Recommended Suspension Choices?

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|Chaz|

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Ok I'm looking to upgrade my car's handling capabilities. My budget is $500-$1000. In that I'm including new rims and tires. I'm planning on going with 15s. Probably some kind of Rota, I like the way those look. No clue what kind of tire I'm going to go with, so if anyone can point me in the direction for something that is going to give me good dry road handling with decent handling in the rain, I'd appreciate it.

As for suspension components. I honestly have no clue. I'm thinking coilovers? But I'm not sure. I'm just looking to get something that is going to help improve the cornering capabilities of the car. What would be a good setup to go with? I've searched around a bit, but I just can't find anything that answered all my questions. I'm not too concerned about having a stiffer ride, just as long as it handles better (well as long as it's not crazy stiff, obviously).

I have the $1000 right now, but preferably, I don't really want to spend over it, since I'm saving up for a B18C1 right now. But if everyone strongly recommends spending more I might consider it. Like I said, I just want something that handles better and rides a bit lower. It'd be nice to have better handling capabilities for when I get into the twisties.
 
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i spent 1000 on my Enkei RS5's with Kuhmo Shit Tires new from discounttire.com

i dont think your going to be able to afford coilovers for sure. minimum ~1000 for a decent setup worth having.

springs at the very most if you buy used rims and tires. imo tein s-techs.
 
Ok well what would be the better place to start? I've heard that tires are definitely the best place to start. Could I get away with putting some decent tires on my steelies and then spending money on the suspension? I'm not sure if 13s are too small or anything? Or is having a decent pair of rims important for anything other than just appearance? I would assume it's not, but I've been wrong before.

Like I said I don't need anything with tons of adjustability. I just want something that will give me improved handling capabilities.

I was planning on going with something like this for the rims (15s) http://www.rotawheels.com/images/products/slipstream_gold.jpg
I like the color I think it would go well with my frost white sedan. I just don't know what I'd wrap them in.

As for coilovers, how about something like this?
eBay Motors: KSPORT KONTROL PRO FULL COILOVER HONDA CIVIC 92-95 (item 260215530134 end time Mar-04-08 20:29:33 PST)
These look decent, I'm sure they'd be a huge step up compared to what I have now.
TEIN USA | PRODUCTS | TYPE BASIC DAMPER
These are nicer though, I'd pay an extra $400...maybe.
TEIN USA | PRODUCTS | SUPER STREET

EDIT: I see that I'm going to probably end up spending more for suspension/wheels than I thought I would, but that's fine. My Civic is going to be an ongoing build. I'd just prefer to start with the suspension, so that when I do drop a B18C1 into it, it doesn't handle like crap (So obviously while I'm working on a parts list for what I want for suspension/rims/tires, I just have to keep in mind that I'm going to be putting a heavier motor in soon). I've test driven plenty of Civics that had the GSR motor swapped into it, but the people didn't put any money into the suspensions so they handled like crap. Handling always seems like it's underrated by many people. A car that handles good is really so much more fun to drive.
 
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If you want cheap rims go to discount tires, and get some of the mb motoring seven x rims in a 15" size. they look way better than stock and are about the cheapest wheels you will find. Also go with some pirelli p6 tires. But with a budget of only $1000 you just ate up half of that with the rims and tires. You will need more money if you plan on doing anything besides wheels and tires.
 
I just looked at my budget again, and I had put away $1000 for suspension only. And about $500ish for rims and tires. So I have more than I thought I did. What would be some good choices for $1000 worth of suspension?
 
yeah sway bar size is a factor of it's stiffness.

consider the OEM strut tower bar, which is only $45 from Honda. and if you get it from a dealership, you dont have to pay shipping.

part # 74300-SR3-010, fits most civics.
 
Omni Coilovers, front upper strut bar, and 22mm rear sway.

From there, I'd find a nice set of used Rotas with at least 70% tread left on decent tires.
yep yep. took the words out of my fingers. some stock webs or blades on good tires are good took. anything oem with some good tires will only set you back about $400-$500. don't waste money on tires for steelies. steelies are heavier than aftermarket and are a horrible size.

from there i would go with the coils.
 
yeah sway bar size is a factor of it's stiffness.

consider the OEM strut tower bar, which is only $45 from Honda. and if you get it from a dealership, you dont have to pay shipping.

part # 74300-SR3-010, fits most civics.

Ok sweet thanks YBEGAL. That's a lot cheaper and will save me money for the coilovers. Does it make a noticeable difference if it's OEM or an aftermarket brand like the one I posted?
 
i'd run a Neuspeed front strut bar.. it mounts to the UCA instead of the shock towers.. you can usually find them for $30-$50 used

as for coilovers.. i went with these.. P2's they were pretty stiff so you'd wanna go with the P1
Buy PIC Apex - Honda

also, if you run a rear sway bar you want to buy a subframe brace.. it'll prevent tearout.. you'd probably need different rear LCAs too
 
i'd run a Neuspeed front strut bar.. it mounts to the UCA instead of the shock towers.. you can usually find them for $30-$50 used

also, if you run a rear sway bar you want to buy a subframe brace.. it'll prevent tearout.. you'd probably need different rear LCAs too

:concur:
 
Thanks eg6sir, those are a bit cheaper than the Omni's too.

This is kinda a dumb question to ask I know, but I'm assuming these are a fairly straightforward installation? I have the huge 1300 page manual so I'm sure there's something in there to help out in case I need some help
 
they dont have adjustable dampening.. but if you're asking these questions, you dont need it..


and yes.. pretty straight forward..
 
Yea I'm not looking for something with a million different ways to adjust them. Like I said I just want something that is going to be better than stock and will be better for when I get into the twisties and for if I do a few autocrosses.

I figured it would be. If I do need any help my Dad is like our car guru. Never been anything he couldn't fix or do. So if I need any help I'll just hit him up.
 
UCA? Upper Control Assembly? I'm not sure what that stands for, but the OEM strut tower bar does not bolt directly to the shock tower, it bolts to the chassis.

IMO it's the same, just less. the only thing better might be the Password JDM 3-point strut tower bar.
 
Ok so my options look like they are the OEM, NEUSPEED, or Password JDM front upper strut bars.

The PIC Apex for coilovers. And I'm still looking for the 22mm rear sway bar.
 
the password bar is too damn much for what it is.. a used neuspeed bar can be found cheap... i got mine for $35 shipped
 
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