You can use DA integra suspension, it bolts up and is made for a heavier car. We did this on my friends civic hatch and it was taller and stiffer than stock. I'm thinking any good spring maker can also get you custom springs with the height you want.

 

Hmm, interesting idea. Can you help compare apples to apples?

http://www.advancespeedshop.com/tanabe-gf210-springs-19881991-honda-tgf027-p-9730.html are the springs I have on there now.
and
http://www.advancespeedshop.com/tan...op.com/tanabe-gf210-springs-19901993-acura-integra-rslsgsgsr-tgf029-p-9711.html are similar springs for the Integra.

Note they're almost the same, same product series but slightly different model numbers for the different cars. But mine was 1.3" lower than a stock CRX, the other springs are 1.8" lower than a stock INTEGRA (and slightly higher spring rate, which is fine but I don't think that alone will solve the problem). Is there any way to find out what that would translate to on a CRX? Like if the Integra spring length stock is several inches longer than the CRX one then I might be in business. But there's like no specs on this stuff that I can find...

I also wondered.. if a taller Integra spring will work in my car then doesn't that imply a spacer would work without extending any brake lines? Do they sell spacer kits for these cars, since people typically lower them?

Thanks a lot for your (any anyone else's) help!

 

Spacers should work, I just worry about the suspension travel with the added weight. I think longer, stiffer springs are your best. Then again, this is a unique build.

 

Use EG suspension.

I know stock ef suspension lowers an eg. I imagine it would work vise versa as well.

OR you can use GC's. I believe you can go higher than stock, and have the option of changing out springs to screw with rates.

 

Yeah, I'm not going to get much with the spacers anyway. I doubt my strut tower bolts have more than 1/2" extra on them (I forget if they are separate bolts or welded to the strut, but I thought the latter).

Still not sure how to compare how this spring swap would turn out. And even though they're not too expensive, the build has already cost a bunch and I'm not excited to tell my wife the springs I got recently need to be changed! :shock:

 

Corey, just saw your post. I posted at the same time you did so I missed it.

Would something like this work? I'm assuming this is what you meant by GCs:
http://dnamotoring.com/store/index....e-1-4-scale-suspension-coilover-lowering-spring-springs-eg-ek-em-da6-green.html

It says adjustable from 0" to 4" lower. What I'm not sure of is it says for EG and DA... I probably want these for DA specifically since I know that's heavier, right? Or are they all made for various models?

You mentioned using a EG Civic suspension instead of the DA. Why do you recommend the EG over the DA? I think the Integras are heavier than the Civics so wouldn't that imply for a given weight they will sit higher on the spring? I do like that if I can adjust the drop from 0" to 4", then I can cover my bases.

Some (rough) stock weights I found:
DA = 2600lbs
EG = 2300lbs
EF (stock, not really applicable anymore) = 2100lbs

What do you guys think? The only last remaining thing is I can't find much on spring rates, but if it's made for a heavier car, my car might be up there in comparable weight (assuming aftermarket springs are never lower spring rate than stock).

Thanks a lot, obviously I have no clue about this stuff..

 

Okay, researching some more. Some people said to avoid the eBay springs.

If I do that, then going with Tanabe again (I like mine, and they're the only ones that seem to post their spring rates!), then here is the comparison:

What's on there now (for CRX):
Brand: Tanabe
Vehicle: 1988-1991 Honda CRX (EF)
Product: SUSTEC GF210 Max Agility Lowering Springs
Lower Rate (Front/Rear) inches: -1.3" / -1.3"
Spring Rate (Front/Rear) kg/mm: 6.0 / 2.7
Part Number: TGF027

Ones for DA Integra:
Brand: Tanabe
Vehicle: 1990-1993 Acura Integra RS/LS/GS/GSR
Product: SUSTEC GF210 Max Agility Lowering Springs
Lower Rate (Front/Rear) inches: -1.8" / -1.8"
Spring Rate (Front/Rear) kg/mm: 6.3 / 3.0
Part Number: TGF029

So I like that it's only slightly stiffer, and in similar proportions front-to-rear. What I don't know, and this is the key, is how much higher ride would going from EF to DA change? Cause that's my baseline for the fact that the Integra ones lower 1.8" and the CRX one is 1.3". Without knowing what a EF/DA spring swap does to ride height though it's hard to know how much difference this will make, or it it'll actually be too HIGH~!

 

Could get some custom length/rate springs form Ground Control too.

 

I don't think anything off the shelf will make it too high, DA parts included. In the unlikely event it is too high, you can lower or cut the springs. Do you have a thread or pics of your EV crx?

 

What is your estimated empty weight?
Do you still have the stock springs?
What shocks are you using?
What sort of range are you expecting?
What type of batteries are you using?

Stock ride height and a bit stiffer springs is the target I would shoot for.

There is no need to go above stock ride height but with all that weight you want to give it the softest landing you can when you hit a pot hole so I would not go much below stock ride height.

All lowering springs and shocks will just set you up for a harsh ride that will beat the crap out of your car.

I would start by putting the stock springs back in if you have them. If it still sits too low then you will need to play with springs. I have heard but can't confirm that you can install the front springs in the rear. You may be able to install the stock fronts in the rear and just find a stiffer front set of springs.

Mike

 

Unfortunately, I didn't keep the stock springs. So now any CRX springs I buy will be lowered if they're aftermarket. There is a guy on CL selling a pair of Integra springs by Tein. He says they only have a 0.9" lowering in the back, so since Integra should sit higher, maybe that will work well for me (back is more critical, that's where the batteries are hanging).

He also says "they were on my 97 gsr but they should fit any model." That means nothing to me. Will those fit a 90 CRX DX? Should I get them?

A bit about my EV conversion (I intend to do a CRX-based writeup here when it's all finished, this site is more focused on the EV part obviously, but there are a lot of CRX-related things in my thread, and I'll eventually do a paint job this spring). I think it's about 200-300lbs heavier than stock. My range should be approximately 70 miles on a charge, and I kinda gave up trying to estimate (back of the envelope equations) how fast it will be but it should be much faster than that 1.5L...

http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63192

Please reply to the post on whether I should get those local springs though, if they'll fit! :biggrin:

 

What you have for shocks can have an impact on what springs are good options. Figure out if you have OEM, OE replacement, or performance replacement shocks. If you have the OEM shocks and they are still in fair condition running most lowering springs can be expected to blow them out fairly quickly. If you already have moderate performance replacement shocks they should be tolerant of lowering springs.

If you really are just 200 to 300 pounds over stock weight I would just find some stock springs for it. With the extra weight it will sit a bit lower then stock and should give you a nice smooth ride.

The springs may still be available from Honda. You can make a post in the parts wanted section of this forum. You may even be able to arrange a trade, your new springs for a set of used springs and some cash.

Mike

 

DA shocks and springs, I know for a fact it will raise it. WTB I want pic's of the work!

 

If you really are just 200 to 300 pounds over stock weight I would just find some stock springs for it. With the extra weight it will sit a bit lower then stock and should give you a nice smooth ride.

Maybe I need to collect more data first. The batteries are 450lbs of new weight, plus the motor is 150lbs so that's 600 right there. What was removed was engine, fuel tank, exhaust parts, etc. I wish I had weighed them as I removed them so I'd know where I stand. Perhaps I can very carefully drive to the local junkyard and use their truck scale, see what my new weight is with driver. Then I'd know if I should do CRX original springs or need to up it to DA shocks and springs.

 

DA shocks and springs, I know for a fact it will raise it. WTB I want pic's of the work!

Dyslexic or do you really want to buy pictures of the work? :wink: I've got lots of pictures of the conversion to EV at the link I posted.

If I were to look for DA shocks and springs, would it be best to get springs off a junkyard car, since the springs don't really wear, and then get aftermarket-OEM shocks (since those are probably bad on a junkyard car) or look around locally on CL?

 

DA shocks and springs, I know for a fact it will raise it. WTB I want pic's of the work!

Dyslexic or do you really want to buy pictures of the work? :wink: I've got lots of pictures of the conversion to EV at the link I posted.

If I were to look for DA shocks and springs, would it be best to get springs off a junkyard car, since the springs don't really wear, and then get aftermarket-OEM shocks (since those are probably bad on a junkyard car) or look around locally on CL?

Hahah I fat finger the keys, ment to say BTW

 

Okay, here we go. I may be onto something.

The local guy on CL with the Tein Integra springs found out more about them. They are for the DC2 (94-01) Integras. He found the spring rates and I think they'd work well for my car.

My car spring rates: 336F/151R
His springs: 297F/258R

So the rear springs, which is where the battery box hanging too low is a problem, should get stiffer by a good bit. That inherently should raise where they sit normally. I think if I found stock CRX springs they'd still sit too low with the extra weight. So for the DC2 springs, maybe the 0.9" lowering of them cancels out with the fact that the Integra stock springs would sit higher? And then on top of that there's the extra spring rate. So I think these might work out.

The guy seems really helpful and he's holding them for me for January since I don't have the money now. He claims online that they should fit but I can't confirm that in my online research. What I see is that people say that a DC2 *coilover* won't fit an EF, but I'm pretty sure that means the strut + spring together, because the strut itself needs a different LCA. I want to use my original shocks and just essentially a stiffer spring. I think the extra weight and the stiffer spring should sorta cancel as well so it's not too stiff for the stock strut.

So do you guys know if a DC2 *spring* will fit over a stock EF *strut* without changing the strut out? Thanks a ton.

 

Use front springs from an integra and put them in the rear.

You will have to preload the springs when putting them on, just like you would if you were installing them normally up front.

Trying to use some aftermarket kit that is supposed to be slightly stiffer is not going to be effective.

 

Update:

I bought the ones off CL and installed them. They worked great! They were for a DC Integra, but due to my extra battery weight they sit about perfect.

Old ground clearance:
5 3/4" front
2 5/8" rear

New ground clearance:
7 3/4" front
4 1/8" rear

Note: the car sits about level, if anything the rear is a little higher, making it have a nice-looking stance. It looks like the front is higher because the battery box sits so low, so those are just my reference points. I only included it to show the relative distance it went up, in case anyone ever does this swap in the future and finds this post.

The Integra springs fit no problem into the EF strut.

Thanks again.

 

Really, really old thread, I know. What I've gathered from this is that the springs from any Integra '90 through 2001 will fit in a CRX. Is that correct? I am trying to lift mine and found a good deal on '94-01 Integra sedan springs/shocks.