Comparison: Stock Suspension vs. HFP Suspension vs. KONI/ Swift Springs Suspension

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by Debo

how are the hfp springs with the koni?

Excellent. Many do not like HFP ride height though, I personally do not mind it and like the suspension travel and the linear rate of the HFP springs. Review coming shortly.

Originally Posted by akronmusician413

how long is the hfp suspension setup supposed to last?

~60K, just as recommended with stock suspension. Really depends on too many factors to put a real number on though.

Originally Posted by fre$h si

I think shocks need to be replaced after50k miles

There is no set mileage.

Originally Posted by ebdiam

Maybe 50,000 if you drive normal, but if you track or abuse them - then less..

I had 35K on my HFP dampers when I removed them. I inspected them and would say they would have lasted another 35K easily.

Originally Posted by fre$h si

Kinda sucks if u spend $1000+ on suspension

...and coilover dampers last approximately the same amount.

[SteveOFG2]

imma bout to try eibachs w/ stock shocks n struts......dont worry camber kits will be used lol

[mattsbobo]

Thanks for answering my PM Joey. You should have just pointed me in the direction of this sticky that my blind ass apparently couldn't see.

You indicate that Redshift advises people to use a 6" spring. I wonder how the ride would be if you paired the Koni's with a 6" Swift race spring with stiffer rates?

[Xtreme Thunder]

N/P, ...and I thought you originally saw this thread too. Haha

In order to get the custom rates you need to have get the Redshift/ KONI height adjustable coilovers, as you know. What rates are you trying to compare?

[Quickkidd]

would the Koni Sport Yellow Strut Inserts go well with the skunk 2 springs i already have?

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by Quickkidd

would the Koni Sport Yellow Strut Inserts go well with the skunk 2 springs i already have?

Sure. KONI designed the dampers to work best with drop springs of up to 35mm less stock height.

[cpcardetailing]

Joey...thanks for the great write up. Quick question. Can you go into detail about very high-speed braking stability (120 +) with upgraded suspension components? I've notice at the end of a long straight on a track the Si with stock suspension has a tendency to move left and right quite alarmingly under heavy braking. Thanks.

[smokerz212]

how about koni yellow and neuspeed race spring?

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by cpcardetailing

Joey...thanks for the great write up. Quick question. Can you go into detail about very high-speed braking stability (120 +) with upgraded suspension components? I've notice at the end of a long straight on a track the Si with stock suspension has a tendency to move left and right quite alarmingly under heavy braking. Thanks.

No problem.

I have taken the vehicle to a drag strip before (using stock suspension), but only gotten speeds in the range of ~90-95 before I let off, although I was not slamming on the brakes, I did not notice what you describe with the pulling to the left. I can do a brake test with the KONIs, but it would not be anywhere near speeds reached on a track, ie. <120mph. I can do normal highway speeds 65-85mph and see what I notice.

Originally Posted by smokerz212

how about koni yellow and neuspeed race spring?

KONI designed the dampers to work well with drop springs up to 35mm less stock height. Within that range, they should work as intended.

[cpcardetailing]

Great! I look forward to you findings. I'm thinking maybe it's just my driving, or maybe it's the all-season tires, or maybe it's just the tendency of front wheel drive cars (more weight distributed to the front)?? The back end gets all loose due to the dramatic weight transfer to the front, hence I get the left and right movement under heavy braking. I've noticed it even when panic braking on the highway (traffic jam up ahead and I need to slow QUICK!)

I consulted my friend who used to own a 98 stock civic sedan (lx) and he said he suffered the same problem when heavy braking at higher speeds on the track.

[Cheungman]

just wondering. for the stock suspension, what is the general life for it until it needs to be replaced? like kms wise and years. (just an approx.)

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by Cheungman

just wondering. for the stock suspension, what is the general life for it until it needs to be replaced? like kms wise and years. (just an approx.)

I believe the service manual recommends/ suggests replacing/ inspecting at 60,000 Miles,

[Cheungman]

Originally Posted by Xtreme Thunder

I believe the service manual recommends/ suggests replacing/ inspecting at 60,000 Miles,

ok thanks for the quick reply!

[x09dbpSIx]

Great article Xtreme!

I have a couple of questions:

1. I'm interested in getting these Swift Sport Springs, but I don't have the funds to purchase redshift/koni's at the moment. I have fairly new FA5 (5k mi) running stock, and would like to know if it will affect my ride quality for the worse if I use swift springs with stock strut/shock?

2. Would it be a better idea to save up till I get enough for redshift/koni AND Swift spring to do it all at once?

3. If I decide to get the springs only, what am I looking at in terms of life of the stock shocks? Would it be wise to also purchase camber kits and sway bars?

Thanks again!

I forgot to mention: I'm looking at quality of ride with a lowered look. I don't track my car and don't plan for now. I still want a great performing vehicle without the extreme drop (not into that so much) This is my DD

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by x09dbpSIx

Great article Xtreme!

I have a couple of questions:

1. I'm interested in getting these Swift Sport Springs, but I don't have the funds to purchase redshift/koni's at the moment. I have fairly new FA5 (5k mi) running stock, and would like to know if it will affect my ride quality for the worse if I use swift springs with stock strut/shock?

2. Would it be a better idea to save up till I get enough for redshift/koni AND Swift spring to do it all at once?

3. If I decide to get the springs only, what am I looking at in terms of life of the stock shocks? Would it be wise to also purchase camber kits and sway bars?

Thanks again!

I forgot to mention: I'm looking at quality of ride with a lowered look. I don't track my car and don't plan for now. I still want a great performing vehicle without the extreme drop (not into that so much) This is my DD

Thanks.

1. The ride will be about 12% stiffer than the stock springs. If you don't mind that, then the 'ride quality' should be okay for you.

2. Yes, I personally would save up and get the redshift/ koni if you can't to the work yourself.

3. As mentioned in my O/P, there is no way of telling how long the stock dampers will last when paired with drop springs. There are too many outside variables to consider. Again, if you purchase camber kits and have the car aligned to a more agressive state, then it will help with handling. Same with the RSB. Doing all the work at once is how I am, so I would suggest all at once if you have the means.

Your last comment leads me to believe that the HFP suspension will be what you are looking for. The HFP Suspension will maintain enough good 'ride quality' and gain great levels of performance when compared to the stock suspension. Myself and other can attest, if you are looking for a mild drop with decent increase in performance, go HFP. Pair that with the RSB, F and R camber kits with more agressive alignment and great summer tires, it will perform very well. If down the road you find you need slightly more, pair the HFP springs with the KONIs (like I ended up doing) and will be a step above Full HFP.

[1 Sweet SI]

sick write up and research, but as long as my camber is set right and im as low as i can go with a good alignment than idc lol

[a1j7g]

who makes dampners besides Koni? What is a good camber kit to run with Koni Dampners or other manufactures?

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by 1 Sweet SI

sick write up and research, but as long as my camber is set right and im as low as i can go with a good alignment than idc lol

Thanks

Originally Posted by a1j7g

who makes dampners besides Koni? What is a good camber kit to run with Koni Dampners or other manufactures?

KONI Sport (Yellow)
Tokico HTS/ D Spec
Skunk2 Sport
Tokico HP

Do you research on them all to make sure you are purchasing what is right for you.

Camber Kit:

SPC (Front Bolts and Rear Arms)
Skunk2 (Front Bolts and Rear Arms)
Ingalls (Front Bolts and Rear Adjusting Bracket)

There may be one or two other companies, but listed above is most popular.

I personally prefer SPC.

[a1j7g]

sorry for the noob questions, I just need help understanding aftermarket suspensions.

First why do I need to modify the stock strut housing with the Koni? in this pic CorSport Online Store: Honda - 06+ Civic - 8641-1497Sport it looks like the OE strut and basically just add the spring and install. Is it?

Second What is the difference between strut, shock, and dampner?

Third is there a front strut assembly that is plug and play? Tokico. The Mugen strut is all red with the gold mugen spring. I want the Koni to be yellow through my wheel well...or is the koni inside the black strut thing? Can I please see a pic of what this set up looks like on the car?

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by a1j7g

sorry for the noob questions, I just need help understanding aftermarket suspensions.

First why do I need to modify the stock strut housing with the Koni? in this pic CorSport Online Store: Honda - 06+ Civic - 8641-1497Sport it looks like the OE strut and basically just add the spring and install. Is it?

Second What is the difference between strut, shock, and dampner?

Third is there a front strut assembly that is plug and play? Tokico. The Mugen strut is all red with the gold mugen spring. I want the Koni to be yellow through my wheel well...or is the koni inside the black strut thing? Can I please see a pic of what this set up looks like on the car?

A shock and strut are specific types of dampers. Easier to note them as dampers.

In short, you need to modify the stock front strut assembly in order to use KONI because they are in insert type for the front for our cars. I, and others, have spoken to KONI engineers and asked them why, they said they could not get the strut stampings from Honda. The picture Corsport, and other sites, provide is a bit misrepresenting of the 'actual' product received. They are most likely using a stock photo.

The only set-up that allows for actual plug and play, meaning the front macpherson assembly is all assembled (strut, spring, and top hats) is the HFP Suspension. HFP rear is also plug and play. Tokico and Skunk2 supply the strut, but you need to add the spring and top hats and assemble the macpherson assembly yourself. Tokico, Skunk2 rears are plug and play as well. KONI, supplies the Insert for the front, you use and modify stock front strut housing which is black, use stock top hats and your choice of spring. KONI rear comes 80% built, maing they give you a bare KONI shock and you add the dust cover and bump stop fromt he original (or used) set-up.

Keep in mind, KONI is the only ones who offer a service for revavling to custom specs if desired in the current aftermarket for 8th civics if you really want to go that far. KONI, as mentioned in my O/P are rebound force adjustable as Skunk2, TOkico HP are not.

Tokico HTS/ D-Spec are compression and rebound force adjustable simultaneously through one adjustment knob.

IMO, KONIs engineering and internal valving surpasses all currently available for the 8th civic chassis.