Custom-built front and rear springs -- I'm organizing a group buy

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by eq1

Try some of these to stop the bottoming-out aspect of the bad ride:
Energy Suspension 9.9103 Bump Stops - 99103

They'll give you about an inch and half more travel. Here's a pict comparing the stockers to the Energy Suspension bumps:

Thanks for that link EQ! i will be using those bumpstops with my Ground Control springs, they should be perfect!

[eq1]

Note that there's 2 bump stops per package; you only need to enter quantity=1, which is one package...

[dandism]

It looks like there is a company in Japan that makes springs for our cars. Zoom-bane. Anyone read Japanese?

Google Translate

[Minnsighter]

Originally Posted by eq1

Try some of these to stop the bottoming-out aspect of the bad ride:
Energy Suspension 9.9103 Bump Stops - 99103

They'll give you about an inch and half more travel. Here's a pict comparing the stockers to the Energy Suspension bumps:

I like the idea of a little more travel. I'm going to check out the smaller stops. And, I thought it was just my car with the lousy ride. I regularly drive over railroad tracks. If I'm too fast, get that bottoming out sound. And, I don't have to be going fast to be too fast. Thx

[eq1]

When/if you install these, especially if you're going to stick with the stock springs, check to see what the 'coil bind' height is relative to what the bump stop bottoming-out height is. It's possible that the extra travel afforded by the shorter bump stop is preempted, in part, by the spring becoming fully compressed before the bump stop is fully compressed... Likewise, it's possible the extra travel is preempted by shock travel...

For some reason I have no memory of sorting through these issues when I changed springs and installed these bump stops, possibly because I planned to use the Monroe shocks, which have more travel, as well as using stiffer springs. I'm using stiffer springs, yet I switched back to the stock shocks long ago. I haven't had any issues, yet I may not even notice if, say, the shock reaches full compression before hitting the bump stop. Pretty sure the stock shocks would reach full compression before coil bind, so coil bind probably isn't an issue; it's whether the stock shocks are reaching full compression before hitting the bump stops - AND - if the stock shock is of the type that can be damaged from full compression. I don't think it matters for some shocks...

OK, here's some picts I took when I was dealing with this. I must have just eye-balled it and said 'it looks OK'. The first pict shows that you'd hit the bump stop before the shock is fully compressed (or perhaps about fully compressed). The second shows the stock Insight spring with the bump stop installed; it looks like there's enough coil compression-room to cover the distance between the top and the bump stop. And the third is the same orientation, yet with the Miata spring.

[Minnsighter]

Thank you for the info and pics. I have to get in there to replace rear brakes, and bearings if I can, so will check clearances before I buy any replacement parts. I appreciate your advice. thx

[chrislaskey]

i've wanted "new shocks" for a long time. i haven't even looked at them yet. i came here for research, and this is where i got distracted.

there is a piece of asphalt repaving on my regular commute, that is like hitting a speed bump. i love the cornering of the insight, but that much jar is too much. i'm not expecting to do anything like extra batteries in the back any time soon, like, years, but i do drive through the mountains, and, well, cornering and conservation of inertia are issues. i very much want a softer ride without sacrificing performance.

is this $400$ for the set of four springs?

and what about an anti-sway-bar to compensate for any increased sway?

[Willie Williford]

It's not your rear shocks, it's the springs that are too weak.

Myself and others have replaced the rear springs from here;

Scroll to the bottom;

HybridReVolt: Hybrid Battery Repair

HTH
Willie

[Hybrid ReVolt]

Originally Posted by Willie Williford

It's not your rear shocks, it's the springs that are too weak.

Myself and others have replaced the rear springs from here;

Scroll to the bottom;

HybridReVolt: Hybrid Battery Repair

HTH
Willie

Thanks for the referral Willie. The direct link is actually: 2000 - 2006 Insight : HybridReVolt: Hybrid Battery Repair

These springs do make a huge improvement over stock. I have them in stock and ready to ship.

-Matt

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

And if you want to replace all 4 with some Eibachs like I did, check out Ground Control and they make some sweet sleeve coilovers which allow you to lower your car too...

As for rear shocks, the cost effective replacement rears are the Monroe 5752's. I myself am going to experiment with some custom made rear adjustable shocks from England.

My front shocks are going to be a different story...