Best Spring/Strut Combination For 2000 Prelude SH - Honda Prelude Forum

DFunn · 09-12-2011, 07:18 PM

Hello everybody,

I just bought a 2000 Honda Prelude Saturday. Very excited to own the car and it's treating me very well so far. **after running the VIN I noticed that it is a BASE MODEL**

I know it's a commonly asked question but I've done a lot of searches and I finally found a thread but it was 10 years old. The car has a lot of miles on it so I don't want to go crazy on a suspension set-up and spend too much money, but I don't want to be cheap. I'd like to go with a spring and strut combo best suited for what I'm looking for.

I have done a bit of searching, the most popular choice seemed to be H&R Springs with Koni Yellow Struts. Again, the thread was old so I was looking for an up to date response. There are some pretty bad roads around my area and this is going to be a daily driver, not a track car. I'm looking for a good drivable stance that will benefit some performance too.

I already ordered an OEM optional front lip and OEM mud flaps so I would like to stay away from scraping everywhere but I would like to get rid of the 4x4 stance. I sound picky, I know. I'll most likely be purchasing 17" Rota Boost (Advan RGII replicas) which I believe are 17x8? I'd want to consider a ride height that won't rub with that set-up on it.

If you're still with me at this point of this novel I appreciate it! I think I'd like to get somewhere around the 1.5" drop area, you tell me. If there is a thread that I couldn't find that maybe shows pictures of different ride heights/set-ups and reviews that would be great to see. I've read that Tein Springs were good as well, haven't heard much about Skunk2 but I know they're popular with Civcs/Integras. What about other strut options? I only paid $3,000 for the car so I really would like to stay away from spending $800 on a suspension set up considering there is still more to do to it. Thanks again if you've read through this, your input is appreciated. Sorry for a over asked question, this seems like the most popular forum for this platform.

That 01 BB6 · 09-12-2011, 07:55 PM

I always liked the Tein S-tech springs with tokico shocks. Kind of pricy, you can get Function & Form adjustable coilovers for 630 shipped on ebay but it will be lower then 1.5"

Here's one site that I know sells them. I would use the coupon code HT5D for 5% off too
Part Number PSTT-11

Kronn 98SH · 09-13-2011, 05:46 AM

For an SH, you'll want adjustable height. Consider Ground Controls with custom rates.

However, first you need to determine your actual trim level.

MisledYouth bb6 · 09-13-2011, 10:47 AM

Eibach pro kit and tokico Illuminas 1.5-1.6in drop. Or go with tokico blues if you want. I had both.

That 01 BB6 · 09-13-2011, 06:54 PM

Not to thread jack but personally I need a coilover set that can retain stock ride height if I want it. Any of those exist?

Kronn 98SH · 09-13-2011, 09:25 PM

GCs can retain stock height and even go higher.

That 01 BB6 · 09-13-2011, 09:32 PM

can't or can?

That 01 BB6 · 09-13-2011, 09:40 PM

reading into them more right now. Not a bad deal either.

Kronn 98SH · 09-14-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by That 01 BB6

can't or can?

Fixed.

Honda4Life · 09-14-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFunn

I believe it's a SH model considering it has a H22 vtec.

All 5th gens imported for the US market had an "H22 vtec" even the Base model automatic so to assume that makes it an SH would be wrong. I assume RI is Rhode Island so you would be in the USA.

Before ordering anything I would make sure of exactly what you have. Run your VIN here and it will tell you.

Genuine Honda Parts - Honda OEM Parts

Kronn 98SH · 09-14-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kronn 98SH

However, first you need to determine your actual trim level.

^

Honda4Life · 09-14-2011, 08:49 PM

Sorry I had a more extensive explaination for him and a way to help him figure it out which model he does have if it is a US model as things would lead one to believe.

DFunn · 09-14-2011, 11:26 PM

Thanks for the help so far everybody. Honda4Life I used the link you provided and found out my car is a Base model AND that it's a 2001 not a 2000. I thought that with the sun roof and h22 it would of been a SH. What are the differences between a SH and base model?

So this changes what kind of set-up I can use. What would you guys recommend for a 2001 Base Model? I looked up the Koni Yellows and I cannot see myself spending $600 on struts or whatever it was. What about KYB GR2's? Those are supposed to be a factory replacement for most cars. I'm looking to get a 1.5"-2" drop and a decent ride. Like I said this isn't gonna be a track car, mainly looking for a nice stance and a nice ride. The car has high mileage so I doubt I can run on the current struts. If anybody has any pictures with their set-ups that would be appreciated! So what do you say? Tein? H&R? All input is greatly appreciated!

zfinatic · 09-15-2011, 03:03 AM

SH has the atts system on the drive train (corrects oversteer), as well as the suspension package or "super handling" package hense the type SH. i plan to go with tein.

Kronn 98SH · 09-15-2011, 09:13 AM

Because the KYB GR2s are simply OEM replacements, they aren't designed for handling or lowering. Consider KYB AGXs instead.

And once again, I still suggest Ground Control coilovers with custom rates.

For the differences between the base and SH, just do a search.

That 01 BB6 · 09-15-2011, 09:35 AM

I'll be scooping up some GC's around winter. Prob throw some tokico's in the mix too.

Honda4Life · 09-15-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFunn

What are the differences between a SH and base model?

This is just a quick list of the easy things to tell.

Rims are different between models. Base has what are referred to as "blades". The SH has a 5 spoke style wheel.

Side skirts and rear lip. SH models are painted to match while the Base models are just black.

3rd brake light. The SH doesn't have one in the rear window as all SH models came with a wing. The Base will have one in the rear window even with a spoiler unless they didwhat I did and swapped the rear deck carpet out for one that doesn't have the hole.

Door lamps. The SH has door courtesy lamps that light up when the door is opened. The Base model does not have this unless the owner added it like myself.

The SH model will have an "ATTS" light when the key is 1st turned light up in the cluster. The Base will not.

The shift boot and knob are different. The SH has a leather round shaped shift knob and where it connects to the shift boot it is also round. The Base model has a rubber like knob that is more square. Where it mounts to the boot is also square. Here is a pic of the SH knob and boot.

http://www.handa-accessories.com/prelude/prelsk.jpg

On an SH you change the oil filter from the top, a base model the bottom.

On an SH there is 2 metal lines that run over the tranny to the radiator. The Base does not have that.

In the trunk, on the SH, you will see a plastic cover on the floor up by the seat back on the drivers side. Base model will not have that.

Those are the easy way to tell, yes there is more though but these are theeasy/quick ways to tell if it is an SH or Base model.

Hope that helps ya out a bit.

Honda4Life · 09-15-2011, 11:32 AM

Oh, and all US 5th gen models came with a sunroof. I believe this is true in all Gens (1st-5th) actually that were brought to the US.

DFunn · 09-15-2011, 04:35 PM

Honda4Life you definitely cleared that up for me! haha I know for sure that I have a base model not a SH. Good to know the differences though, Thanks again!

Kronn that makes sense so I'll stay away from the GR2's. I noticed that everybody brings up the Tokico struts as well. I just looked on ebay quick and they seem to be very reasonably priced, around the same as the AGX's. Would this be a better strut than a KYB AGX? The blue Tokico's look like they come with lowering springs but I don't know if I'd trust those springs.

So I'm thinking either Tein or H&R springs, I know both companies offer more than one spring for our cars. What would you recommend? I know the H&R springs are more expensive but not by much. Would a Tokico blue strut be a good match for either spring? I wish I could afford coil overs but I'm getting half the car painted and just did a full tune up and timing service. Not an excuse to be cheap, I know but again this is just going to be a cruiser. I'm just looking for a happy medium and I'd like to spend somewhere around $600 because I have to consider labor too. I really do appreciate all of the help guys. This seems like the best prelude forum by far.

DFunn · 09-16-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by That 01 BB6

I always liked the Tein S-tech springs with tokico shocks. Kind of pricy, you can get Function & Form adjustable coilovers for 630 shipped on ebay but it will be lower then 1.5"

Here's one site that I know sells them. I would use the coupon code HT5D for 5% off too
Part Number PSTT-11

I just looked into those Function & Form and they seem like a great deal. I wouldn't mind a set of those, very reasonably priced. Is the ride going to be terrible? It would be nice to raise it for winters but you said it would be lower than 1.5" no matter what?