How to: Install Adjustable Coilovers

This Suspension manual may help: DA Suspension

After purchasing my Koni yellow adjustable shocks, I needed to replace the stock springs with something more performance orientated. I initially had some King springs which are available in standard, low or superlow, mine were second hand superlows and resulted in an extremely low ride (70mm at the crossmember).  Not being someone who wants show over go, I quickly got sick of judder bumps and scraping over everything so I decided to purchase a set of adjustable coilovers so I could tailor my ride height to suit.

The King springs gave a nice comfortable ride because they were progressive. This means the springs have coils which are closer together near the top so they become stiffer as they are compressed. The springs on coilovers are usually linear, that is they remain the same as they compress. Linear springs are cheaper to make and are easier to produce accurately but give a bumpier ride.

If you are wanting to simply lower your car and are want to keep a relatively stock ride quality, I would suggest you get a decent brand of progressive springs. If you decide on coilovers I would definitely suggest replacing your stock shock absorbers.

Coilover springs are usually available in a number of different spring rates, and if you choose Ground Control you can specify a custom spring rate. Many people tend to criticize cheap coilovers for being too bouncy or too harsh. While this may be true the problem is not with the spring, the problem is with the buyer for not doing enough research on spring rates. A spring is a spring, if the ride is too harsh it is because you bought springs with too high a spring rate.

What does differ between brands is quality, If you live in the USA the brand with the best reputation is probably Ground Control. Other brands such as Skunk2 will also be good but don't come with keeper springs so depending on where you live you may not be able to get a warrant of fitness if your springs do not remain captive (like here in New Zealand). I chose a brand called Pro 1 which are relatively cheap but have quality coilover sleeves and have a one-nut with allen key system of securing it which doesn't slip. They also come with keeper springs, allen keys and bolts, wrench and rubber o rings. They are rated at 8KG front and 6KG rear and give a fairly firm ride, some would find it too harsh.

Installing them is fairly straightforward, I didn't need the top hats which came with them. The coilover will rest on the platform on the inside of the cups, I found I had to move the circlips on my Koni shocks to the top grooves. You may have to spend a while getting the car to sit at the right height on all corners. Make sure your car is at the weight it will usually be at by removing heavy objects first.

I intend to get some alloy platforms machined to fit over the koni circlip and replace the cups, this will be safer and will give a better range of adjustment.

If you live in New Zealand you will have to get a vehicle certification with any height adjustable suspension.

 

 

This website has been gradually growing since I started it in early 2002. Originally I was simply documenting modifications and repairs to my car but I decided to publish it when I began to discover others were interested in the information. If you need help or have a how-to relating to Honda B series VTEC engines, or DA or DC2R Integras you can
email me.

While all care is taken to provide correct information, mistakes are occasionally made and I cannot be responsible for any damage that occurs to readers vehicles.