I have a '93 Prelude with an H23. The suspension (struts/shocks) are going bad. I have been reading heaps of posts on here about shocks and springs and lowering, etc. I know this question or similar gets asked quite a bit around here but mine is a bit different or at least more specific. I figured I will go ahead and upgrade from OEM and drop the front about 1.7 inches to 2 inches and the rear about 1.5 inches or so. I want to just fill the gap between the bottom of the fender and the top of the tire but not tuck the tires under it, just nicely fill the gap. I have seen a lot of people talk about Ground Control springs (coilovers) and KYB struts or Koni. This car is a daily driver and I'd like to have it handle better, lowered around 2 inches or just under that and still ride fine. I don't mind a touch rougher of a ride but keep in mind this is not a track or race car so full out coil over suspension will not be needed/wasted.
Also any websites to purchase these things would be appreciated. I am looking through Import Replacement Parts currently since that is the only one I know of that has a lot of other parts I need as well...
Thanks!
If you find anything out, please let me know. I've been looking around and thought I found one that would be fine and nice but I looked and read into the setup further and supposedly they are not much better than stock. It was AGX struts and some other springs I cannot think of and also some brand with blue struts (name starts with a T I am just so tired right now I can't even think).
Just let me know what you find.
ground controls + koni's. GC's you can set any ride height you want and you can also customize the spring rates for them as well. Since you were planning to do different heights front to back, customizing your rates will be good. Any time you change out your oem struts to aftermarket will be quite a difference in ride stiffness. Remember to get your car aligned after you install the new setup.
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-Steven
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Originally Posted by vile10
not to offend anyone but usually when you hear a loud noise but never see the car for a long while, that's probably a civic
Are the Konis the struts? If so then are there different ones or just one kind of Konis that work on this? Any link to them and best place to buy? How about a camber kit, will I need one?
Thanks a lot for the answer! I was under the car today looking at the suspension, brakes and control arms when changing the oil, it all looks very old. As far as bushings on control arms go, with an import car, do you guys just change the control arms and buy remaned ones from Auto Zone or buy the bushings and press them in? Sorry for the dumb questions, I only know about old cars and trucks, this is my first Honda/Import car.
Ok I searched more on Importrp.com and found the Konis and coil overs. About 870 bucks give or take a little. A bit more than I can afford right now so not sure. I may go with a cheaper strut/shock setup for now and save up for that since I need heaps of other stuff for the car like tires, new axles, clutch, flywheel (mine is warped from PO not knowing how to drive a manual), timing belt, etc etc. After everything else is done I will go with them. Tokico (sp) blues are what I am thinking of going with now as pretty much a stock replacement. The struts on it now are pretty worn so these will be fine for now and I will add dropped springs to them to lower 1.5 inches for now as well. Either that or the KYB AGX struts.
^since you don't auto-x or race, I would suggest the KYB's + ground controls or similar sleeve (search dropzone)
if not, you could always just get lowering springs if money is tight. I wouldn't recommend this because you will just want to buy other stuff later. Its just easier to do it right the first time around.
Camber kit might/might not be needed. You need to get an alignment after you've installed everything, sometimes you might be out of whack and sometimes you might not be. Also, camber doesn't wear down your tires like you think, the biggest factor is your toe.
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"I am a ricer because I have Z3 fenders"
Well, from my personal perspective, be careful what you wish for. I lowered my Prelude and it was the most miserable thing I have ever done. It actually keeps me from driving it (until I go back to stock this spring). I used Neuspeed sport springs, KYB AGX and an ingalls style camber kit. As long as the road you drive on smooth as glass, it's not bad, but when you live in Indiana and have potholes everywhere it's miserable. I can actually hear the upper control arms smashing into the frame when I hit bumps!
It will be returning to stock (except for the KYB's) in the spring.
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