Question Regarding Springs

[Canuck]

Gonna be getting a set of Tein S-Tech's for my 2006 Hatch and I'm just wondering what the proper way to go about this would be. As far as I know I'm still on original struts with 83,000 km. I know I'll be needing to replace those pretty soon, but the springs claim to drop 1.5" all around so will I be needing a camber kit or anything else along those lines? I don't want to drop my car because it's "sick" and at the same time be damaging it severely without knowing.

[G-daddy]

Yes, get the camber kit for sure. I got a lighter drop than you, and I needed a camber kit. Otherwise, you will mess up your tires, end up costing you more in the end.

[ismail_alikhan]

Depends on the roads u drive and how u maintain the car...I just changed my suspension at 140K...and looking at the suspension its still rust free, and no leaks in the struts.

I just changed it cuz I upgraded to FSDs and RB springs.

If your going that low get a camber kit to ensure you are not eating through tires, and an alignment after a few weeks.
IF it was me....I would do springs and shocks together, u can always keep the suspension if you decide to go back to stock.

[Donutz]

Proper would be to buy springs, struts/shocks and a camber kit. I'm not saying you, or anyone here is, but you'd be cheap, lazy, and really only be lowering your car for looks (aka ricer), if you went with just lowering springs.

[Canuck]

To buy all that you'd need a lot of cash, so I'm not sure you'd be "cheap" not to.

I knew it would be proper to replace everything, but much like a lot of the other members here I'm working on a budget. So I guess I'll have to rephrase my question to What is absolutely necessary to change for my suspension if I use lowering springs to drop 1.5"?

Most people lower their car for looks, but even with lowering springs alone you get a minor boost in performance. I don't think that's very ricer.

[cwp_sedan]

You wouldn't be "cheap", but you wouldn't be running the best performance setup. Ideally it's best to replace the dampers and install a camber kit as mentioned above.

On top of the springs, a camber kit will be necessary with the S-techs. If your dampers are still functioning properly, you may be able to get away with running them for a while but you will need to change them eventually when they go. You may be a little bouncy also with the stock dampers.

[bluemazda3]

my setup cost about $1100.. so if your planning to lower thats what ur looking to spend,, this is with pro kits, camber kit and koni yellows.. just so you know..

[Canuck]

Alright. So I'm looking at possibly a camber kit to help save from tire wear. Performance isn't really a huge factor for me since we can't use it in Canada anyways. Ride quality doesn't matter much either. There's something appealing about the hard, bouncy ride lol. What about when it comes to tire/rimupgrades? I'm sure I'll be ok for now being on stock rims, but will I limit myself in the future a lot with a 1.5" drop?

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Not really no.

[Canuck]

Also, a lot of people seem to go with Koni Yellow shocks. Any other brands I should look into?

[Donutz]

The question, in part, was "I'm just wondering what the proper way to go about this would be." The proper way to lower a car is to match the dampers and springs, and use a camber kit (when necessary) to adjust your camber. People, don't take offense to the term 'ricer'. I'm half Chinese; I don't get offended when people say 'you're half Chinese'.

[Canuck]

The question, in part, was "I'm just wondering what the proper way to go about this would be." The proper way to lower a car is to match the dampers and springs, and use a camber kit (when necessary) to adjust your camber. People, don't take offense to the term 'ricer'. I'm half Chinese; I don't get offended when people say 'you're half Chinese'.

I wasn't offended. I was stating my opinion and correcting my original question, since I realized what I had asked wasn't my intended question.
And if you don't want people to get offended when you use the term ricer, try not to use it in a negative manner.
Everyone's opinion of "ricer" seems to be a little different.
But nonetheless you did answer my original question and I do appreciate that. Thanks.

[Donutz]

It is, and we could debate what "rice", "ricey", and "ricer" means until the cows come home. I stick to my opinion, and use of the terms; if you modify your car for looks, it is rice; simple. Most people think of those guys with civics that have loud exhausts and look like extra's to a Fast and Furious movie are the ricers, but where is the line between 'them' and 'us' drawn? For me it is at my definition. Again, no offence intended, however, I will keep calling people rice, ricey and ricers.

PS - feel free to call me on my wheels, lip, eyelids, and whatnot, because I too have rice on my car.

[cwp_sedan]

The question, in part, was "I'm just wondering what the proper way to go about this would be." The proper way to lower a car is to match the dampers and springs, and use a camber kit (when necessary) to adjust your camber. People, don't take offense to the term 'ricer'. I'm half Chinese; I don't get offended when people say 'you're half Chinese'.

I think this made my morning...lol. :)

[Fuyuzora]

In my humble opinion... Do the work once, and do it right.

FACT: Lowering the car changes the suspension geometry, and depending on where within spec your camber lied before lowering, it may bring it outside spec and necessitate a camber kit.

FACT: Camber outside spec can easily cause premature tire wear and other ill effects.

FACT: Lowering the car on stock struts will cause them to wear out sooner and will need to be replaced. (although how much sooner is the subject of debate)

FACT: Installation costs will be cheaper if you have all three performed at one time rather than sequentially.

The above considered, I decided to wait a while longer to save for it, then bought/installed by Prokits, Yellows, and SPC Camber links all the same time.

Food for thought.

[peterm15]

^+1
I will recieve my coilovers in a week or 2, but am prob waiting a few more weeks before install as i need to buy a camber kit. ( a whole work thing came up so i dont want to spend the extra now.)
Although ill probably be installing the coils and camber kit myself, so i really wont be saving anything but time.

IMO at minimal youll need springs and camber, it is a good idea to get koni's ( or similar) at the same time but that is alot of money. That is why i decided to go with coilovers from a recent GB. My entire lowering will end up costing me around 1000 wich is about the same ( in some cases less) than a non adjustable lowering.

Keep in mind im not an expert and in fact this will be the first time i lower a car, i did do alot of reading and asked alot of questions before i even decided i would lower my car. Im just relaying info from my reasearch.

[Canuck]

Sold! So what I`ll do is just wait a little longer after I get my springs to buy the camber kit and maybe even Koni`s too. I agree that it`ll be smarter to do it right and also cheaper in the long run.

I was mainly asking because a friend of mine is set on believing a camber kit isn't needed at all for a 1.5" drop. Says his civic was way lower and he never needed it.

[peterm15]

Well a civic is not a mazda, and it probably did through it out of spec he just didnt notice.

I think waiting a little is a great idea ( as im doing it to), a litte paitence gets better results in the end.

[Canuck]

If I'm sitting at 84,000 km... Would you think the original shocks would give out soon? They've been under reasonable driving conditions.