Need help with lowering springs

[DouMing]

Situation: CSX-S, stock suspension, 18x8.5+38 wheels - 225/40/18 tires

Problem: Rubs with 4 people in the car (excluding me) - as in it can't go over typical depressions on roads at 50-60km, have to be super careful going up and down ramps, in general going up and down ramps (even with just me =_=), taking turns too aggressively, etc.

<my> Solution: stiffer springs, same suspension... maybe 1/2 inch drop? there's like a 2 finger wheel gap and i think that's enough haha

Reason: no money for coilovers (edit**// somewhat unwilling to pay for coilovers lol), and i don't like it when my car is too low, less practical in general...

What I need to know: can someone tell me what the exact specs are for the CSX-S suspension/springs and/or link me to a website that i can find this information myself?

or suggest something for me... lol x_x, thanks

[GabAlmighty]

cut springs, put a no fat chicks sticker, continue with life.

[FN-2199]

Without searching anything at all, I can suggest that you take a look at some of the RS sponsors to get a professional assessment.

[Bender Unit]

Sell your wheels
Wrong size, wrong offset, too wide
You probable bought used.

[DouMing]

Originally Posted by FRESHvibe

Without searching anything at all, I can suggest that you take a look at some of the RS sponsors to get a professional assessment.

well i do have money but not willing to spend on coilovers lol, but if no one knows i will look into asking an RS sponsor... and if i get springs my friend can install it for me free of charge x)

Originally Posted by Bender Unit

Sell your wheels
Wrong size, wrong offset, too wide
You probable bought used.

i like this look, and i bought new =x, no problems with how it looks; i just dont want it to rub so often

[GabAlmighty]

Originally Posted by Bender Unit

Sell your wheels
Wrong size, wrong offset, too wide
You probable bought used.

Originally Posted by DouMing

well i do have money but not willing to spend on coilovers lol, but if no one knows i will look into asking an RS sponsor



i like this look, and i bought new =x, no problems with how it looks; i just dont want it to rub so often

Since that is your response to a valid, and probably cheapest, solution if you do it right, stop complaining haha.

[FN-2199]

If you're rubbing a lot, why not go down a size in tires or rims and sell the old ones? You could even run a smaller tire size, say, 215/40/18 tires, which would decrease sidewall bulkiness.

[DouMing]

^i just didn't think that my stock suspension was that squishy =[..

here's a picture

Originally Posted by FRESHvibe

If you're rubbing a lot, why not go down a size in tires or rims and sell the old ones? You could even run a smaller tire size, say, 215/40/18 tires, which would decrease sidewall bulkiness.

it took me a long time to decide on the ones i got.... and if i changed tire size i'd have to go through all that hassle to find a buyer (which there may not be for a while)

[FN-2199]

Originally Posted by DouMing

^i just didn't think that my stock suspension was that squishy =[..

here's a picture

Well, you're running wheels that are poking a good 15mm out from stock, so that's to be expected. Honda doesn't expect you to run wider wheels with their stock suspension.
Keep in mind, changing your suspension will also cost you if you don't DIY.

[DouMing]

Originally Posted by FRESHvibe

Well, you're running wheels that are poking a good 15mm out from stock, so that's to be expected. Honda doesn't expect you to run wider wheels with their stock suspension.
Keep in mind, changing your suspension will also cost you if you don't DIY.

my friend can install the lowering springs for me as a favour which is why i'm opting for this option.. now if i can just find the right specs =/

[FN-2199]

Google up...

Spoiler!

8thcivic.

[artmotion]

I'm no expert but even if you get stiffer lowering springs, if you want to keep that wheel setup, you might have to rock some negative camber and / or roll your fenders.

[MindBomber]

You cannot simply change to lowering springs and expect your issues to be resolved. If you install lowering springs with a significantly higher spring rate than stock to decrease the travel of the suspension, the stock dampers inside the struts and shocks will no longer be able to control the springs. The result of that will be a decrease in handling ability, a terrible ride, and a significantly decreased lifespan for the stock parts since you're subjecting them to abuse they weren't designed to handle. Your best option is an adjustable height suspension, so you can dial in the ride height to one that works with the wheels you've purchased. At the very least however, you should be upgrading the struts and shocks to ones appropriate and designed for use with lowering springs.

Even if you modify the suspension however, I highly doubt you're going to going to eliminate the rubbing. A stiffer set of springs will decrease suspension travel, but lowering springs will also reduce the suspension travel so the solution is fighting itself. Unless you're rubbing by a very minor amount, you'll achieve nothing but fucking up your car more with your current plans, imo. Better solutions, in order of best to worst, would be:

1. Sell/Trade the current wheels and switch to something closer to the stock offsets.
2. Roll the fenders.
3. Have the car realigned to have a bit of negative camber on all four wheels.

[DouMing]

^thank you.. maybe i will dish out money to buy coilovers =_=.. researching costs now lol =/

[GabAlmighty]

Cut springs...

[belaud]

Dont buy lowering springs, as MindBomber said, you cannot change one part of your suspension and think you're done, the OEM setup was designed to work as a whole, if you change one part out, you will find another part to have a weak link. Just buy coilovers or a good set of springs & struts, if you can't pay to play, don't.

The only reason I haven't bought rims yet is because I want a flush set, with that, I need an overhaul of my suspension setup, I'm not willing to roll/pull my fenders just yet.

[Bahhbeehhaaaa]

mm.. I dont mean to stomp on you.. but u own a CSX and can't afford struts?

[Paradise240]

^ He doesn't want to spend the cash on struts/springs.

OP, if you really wanted to keep those rims, roll/pull your fenders or put some negative camber on, as said before.

[belaud]

18x9.5 +20, and look at that fuggin camber, you'd need some hella rolled fenders for you to fit my friend

I'm planning to do 18x10.5

[Sky_High]

Originally Posted by DouMing

<my> Solution: stiffer springs, same suspension... maybe 1/2 inch drop? there's like a 2 finger wheel gap and i think that's enough haha

Reason: no money for coilovers, and i don't like it when my car is too low, less practical in general...

or suggest something for me... lol x_x, thanks

I recommend this:

Lowering Kit - $19.95 : KaleCoAuto.com, Your home for the rare, unusual, and hard to find auto parts.

[DouMing]

sigh i donno.. haha, i'll have to think about this.. but right now i'm thinking about getting coilovers next year and just driving more carefully now.. x_x

i got screwed over trying to save money on paint/installation of certain things and i paid for it with a ton of headache, frustration and suicidal thoughts (exaggeration)... so i think i should do things right and just get coilovers, save the headache i may encounter later =/

[belaud]

You did things in the wrong order is all, prep your car for fat wheels, I would advise putting some skinnier tires back on until you get coilovers & control arms installed.

[DouMing]

it's all good, i will... just deal with it haha, its not so bad until you start putting people in the car, and when you drive a sedan you automatically become the person to drive everyone because of convenience lol...

but thanks for everyone's input x)

[MindBomber]

Originally Posted by DouMing

sigh i donno.. haha, i'll have to think about this.. but right now i'm thinking about getting coilovers next year and just driving more carefully now.. x_x

i got screwed over trying to save money on paint/installation of certain things and i paid for it with a ton of headache, frustration and suicidal thoughts (exaggeration)... so i think i should do things right and just get coilovers, save the headache i may encounter later =/

My honest advice?

Coilovers have been the best purchase I made for my car. The wheels are great, but I can't see them when I drive. The brakes are nice, but I hardly ever need the stopping power. The retrofit was a good idea, but I only use it at night (and got a ticket last week for it). My coilovers change the feel of my car around every corner, at every speed, every time I drive. I'm very glad I spent the money on a decent set, they're my favourite mod by a wide margin.

If you don't feel comfortable spending the money right now (I space out my car purchases too), then I'm pretty confident the problem could be resolved with a relatively minor fender roll at the fraction of the price of coilovers.

[belaud]

The best combination mod is not a fat turbo and intercooler, but BUCKETS and coilovers.