lowered car. Before deciding on a shop drive by and see what kind of cars are parked out front. I stopped in the NTB that I go to because of a nice WRX I saw outside all the time. Seeing the car made me think that a "car guy" might work there and he/she will be able to work with me more.

 
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That's a great idea actually about the shop drive by. Thanks for the input guys! My Gti was slammed on coilovers and I am actually happy now that I don't have to drive at an angle over speed bumps and take certain routes etc. so I won't lower it as much forsure. Maybe 1.5" or so.. But it would be nice to have the option to lower it more. I just don't have the funds for a camber kit or coilovers right now. Decisions decisions. I may save for a bit for camber kit and coilovers or just do springs for now.

 
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Save up for coilovers. I bought springs first and wasn't happy.

 
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I'm leaning towards progress. $1k with shipping isn't too bad I guess.

 
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Hey guys, I have another question. The only coilovers I have experience with are Raceland on my 92 gti. It was very bouncy and bumpy. Ive had neuspeed race springs w stock shocks on my 01 gti and tein springs w stock shocks on my 04 mini S. Both of those were better ride quality forsure.

I would love KW but just cant afford them. Would Progress be as comfortable as stock + springs if I only did a 1" - 1.5" drop?

I love stock shock feel but I dont mind aftermarket spring feel. I just hated the bouncy feel of the Raceland coilovers.

So Im debating stock shocks + eibach pro kit or progress coilovers + camber kit. Id only lower it 1-1.5" I know Id have the option to get perfect stance with it. Though I really would like great shock ride quality.

Thanks guys!

 
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progress is one of the most comfortable coilovers you can get there close to stock feel.

 
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Thats great to hear! I am tempted to get KW 1's but the highest is 1.5" which may be too low for winter here. I wish KW went to 1". I think Ill go with Progress!

 
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Which camber kit would go w the Progress best?

Im looking into SPC.

 
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1K shipped for a custom USA made suspension setup is a great deal!!

I only have KW because I got a great deal on a set of used V2's. If I didn't find the deal I would have gone with Progress. I had Eibach Sportline springs for about a year before I got tired of them and wanted to go lower and get better performance.

Ingalls or SPC are good. One has a poly option, I can't remember who. Front kit is not needed but you can get camber bolts. My KW have camber adjustment built into the strut (similar to the camber bolts).

 
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ingalls smart arm's utilizes a cast forged construction so there lighter and stronger then SPC they also have the option of poly or rubber bushings. i really hope you go with progress because there's been so many times i thought i convinced somebody to get them and a month later they come back with hay guys i bought some D2, ksport replica what do you think ???. side note progress technology is the manufacturer of toyota TRD suspension in north america along with many other oem suspension's food for thought.

 
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I found KW for around $1400 but thats still very high. They do look like wonderful coilovers though. Yeah I have been debating Eibach but dont want to end up getting 16's and have to go lower or something of that nature. Maybe even just going lower on 15s if I got lower profile tires. Yeah I was looking at Ingalls as well. Im glad to hear you consider Progress after KW. Thats what Im thinking as well.

I was also looking at Ingalls. I will forsure go for Ingalls and Progress thanks to your comments. I appreciate it! I had Poly in my 04 mini cooper and liked how aggressive it felt. Not sure if I want it again in my daily civic though. But who knows, it is a good option. Thats cool! Toyota is an awesome company for off roading.

These look like the correct ones:
I need to order 2 of each correct?

http://www.procivic.com/index.php?pa...roducts_id=799

http://thmotorsports.com/ingalls/ing...0/i-60229.aspx

 
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Progress does custom springs rates also so you can get them softer if you like.

 
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Awesome, I ordered a pair of the:
Ingalls Alignment Kit (38950) SmartArm Adjustable Link
Polyurethane Bushings
Adjustment : Camber -2 to +3 deg


For the: Ingalls Front Camber Adjusting Bolts, http://www.procivic.com/index.php?pa...roducts_id=799

Do I have to order 2 of those? Or just one? Thanks!

 
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Just one. A single adjuster goes on the top crash bolt of the strut mount. One for each side.

 
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Awesome, thats what I was thinking! But another site said underneath it, one kit per wheel. I think it meant 1 kit per car. Lol

Cool, Ill probably get the 0-3" one:

http://www.procivic.com/index.php?pa...roducts_id=799

I think Im all set for part ideas. Thanks guys!

 
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just remember to order the rite size components in the front because the crash bolts differ in size from 01-02 and 03-05.

 
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Thank You! Its going on my 2003.

 
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just to clarify, stock shocks are not valved to handle higher spring rates (necessary to be higher due to shorter travel of the springs)
the shocks will be overwhelmed by the springs, and the springs like to boingo, boingo if the shocks does not resist its movements.

likely the shocks will degrade faster if stiffer springs are added.

a lot of the cheaper "lowering" springs does not increase spring rates for the guys that does not want to change to better valved shocks, so they will crash down easier due to shortened travel + low spring rates.

 
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Thanks for the reply! I'm going to go w/ Progress Coilovers. If I did springs, it sounds like it would be very smart to swap shocks too. Good for others reading this!

 
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Hey thanks again for all of your help! I have the Ingalls Smart Arms and Progress Coilovers on hand now. Just have to order the front bolts. Ill post photos in a couple months when I get them installed.

 
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Sweet!! Must post pics when you are done, not doing so could result in banning

 
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Hahaha yeah I will!

I'm very happy that Progress has corrosion resistance electroless nickel. Should be great for the harsh winters here.