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View Full Version : adjusting / raising a lowered EP3



revelations
08-16-2008, 02:30 PM
I bought the car about 3 weeks ago, and the guy had extensive suspension work done to it, but wasnt very knowledgeable about the components.

The car was looked over by a mechanic who said "its a properly lowered car - done right".

How do I go about raising the car a bit higher off the ground and making the suspension less harsh?

The ride height is about 8" and the pics here show the passender side suspension mount complete with what looks like an valve screw and compression nut.

revelations
08-16-2008, 02:34 PM
pics of car

ep_hatcher_510
08-16-2008, 05:51 PM
Soo is your suspension height adjustable? IF it is just pull the wheel off and adjust the perches.
You turn the knob on top of the strut to control the dampening.

and is that a wing on your car? and your engine bay looks kinda dirty lol.

revelations
08-17-2008, 08:59 AM
Is my suspension ride adjustable? I guess ill have to pull the wheel off.... and take pics!

Ya its a surfboard that the previous owner had put on!

The engine bay is coated in some oil sealant shit to keep rust down.

civictype_r04
08-17-2008, 09:17 AM
Get pics of the springs or coilovers. Sorry to hear that the car has a pos wing on it I hope the holes to arn't bad if you remove it.

revelations
08-17-2008, 11:24 AM
Get pics of the springs or coilovers. Sorry to hear that the car has a pos wing on it I hope the holes to arn't bad if you remove it.

I''ll just get something like this to replace the wing and the OEM visor which its mounted on.... no biggie.

http://i23.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/00/76/affc_1.JPG

mustclime
08-17-2008, 03:51 PM
I bought the car about 3 weeks ago, and the guy had extensive suspension work done to it, but wasnt very knowledgeable about the components.

The car was looked over by a mechanic who said "its a properly lowered car - done right".

How do I go about raising the car a bit higher off the ground and making the suspension less harsh?

The ride height is about 8" and the pics here show the passender side suspension mount complete with what looks like an valve screw and compression nut.

I have no idea what struts those are. In for pics of the suspension.

revelations
08-18-2008, 10:08 PM
Ok, here are pics. Hopefully someone can at least identify the suspension.

It doesent appear to have adjustable preload/ride height - at least nothing I can identify. Would I have to change the coils to do this?


http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/11312/2523351910034037119S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2523351910034037119TkYWGs)

http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/40445/2681614600034037119S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2681614600034037119hoFbIF)

http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/42003/2722927610034037119S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2722927610034037119tXUxFl)

revelations
08-18-2008, 10:09 PM
(double)

jw1
08-18-2008, 11:10 PM
That is not an adjustable coilover suspension. You will actually need to change the springs in order to raise the car.

jw1
08-18-2008, 11:11 PM
I have no idea what struts those are. In for pics of the suspension.

I believe those are KYBs.

LvisDin
08-18-2008, 11:52 PM
Ok, here are pics. Hopefully someone can at least identify the suspension.

It doesent appear to have adjustable preload/ride height - at least nothing I can identify. Would I have to change the coils to do this?


http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/11312/2523351910034037119S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2523351910034037119TkYWGs)

http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/40445/2681614600034037119S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2681614600034037119hoFbIF)

http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/42003/2722927610034037119S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2722927610034037119tXUxFl)

Hella rusty! How many miles is it? And clean title? Cos thats hella rusty...

revelations
08-19-2008, 12:06 AM
125,000 kilometres... and thats what living in the north gets ya!

Clean title.... its been acid washed apparently.

mustclime
08-19-2008, 05:40 AM
I''ll just get something like this to replace the wing and the OEM visor which its mounted on.... no biggie.

http://i23.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/00/76/affc_1.JPG

Check out these for that ride hight....

http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51841

looks like your shocks are kyb's and the springs could be H&R's or neespeeds.

the hfp kit will really wake up your suspension and get your ep where it need to be to handle.

revelations
08-19-2008, 07:55 AM
Check out these for that ride hight....

http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51841

looks like your shocks are kyb's and the springs could be H&R's or neespeeds.

the hfp kit will really wake up your suspension and get your ep where it need to be to handle.

Thanks for the heads up.

The link takes me to a page:

" revelations, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons: "

SPAM&RICE
08-20-2008, 01:38 PM
I believe those are KYBs.

Got that right budy, KYB AGX/w ajustable dampining.

mustclime
08-20-2008, 02:10 PM
Thanks for the heads up.

The link takes me to a page:

" revelations, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons: "

stange....check out stoop's vender section under ome hnda parts....he has put togather a deal with honda to sell the hfp suspenions without the wheels.

Zzyzx
08-20-2008, 04:49 PM
Yeah.. KYB's set on "4". Which to mean says they are set too stiff. Drop them back to 1 or 2 and see how they feel. (dont go straight from 4 to 1)

bzzt
08-24-2008, 06:24 AM
I bought an '04 yesterday and have a similar issue.
It has been lowered and bottoms out, even when hitting mild bumps on the highway (clunk!). It looks great but is not practical.
Not sure but the tires may even be rubbing on the fender too.
The car is not here right now but I can take pics of the suspension later.
Here is the outside:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/bzzt/0823081513.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/bzzt/ep3.jpg

bzzt
08-28-2008, 06:13 PM
Well, it turns out that both struts in the front are missing the bump stops so they've been ordered.
Anyone know if there's any way possible to slide the stops over the strut without compressing the springs and removing the entire assembly?
Also since these springs have less travel than the OEM ones should the bump stops be cut to allow more travel?
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/bzzt/susp2.jpg

mustclime
08-28-2008, 06:24 PM
Well, it turns out that both struts in the front are missing the bump stops so they've been ordered.
Anyone know if there's any way possible to slide the stops over the strut without compressing the springs and removing the entire assembly?
Also since these springs have less travel than the OEM ones should the bump stops be cut to allow more travel?
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/bzzt/susp2.jpg

with lowering springs you do not need a spring compressor....but I dout you will be able to pull the hats while the struts are on the knuckel with out poping your axels...If you end up trying this yourself, read up on popped axels and get one of these....

http://www.toolrage.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=5046

for the tierod ends, if you use a fork, order some boots cuz you are going to kill yours....

as for cutting the bumpstops, you can do it, but do not cut off to much or you will be ina world of clunk......

bzzt
08-28-2008, 06:35 PM
with lowering springs you do not need a spring compressor....but I dout you will be able to pull the hats while the struts are on the knuckel with out poping your axels...If you end up trying this yourself, read up on popped axels and get one of these....

http://www.toolrage.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=5046

for the tierod ends, if you use a fork, order some boots cuz you are going to kill yours....

as for cutting the bumpstops, you can do it, but do not cut off to much or you will be ina world of clunk......

Yea, I'm in a world of clunk right now! I'll look for examples and won't cut too much. What would happen if I left the stops full size and there isn't enough travel? Just a rough ride?
Thanks

mustclime
08-28-2008, 06:40 PM
Yea, I'm in a world of clunk right now! I'll look for examples and won't cut too much. What would happen if I left the stops full size and there isn't enough travel? Just a rough ride?
Thanks

If you are on your bumpstops, you have a car that not going to handle right....I still think your shocks are gone though, 60,000 miles and who knows how many with out the bump stops.

bzzt
08-28-2008, 07:00 PM
If you are on your bumpstops, you have a car that not going to handle right....I still think your shocks are gone though, 60,000 miles and who knows how many with out the bump stops.

I'm taking it in to the Honda dealership on Saturday to have a key made so I'll have them check the shocks. Did the bounce test and they seem Ok but I'm no expert.
By the way over the phone the dealership estimated around $350 in labor to install the bump stops :meek:

BlackEP9
08-31-2008, 03:27 PM
You really ought to do it yourself, all the information about how is on this site or K-Series.com, especially if you have the tools. Just be prepared to spend $40-130 for tie rod ends if you mess them up trying to get them out of your damper.

your main problems will be:

1. Not really knowing what you should be doing which will cost you lots of extra time.
2. Getting the tie rod ends out without ripping the boots.
3. Taking the damper out without pulling the axles out (don't worry they will go back in if you do, but use a string to tie them into place so you don't have to worry about it).
4. Making sure top hats are aligned exactly how you took them out (mine had paint marks to line up)
5. Don't forget to break the top nut loose (not off) off the dampers before dropping it out. You will have no leverage to do it afterwards (rookie mistake!) if you don't.

Otherwise its easy if you have a good jack, jack stands (4), the right sockets, a torq wrench and a BIG breaker bar (103 lbs/sq. inch for those 2 big bolts on the bottom of the damper). oh yeah buy some PB blaster to spray on it.

Anyways always good to know how to do some things yourself besides changing the oil right?

bzzt
08-31-2008, 05:03 PM
Not sure if I'm going to attempt it myself or take it somewhere (somewhere less expensive than $350) but thanks for the warnings/tips.
I have bump stops on order and plan on picking up some OEM springs and catback in Dallas tomorrow from a guy on 8thcivic.com.
Checking the struts this morning revealed about 2" of travel. Aren't the bump stops around 2" long :squint: ?
So I've decided to put OEM springs back in since the car will be driven around a pretty bumpy town and not raced.
Not sure about the catback yet. There's a DC Sports 4" tip, 2 1/2" core muffler on it now and just a straight pipe where the resonator should be. It's either back to OEM catback or putting a silencer in.

BeaterEP
08-31-2008, 05:25 PM
stange....check out stoop's vender section under ome hnda parts....he has put togather a deal with honda to sell the hfp suspenions without the wheels.

No can do...can't get to Stoop until you hit 100 posts, as far as I know. At least, that's how it worked for me. I could only see the "Discount OEM Honda Parts" section after I hit 100.
Course, maybe it would have been better if I'd never gotten access to it, because now all I want to do is spend money on sweet ass HFP parts. :mbiggrin:

BlackEP9
09-08-2008, 09:06 PM
It's either back to OEM catback or putting a silencer in.

Damn OEM setup costs $700

bzzt
09-09-2008, 03:53 AM
Damn OEM setup costs $700

Yea, buying parts/service from Honda is crazy expensive :gary:
I lucked out with that.
A guy on 8thcivic.com sold me his OEM catback for $150 and was only a couple hours away so I drove to his place to pick it up and installed it over the weekend.
Purrs like a kitten now, but I made a "before" video right before the swap:
2ZIp-KCEo2I

bzzt
09-12-2008, 02:58 PM
Rear springs are done.
For the front I looked for a tie rod end puller but only found this at the store. Will it work ok?
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/bzzt/rodsep.jpg

403ep3
09-12-2008, 03:22 PM
Ah I've seen this ep3 around and I have talked to the previous owner. I like how it sounds :mbiggrin:

maestro
09-12-2008, 03:27 PM
you don't need the separator if you are willing to knock your strut arm with a hammer a little. Those separators usually wreck the boots.

bzzt
09-14-2008, 11:19 AM
Well, I replaced the Skunk2 rear and front springs with OEM in my '04 EP3.
No major problems, no wrecked boots, and not axles popping out. :thumbu:
The tools were key in doing the swap. Much cheaper than $400 for labor!
I have no use for the Skunk2 springs that were taken out so $60 for all 4 shipped to the contiguous US...
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/bzzt/Skunk2.jpg