its suspensionk kit # 5 on this page..
http://www.modacar.com/products/Honda/Civic/MODASUP
...i think i may go with this!
what do you guys think?
if i did get this is there any other hardware or anything i would have to get to do the install??
thanks
ronnie
88 si
The Skunk2 kit is a good kit. My younger brother has it on his Civic and I've helped install the same kit on three other CRX's.
You will need a spring compressor to compress your stock springs. A decent one will run you around $50 (USD). You can get them for less but they tend not to have the safety hooks/latches. You can also rent them for about the same (or less). Just be sure you get a spring compressor that fits the smaller springs (which most available do).
I got my spring compressor from Sears many years ago but I've seen (and used) decent ones at the local Kragen, Pep Boy's and AutoZone type stores.
You'll need a torque wrench, floor jack and a pair of jack stands.
Depending on the condition of your stock bump stops, you can probably reuse them. Or just do what I did and go to the dealer and get a new set. They're not that much money. This assuming that this kit doesn't provide any which most don't. Or they provide their version of it which is very flat and it sits on top of the spring. I really do not advise using it. If anything, you may have to cut the stock bump stops (usually no more than a third)
Don't reuse your stock shock cover (that metal boot with a rubber sleeve). It won't work. You can purchase a generic rubber shock boot that is typically used for 4x4 applications. They don't cost much (I paid about $2.00 each for mine). You'll have to trim/cut them to the proper length. And another cool thing is that they usually come in assorted colors. :^)
The Helm manual also recommends replacing the lower shock bolt. You can reuse your old one or pick up a new set from the dealer. I reused my old ones but I did check to make sure that they were not bent and that the threads were OK.
You'll also want to get some Loctite. I only had the "High" strength stuff (red in color) on hand.
The Skunk2 kit also uses rubber O-Rings to hold the threaded sleeve to the shock body. So you're kit will come with a TON of them. All you do is slip one over the shock body and then slide the sleeve down. It should have some resistance when sliding the sleeve down over the shock body but not a lot to where you have to exert a lot of force. Use at least two per shock.
As to what to do with the rest, keep 'em, fling them at people, wear them as bracelets (anyone remember when these were the rage in the 80s?1?) or use them as Christmas decorations... :^)
Installing is much like the VSpec (http://www.crx.org/southcal/tech/vspec/default.htm) with the exception of how the threaded sleeve fits. The VSpec uses set screws. I really need to redo/update that tech article because one of the pictures shows the assembled shock with the stock metal boot. Most people, much to my surprise, have told me that they don't have said boot. So if you have your's, ditch it or make a set of wind chimes out of them (I converted mine into a Tiki Torch....).
Installation of the Skunk2 kit can be done in an hour or two. The longest part will be compressing the spring if you have to do it by hand. I you have access to an air ratchet, it will go much faster... just be sure to crank down evenly. My advice is to take your time when compressing the springs (by hand or by aid of an air ratchet).
Another alternative to compressing the springs is to have a shoppe do it for you. It doesn't take them long at all if they have the proper tools. For the same fee, you can probably convince them to reassemble them with your kit. Basically no more than 1 hour of labor. Reassembling them is not that hard so it's up to you if you want them to do it or not.
And, of course, take the car down to have the alignment checked and adjusted (if possible). If your budget allows, consider investing in a camber kit. I purchased the Ingalls kit because it was the only one around at the time (at least a name that I knew). I just have not gotten around (2+ years now?) to installing them.
You can always add the camber kit later...
Hope this helps...
CRX Owners Group President (http://www.crx.org/southcal)
1990 Honda CRXsi (http://www.hooligan.cc)
ICQ # 3714283 (nickname: godzilla)
Alpine Drive (San Diego County) - December, 2002
http://www.crx.org/southcal/events.html
Or...
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=339727
