Going for suspension or body first ?

[Drows]

So at the end of winter, I will have some money to put on my car, so I was wondering: which first: body or suspension ?

Suspension would include: Shock-Spring-Bushing-Rims-Tire

Tire as to be changed in any case.

For the body (pic below), I already have the front bumper, the 2 front panel, and I have the hood from another car.

http://upload5.postimage.org/109238/SUNP0001.jpg (http://upload5.postimage.org/109238/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload5.postimage.org/109242/SUNP0002.jpg (http://upload5.postimage.org/109242/photo_hosting.html)

And I know lots of people will tell me to change the car, but simply answer that IF YOU HAD TO KEEP IT, how would you do it.

[EJ1 SCRAPPIN]

option #1

[burnoutboy]

Option one, no contest. You don't have to look great to handle great!! Are you planning on replacing the body parts with OEM parts? I'd go for suspension first, then motor, then pretty.

[leftbraned]

defininetly the suspension! I always feel that form follows function when it comes to cars.

[red97tj]

ditto #1...and yes, function before form.
my '88 lx looks like a pos, but i've poured in prob. over 3g's for the zc swap, suspension upgrades, stereo & remote starter, alarm, etc. everyone looks at my car & says what a pos!!! but they don't know the money & labor of love that went into it. so you need to ask yourself if you're a ricer or a fanatic.
my def:
ricer = all show no go
fanatic = sleeper!!

[Haysoos]

Suspension first! I have a fucked up quarter panel, but I'm still doing my suspension first. Well, and my buddy who does body work can't get to it yet ;).

Yet another reason I love these forums, everyone takes function over form...

[MrHalder]

Yet another reason I love these forums, everyone takes function over form...

well almost. my 91 CRX Si had some rust on it so I fixed the body first. it did help that at the time I worked in a bodyshop and got a discount on all the matireals I used.:p (I'm a cheap ass what can I say.) But if I could go back and do it again I'd leave my car the teal color it was and build suspension first. I love my car but I'm scared to push it too much more going into corners.

And I know lots of people will tell me to change the car, but simply answer that IF YOU HAD TO KEEP IT, how would you do it.

what are you talking about... if you don't what your car I'll gladly take it off your hands..... its a d-series forum many people love the CRX..... like me.

[red97tj]

(I'm a cheap ass what can I say.)

no the pc thing to say these days is "price sensitive." and yes i'm price sensitive too since i have too many toys!!! gotta make the dollar stretch like a spandex on jlow's ass to keep this honda habit among other things!!!

[MrHalder]

no the pc thing to say these days is "price sensitive." and yes i'm price sensitive too since i have too many toys!!! gotta make the dollar stretch like a spandex on jlow's ass to keep this honda habit among other things!!!

price sensitive ftw!!!

[SillyImportRacer]

I'm as price sensitive as they come, ask Remoer. I'm doing the Body 1st on my current prodject, but I work @ a body shop. I get the materials for free & I'm the manager (& my dad's the owner) so I'm not going to get fired for working on my toys 'on the clock'.

[devere]

Suspension first, then a high horespower turbo D, and leave the front beat.

Big time sleeper!

[red97tj]

I'm as price sensitive as they come, ask Remoer. I'm doing the Body 1st on my current prodject, but I work @ a body shop. I get the materials for free & I'm the manager (& my dad's the owner) so I'm not going to get fired for working on my toys 'on the clock'.

damn you guys w/ access to a body shop...that's the one thing i'm bad at. i've done some body work but don't have the patience for it. i can wrench all day w/out a problem but i can't stand all the sanding/mudding/resanding/remudding...and then spray, then sand some more, etc.

[Drows]

what are you talking about... if you don't what your car I'll gladly take it off your hands..... its a d-series forum many people love the CRX..... like me.

I've asked on another forum and so far here what people answered me:

6 people told me to go for suspension
7 people told me to go for body
8 people told me to sell it.

So I wanted to make it clear that it wasnt included as an answer ^^

[modsHXcivi]

Tires/rims/slam FTW!!!

[BLACK-KNIGHT]

Just do #1 besides its winter if you get body kit and all that youll mess it up hitting a deer.

[boostdeliquent]

no the pc thing to say these days is "price sensitive." and yes i'm price sensitive too since i have too many toys!!! gotta make the dollar stretch like a spandex on jlow's ass to keep this honda habit among other things!!!

:wtf: Price Sensitive.......Political correctness has now gone too far. :cussing:

Oh, and suspension first FTW. You should see the POS I'm working w/. It's rusted to hell and will still have a Turbo H23 swapped into it before and major body work.

[Steve-O]

suspension first and foremost. a stock engine with a properly built suspension can be quite a contender. i have a d15b7 with i/h/e but my suspension has been reworked from the ground up and it handles like a dream. i watched an oldsmobile aurora with the northstar v8 and a younger gentleman behind the wheel get smaller in my rearview on the twisties just outside of town here along the river :TU:.

here is what i have that works wonders for me:

oem honda 14x5.5 del sol si wheels
195/60/14 all-season bfg tires
tokico illumina adjustable shocks
progress 2" drop sport springs
generic strut tie bars (front and rear, upper and lower)
front 21mm si stabilizer bar conversion
energy suspension poly bushing master set
energy suspension rear trailing arm bushings
energy suspension motor mount inserts

i'm making some changes to the above lineup but that is what i rode on this summer and it impressed me greatly. even with the all season tires, the car still kicked some serious ass in the corners (i shudder to think of what it could do with a SERIOUSLY sticky tire like the azenis :o). based on what i WANT the car to do, these are my planned upgrades:

24mm gsr front bar
rear ITR bar with ASR brace
integra front lower subframe brace
pasword:jdm solid tie bars (uppers)
15x6.5 wheels with falken azenis tires OR keep my del sol wheels and go with the 195/60/14 azenis tires (depending on the money)


usually with an exterior like we see on that crx, it will be a prelude to what the underbody may look like. if you can afford it and and have the resurces at your disposal to make it so, i would do the following:

remove the suspension from the car. if you can afford the downtime, put it on jackstands and do it all at once. if you need to have the car mobile by monday morning, do one corner at a time
inspect all suspension components for wear, damage or any play whatsoever and replace as required. no sense putting in brand new illumina shocks, H&R springs and suspension techniques stabilizer bars on if your tie rods or ball joints are shot. **REMEMBER** upgrading your suspension includes replacing worn parts FIRST AND FOREMOST
install a polyurethane bushing master set from energy suspension or prothane (ES is what i have on my own car and i love them) because your bushings are likely on their way out, if not already.
determine what your needs are for your car, keeping in mind longevity, maintenance and price i.e. you dont need mugen mf10Ls wrapped in advan ao32rs on custom valved konis and custom rate ground control coilovers if you're using it as a daily driver or just want a better handling for the street.
do your homework on different brands and combinations of parts. that means surfing web forums and reading or asking questions (use the SEARCH button whenever possible), talking to people at shows or the track and see what works well for them and what didn't.
draw up a list of parts to buy then get out your credit card :TU: :Dhonestly, you can get all the info you need here on the site. and i'm sure you can probably find a vendor or two or even a link to one so it's almost like a one-stop shopping superstore here :D

IMO putting together a suspension should not be taken or done lightly. it is the one thing that keeps your car off the ground aside from wheels and tires and bad choices with poor products can produce unfavourable results.

just my $0.02 and then some ;)


p.s. yes it's long and yes i have nothing better to do today :p. it raining here lol

[gerry mulligan]

neon lights and ebay dress-up kit :haha:
id go with # 1 with a good slam ,the body can wait

[EJ1 SCRAPPIN]

Just do #1 besides its winter if you get body kit and all that youll mess it up hitting a deer.

hahaha!:bigrofl:

[boostdeliquent]

suspension first and foremost. a stock engine with a properly built suspension can be quite a contender. i have a d15b7 with i/h/e but my suspension has been reworked from the ground up and it handles like a dream. i watched an oldsmobile aurora with the northstar v8 and a younger gentleman behind the wheel get smaller in my rearview on the twisties just outside of town here along the river :TU:.

here is what i have that works wonders for me:

oem honda 14x5.5 del sol si wheels
195/60/14 all-season bfg tires
tokico illumina adjustable shocks
progress 2" drop sport springs
generic strut tie bars (front and rear, upper and lower)
front 21mm si stabilizer bar conversion
energy suspension poly bushing master set
energy suspension rear trailing arm bushings
energy suspension motor mount inserts

i'm making some changes to the above lineup but that is what i rode on this summer and it impressed me greatly. even with the all season tires, the car still kicked some serious ass in the corners (i shudder to think of what it could do with a SERIOUSLY sticky tire like the azenis :o). based on what i WANT the car to do, these are my planned upgrades:

24mm gsr front bar
rear ITR bar with ASR brace
integra front lower subframe brace
pasword:jdm solid tie bars (uppers)
15x6.5 wheels with falken azenis tires OR keep my del sol wheels and go with the 195/60/14 azenis tires (depending on the money)


usually with an exterior like we see on that crx, it will be a prelude to what the underbody may look like. if you can afford it and and have the resurces at your disposal to make it so, i would do the following:

remove the suspension from the car. if you can afford the downtime, put it on jackstands and do it all at once. if you need to have the car mobile by monday morning, do one corner at a time
inspect all suspension components for wear, damage or any play whatsoever and replace as required. no sense putting in brand new illumina shocks, H&R springs and suspension techniques stabilizer bars on if your tie rods or ball joints are shot. **REMEMBER** upgrading your suspension includes replacing worn parts FIRST AND FOREMOST
install a polyurethane bushing master set from energy suspension or prothane (ES is what i have on my own car and i love them) because your bushings are likely on their way out, if not already.
determine what your needs are for your car, keeping in mind longevity, maintenance and price i.e. you dont need mugen mf10Ls wrapped in advan ao32rs on custom valved konis and custom rate ground control coilovers if you're using it as a daily driver or just want a better handling for the street.
do your homework on different brands and combinations of parts. that means surfing web forums and reading or asking questions (use the SEARCH button whenever possible), talking to people at shows or the track and see what works well for them and what didn't.
draw up a list of parts to buy then get out your credit card :TU: :Dhonestly, you can get all the info you need here on the site. and i'm sure you can probably find a vendor or two or even a link to one so it's almost like a one-stop shopping superstore here :D

IMO putting together a suspension should not be taken or done lightly. it is the one thing that keeps your car off the ground aside from wheels and tires and bad choices with poor products can produce unfavourable results.

just my $0.02 and then some ;)


p.s. yes it's long and yes i have nothing better to do today :p. it raining here lol

Great info Steve-O. This should def. give him a better idea as to what he should do for his car. :TU:

[jimmyb34]

ditto #1...and yes, function before form.
my '88 lx looks like a pos, but i've poured in prob. over 3g's for the zc swap, suspension upgrades, stereo & remote starter, alarm, etc. everyone looks at my car & says what a pos!!! but they don't know the money & labor of love that went into it. so you need to ask yourself if you're a ricer or a fanatic.
my def:
ricer = all show no go
fanatic = sleeper!!

so if yoru car is beat fixing it makes you a ricer???? you guys kill me with this function over form shit... if you want function over form buy something that has more than 120 hp stock and is made to handle... THATS function over form
get your shit looking straight then go from there.. nothing is sleeper about some beatneck car

[Drows]

Well right now, I would go for suspension over body if it was as simple as puting spring and shock. But I know bushing as to be done, and probably a few rod end. So, yeah I could do just what is required and then go do the body and come back later on. And this i probably what im gonna end up doing but... I would love to be able to everything then put it back on the road... But I dont think money will allow it.

By the way, nice post steve-o.

Right now, what I've been looking for the suspension is that:
Koni Red shock
Neuspeed Green Sport spring
??? Polyurethane Bushing
As far as tie end goes, some sell by uap/napa should do it.
For ''sway bar'' or ''tie-bar'' im not looking for that right now.
Brake as been done last summer.

Here some more pic of the body:
http://www.putfile.com/drows/images/70440

[boostdeliquent]

LOL, it's a red version of the CRX my friend gave me. With it rusted like that, I'd fix the rust and then go to suspension so that you'll actually have a solid body for the mods.

[Steve-O]

Here some more pic of the body:
http://www.putfile.com/drows/images/70440
ok those pics change everything. i didn't know it was that bad.

i'm assuming in the first pic those are open holes in the body/floor. thus, i would have the car checked and repaired for structural integrity first off before anything else.

safety should ALWAYS be #1 priority with anything and all work or repairs should be prioritized accordingly.

[Drows]

The first picture is the holes near the spare tire, and this is gonna be done ASAP. Probably, in a few week. After all, its winter and lots of cold air can enter by there ^^