civicpower

My '88 hatch is in desperate need of some new shocks. Due to budget constraints, my options right now include:

• KYB GR2
• Tokico "Blue"
• Koni "Red"

Can anyone tell me what the best price is for either one of those shocks and where I can get them from?

While we're on the subject of suspension, should I change my old stock springs? I wouldn't mind something with mild lowering (i.e. 1"-1.5") which would improve handling and ride quality.

The car is a daily downtown driver which does not participate in any type of "performance" driving whatsoever. I'm just looking for the best all-around, budget-oriented suspension for my car and driving habits and thought I'd ask the pros BTW, I did a search and am now more confused than I was when I started. Thanks.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

buy NEW springs from the dealer, they are pretty cheap. Buy Koni Red shocks... if your budget doesn't allow both, buy KYB GR2 shocks and get some used 99-00 EX or Si springs. it would be good if you also got some new bushings here and there!

imported_gatherer

Springs don't change their rate over time... with that said I still recommend new stock springs because when you take off your current suspension you may or may not find broken springs

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

naw, I don't think he'll find broken springs... but from sagging, heat cycling, getting beaten on... I'd for sure replace them.

imported_gatherer

I found a broken spring ... anyways yes they are old and sag and have been heat cycled and beaten on new stock springs are a blessing I love my new stcok springs I got at the beginning of the year

spracingsports

for a small drop, get eibach sportlines... but as for shox... stick with whatever those two above me say... they know

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

A city driven Civic should not be lowered... if you insist on lowering it, then H&R Sport > Eibach, but given the condition of downtown toronto, I'd more likely be looking at a rally style suspension rather than any sort of street setup, meaning $3000+ coilovers with externally mounted oil reservoirs.

imported_QRTR

Koni "Red" adjustables are great...

They go for $600 installed

civicpower

Thanks for the great advice so far guys! The reason I want to mildly lower the little beast is because I'm afraid that when I change the blown shocks (who knows how old they are) that the car will look like a 4 X 4 ... I would like to at least maintain stock ride height or lower a bit.

As for the shocks, will the KYB's last for a while and perform well under the driving conditions I mentioned? Where is the cheapest place to get either the KYB's, Tokicos or Koni Reds? Thanks again guys.

imported_gatherer

all of them should last while

as for price checks go to the afiliates page and start dialing the phone and asking....I'd recommend TNA performance or Concepts on wheels as I have dealt with both and they have good service...

as for which to pick Tokico would be my bet

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, you can easily purchase any of them from our affiliates! SiR_Y0, lordm, Concepts on Wheels, etc...

The condition of your shocks does not affect ride height. So if you keep the same springs, you'll be at the same ride height. If you're rejecting the idea of brand new OEM springs, then at least I suggest some used 96-00 springs. They are physically about the same, the spring rates will be a LITTLE higher (you won't notice), and they'll be a little more fresh.

For shocks, I like Koni Special (red) best. Then, I guess I like KYB AGX, then Tokico blue, then KYB GR2. For my Saturn, KYB GR2 is what the Saturn race teams use, so that's what I use too. It's been a great shock, I've had it on there for over a year.... it's more or less a stock replacement shock though.

You know, function>fashion, so if you drive around rough city streets, I think good shocks with fresh springs and maybe even new bushings would be the ticket for you. But being an 88, be careful not to spend too much money on it, else when it's time to junk it, you'll have a hard time letting go cuz of all the parts you put into it.

imported_kane2k

If you're worried about downtown driving I can assure you that H&R Sports + KYB GR2's are a great ride over most things you'll find. I live in busted up road/streetcar track central and the ride is fine. You still have to dodge potholes though but more for the tires than the suspension.

shlammed

sportlines aren't a small drop...you're thinking of the pro-kit. as for the gr2's...talking from experience I'd never recommend them for anything but stock ride height. They are terrible shocks for lowered cars. Anyone who thinks they ride nice with a drop has no idea what a properly lowered vehicle feels like.

imported_kane2k

I've been in a bunch of lowered cars driving around downtown, particularly in my neighbourhood. EG w/ Koni Reds + Sportlines = paint mixer. EG w/ KYB AGX (set to 3) + Sportlines = jumpy but better. H&R Cup kit on a Jetta = rattle bang rattle.

My car is solid when cornering and soft enough to be tolerable on the crappy roads in the south west of downtown. There is no bounciness in my car. Everyone has the opinion that these shocks are ****ty but out of all the cars with modded suspension that I've been in, I like mine the best as a daily driver. I'm sure if I took it to a track and started pulling skidpad numbers on rough pavement there would be an advantage to the sportier shocks, but as far as the driving that I do, the setup is perfect.

civicpower

WOW!!! This post has been very informative, to say the least. I think I'm going to call up my local Honda dealer and see how much new springs go for before I search out some used '96-'00 ones.

As for shocks, I guess I have to get off my butt and start calling around to the affiliates.

I'll keep everyone posted as to my search results ... this post may help someone else in the future.

Thanks again.

shlammed

are you kidding me?

1) why would stock replacement GR2's sell for less then adjustable AGX if they were so good?

2) Whosever cars you've rode in were obviously installed incorrectly. Maybe their bumpstops weren't cut cuz I can put my life on the fact that both Koni Reds and AGX's are far superior then the "10% stiffer then stock" GR2's which are NOT meant for lowered vehicles and they also void warrany when used with lowering springs.

shlammed

3) As for the tokico blues, they are the GR2's of tokico. Some people use them with lowering springs but they are recommended as a stock replacement as well.

imported_kane2k

Wow, you seem to be caught up in the performance ratings of the shocks when I'm actually discussing their real world driveability on crappy roads, i.e. downtown Toronto which was brought up by the original poster.

As for all these cars having their suspension "obviously" installed incorrectly..... umm yeah, it's pretty obvious from what I posted, which was virtually nothing about those cars, that you don't know anything about them. The suspension on each of them was installed correctly and they had wonderful, firm rides with excellent control but..... wait for it.... surprisingly the performance shocks don't have a "4 inch pothole followed by streetcar track" setting. Hence you hit something similar to that (and try coming north on Bathurst from Lakeshore without hitting something worse than that), and your kidneys are promptly relocated because the shocks are too stiff for that kind of surface. The "10% stiffer than stock", which you specifically mentioned while you were busy missing my point makes those imperfections in the road a lot more tolerable. Which was my point, in case you missed it.

shlammed

Incase you didn't notice my opinion on the suspension setups IS FROM REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE...GR2's suck and should never be used on a lowered car...they bounce on EVERY bump there is, nevermind potholes. But I'll trust your advice and call KYB and ask them why they're crappier shocks cost twice as much then the gr2's. There are other factors on these "cars" you've been in as well such as bushings etc. I had the gr2's and bumps that I could barely feel after installing the Illuminas made me hit my head off the roof of my car in the gr2's. I'd also like you to go anywhere on the internet on any board or whatever and find me 5 people that recommend GR2's with your setup.

imported_gatherer

shalmmed GR2's sell for less then AGX's simply because they are non adjustable....