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I'm looking to lower my 92 SS to give it the stance it needs for autocross.
Another option is putting in eibach coils, but I heard they were shit.
Would just eibach springs fit on my car?
Also, has anyone cut their coils and how many did you take off?
I know this decreases ride quality, would you advise against it?
Thanks,
Brad

clarify - coils= coilovers? springs = springs, as in, on top of the strut?

TRUE full coilover systems are the shit. If you're talking about a coil, that's just a sleeve that gives ride-height adjustment, then I (and probably others) would advise against it, especially for autox competition.

I'd also advise against cutting your springs to lower your car. That's probably one of the most dangerous things you can have in your suspension. Springs were designed for certain weights, loads, and springs rates, all of which are affected by the length of the spring, and thus, the number of coils in said spring. All above mentioned play a major role in your handling as well.

If you're wanting to autox, why are you going cheap? What's stopping you from creating the ride of your dreams?

I'd also advise againts cutting your stock springs-thats for civic drivers to do. AGX struts and H&R springs would prob. be great for auto-x. I'm planning on that setup sometime this summer. Whiteline also makes springs but not sure if they are tapered like the '92s springs are.

I thought about what I said, and cutting springs does appear to be incredibly dangerous.
Yes, I've heard about the agx struts and H&R springs beign a good combo.

Check out the Suspension Compendium, thanks to the-one-and-only scottzg, in the Suspension Forum. It'll give you a better idea of what parts match up correctly, and gives specs on spring rates, drop, etc.

92BlackBeauty wrote:I'm looking to lower my 92 SS to give it the stance it needs for autocross.

Oh god, first thing i read after 5 days of no computer



so so so funny.



Anyway, since you asked, the coils can be cut, and they can improve the look and handling, but this involves more than you think, i bet. Professor has done it correctly. The springs are tapered, so you need to recontour the spring after it is cut. You have to figure out how much to cut to get the desired spring rate, there's some math involved. If you cut too much, then the spring will fall out of the strut at full droop- DANGEROUS. Your springs have softened an unknown amount in their years of service.

So, simply put, it's not really worth it to cut them. I'd suggest looking at a tuning chart and at my wonderful Compendium, and picking out a set of springs that best suit your purposes. The safety and ease of doing this easily outweighs the cost, imo.

so I take it lowering for autox is not the best way to go about it?
Bare with me here, I'm fairly new to this.

Cutting springs raises the spring rate. Lowering the car alters your suspension geometry (roll center).

Are you looking for a stance or for autox improvements?

I was where you are once:
http://www.bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=511
(boy i sound like an idiot)

http://www.bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=17378
http://www.bbs.legacycentral.org/viewto ... 9980#89980

Read a bit.

I would love to lower the car if possible, I just need to know if eibach springs will work with my stock struts.

Also, in the next few months I am going to be acquiring a set of 17" enkei evo-5 wheels, with the +48mm offset. I need to know if 18's will fit my car with 215/35 tires? Surely the 35 series will clear?

Jesus! Where do you people live? that kind of tire around here results in lots of blow outs, bent rims, and unacceptable ride in between.

18's would be tough to get to fit and the fenders will need to be rolled at the least.

Cut coil cars are funny to watch.

Steve

Actually, I live in Canada. Specifically, a small town, Sherwood Park in Alberta and we seem to have perfect street maintenance....I've seen one pothole in the whole town haha.
Anyhow, the 17's might fit im guessing?

cut coils work fine if you don't over-do it. Cut 1/2 coil off the tops (better to cut there if you look at the spring perches), will lower the car between 1/2 inch and 1 inch and increase the spring rate around 10-15%.

IMHO the springs cut that way still fit better than eibachs and other short springs, which have hardly any tension at all when the struts are reassembled (and thus when the weight of the car is off such as after a bump)

If I did it again I'd go for 3/4 of a coil. Grind the cut end to contour it to fit the perch better, without grossly overheating the metal (use some water here). Take care to align the top hats properly. If your spring perch rubber liners are trashed as they likely will be, you ca use some polyurethane rubber tubing to cover the first coil. I got some from mcmaster.com. That keeps the end of the spring from banging rudely on the perch over bumps.

With rare exception I don't believe in the magic of after-market springs, rarely are they really matched to the car in question, and are often too low, over-stiff, and rude handling

My $0.02 from may years experience

Oh, and don't forget bushings, that is where 75% of your problem is now, from wear.