So I really need to replace the coilovers that came on my car. one is missing a rubber piece, stopping me from getting the car aligned.

I had planned on getting some tein s techs, as they seem to have good feedback and don't lower the car TOO much. I'm looking for less than a 2'' drop since I'm rolling on 17's.


but then I found these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...Q5fAccessories

I understand that tokico hp shocks are oem replacements, but will work alright with a mild drop like the stechs. what do you guys think about the springs that come with the ebay listing above? I've never read much about Tokico's springs. Would they be about the same as the Tein s techs?

I'm on a budget, but at the same time I need to get this taken care of, because right now I'm driving around un-aligned and don't want to ruin my tires.

ps-if you guys think these Tokico's are crap, then I would love to hear of a relatively cheap set of shocks to go with the s-techs...

THANKS!!!

 

one thing I just noticed about the tokico springs are that they are NOT progressive. I really don't like that. hmm... any suggestions on some decent/relatively cheap shocks to go with a nice new set of tein s techs? I don't want something that's gonna leak in a few months, but I also can't afford to spend much more than $300......

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...Q5fAccessories

maybe these with the s techs? they're a little over my budget, but if i waited another week I could afford them. hell, if i waited another week I could afford something a little better than teins as well...

any suggestions?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H-R-S...Q5fAccessories

how about these h&r's? I read good things about them. they won't cause any rubbing with my 17's will they? they don't drop it much more than the teins (which no one seems to complain about rubbing with the teins) but their spring rates are much more aggressive, which I like.

the more I read about the teins, the more I feel like I won't be happy with that small amount of lowering.

I'm beginning to think that the h&r sports with tokico illuminas are the way to go, but I'll probably have to wait another week/paycheck to order them...


sorry for posting so many times before anyone even responds. I just really want to get this done. I can't afford new tires! haha

 

On a 2000, Tein S-Techs will lower the front 1.7" and rear 1.9" and have a near-OEM spring rate (165f/80r stock vs 235f/140r S-Tech) which should translate into less body roll while maintaining ride quality. The H&R sport has a much more aggressive spring rate at 330f/280r, which will definitely decrease ride quality (though by how much I don't know) and would more than likely need something a little stouter than Tokico HPs. I have yet to hear anyone complain about Tein S-techs with Tokico HPs, though.

But as far as rubbing, that's all up to wheel size, offset, and tire size. With 17x7, +45mm offset, and 205/40-17 tires, I didn't have any major rubbing issues on my '94 even though I was tucking tire all around.


And for future reference, please use the edit button instead of posting back-to-back.

 

sorry man, I didn't even think to use the edit button. *facepalm*

I think I'm gonna go with the H&R sports coupled with the tokico illumina's

thanks for the input!


- ya know what? I think I might've changed my mind yet again. I think I am gonna go with my original plan - Tein s techs and tokico hp's... we'll see how it goes...

 

hey guys, me again. am I going to need anything other than:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TEIN-...Q5fAccessories

and:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Tokic...Q5fAccessories

Do I need anything other than these two items? what about shock boots?

will I need this?:

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...527&perfCode=P


and one last question: is there some other (better) place to order this stuff besides ebay? Sorry for all the newb questions, I just want to do this right the first time

edit: where can I find some polyurethane LCA bushings? cant seem to find them on stealbay

 

i found the best deals at THMotorsports.com

I donno if its still good, but at checkout try the promo code TAXBREAK2010

I love my stechs, ride quality is indeed close to stock, I can easily take corners 15mph faster than before, and they look good. Only complaint is that because I have an automatic, the front passenger side is about 1cm lower than the other corners.

If you can afford the illuminas, they are a very good adjustable shock, but if you are only going to drop moderately and you dont do autocross or anything, you prolly dont need an adjustable shock.

You should be fine with the HP's/Stechs. I know people using stechs on oem shocks for years although i wouldnt recommend it. Or you could try Koni Oranges, I went with them and I'm extremely satisfied. Better shock than the HP and comes with lifetime warranty. I got mine for 280ish but if i wanted to wait for backorder I could have gotten them 245

I didnt read all of that other stuff you wrote cause I have a short attention span, but you should definitely consider getting some spare LCA bolts before starting this project, they break frequently and then you are stranded.

 

I've had/have the Tokico HP setup on two cars. I had the Shock/spring combo on my '95 Civic for about a year and Autocrossed with it a bunch of times. Rode great on the street, but definitely not the best performance package due to low spring rates and basically OE shocks. I switched my suspension setup on that car afterwards and held onto the Tokico's. Now I have a daily driver '99 Civic which about 8 months ago I decided to put my old Tokico spings on it with the stock, 120k mile OE shocks. It rides great with the springs on it, still very smooth and for the time it's been on those springs, I've had zero issues and no complaints. Car is lowered just enough to make me happy about the wheel gap and it's smooth sailing on the streets.

As for the S.Techs, they are probably very similar in spring rates as the Tokico spring but they do lower the car a bit more. The Tokico setup(both shocks and springs) are good quality and well worth the price.

Where did you get the info that they are not progressive? I have always looked up info for these springs and have yet to find a definitive answer on anything from spring rates to linear/progressive. Please post up where you got that info as I'm interested.

I can tell you first hand that these springs aren't going to blow out either the Tokico shocks OR you stock shocks in a few months... Like mentioned, they are softly sprung and have a mild drop.

The Illumina's are good shocks but probably way more than you need. With either the Tokico or Tein springs, you won't need adjustable shocks and these shocks are valved a little more aggressively which means at even their lowest setting it'll probably ride a bit more rough than what you might want.

H&R makes good products, however those springs carry a higher spring rate and also drop the car more than the Tokico and Teins. And you are right, if you went with these, you'd probably want the Illuminas.

The only things you should need are the springs/shocks. You can use the OE top hats, which with your year car I'm sure the bushings are fine. You'll also use all the original components of the current suspension(IE: bump stop, dust cover, washers, etc..).

Ebay is pretty good, but be careful with the Tein stuff. There are some fake Tein S.Tech springs out there... Also, I noticed the listing you linked for the Tokico HP shocks says "92-00 Civic". The rear shocks from a 92-95 civic will NOT fit on the rear of a 96-00 Civic, and vise versa. So when ordering make sure you note to the seller your year car so they send the correct shocks. Always read carefully any ebay listings for information like that...

Energy Suspension makes some good, cheap bushings that are pretty easy to install.
http://www.energysuspension.com/



Some other suggestions to look into.

KYB GR2 shocks. Comparable to the Tokico HP shocks as they are OE replacements aswell.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-G...item27b661d0f7

KYB AGX shocks. Comparable to the Tokico Illumina's, adjustable and aggressive valving.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-A...item5d27f67e66

Koni STR.T shocks. A non-adjustable shock that have been designed for aftermarket lowering spring applications. It's more aggressive than OE but not quite as serious as some adjustable shock.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KONI-...item4aa61db8fa

Have you considered coilovers? I realize money is tight but you've mentioned waiting longer to save up more to purchase more expensive parts. Depending on how long you can wait and how much you can save up, I'd highly suggest looking into the Progress Coilover kit. This kit I linked is a good bit more aggressive than the others we've talked about but the ride on the street wont be horrible. Plus you'll have the adjustable ride height so you can change the height to w/e you desire.
http://www.progressauto.com/products.../productID/595

 

would those orange konis be ok with the H&R springs? (the konis are actually cheaper than the tokico hps!) I think I'm going to order from that thmotorsports.com, its just as cheap as ebay and I know I will be getting name brand parts from them.

Im having trouble deciding whether I want the s techs or if I should go a little more aggressive and get the h&r's. if the orange konis would work with them, I might end up getting the h&r's over the stechs....

ps-thanks for all the replies, you guys are great!