Question regarding putting lowered performance springs on stock shocks - Honda Prelude Forum

obos · 02-20-2003, 09:54 AM

Are there any real dangers about putting lowered performance springs on stock shocks? I want to lower my car but I'm not exactly blinging with extra cash. I have 18's now and I want to get H&R sport srings, but I don't think I'll be able to afford the shocks for another month or so. Is there anything I should be concerned about?

Thanks much

ME · 02-20-2003, 11:27 AM

Just wait another month until you have shocks and springs. Install is going to run $150-200, best to only pay that once.

willmbrk · 02-20-2003, 11:29 AM

Bah, do it yourself. Spend $60 on a Helms and save some cash.

LudemanDan · 02-20-2003, 12:10 PM

Yeah but you also need a spring compressor. And apparently the cheap ones are no good.

I've heard that you shouldn't put springs on if you don't have shocks to match. I'd say just hold your horses. Patience is a virtue.

Dan

willmbrk · 02-20-2003, 12:19 PM

You can rent them from Kragen and other parts stores. You are correct in that you shouldn't put stiffer springs on stock shocks.

brendon2k · 02-20-2003, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willmbrk
You can rent them from Kragen and other parts stores. You are correct in that you shouldn't put stiffer springs on stock shocks.

Yes you can just rent them from your local auto store so installation is free. If you will have the money for shocks in another month just hold off. H&R sports are not the stiffest aftermarket spring and your stock shocks will last for quite a while depending on how good of condition they are in now. I ran with stock shocks for about 8-9 months with H&R sports and had no problems. The kyb's where definately worth the money though so I say save and do it all at once.

eu4ik · 02-20-2003, 01:51 PM

the cheap spring compressors will just take a short while to compress your springs. im not sure ive ever seen a crappy spring compressor, its just a simple 2 piece tool that squeezes the springs together so you can easily take the top part of hte shock off, so you dont impale yourself or your car with the shock..

i ran for 4 months on stock shocks and eibach sportlines. i bottomed out a lot, and i have a stock downpipe with a lotta scratches now. with the koni yellows, i have only bottomed out on extreme road conditions. since i put the header on i havent hurt anything underneath.

definately wait a month and get the shocks in at the same time as the springs. the rears are a nightmare ahah. took 5 hours to do on the springs and then again 4 months later on the shocks. may as well save yourself some time and frusteration.

im not sure if you mind spending money to have other people work on your car-personally i dont like anyone else touching mine. if you dont have a place to do the install, and you dont have any tools, then you may as well just have someone do it for you. you'll only need a few sockets and a socket wrench or 2. would be good to have one with a 1/2 inch drive as well. i needed a breaker bar on 2 of the bolts.

overall its a fairly simple install. just takes a little time.

obos · 02-20-2003, 03:21 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I guess the main thing to consider here is, do I want to do this twice? Well, I guess maybe I'll wait for another couple of months for the shocks too. We'll see. Thanks again.

[SUB[EX] · 02-20-2003, 03:33 PM

I ran on my stock shocks with SKUNK 2 coilovers for over a year and it was a nice ride.

Yea those cheap spring compressors suck. But they do work. Took me about a total of 6 hours to change my wifes springs. I had to redo one side caus i forgot to cut down the bumpstop. Having air tools really speeds it up tho. You could always remove your shocks and take them down to a local shop and have them swap the springs. Im sure they will do it cheap.

SLICK96 · 02-25-2003, 08:11 PM

Aftermarket springs on stock struts is going to give you a bouncy ride, trust me. I've been in MANY cars w/ this setup, and it's not worth it. Just take an extra month or so, and save up for some quality aftermarket struts.

J