bone-head noob questions plz forgive me

[96HX]

Got a '96 HX 2dr. I need to replace the stock front shocks/struts as they are finally giving out. I want something a bit more stiff-but still good for everyday driving-not looking to lower it and scrape ant-hills or anything,and I dont plan on getting into all sorts of adjustments,just want better performance than stock,really. What would you suggest?
Also-while that is being done,Ive considered the strut-tower bar. Does this really offer any advantage that I will notice in handling during regular driving-or is this something that really only shows itself if im trying to do 200mph around a tight racetrack? If so,what suggestions without going broke doing it?

[DirtyDC4]

Do you want to re-use your stock springs? If you can, try to track down some 99-00 Si stock springs. They are a little bit stiffer than stock and will only drop your car like 1/2 an inch.

For what it sounds like you want from your struts, I would suggest Tokico blues. Non-adjustable, better than stock, will last a long time. Get all 4, not just the front 2.

As for the front strut bar, look into the Neuspeed bar. It is the only front upper bar worth buying IMO.

[makku]

self-admitted newbie threads definitely get moved to the new forum ;)

[vtecduck]

For what it sounds like you want from your struts, I would suggest Tokico blues. Non-adjustable, better than stock, will last a long time. Get all 4, not just the front 2.
As for the front strut bar, look into the Neuspeed bar.
:TU: ^^^ I agree.You will notice a slight diff with the front upper strut bar even on everyday driving. I like the Nuespeed cause it doesn't mount to the strut bolts like most do, has a wide stance and it's not very expensive at all. The tokico blues are good struts and won't break the bank.

[sleepee]

i vote for tokico as well....

[xxbrualxx]

i got an Intergra Type-R strut bar in that bolts ot the frame...i ahve a 00' LX with an SRI..if you have the stock airbox then your going ot have to get one fo those strut bars that kind of bridge over it or go around it..with the SRI the strut fits well just had to drill four holes into the frame and picked up the bolts for the stock Si strut tower bar from Honda...i noticed a tighter stance with the car on hard-cornering...i live in the boondocks of CT so yeah..strut bar helped a little..ims till working on a coil-over kit..but i ahve no money right now..i asked the guys a while back about a suggestion my bro made to me...GC coil-overs with Koni adjustable shock supposed ot be a relal good set-up...but your not looking ot lower..so go for what the guys said up above they have more exp. behind it all!

[nation of kong]

Check out tokico shocks for sure they make a great product (I run Illumina's personally) and i would give the HP's a look. As for a strut bar, when i installed mine the front felt stiffer and a touch more responsive than stock, this of course could have been the product of my imagination but whatever. I"m going to once again plug the Password JDM 3pt. It just looks the best IMO.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/nation_of_kong/Enginebay.jpg

[96HX]

Ty you all for the great responses-very helpful! I will certainly look at the Tokis.
Kong-love the pics,looks just like my own for the most part-your wheels confirm for me that I want Black ones on mine when I replace them.
2 questions for you-
1) The headlights-you know of the prob with the '96 HLs going all grungy-and mine have. Did you replace them? if so,with what and from where-these things are driving me NUTS- If you simply cleaned them up,how did you do so to get them to come out that nice. I cant see 10ft past the nose of my car at night these things are so yellowed out..
2) Your engine bay layout looks about identical to mine-yet my search for strut-towers,intakes etc always turn up parts specifically for the EX and exclude the HX- even for the same engine/year-is there really a difference? Or do makers just assume no one will be tricking out an HX?

[xxbrualxx]

Ty you all for the great responses-very helpful! I will certainly look at the Tokis.
Kong-love the pics,looks just like my own for the most part-your wheels confirm for me that I want Black ones on mine when I replace them.
2 questions for you-
1) The headlights-you know of the prob with the '96 HLs going all grungy-and mine have. Did you replace them? if so,with what and from where-these things are driving me NUTS- If you simply cleaned them up,how did you do so to get them to come out that nice. I cant see 10ft past the nose of my car at night these things are so yellowed out..
2) Your engine bay layout looks about identical to mine-yet my search for strut-towers,intakes etc always turn up parts specifically for the EX and exclude the HX- even for the same engine/year-is there really a difference? Or do makers just assume no one will be tricking out an HX?
prety much the chassis and the layout is the same...but there are a few differences with the IM, exhaust manifold, and the fact that the EX is VTEC..i had the same problem when iw as looking around for stuff on my car...you can get stuff for EX's but u might ahve to do some custom fitting ot get them on your car

[sleepee]

i have a friend here in town thats been hooking up thier HX like crazy..they just kept buying parts that fit the LX and EX models....

[Rexinre]

Good luck.

I have an HX.

[ryan89crx]

Tokico Blues. i love mine :smile:

[nation of kong]

1) The headlights-you know of the prob with the '96 HLs going all grungy-and mine have. Did you replace them? if so,with what and from where-these things are driving me NUTS- If you simply cleaned them up,how did you do so to get them to come out that nice. I cant see 10ft past the nose of my car at night these things are so yellowed out..
2) Your engine bay layout looks about identical to mine-yet my search for strut-towers,intakes etc always turn up parts specifically for the EX and exclude the HX- even for the same engine/year-is there really a difference? Or do makers just assume no one will be tricking out an HX?

For your first question I haven't had to replace my headlights yet but I would suppose, and this is just my thoughts, that a seal has gone bad on yours. One of my buddies who used to work for honda (and trying to get back there) told me that this was common and they used a die grinder to remove the film (i'm pretty sure thats what he said) is it inside the headlight cover or outside? But aside from that I can't really help you with that sorry.

As for your second question search around a bit more, Injen makes a short ram for your car and you can fab up a heat shield (theres a DIY in the DIY forum for this) or hunt down a CAI. Headers for an EX should fit, you might need to modify a few things but nothing major. The biggest thing I can think of (and I could be totally wrong) is the stock location of your Cat and O2 sensors. Exhaust you can go a hundread different ways. Strut bars and such are pretty much the same for the different years and corresponding chassis codes for instance an EK9 Strut bar will work on an EJ8. Hope this helps and by the way Black rims FTW :bravo:

[96HX]

Thnx folks. I ended up getting the struts and brakes done yesterday. Due to limited time and what was available locally, I ended up with KYB GA-2s for the struts (not worried about adjusting) and am very very pleased. Made a HUGE impact on how this thing was handling the odd mix of roads I take. Very firm. Passed on the strut bar for now,will order one later on,oneS I found locally just looked really flimsy and cheezy.
Got some Brembo rotors and pads for the front,as well. Now things are running sweat on the stop and handle end.

[modsHXcivi]

Tokico Blues. i love mine :smile:



+1 :TU: