Springs with stock struts

[mc1200s]

I'm about to install my progress springs, rear sway bar, and camber kit. I figured I am cool to use my stock struts, but after doing plenty of searches on the board I've found that some people say negative things about using lowering springs with factory suspension.

Am I ok? Will the car ride ok if I use the stock suspension? Could something break prematurely?

Thank you all.

[hoanger]

well many of us here all have new civics, and thus new struts.
so, i don't think anyone here (to my knowledge) has blown their struts on aftermarket springs yet
members have said that it rides great, some have said that its kinda bouncy, but no blown struts.
As far as I know, you CAN use your stock struts for now, but they will eventually get blown out faster than if you were to stay on stock suspension.
I would say a year or less, depending on how you drive, how much you drive and all those crazy factors.

I've had a member on another board tell me that Koni Yellows are out for our car (can anyone confirm this?)
You should look around to see if you can get your hands on a set of aftermarket struts, as I haven't been in the loop for that in a while.

all in all, you should be okay for now on stock struts if you really wanna get that suspension in... but replace struts ASAP if you can.

[caveman74]

I have the Progress springs and my struts are blown. But I cut the bumpstop in half as per the directions. So I would cut a quarter of it off and you should be good. The ride is a hair bumpier than stock with them

[darna]

ok, i got excited when i red that koni's are out...

tried to go to the website and there's nothin there for newer civics.

the last time i talked to the people at koni, they said it'll be out mid of 07.

[kenchan]

>The last time I was inside a woman was when I was inside the Statue of Liberty.

hahaha. and you came out the back end? lol funny sig.

i usually cut my bumpstops about 20mm when i do lowering springs.
the blown strut could have been just a bad strut. my car at about 1500miles
or so had a blown front strut from STOCK springs. warranty repair, ofcourse. :)

[ipod]

Originally Posted by mc1200s

I'm about to install my progress springs, rear sway bar, and camber kit. I figured I am cool to use my stock struts, but after doing plenty of searches on the board I've found that some people say negative things about using lowering springs with factory suspension.

Am I ok? Will the car ride ok if I use the stock suspension? Could something break prematurely?

Thank you all.

Due to the higher damping rate of aftermarket springs, the stock shocks will have to work much harder. You will certainly wear out the shocks faster compared to using stock springs. The only question is how much faster.

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by ipod

Due to the higher damping rate of aftermarket springs, the stock shocks will have to work much harder. You will certainly wear out the shocks faster compared to using stock springs. The only question is how much faster.

almost. the question is what is the lowering spring's spring rates.

[GalaxyGreySi]

I have had lowering springs on stock struts before, and I don't recommend it. The ride is bouncy, and then I blew out the struts in about 4 months and it was so much worse until I bought upgraded struts. Save yourself the headaches, and spend a few hundred on upgraded struts also. You will be much happier in the end, trust me!

[mort]

In my EK civic I had Progress springs with an extra coil and a half cut off using the stock struts for about 6 years. The struts are still fine and the ride quality is great. Either you guys have really bad luck or bad springs or something. Stock struts won't die so easily.

[darna]

i ran 45k on my old eclipse w/ just the aftermarket springs. nothing happened, i drive everywhere (city/hwy) w/ potholes and stuff but still good till the day i traded it.

[EPthree04]

if you want looks youll be fine. it will shorten the life of your struts but wont blow them out that fast. if you are going for performance get struts first. struts will do more to your car than springs. MOST people dont know this but it is a proven fact. adjustable struts/shocks are great. you can make them soft like oem for the street and daily driving. then when you want to track it you can stiffin it. i would personally go all out and go with struts also. they are a great upgrade and paired with springs with the right spring rate will deliver great performance!! just get them!

[kenchan]

better tires will net you more performance vs just getting new struts
over stock springs.

im planning to lower the civic for looks. it's a daily driver.
struts would be nice though, to minimize undulations. im pretty sure
im going to have at least a little on just lowering springs alone but
considering im not going to be aggressively driving this car anyway
might do the trick. plus i'll be doing the install, so no issues replacing
the struts later on.

[Qshooter151]

well, you guys have got my attention. i was planning on picking up a set of springs myself, just for looks, now i'm not so sure......correct me if i'm wrong but you're saying coilovers are the best way to go??? i'd rather do it right the first time.

[kenchan]

^^ not necessarily true. c/o's usually come with high spring rates with
matching damp rates so might be too firm for a daily driver. want to
check into that first wat rates they are offering. for stock-like ride but
firmer to compensate for the reduced stroke, i would say you want
something in the 250lbs/in area.

c/o's are sometimes a nusance as you have so much more options to
set up... im sure you'll want to corner balance your car which will require
adjustable endlinks, etc. if you want to do it correctly.

if you have a limited budget for this car (like me), just get springs, try it,
if it's got too much undulations get struts later. make sure you get an
alignment though, after you do the spring change. im looking at spending
150 for the springs, 85 for alignment. so less than 250.... pocket change.

[Qshooter151]

^^^yes, i'm budgeted as well. my car is slowly seeing new parts... thanks for the help kenchan. now to decide which ones to get... :still confused:

[kenchan]

im looking at doing the s-techs from jdm-in-stock (ebay) store. :)

i have a coupon from the dealer that they'll do an alignment for $79.99.

[civic si hb]

Originally Posted by Qshooter151

^^^yes, i'm budgeted as well. my car is slowly seeing new parts... thanks for the help kenchan. now to decide which ones to get... :still confused:

Check your PM box

[EPthree04]

coilovers are nice to get because they are already put together and some of them have camber kits on the pillow mounts. this creats an awesome amount of adjustability. also yeah they are also offered in really high spring rates and can be too stiff for daily driving. most applications are offered in a street and race style spring ratings. look into the street ones. they will be stiff enough for you and youll have an extreme amount of adjustability still. and i agree with kenchan as he obviously knows about suspension to stay around 250lbs/in

[06blaksi]

I've had my S-Techs on for 5k miles and no problems yet

[JeShUa]

I'm gonna wait till my shocks blow.. I have spare monies so no worries.. just for this type of thing to happen :]