To drop or to rim?

[capnsavem]

i agree with the "both lower and rims" theory

i have eibach prokits... those went on 1st.. then i got new shoes like 3 months later.. 17x7.5 in. Racing Sparco NT-R's in black. they look hot... but i got 45 series yoko's.. i shoulda got 40's cuz they rub in the back when i got peeps back there... i havent rolled the lips yet.. so i guess you can say there's a lot to consider before you alter the suspension/rim setup.. heads up for those so cal potholes... they suck!!

 

[jersey_emt]

remember, when you add larger rims and tires the car is raised the increase in the tire's radius. if you go to 17s and godo tires it'll ride the same but look jacked up due to greater apparent tire gap

do both at the same time (wink)

If you size the tire right there is no increase in ride height. If you size the tire wrong, yes, ride height (and speedometer accuracy) will change.

 

[mp5spicyorange]

I have 18 x 7.5 and 215-35-18 Nittos
my car looked like a 4x4 before I bought Eibachs
It rubs when I have people in the back seat
other than that I have no problems

 

[garretts77]

I think that the Eibach's lower about 1.2" or something like that. I don't remember off hand. But with that drop, I wouldn't expect much trouble with 17" wheels fitting. Look at Rishie's wheel fitment guide for fitment issues. There are other springs on the market that lower more/less than 1.2". And in all honesty, mine could stand to be 1/4" lower, but still I would say that I am extremely happy with the springs/wheels.

Now for some Illumina's and a 19mm sway...

 

[daKiNeP5]

I think you should drop your car first but maybe its just me. I used to have my car dropped but I ordered a different set of coilovers and with the wheelgap I think my car looks silly. I'll take pics and show you tomorrow.

 

[redwagon02]

redwagon, is that your red p5 in your signature?


What do you have on it? rims and springs...

yes, Rev Wheels model VI in 17" gunmetal, Toyo T1-S 215/40 and GC coilovers w/ the front all the way down and the back even w/ the top of the tire. No rubbing issues.

 

[redwagon02]

....and the miata is lowered on H&R race springs with the factory wheels.

 

[mdagost103]

im doing the eibach pro kit 1.5" drop with ractive rotors and 205 45 17 tires. i dont want to do go nuts with rims sizes to big dont want to rub or have a bad ride

 

[slimsmcgill]

Yeah I was looking at H&R springs for my p5 but then I saw that the Eibachs lower a little less in the back and I figured that would be better, since the back end of the car is naturally heavier than the front.

I think 17's are looking more appealing by the minute. I am really feeling redwagon's "wagon." That looks clean as hell. So I guess I'm looking to drop about 1.2 or 3 or whatever inches and go with some 17's, cuz I don't want to worry too much about the rubbing issue in the back.

My buddy here at work was telling me that it cost him like $4,000 to lower his Honda Civic! I thought all I was going to really need was springs. What are coilovers?

What else goes into lowering??? I know eventually I will need new shocks, but what else is there? I know I will have to get new tires soon after, but how much is this REALLY gonna cost me?

 

[Replica]

I'm in the same situation, I like the stock rims. Drop it like it's hot fool.

 

[redwagon02]

You'll be happy with the H&R's or Eibach's (I actually had the Eibach pro-kit on my car before the GC's). There is also othe springs out there like the Tein's or HKS's.

As far as how much this will cost you, depends if you have a shop do it for you, around $100-$200 or if you do it yourself, FREE. tip: Find another forum member around you that has worked on their suspension and is willing to show/help you to save you some money.

Alignment, around $50 is a must after a suspension change. Don't go more than a week w/o an alignment after you put the new springs in. After a proper alignment, your car's tires will wear evenly just like with the OEM suspension.

Shocks will wear out faster than normal, but you should be fine for now. I'm still on the factory dampers.

 

[garretts77]

Slims...
Necessary (I guess... Depends on your definition of necessary)

Springs = Appx $150 - $200
Wheels = $(depends on your choice, prob around $500-$1000)
Tires = $(Again, depends, but prob around $400-$500)

Shocks are not required to replace when lowering (at least on the Eibach's), but the stockers will wear out faster once lowered.
Tokiko HP's = appx $300-$400
Tokiko Illuminas = $500 - $550
These are to replace what you already have, so it isn't necessary right away, but probably something you will want to upgrade to.

I couldn't tell you what would go into a set of coilovers. I have never had or priced them, but I am under the impression that they cost more than just a spring/shock upgrade...

As far as just lowering the car and nothing else... about $200 if you do it yourself...

 

[slimsmcgill]

ok, thanks.

But, my buddy also told me that his wheels started to lean in on him after a while after putting on lowering springs. Was this something stupid he did or didn't do? Am I gonna see the same thing if I don't replace my shocks right away? I read your response garrett and red, but I just want to make sure.

Also, he said there are springs that you can adjust....? Is he on crack or are there really springs that you can turn and raise up the height a little?

 

[redwagon02]

ok, thanks.

But, my buddy also told me that his wheels started to lean in on him after a while after putting on lowering springs. Was this something stupid he did or didn't do? Am I gonna see the same thing if I don't replace my shocks right away? I read your response garrett and red, but I just want to make sure.

The only thing I can think of from this is that the car wasn't aligned properly.

Also, he said there are springs that you can adjust....? Is he on crack or are there really springs that you can turn and raise up the height a little?

True, they are coilovers. sleeve and collar coilover's like the Ground Control's I am using will cost around $350. They utilze the stock struts. They're are also real coilovers a strut w/ a threaded body to allow the spring perch to go up or down and are more of a performance oriented item. I think around $800 on up.

 

[garretts77]

Coilovers can raise or lower the ride height. The more that you lower your car, the more negative camber you get. On the Eibach's, you can get it back pretty much to factory specs if you want, or leave a little negative there for the corners.
I think that you friend probably slammed his Civic to the ground and didn't adjust the camber back enough. I really wouldn't worry about anything like that if you buy a respectable company's springs and have the alignment done as stated above.

 

[redwagon02]

collar and sleeve coilover's:

Full coilover's:

 

[bruce95fmla]

to be honest, you own a protege 5 .. The 3rd gen protege's are much more receptive to lowering springs than 1st and 2nd gen protege. I am not sure if it is the valving of the shocks or the body panels or what ever the heck it is. For this reason I really don't think you should get coilovers.

It may be actually a better option to get your hands on a set of really good springs. I know that tein makes a real good set of springs that are guaranteed not to sag. You can also fit up the eibachs.. Those I would also rate . As for the H&R's I never cared for them .. There just cheap neuspeeds.

If you really have cash then you can mess with a good set of coilovers then you may want to check out the JIC magic coils. they make coilovers for the 3rd gens and supposedle are one of the best suspension manufactures, but I don't think they offer a waranty on their products... dunno how that goes ..

Anyhow yes you will need an alighnment when you are done, because your toe will change and that will eat the daylights out of your tires. The camber is adjustable but not by much.

anyhow if you want to see some photo's of my car with all the damn different suspensions I have had on there , check this site out.
http://protosportracing.com/pro_1susp.htm

I still stand by dropping the car, before buying rims and tires.
I would say a 2" drop or less is really all you need.
Then you can get rims and make sure they fit with which ever tire you decide to purchase.
for 17's I would get 215/40/zr

 

[slimsmcgill]

I'm pretty sure I have a first generation p5. I got mine when it came out basically. So basically a coilover is just a spring and shocks? And I wouldn't really need one on my ride?

So Eibachs or Tein....ok. I'll look into those.

 

[redwagon02]

. As for the H&R's I never cared for them .. There just cheap neuspeeds.

The Neuspeed springs are made by H&R. Neuspeed just stamps their name on them.

http://www.hrsprings.com/site/frameabout.html

 

[MinnowGT]

I'm pretty sure I have a first generation p5. I got mine when it came out basically. QUOTE]

fyi.

all p5 == 3rd gen protege platform.

there's been minor updates but the basic body frame is the same.