Here's some pics after I had the Eibachs installed (Big-O - $130.00 +parts). The *shrinking fender-to-tire gap* quest continues . . . and I still need to do something with the rear camber. (edit 7/3/05 - link to camber :arrow: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=153757#post153757)

Next, I have to figure out what to do with the grill. I still can't decide between black or polished. :confused: Lately I've been leaning towards Cloudrider - suggestions ?

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/box4rox/Box4Rox97.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/box4rox/Box4Rox99.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/box4rox/Box4Rox100.jpg

what size rims and tires do you have by any chance? i really like how big/off-roady they look!

i don't remember your car being like that! and what's with the dual exhaust?! :) and, you know, 2 inches doesn't look all that low! does it feel stiffer at all around corners, etc?

will

what size rims and tires do you have by any chance? i really like how big/off-roady they look!
I was (still am) trying for more a "surfer/wagon/panel truck/woody" look so rather than go with really large wheels and low profile tires I went the other way.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/box4rox/woody.jpg

The tires are 235/65-17 and the wheels are 17x7.5 with a 42mm offset. Don't get me wrong . . . I like the look of both 20'' and low profiles as well as what I've done here. Just wanted to try something different, that's all. :) Who knows, when these wear out I'll probably "transformerize" it again.

Also, since it's a daily driver (100 miles round trip) I sorta like having the 65 series sidewalls for comfort; helps compensate for the spring rate change due to the drop. I'm a wimp, what can I say . . . :grin:

Wheels are 2 piece forged and weigh in below 19lbs so the total wheel/tire weight is about 4.5 lbs less than stock which helps.

I probably wouldn't have dropped it but I really wasn't liking that fender gap.

Willy - it rides a little stiffer; and yes corners "flatter" - just took it up to San Luis Obispo via San Marcos Pass/Lake Cachuma. Really nice on the hwy 154 twisties. (Hope your E is OK tomorrow when you get it to the shop)

i'm not one for the big wheel, low profile tire either--atleast on the element. I've been playing around with the ideas of how to get the largest tire possible on there and I really like what you did, your E looks great and the drop doesn't look that bad at all!

i'm not one for the big wheel, low profile tire either--atleast on the element. I've been playing around with the ideas of how to get the largest tire possible on there and I really like what you did, your E looks great and the drop doesn't look that bad at all!
Thanks. Here's another look for the E that I really, really like !! It's GoBoxGo's.
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9322&page=1&pp=10

I'm not sure why this works so well for this E :confused: . . . it almost looks lifted ! This is the only E I've seen so far with a tire-to-fender gap that I really think looks sharp. Only thing I can figure is it is the combo of painted fender panels, but leaving leaving the rocker panels gray. Also, maybe his wheel offset is a little shallow (stock is + 45mm); his look like they could be out in the 35mm to 40mm range.

looks great. how do you like the ride? i have had h&r's on the e the week after i bought it. does ride alittle harder but the stock e did anyway. the rims look great. im not a fan of big wheels. i hvae 19's but havent put them on. i want 17's. they are the perfect size.im into that jdm honda thing. even when i had my acura gsr, my frinds used to get mad cause i only bought 16's instead of big wheels. i liked auto-xing and big wheels dont work. now if you find a true honda/acura fan they have 15-16inch wheels(unless they are show cars)again looks great.oh and tire rack has the rear ingalls camber kit. thats what i used. works great and price is decent.

Question guys! Are you dropping your E's with the stock struts still installed (just springs)? Just curious how many miles you should expect before you blow your stock strut.

ya, they are the stock struts. noone at this time makes a replacement for the new honda replacement. the aftermarket companies are just starting to make them for the civic si and rsx's. the stock shocks beleive it or not could last just as long as with a stock spring.the spring rates on the springs for the e are only 10-20% stiffer. and are meant for stock shocks. although aftermarket shocks that are valved for stiffer springs will yield better results the stocks are fine.and with the failure rate that the new honda shocks have been having to me it doesnt matter. ive worked on suspension for years and it possible that the aftermarket dont last as long. now stock shocks will degrade in performance faster but not actually blow.

ya, they are the stock struts. noone at this time makes a replacement for the new honda replacement. the aftermarket companies are just starting to make them for the civic si and rsx's. the stock shocks beleive it or not could last just as long as with a stock spring.the spring rates on the springs for the e are only 10-20% stiffer. and are meant for stock shocks. although aftermarket shocks that are valved for stiffer springs will yield better results the stocks are fine.and with the failure rate that the new honda shocks have been having to me it doesnt matter. ive worked on suspension for years and it possible that the aftermarket dont last as long. now stock shocks will degrade in performance faster but not actually blow.

Great response! I had aftermarket springs on stock struts in cars and have had the struts go in a matter of weeks. I'm sure the semi-beefy suspension helps.

... noone at this time makes a replacement for the new honda replacement...

http://kyb.com/catalog/index.php?Action=Submit&MakeID=Honda&ModelID=751&x=20&y=12

spoke to kyb. the rears are out but not the fronts. at least not yet.

oh man they got shocks already...i have been away for too long...i wounder how much. and how it performs with the stock ones....i will get it.

I have been waiting along time for new shocks! thanks for the INFO !

nippo they are the gr-2 models from kyb. not adhustable. the problem with all the aftermarket companies makjing shocks for all the honda are the steering arms that are on the front struts.there making the most popular model hondas first. the civic si is limited also. koni only makes the inserts fo the fronts. not for nothing but i did a koni install before at a shop with all the tools i needed and its just a pain.hopefully the aftermarket will think of something.

thanks for the info...damn i was hopeing i could just pop that thing on and no problem...maybe get a softer ride...oh well...still waiting

i was hoping the same thing. theyll get it together soon. i hope. i did a koni install and what a nightmare. everything has to be perfect.well i see in the civic si columns tere having problems also.

. . . how do you like the ride? . . . oh and tire rack has the rear ingalls camber kit. thats what i used. works great and price is decent.

Thanks for the info on the ingalls camber kit; I'm looking at adding that really soon. :)

I really like the ride; I think the 65 series tires are helping out in that department as well . . .

Anyone have any thoughts on what to do with the bump stop ? Should it be trimmed at all ? (I've lifted quite a few trucks in my not so recent past and usually extended the bump stop, but this is my first time going the other way and I'm not sure . . . :confused: )

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/box4rox/frontstrut.jpg

Thanks for the info on the ingalls camber kit; I'm looking at adding that really soon. :)

I really like the ride; I think the 65 series tires are helping out in that department as well . . .

Anyone have any thoughts on what to do with the bump stop ? Should it be trimmed at all ? (I've lifted quite a few trucks in my not so recent past and usually extended the bump stop, but this is my first time going the other way and I'm not sure . . . :confused: )

i don't know about the element but on my old suspension on my integras and civics, i cut the bump stops in half. BUT if the ride feels fine and it doesn't bottom out, then leave it how it is.

hey box4rox i didnt cut my bumpstops but nippo did. to be honest i might cut the front to allow for another inch of travel.

I'd leave them alone. Ride is rough enough as it is.

i took that into consideration but them being cut would give more travel which means less chances of hitting the bumpstops. i have an inch to inch and a half travel in my front suspension before the bumpstops are touched.with 1 rib removed from the bumpstop it would give me 2+ inches of travel.now some springs do use the bumpstops as secondary springs but thats when they are riding on the bumpstops. im going to talk to my friend about this. he has done suspension for years and i worked for him in his shop. great teacher and driver.ill see what he says

Boxed Up and Boxer

Thanks - any info you get and pass along would be great. :)

I haven't done anything with them yet either; not really sure if there is any additional strut travel available . . . I'd really hate to bottom out something in the strut. The Eibach instruction sheet said to remove 20 mm (about 3/4 ") but It was sort of a generic instruction; not sure if it specifically applies to the Element application.

how does it ride? do you feel it bottoming out at all? If it is then the bump stops will turn to dust in a few years, then there will be nothing.

again, if it rides fine how it is then leave it. But if you feel that its bottoming out, try cutting 1/4 or even 1/2 of it. I've done it to all my cars in the past before i went w/ full coilovers.

I've got an "SOP" and was also considering the Cloudrider grilles. Right now I have all the windows tinted and am putting "limo" tint to the moon roof (gotta cut some of that sun that comes through). I put on the half bra, recently ordered seat covers (red & black for now), after
I get back from va I will look to have some "leather" ones put on (orange if I can find any). There are some other mods I want to make so I will keep all posted......good luck .....

how does it ride? do you feel it bottoming out at all? If it is then the bump stops will turn to dust in a few years, then there will be nothing.

again, if it rides fine how it is then leave it. But if you feel that its bottoming out, try cutting 1/4 or even 1/2 of it. I've done it to all my cars in the past before i went w/ full coilovers.

It rides fine; after I read your post this morning I hit a few speed bumps and driveways a little faster than normal and it may be hitting on the front stops under those conditions . . . . really hard to tell. The rears have plenty of room.

The Eibach installation note indicating to cut 20mm is driving me crazy however . . . I'd hate to go through all that rework for nothing. I may try to call Eibach tomorrow and see what they say . . .

Thanks for your help ! :) I might see you around out in the valley . . . I commute to chatsworth everyday :grin:

I bought my car in feb of this year. I already have 15k miles on my E. All of those miles have been on lowered springs and 20" wheels and low profile tires. I have only bottom'd out once. Hitting a dip in the road going about 40 miles an hour. I could of sworn I went airborne. Scared the crap out of me but it survived. Other than that, it rides fine and no bottoming out.

I bought my car in feb of this year. I already have 15k miles on my E. All of those miles have been on lowered springs and 20" wheels and low profile tires. I have only bottom'd out once. Hitting a dip in the road going about 40 miles an hour. I could of sworn I went airborne. Scared the crap out of me but it survived. Other than that, it rides fine and no bottoming out.
Thanks Boxer . . . that testimonial is good enough for me. :) I'm not cutting the bumpstops. I found a bunch of info on other car forums pretty much leading to the same conclusion; try it first and only cut if you really need to.

I will contact Eibach tech support just to see what their opinion is. I'm curious to see where their 20 mm number came from . . .

I have never heard of installing lowering springs and NOT cutting a least part of the bump stop off. They will completely disintegrate if you keep bottoming out on them. It is pretty common to hit the bump stops on speed bumps, even without lowering.

I followed up on the bumpstop question with Tech Support phone calls to both Eibach and H&R:

:arrow: Eibach (1.7 inch) – :| sort of disappointing; he said that most Honda’s could be trimmed about an inch for the Prokit replacement. When I asked him about the 20 mm (3/4”) number printed on the installation instructions he didn’t really know where the 20mm number came from but said it was “probably” correct. When I explained that there is no way to trim the front per Eibachs instructions (it looks totally different than what is illustrated by Eibach; the bumpstop is integral with the protective sleeve that covers the strut shaft and it would be impossible to trim the upper portion 20 mm and still have a large diameter surface to interface against the spring seat ) He agreed and finished up by saying leave them alone ( but the strut may wear a little faster . . . ) I think Eibach has a really well engineered product; I just caught them on a bad day for tech support . . .

:arrow: H&R (1.5 inch) – :) much better experience. They said that not all applications require a bumpstop adjustment; in fact most do not if the drop is in the 1.5 inch range but if it does, it is almost always the front and not the rears. They have an application list that covers their product line (the list is also on their website) and the Element was not on the list as a "must cut" candidate.

Both did mention that because “more frequent” contact with the bumpstops may occur, they may eventually “work harden” the rubber a little and it would be a good idea to replace the bumpstops with new OEM stops when the struts are replaced at normal service intervals.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/box4rox/frontstrut.jpg

The Ingalls camber arm installation that goes with this "lowering" is posted here:

:arrow: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=153760#post153760