hey guys, Is it neccessary to change the struts/shocks if you decide to lower your ride height? I seem to remember some members saying that your stock struts/shocks will start to leak soon after dropping your ride. I'm only considering a mild drop of no more that 1.75" (probably more like 1.5 front and 1.25" back). If i need them i'll buy them but the KYB AGX adjustable shocks are fairly expensive. I'd appreciate any feed back. Thanks, David

Hey DAve hows it going? Well, if it's not a drastic drop then you should be fine with your stock ones. Another thing to consider is how old are your shocks, if they are pretty new then stick with them 'coz unless you start driving hard then you might wear them out. I was told by a friend that works for honda that the stock shocks are better than some after market ones. So, unless you'll drop the car more or start driving hard then save your money 'coz down the road you'll probably want to go lower and that's when you get the shocks. Have fun.

Thanks for the advice, sounds good. That's what i kind of thought cuz when you have have 3 other passengers in your car the ride height is automatically dropped by the weight more than 1-1.5" inches. So, I had a feeling that a mild drop would be safe. I understand that the combined weight with lowered suspension would result in even more of a drop but 80% of the time i'm in the car by myself. my 99 1.6 and shocks only have about 39K on them. thanks again, dave

Glad to help out. I've got a much lower drop and I still havn't changed mine and I've got a 97. Well, like you most of the time it's just me. There's only my wife and my 4yr old daughter that ride with me so when they're around you know I can can't drive hard. So, far my shocks are still fine. By the way, what springs are you getting? chris

I got a set of Gravitation Coilovers from OBX. I'm actually gonna hold off till spring to install them. Partly because there's not really any point in winter and also because I may opt for a civic SI or possibly an integra by then. I love my 1.6 but I really, really regret getting the automatic tranny. The coil over set up is actually the same for 1.6ELs, 92-00 civics, and 94-01 integras. The rep from OBX said that they have different model numbers for these cars but that the coil-over sets are identical. thanks again.

If you are getting a new car then I suggest get the Integra. Only because if you are getting a Civic SI it's practically an EL with only two doors. Body weight is the only advantage the Civic has over the EL, same engine. Unless your going to get the 2k2 or 2k3 then there would be some changes. On the other hand, If you love your EL then you can just get a 5spd tranny. It'll be cheaper than getting a new car, plus you get to keep your EL. That's just my 2 cents. What ever makes you happy man. Good luck! Chris

Well if your lowering that much, you cant still use the Stock shocks, easily... You only have to change them if your lower more than 2 inches and if you go that low, you also need a camber kit.... But if your into changing your whole ride experience then change the shocks, kyb's are great as you suggested and also Koni Reds, there good as well... Some setups I have seen and see that people are happy about are: Eibach Pro-Kit and Kyb's Adjustable (very common setup with Hondas and very affordable, 1.5 drop, but known to sag or give an uneven drop, kinda soft as well, so not really my thing ) H&R or Neuspeed Sport and Kyb's Adjustable or Koni Reds (This would be the best one I think for the EL, not too stiff gives a nice drop and makes the car handle and look better) Or JDM Style: Tein S-Tech Lowering Springs and Kby's or Koni Reds (Since the EL is JDM, why not??) But remember all of these setups I listed can ALL be used with your stock shocks or you have the option of upgrading your choice heres a good site to get your springs (except for the Eibach) http://www.psychotic-racing.com/

thanks, very informative. Since, it's not a big drop i most likely will hold out on the new shocks. But then again maybe i'll have more cash by the time summer come around and go for the shocks anyway :) thanks for all the info guys.

I am interested in getting 'Eibach Pro-Kit and Kyb's Adjustable' for my 1.7EL. Is there any place I can get them installed locally ? If there is one, how much would that cost including labour ? And would the ride be much harsher than stock ?

Ideally you should replace your shocks to higher performance shocks. Because the ride height/springs are shorter, and spring rate higher, there will be increased stress on your stock shocks which were designed for the stock spring rate and height. I've heard stories that the stock shocks will usually blow within a few months of use after lowering.