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CRX Suspension Tech
I keep seeing threads popping up about putting new shocks and springs into a CRX. Most of these are first-time suspension swappers, so here's some info I've gathered and some I've learned from my own experience. I'm staying away from full coilovers in this one, focusing on the more common setups of aftermarket spring and shock combos. If you have more info, like spring rates I don't have listed, or an opinion/info on another type of shock or spring, post it, or PM me and I will add it to the original post (and credit you of course). I'd like to get some more spring rates up here.
Shocks:
When it comes to shocks there are pretty much three options, Koni Yellows, Tokico Illuminas, and KYB AGX.
The Konis are hands down the best you probably will ever need for your CRX. Also more expensive than the other two, you can send these out for re-valving, rebuilding, etc, to have a shock that is custom made for YOUR car. Like the other two they are covered by a lifetime warranty, though I don't know of anyone who's blown out a set of these. If you're running high spring rates (more on that later), you will want these, Neuspeed even recommends them specifically. For street use, even with occasional autocross, you probably don't need to spend the extra money on the Konis, put it into some good tires.
Tokico Illuminas are an excellent shock, especially considering the price. I personally had these on my first CRX, and I can't complain at all about their performance in autocross. They are externally 5-way adjustable, and like the Konis they carry a lifetime warranty. Unfortunately, I have seen these blow on basic springs. On my sister's Mazda MX6, one of the rears blew, and it's sitting on Tokico's own lowering spring kit that comes bundled with the Illuminas! I also had to return two of mine because of manufacturing defects, torquing the nut on top broke the shock rod. The good news is that Tokico stood behind their product and I got my new ones very quickly (for free).
KYB's AGX shocks are on par with the Tokicos. They feature 4-way external adjustability, the lifetime warranty, and steal-me orange paint. I have seen numerous pictures on the internet of these guys leaking oil, but never have I seen a broken one in person. Matt Miner is running these successfully on H&R Race springs (rates which I have personally seen blow out Illuminas), and having driven the car I can say they are a quality product. John (ComposiMo) also recommends these. Personally, I have limited experience with these, I almost bought a set, but found Illuminas for less. If you're debating between these and the Illuminas, get whatever is cheaper for you at the time, they will be just about the same (but Tokico will send you a little key to adjust the dampers).
Bottom line: you probably don't need Konis if you're asking about them. Get either the Illuminas or the AGXs, depending on what color you like and how your wallet is doing. Remember, running high spring rates or excessive lowering is going to kill these two, where the Koni has been shown to hold up a lot better.
There are some lower-line shocks that are marketed by Tokico and KYB as well, which are pretty common, the Tokico HP (blues) and KYB GR-2. These are barely more than a stock replacement, I believe you can buy GR-2s at Autozone and the like. More than an inch lowered and anything too stiff, and these are going to blow, I promise.
An interesting note is that the KYB AGX seem to have a bad reputation, despite not being used by as many people as the Illuminas. I personally think that this is because of the GR-2, which is VERY common. I have heard more than one person say they won't use AGXs because they have seen GR-2s blow. Don't compare upper and lower lines, just buy the better stuff, and you'll be all set.
Springs:
There are a lot of choices when it comes to springs, and each one is going to affect your car differently. A lot of people are concerned with how the car is going to look (how much drop) and leave it at that. Some are more interested in the rates and how they are going to affect ride quality and handing. To the first group, you are not going to get EXACTLY the same drop as your friend did on the same springs. This is particularly noticeable with H&R/Neuspeed Race springs. I've seen these on numerous cars, and they all sit differently! I've also seen a rogue set of Eibach Sportlines drop the rear of a CRX way too low. The only way you are going to be able to accurately set an even ride height (and cornerweight) your CRX is with some adjustable sleeves like Ground Controls. And if you think you can have great ride quality AND handling, you're going to be VERY disappointed.
I will ALWAYS recommend getting Ground Controls, since they aren't that much more expensive, and you will never be unhappy with the ride height. You can also get the spring rates you want, or just take the off-the shelf rates. Off the shelf GCs come with Eibach, 350/250 lb/in front/rear rates. Personally I switch the front and rear springs to make the rear rotate better. Stock CRX springs are 250/150, so that leaves the front pretty stock soft. This is an OK setup, I had it on my last car, but now I'm running 550/650 F/R. My current setup also has poly bushings, and to most people it's pretty punishing on the street. Once you get used to a smooth setup it's no problem, but every time I get in my old car (owned by a friend of mine) I feel like I'm in a Cadillac.
If you really don't want GCs, then there are some good options for regular springs, but as far as I know you aren't going to get track-stiff rates.
Eibach sportlines are fairly popular, give a decent drop, and are moderately stiff. Jmart has them paired with Illuminas, and Stef is running Matt's old set on the HF/Si. The rates are 450/174-257 (progressive) F/R. The problem with them is that since the rears are not the same as the front (they are progressive) you can't swap the front and rear springs. Prokits are popular for street use, with rates of 331/125-195 F/R, more for cosmetic use in my opinion.
H&R and Neuspeed both offer "Sport" and "Race" springs, which as far as I know are the same (NS Sport = HR Sport, NS Race = HR Race). I am not positive, but I believe sports are 275/225 and race are 575/450 (taken from an old article on the Resource). I know a couple people running the "Race" springs on daily/autoX cars and they are very happy with them. These also are progressive in the rear. I've noticed a lot of EFs that sit high with HR Race, I don't know the reason.
Whatever you decide to get, remember to take your goals into account. Do you track your CRX? Do you daily drive it? Autocross? Drag? Don't overbuild the suspension, especially if it's your daily driver. You will not only waste money, but it will be uncomfortable and annoying, and with extremely high rates (like mine) your car can be a chore to drive in some conditions, like rain and snow.
Spring Rates (F/R lb/in)
OEM CRX: 250/150
Tokico Kit: 256/156
Ground Control OTS: 350/250
Eibach Pro-Kit: 274/97-228
Eibach Sportline: 450/174-257
H&R/Neuspeed Sport: 275/225
H&R/Neuspeed Race: 575/450
Tein S Tech: 268/123
Skunk2 Lowering Springs: 257-559/112-485
Skunk2 Coilovers : 448/336
Full Coilovers (F/R lb/in)
Tein (Basic, SS, and Flex): 448/224
Omnipower Sport: 672/560
Omnipower Street: 560/448
Progress Group Coilovers: (thanks LowFlyin')
Series I Time Attack - 450f/650r
Series I Drag Race - 350f/550r
Series I - 350f/250r
Series II - 350f/250r
I keep seeing threads popping up about putting new shocks and springs into a CRX. Most of these are first-time suspension swappers, so here's some info I've gathered and some I've learned from my own experience. I'm staying away from full coilovers in this one, focusing on the more common setups of aftermarket spring and shock combos. If you have more info, like spring rates I don't have listed, or an opinion/info on another type of shock or spring, post it, or PM me and I will add it to the original post (and credit you of course). I'd like to get some more spring rates up here.
Shocks:
When it comes to shocks there are pretty much three options, Koni Yellows, Tokico Illuminas, and KYB AGX.
The Konis are hands down the best you probably will ever need for your CRX. Also more expensive than the other two, you can send these out for re-valving, rebuilding, etc, to have a shock that is custom made for YOUR car. Like the other two they are covered by a lifetime warranty, though I don't know of anyone who's blown out a set of these. If you're running high spring rates (more on that later), you will want these, Neuspeed even recommends them specifically. For street use, even with occasional autocross, you probably don't need to spend the extra money on the Konis, put it into some good tires.
Tokico Illuminas are an excellent shock, especially considering the price. I personally had these on my first CRX, and I can't complain at all about their performance in autocross. They are externally 5-way adjustable, and like the Konis they carry a lifetime warranty. Unfortunately, I have seen these blow on basic springs. On my sister's Mazda MX6, one of the rears blew, and it's sitting on Tokico's own lowering spring kit that comes bundled with the Illuminas! I also had to return two of mine because of manufacturing defects, torquing the nut on top broke the shock rod. The good news is that Tokico stood behind their product and I got my new ones very quickly (for free).
KYB's AGX shocks are on par with the Tokicos. They feature 4-way external adjustability, the lifetime warranty, and steal-me orange paint. I have seen numerous pictures on the internet of these guys leaking oil, but never have I seen a broken one in person. Matt Miner is running these successfully on H&R Race springs (rates which I have personally seen blow out Illuminas), and having driven the car I can say they are a quality product. John (ComposiMo) also recommends these. Personally, I have limited experience with these, I almost bought a set, but found Illuminas for less. If you're debating between these and the Illuminas, get whatever is cheaper for you at the time, they will be just about the same (but Tokico will send you a little key to adjust the dampers).
Bottom line: you probably don't need Konis if you're asking about them. Get either the Illuminas or the AGXs, depending on what color you like and how your wallet is doing. Remember, running high spring rates or excessive lowering is going to kill these two, where the Koni has been shown to hold up a lot better.
There are some lower-line shocks that are marketed by Tokico and KYB as well, which are pretty common, the Tokico HP (blues) and KYB GR-2. These are barely more than a stock replacement, I believe you can buy GR-2s at Autozone and the like. More than an inch lowered and anything too stiff, and these are going to blow, I promise.
An interesting note is that the KYB AGX seem to have a bad reputation, despite not being used by as many people as the Illuminas. I personally think that this is because of the GR-2, which is VERY common. I have heard more than one person say they won't use AGXs because they have seen GR-2s blow. Don't compare upper and lower lines, just buy the better stuff, and you'll be all set.
Springs:
There are a lot of choices when it comes to springs, and each one is going to affect your car differently. A lot of people are concerned with how the car is going to look (how much drop) and leave it at that. Some are more interested in the rates and how they are going to affect ride quality and handing. To the first group, you are not going to get EXACTLY the same drop as your friend did on the same springs. This is particularly noticeable with H&R/Neuspeed Race springs. I've seen these on numerous cars, and they all sit differently! I've also seen a rogue set of Eibach Sportlines drop the rear of a CRX way too low. The only way you are going to be able to accurately set an even ride height (and cornerweight) your CRX is with some adjustable sleeves like Ground Controls. And if you think you can have great ride quality AND handling, you're going to be VERY disappointed.
I will ALWAYS recommend getting Ground Controls, since they aren't that much more expensive, and you will never be unhappy with the ride height. You can also get the spring rates you want, or just take the off-the shelf rates. Off the shelf GCs come with Eibach, 350/250 lb/in front/rear rates. Personally I switch the front and rear springs to make the rear rotate better. Stock CRX springs are 250/150, so that leaves the front pretty stock soft. This is an OK setup, I had it on my last car, but now I'm running 550/650 F/R. My current setup also has poly bushings, and to most people it's pretty punishing on the street. Once you get used to a smooth setup it's no problem, but every time I get in my old car (owned by a friend of mine) I feel like I'm in a Cadillac.
If you really don't want GCs, then there are some good options for regular springs, but as far as I know you aren't going to get track-stiff rates.
Eibach sportlines are fairly popular, give a decent drop, and are moderately stiff. Jmart has them paired with Illuminas, and Stef is running Matt's old set on the HF/Si. The rates are 450/174-257 (progressive) F/R. The problem with them is that since the rears are not the same as the front (they are progressive) you can't swap the front and rear springs. Prokits are popular for street use, with rates of 331/125-195 F/R, more for cosmetic use in my opinion.
H&R and Neuspeed both offer "Sport" and "Race" springs, which as far as I know are the same (NS Sport = HR Sport, NS Race = HR Race). I am not positive, but I believe sports are 275/225 and race are 575/450 (taken from an old article on the Resource). I know a couple people running the "Race" springs on daily/autoX cars and they are very happy with them. These also are progressive in the rear. I've noticed a lot of EFs that sit high with HR Race, I don't know the reason.
Whatever you decide to get, remember to take your goals into account. Do you track your CRX? Do you daily drive it? Autocross? Drag? Don't overbuild the suspension, especially if it's your daily driver. You will not only waste money, but it will be uncomfortable and annoying, and with extremely high rates (like mine) your car can be a chore to drive in some conditions, like rain and snow.
Spring Rates (F/R lb/in)
OEM CRX: 250/150
Tokico Kit: 256/156
Ground Control OTS: 350/250
Eibach Pro-Kit: 274/97-228
Eibach Sportline: 450/174-257
H&R/Neuspeed Sport: 275/225
H&R/Neuspeed Race: 575/450
Tein S Tech: 268/123
Skunk2 Lowering Springs: 257-559/112-485
Skunk2 Coilovers : 448/336
Full Coilovers (F/R lb/in)
Tein (Basic, SS, and Flex): 448/224
Omnipower Sport: 672/560
Omnipower Street: 560/448
Progress Group Coilovers: (thanks LowFlyin')
Series I Time Attack - 450f/650r
Series I Drag Race - 350f/550r
Series I - 350f/250r
Series II - 350f/250r