91 EF hatch suspension advice

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virus5877

New Member
Hey guys, this is my first post here! First off, let me say that I love the site! great info here for anybody who's a honda fan!

Now, I just picked up a 91 EF hatch (super used, 215k, 400 bucks) that I'm planning on completely rebuilding over the next year or 2.

I have a good friend who's been building Honda's for nearly 10 years and he recommended that my first upgrade should be my suspension.

so...I've been looking around and since I'm a college kid and don't feel like blowing big money (or have it to blow, for that matter!) I'm probably going to go with either a Tokico Blue or Illumina Full Coil-Over kit.

So...what else do I need to pick up before I can install the new suspension? I know I will replace the control arms eventually, but I was really wondering if I needed a camber kit right off the bat? and if so, do I need both front and rear immediately?
also, any recommendations of what camber kit to use with the Tokico suspension?


sorry if this is covered elsewhere, I did a brief forum search and couldn't find an answer...


and before you guys ask, here's my short list of shit I want to put on my hatch:

d16z6 motor (I've got my eyes on junkyards, gonna grab one used, and build it up completely from scratch)
Full Coil-Over suspension
Enkei evo 5 wheels (I have a hookup at Enkei, so I can get them cheap)
Full JDM SiR body panels (front/rear bumper, skirts, fenders, front and rear lips)
Apexi WS2 exhaust
Cold Air intake

that's the short list...anyway, help with the suspension please!
 
Replacing control arms is NOT necessary. For that amount of cash, you'd be much better served replacing all of your bushings with new ones, preferably polyurethane ones. With a chassis that old, a camber kit isn't going to help if you can't control the wobble in all of your joints to begin with! Bring the chassis back into serviceable condition before you start modifying it. After that, install your coilovers and your camber kits.
 
thanks for the fast responses!

I'll pick up a full chassis polyurethane bushing kit asap.

any brands that I should stay away from? so far I've seen Energy and Prothane brands...
 
I've had good success with Energy Suspension bushings. Lots of people like the Prothanes too, although I've never known anyone personally who has used them.
 
If you plan on using the car for a daly driver I wouldn't go coil over it gets pretty annoying after a while.Maybe try some KYB AGX with eibach springs it rides alot better on the street, but if you do wanna go coil over go with Ground Control coil overs with Koni Yellow sports they're a good combo. Ingals makes a good camber kit also. hope this helps :)
 
I would think it depends on what coilovers you get as to how streetable they are. I'm a fan of the Ksports. On soft they are tighter and ride better than stock. You don't have to have it slammed and on the hard setting all the time. But, that's just my opinion.
 
If you plan on using the car for a daly driver I wouldn't go coil over it gets pretty annoying after a while.

It really all depends on how well the shocks and springs are matched up. I've had full coilover setups with perfect matching that were a lot stiffer AND smoother than regular lowering spring + shock setups.
 
ingalls camber kit
energy suspension bushings FTW

are you going for a nice smooth ride or what???
also i believe that if you run a camber kit the older civics have something to where you have to press in new balljoints or some shit like that
 
I want a nice smooth ride for my daily driver, but I also want a tighter, more controlled ride for when I get bored and go cruising :p

I'm probably going with a full coil-over setup, I don't mind a tight ride all the time. I enjoy being able to feel the road. Besides, my town has pretty nice roads :)
 
I'm a big fan of the PIC coilovers, they make a really good product, but I'm kinda biased :rolleyes:.

My PIC coilovers paired with PIC LCAs, ASR subframe brace, ITR 22mm sway bar and ASR sway bar endlinks, with my Neuspeed front strut bar has really made me happy. But like I said I'm biased ;).

I'm passing everything in the corners now, oh and it really isn't too stiff. I've even had my grandparents in it and they didn't complain about the ride. My setup oversteers just slightly. Remember your suspension setup is only as good as the tires you've got though.
 
ingalls camber kit
energy suspension bushings FTW

are you going for a nice smooth ride or what???
also i believe that if you run a camber kit the older civics have something to where you have to press in new balljoints or some shit like that

This is the kit right here. $199, and a must have. Skunk2 though.
 
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