Daily Driver Suspension
 

Guess its time to change my current suspension setup on my DA Integra: stock DA shocks with civic front and DA Integra rear springs (ie. The front is really low and the rear is sitting high).

The fronts are blown now and are making all sorts of noises, and bottoming out on a regular basis, and that, plus the recommendations from my mechanic, has made me realize that I need new front shocks and springs.

For all the safety benefits that a stock setup may offer, I prefer a lowered profile on the DA. Hence, my next setup is going to be Eibach Sports springs (or any other decent quality spring with 1.5 inch drop) on stock Integra shocks.

This is a daily driver, mind you, and I'm not all that great with dodging potholes. And I frequently drive on Markham Road.
Is this setup reliable?
Are there any other options in getting that lowered look without sacrificing safety and ride quality? (This car is going to be driven in the winter).
I was also planning on getting tires with a smaller thickness (perhaps a P185 or 175), and use a GPS to callibrate the speed. How safe is that by the way?

I really do not want to get a stock set up, but if other options are less safe and considerably more costly, I guess that is the setup I must rock.

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

Wouldnt use stock struts. Will wear prematurely. Aftermarket struts highly recommended.

Best setup i had for daily were kyb agx struts with tein s-tech springs. Nice an low without needing to dodge pot holes. Also very smooth ride. Struts were damper adjustable allowing for stiffer or softer valving.

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

Springs on stock struts are never a good idea...they are not use to such things. you can get a decent set of struts for not to much money.

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

Im sure Neon Dave will chime in. Hes on Type R struts on Tein springs and decent low.

I don't know if hes blown the Type R's yet but either way from what I remember it rides really nice.

I did like DTP's suspension, it rode nice on his old DA.

As well as his Godspeed ebay coils, those ride noiiiiiiiice.

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

Dave still is rocking his type r struts and not blown yet lol. and i pretty sure he is still loving them.

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

Thanks for the information, everyone. I will most definitely look into the Tien S-Tech + KYB AGX setup.

(There is a sale on brand new Tien S-tech springs on Kijiji- forgot the store name- you'll see it though- they had 94-01 Integra springs and coilover setups, but nothing for the 90-93 Integra)

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

Hey all,

Yup i'm still on the type R's, and have been for two years, and the previous owner of these ran em lowered for about a year also. They're just like when i bought them, still generally firm but the ride is like on a cloud. You'd never tell it was lowered. Hell, my grandmother commented how smooth and comfortable the ride is. And that's at a 2.5 inch drop in the front!

They're realy cheap to replace too, less than $200 should get you another set of struts, so it works out.

The only thing i'd say is that if you're planing on dropping it any more than 2-2.5 inches you'd want adjustable dampening because even at 50% stiffer than stock, the type R's will be too soft and you'll scrape a lot more than you would with stiffer struts.

All in all highly recommended. Just remember you'll need type R lower control arms as well to run them.

Cheers
Dave

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

Thanks for the info.

I'll probably go with the ITR + Tien setup- $450 altogether (DA Tien s-tech for $200 + tax, ITR shocks + springs + Rear LCA and Front forks for $220, and the rest goes for gas + time).

BTW- did you use the DC2 front forks for the DA front forks? Research tells me you need the front forks too, you can't use DA ones.

Now all I need to do is find a mechanic who can install these for cheap, and who won't pester me about getting a new car.

(No I do not want a 2008 Honda Accord, I want you to fix my damn car! Still... $160 for the install minus alignment is pretty good.)

Any recommendations?

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

I dont think that is a good idea. Back is going to sag. Rear da struts are slightly longer than dc/eg. So you would need da struts and springs because i believe the spring length is different also. I had skunk2 springs on my da that came off of a dc with struts and back sagged quite a bit. Front struts are the same. To use dc/eg front struts you need matching forks for strut. Da and dc forks are shaped the same other than the bore where strut fits in. Its slightly smaller. So if you use front dc struts, use dc forks.

Also david, i had agx struts with tein springs on my first civic on da. Da was on agx struts and skunk2 springs for a bit then some randon sleeves...to correct the sagging.

Also those godspeed coilovers were tad too stiff for daily. Though struts were valved quite well, i wouldnt go with same coils again. Rather get something damper adjustable.

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

^ Yepps. I just called Prototech and they said the same thing.

The person I spoke with recommended Tokikos and Tien S-Tech.

Got quoted at 570 + tax for those from Hi-Speed Performance at Pickering.

For now, I'll just slap on some used stock fronts (parts + install = $180), as the rears are still in decent condition, and upgrade to a lowered setup when I gotta replace everything, hopefully a few years down the road.

PS: I am considering the Type R setup on my dad's DC4 Integra. Then again, there is the 57 year old back to consider...

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

^ Honestly, the ride isn't harsh by any means, so that shouldn't be of a worry to you, but in being lowered and your dad having to roll in/out will be the bigger topic of concern, lol.

And good clear-up on the DA setup, Martin. I don't know anything about DA suspension, I can just speak for DCs.

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

^^need to expand your knowledge bud. Because knowledge is power!! (Now where did that line come from?? Haha )

Re: Daily Driver Suspension
 

I thought boost was power? Haha.

Yeah, i never took much interest in DA's and never learnt much about them as a result. Never too late though