Budget DD suspension for Integra

I'm helping a Buddy replace some stuff on his car, a 1998 Integra LS 2dr auto. To him its just a car, he's not super into cars/and or driving(Sad, I know...)

Car has 95k miles and he is looking to replace the shocks on it. Any recommendations? He was quoted $500 by a local shop, no idea on what shocks.

Although he doesn't care, I have no problem adding a bit of performance. I was thinking non-adjustable KYB/Tokico. I have an extra GSR front bar, and perhaps search CL for a used 22mm rear. Worthwhile to check for used shocks? Would JDM type-r spring/shock combo be worth $200?(Is it necessary to swap the lower rear control arm?)

I'm guessing its a good idea to replace the top hats and bumpstops. Anything else I should go over while things are apart?

Lastly, is there any cheap brake options? My plan was Napa rotors(perhaps check Tirerack for the solid Brembos) What kind of DD pads are okay?

Thanks for the help. I tried sorting through Honda-Tech but its tough.

If he doesn't care, then just throw some GR2s on there.

Cheap decent brakes: Brembo blanks and EBC Greenstuff pads.

yeah, you really need to go check out the various integra forums that already have answered this question many times before, such as team-integra.net and clubintegra.com

For $500, you can get 4 Koni Yellow's or KYB AGX adj. But in reality, for just a daily driver for a guy that doesn't care about performance, something like Tokico blues or something will suffice, in my opinion (I think ~$200?).

For brakes, I always go Autozone. The rotors have a 2 year warranty against cracks or warpage. Used them on my Integra Type R, S2000, Toyota truck, etc. with great results. For pads, I liked Axxis Ult for the streets or even Autozone Duralast ceramics were good, too.

digdug18 wrote: yeah, you really need to go check out the various integra forums that already have answered this question many times before, such as team-integra.net and clubintegra.com

But if we can answer his question here, then why wade through all the rice on those sites?

eBay. Cheap coilovers and springs, tokico blues or KYB's. OR, remove stock struts, take to autozone, look for a rancho truck shock that'll fit, cut springs, win.

Koni now makes a street shock--I think they're called STR's or something like that. They're $300 a set all over ebay.

Those and a decent set of springs (I've had good luck w/ Neuspeed Sports) and you're good.

I'll probably do this setup on my next Civic beater, unless I can find a not-too-stiff set of coilover sleeves.

H&R OE Sport springs and Tokico blues perhaps? Koni STR sounds interesting as well if you want to spend just a little more.

I won't recommend EBC Green Stuff's again, they're kind of squeely on my Oldsmobile, and I've seen that complaint elsewhere as well. They dust a lot, which doesn't bother me, but the noise isn't so cool. I don't know what I'd suggest otherwise though, maybe something from Raybestos.

Everybody else summed up the damper options pretty good. KYB GR2, Tokico HP/Blue, and Koni STR are the good low buck options. I think the Koni's damping will probably be the best if he wants to spend the extra $100.

If this guy isn't into driving his car, stay away from aftermarket springs. Even the most mild ones will likely annoy him. If he's actually interested in different springs, I'd suggest Type-R pieces. Maybe the H&R OE Sport too - it's been awhile since I knew what their rates are.

I was also not impressed with the EBC greenstuff. I felt like they were the same performance as stock pads, but with 3x the dust and a higher price. I've been much happier with Axxis Ultimates for street use. Feel more confidence inspiring on the street and at autox. They still dust a lot, like any good pad I've ever used.

Hrmm... i loved Greenstuffs on my Celica. Just got in Axxis Ultimates for the MX6, though, so maybe i'll have a comparison.

In the Greenstuff's defense, I don't actually know what was on the car before. I assumed they were stock pads, and I couldn't find any markings on them to tell otherwise. Perhaps the previous owner had already used a "performance" pad. For comparison's sake, it was on a 95 Integra GSR.

In any case, my butt-dyno suggested the Ultimates had more bite, cold or hot . . . and we all know how accurate the butt-dyno is!

Thanks for all info!

Leaning towards GR2's Is it worthwhile to change anything else in the process? Bumpstops? Tophats?

Replace anything torn or obviously beat up. May want to check out hardware related to the anti-roll bars, end links and bushings, etc. Otherwise I wouldn't bother.

FrankGrimes wrote: Thanks for all info! Leaning towards GR2's Is it worthwhile to change anything else in the process? Bumpstops? Tophats?

You might end up cutting the stock bumpstops down to accomodate the new springs (depending on the springs). Hats will probably be fine, too.

I can say that the GR-2's are basically an OEM replacement. Don't expect them to dampen a spring that is too much stiffer than stock. I ran a set w/ Neuspeed Sports for 80k+ miles on a former EG beater and they were decent--nothing special. Good for a DD setup, but not very performance-oriented.

Matt B wrote: In the Greenstuff's defense, I don't actually know what was on the car before. I assumed they were stock pads, and I couldn't find any markings on them to tell otherwise. Perhaps the previous owner had already used a "performance" pad. For comparison's sake, it was on a 95 Integra GSR. In any case, my butt-dyno suggested the Ultimates had more bite, cold or hot . . . and we all know how accurate the butt-dyno is!

Hahaha, but i LOVE the butt-dyno!!!

That said, i run Yellowstuffs now, and couldn't be happier, except for that first cold stop at 5am in the morning when i decide to take that car to work. Nothing like that feeling of almost pooping yourself to get your day started.

I can see it now . . .

Boss: Morning worker guy!

You: Morning shiny happy person!

Boss: Oh god, what is that?

You: Oh, that . . . my yellowstuff produced some brownstuff this morning. sorry. hehe

In any case, good to hear the yellowstuff is worth their salt. I had considered trying them out, but the whole cold friction thing had me second guessing.

Back on topic: Like others have said, leave the bumpstops alone unless you're using lowering springs (or their on their way out). However, if he/you decides to use aftermarket springs I'd skip the GR2. The Tokico blues are a little firmer than stock and I think control aftermarket springs better. I used the blues + the Eibach Prokit springs on my old EG hatch and I thought it was a great budget street suspension. The bushings in the control arms are a PITA, so unless they are obviously torn or deformed I'd leave them alone. As suggested before, the sway bar bushings are super-easy to replace, so why not? (end links too)

I dont like tokico blues, I had a set on a b13 sentra and they were really bouncy. GR2s are ok, they are just a stock replacement type with shorter life. This is just my opinion, but from what i have seen, I think bilstien shocks are the only aftermarket ones that are made to last as long as the factory stuff.

I've got blues on the Deathscort, and have no complaints with them. They're paired with Megan springs, which were simply too high of a spring rate for the GR2s.

The Tokico Blues + Megan springs in my application make for a very good street setup.

93celicaGT2 wrote:

digdug18 wrote: yeah, you really need to go check out the various integra forums that already have answered this question many times before, such as team-integra.net and clubintegra.com

But if we can answer his question here, then why wade through all the rice on those sites?

In reality, if you check out team-integra.net you'll quickly nitice an anti-rice theme.. The mods seem to ban people for such