By kelly (152.163.207.189) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 01:40 pm:

i can find new struts (konis and the like) for real cheap, but new monroe struts cost like 75 bucks! what gives. what are the differences in size, clearance, or whatever that would make them year only specific? a lot of links dont even carry struts for 79. do i just need the earlier casings and do a wet kit rebuild and put in my 79 with all the same brackets and hardware? any help will be great.
kelly

By Jane Patterson (64.180.116.124) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 07:27 pm:

The cheapest price I found for rear struts for my 78 1200 was $125(Can) for the pair(munroe I assume). Not bad considering Honda and many other places wanted up to $175 each strut!
Where did you find konis real cheap?

Jane

By Azlee (202.185.112.124) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 09:25 pm:

U can check with www.classicgarage.com

By ddechon (12.91.124.7) on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 01:35 pm:

I went to AutoZone (the local autoparts store). They quoted me about $40 for each strut, but i don't remember if they were front or back. I don't know what brand they were either.

I ended up buying a pair of them on ebay for the same price. I'm still looking for front struts.

I have a 79 civic 1200

Darrell

By ddechon (12.91.124.7) on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 01:37 pm:

I'd also like to put heavier springs in my 1200.

Does anybody know if a different model strut/spring will fit?

Darrell

By quikrick (63.204.16.66) on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 03:10 pm:

Use wagon springs up front. Put your 1200 fronts in the rear. Or... Dobi Performance (southern cal.) has front and rear, that will lower your car about an inch.

By kelly (205.188.192.168) on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 07:17 pm:

id still like to find performance struts and springs if possible, i know theres nothing wrong with the monroe stock type struts.
thanks,
kelly

By go4mo (24.69.255.202) on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 11:24 pm:

hey, the guy that's selling all those old parts on ebay has struts ..
what do you all think about his stuff?
mo

By kelly (205.188.199.47) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 03:42 am:

im just not sure if the cvcc struts will fit into my non-cvcc 79. i will call him to see though.
kelly

By errol (64.12.107.166) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 03:52 am:

Hey Rick; DO you have the site or number for Dobi? I bought some stuff from them a long time ago but thought they went out of business....And I'm trying to get a couple of the struts on ebay. Another thing! I get a subscription to Circle Track Mag, and a place called Afco says they can make most any coil spring for 40.00 pair!!!! I'm going to send a pair of springs and see if they can get a lower stiffer set made up. Do our cars weigh in around 1900-2100lbs?? I guess i need to tell them that.

By ddechon (12.78.125.217) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 08:22 am:

Mo,
I think Justin (the guy on ebay) is only selling rear struts. I'd love to buy some front stuts from him. That's why i haven't bought his struts.

Hey Rick, will the struts on ebay (rear civic 1500cc) fit on my front end(civic 1200)?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=596168267&r=0&t=0

Thanks quickrick.

Darrell

By Anonymous (208.60.186.122) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 08:26 am:

I'm thinking about getting some of those struts, I'd like to know from some of you guys if they will fit into my 79 1200. That guy lives less than 5 miles from me. Anyone here know anything about the quality of monroe struts. Someone told me that there was a certain brand of struts that were junk, but I can't remember what brand. Good call on the springs Errol, I was planning on wagon springs, but this sounds even better. Hasn't someone said something about using early 80's accord springs up front. Wagons are almost gone in my area, so I'd like to find an alternative. Thanks all, Tony T.

By quikrick (63.204.16.66) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 08:54 am:

errol, http://www.dobiperformance.com
They also sell front air dams for 1st gen Civics and Accords. Oh, I don't think that a first gen civic weighs that much. I would say mid 1700 lbs to low 1800 lbs. The wagon is the heavy one at about 2000 lbs.

Darrell, I don't think so. I know that the rear is much taller than the front, also the brake line bracket is different.

By Anonymous (208.60.186.122) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 09:18 am:

Hey Rick, would those struts fit on the rear of a 1200? Are the cvcc and 1200 rear end suspensions the same? Tony T.

By Nikolaj (195.240.207.114) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 10:04 am:

I have the struts from Koni (inserts)..
I am now looking for the openable strut casings to put them in, I can't find these anywhere and I was told they went out of production pretty soon. The later fitted struts were all not openable (yes, with a grinder, anything's openable), and I was told they did this to prevent the dish from finally letting go of the strut. Anyway, it's a pain because now I have to put thread into the newer ones, but I'll have to add material to the strut for the thread to be able to go in...
So that's the catch. The wetkit is available, I got em from classicgarage.com, very friendly people, and just 110 US for all 4. Ányone have openable strut casings for sale???

By ddechon (12.91.126.192) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 01:31 pm:

You're right Tony. It doesn't look like the front struts will fit on the rear at all. However I wouldn't mind putting 1500 front struts on my 1200 front.

Darrell

By ddechon (12.91.126.192) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 01:40 pm:

Oops I meant Rick in the previous message.

Tony, I think you should go for it! You could measure the bottom half of the rear stut and ask Justin if his stuts are the same measurement.

You could reach over the rear tire to take some measurements. Check to see if the spring bracket and the strut case is the same length as Justin's.

Here's his email.
porkchopzz4@earthlink.net

Darrell

By kelly (152.163.197.183) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 03:33 pm:

errol,
do you have a link or phone # to the spring shop, i would love to give them a call and get some stiff dropped springs.

kelly

By Jane Patterson (64.180.116.124) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 08:33 pm:

I checked with a parts place and they told me it was the same rear strut for CVCC and 1200 for my 78. Hopefully they weren't mistaken - otherwise I'll be having some rear struts for sale myself

Jane

By errol (64.12.103.43) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 09:08 pm:

Jane; I don't remember the rears being the same! I just stripped a EB2 1200 and the rears looked totaly different. The reason i got two pairs was I was just looking for a 2" strut bottom to fit into the 86 prelude hub in the rear. It has a smaller dia. spring for tire clearence and I can probably use the other pair up front. and for the price...well I've drank that much in one night and didn't have anything to show for it... so It's worth the R/D to find out. And I have a friend looking for a set of coilovers to slide over a 2" strut that will fit in our hubs. I already have a set of front 85 crx struts that are prime candidates, They are a little long but I'll se this next week if they can be put up front!

By Don (209.181.52.55) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 10:13 pm:

Ok folks, the 79 cvcc rear struts are more like the the fronts they are a different strut.

Nikolaj
The wet inserts you ordered fit the 75 USA Civic only, Very hard to find, I may be able to get you some but, I will have to buy the whole car to get them if they have the original casings. I think I could talk the guy down a little but he was asking $250 (this is why I did not get it, the $50 cars spoil me ) for the car. Buying the car and then hauling the rest to the scraper (its a CVCC no use to me) and then shipping the casings overseas is some money.... Let me know. Maybe someone else can find just the casings for you? Monroes are starting to look better,

You cant just weld on a top to the later model casing, Racecraft described "sleeving" the casings also. Have a machine shop in your family?

The 73-74 used a similar threaded casing but they have a self contained insert, these casings are lots easier to find, but you must use the correct insert.

By Jane Patterson (64.180.116.124) on Friday, October 12, 2001 - 10:37 pm:

errol: what year does EB2 go up to? My 78 is EB3. Anyway, its too late now if they are different. Will be a couple weeks at least before I get to see if they fit or not, but I'll let everyone know if they do or not. Keeping my fingers crossed

Jane

By errol (64.12.102.54) on Saturday, October 13, 2001 - 12:03 am:

This one said 76 so I'd assume it would be a 77? Sorry, I've only owned 3 1200's and all were 78-79's so I didn't mess with them that much.

By errol (64.12.102.48) on Sunday, October 14, 2001 - 10:05 pm:

Hey Kelly; The name is; AFCO (American Fabricating CO. Po box.548,Boonville,In,47601(812-897-6564)
I havn't got to talk to them yet, and sorry for the delay! e

By go4mo (24.69.255.202) on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 06:31 pm:

hey jane ..
where are you in canada?
the eb3 started in 78 ..
i too have a 78
cheers
mo

By Jane Patterson (64.180.113.41) on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 03:06 pm:

Hi mo,

That's what I kinda thought.
I'm in Victoria, BC.

Jane

By natcho (208.195.243.199) on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 04:43 pm:

I just got off the phone with Dobi Performance. They no longer have ANY springs for 1st gen. civics. He has two front swaybars, though, and a set of 82-85 front springs. (If that helps). Let us know what you guys hear from that spring shop, would ya?

By Don (209.181.52.75) on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 09:35 pm:

Whiteline in Australia still has performance springs. They take credit cards and ship to the USA too. Also Landrum spring will make any spring to your spec's.

By Don (209.181.52.75) on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 09:37 pm:

PS: John, the parts I ordered from Whiteline came very well packed and they ship quick.

By jeremy fiel (216.244.13.98) on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 11:42 pm:

hey guys.. i was wondering about the whiteline springs. how heavy do they come and how much do they run for shipping included to the us. (california) also...doesn't mugen make suspension for 1g civics? are they still available or would they only be sitting in some guys shop in japan collecting dust?

jeremy

By Adrian (Civicguru) (203.42.97.227) on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 11:55 pm:

Most spring manufacturers (Whiteline included) will make springs to *any rate and length* you want. All you need to know is what you want...

Have fun finding Mugen springs ... Jim had a set but I think he got rid of them a while ago.

By Don (209.181.52.82) on Friday, October 19, 2001 - 06:30 am:

I dont know about the springs, I didn't order that. My car uses the common 2.5" X 8" coil over conversion. Their web store list a few applications, but is not real specific. Maybe a phone call or e-mail is in order to get exactly what you want.

By Don (209.181.52.82) on Friday, October 19, 2001 - 06:42 am:

http://www.whiteline.com.au/

Heres a link, just to make it easy.

They also have swaybars,poly bushings etc... All just a credit card and a click away

By Todd (63.50.56.96) on Friday, October 19, 2001 - 04:45 pm:

I got the Mugen springs but they are not any stiffer than stockers. They are also progressive rates so they are spongy up to a point. They are sitting in some guys shop in Greensboro collecting dust.

By kelly (152.163.204.212) on Saturday, October 20, 2001 - 06:32 am:

hey errol,
have you sent a pair of springs to AFCO yet? if not, i would like to get a set also seeing as he will allready have a setup for it.
what rate and length are you planning on?
if youve already sent them, thats ok too.
thanks,
kelly

By errol (152.163.194.187) on Saturday, October 20, 2001 - 06:37 am:

I did talk to AFCO and they basically make springs for 'coil over' applications.(go figure.... A circle track mag..Doough!) Yes they would be about 40.00US but the ID would be around 2 1/4 (like the newer honda springs) He didn't sound too enthusiastic.

Hey, while we're on the subject, Does anyone know what spring rates go with what paint markings? (if you can still see them?) I must have 2dozen springs and just match them up according to pain marks. I know on my old Chevy they had record of these.

By natcho (208.195.243.199) on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 04:50 pm:

Thanks for the reassurance, Don! But first...

How about a few more details about your coil-overs? Where did you get them? How much were they? Did they stiffen up your ride or drop the car at all? What shocks do you run with them? What are the benefits/drawbacks? Are they worth it? Huh? Huh?

Sorry. I'm starved for information I guess. (And I'm tired of sloppy handling despite my super sticky Yokahamas).


Todd: Do you want to get rid of the Mugen springs, or are they happy collecting dust?

By Don (209.181.52.41) on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 05:33 pm:

John, the suspension on my car gets detailed and I will have to use allot of pictures to explain it all, plus its not all back together, I will snap some pic's and E-mail you soon (by this weekend, I promise). Its all available from the USA except for the bushings, but some of the items are custom made.

By Jane Patterson (64.180.113.41) on Sunday, October 28, 2001 - 06:37 pm:

Hi all,

I said I would post how it went with the struts that I got off Ebay(the 78/79 CVCC rear sold by porkchopzz4@earthlink.net). Doesn't look like they will fit on my 1200 without some creative grinding work;) Some parts stores on the web and ones I phoned listed them as being the same part for the 1200 and CVCC.
There is also something else weird about them - they look to me like they are meant for one side only, but then I've never replaced struts either.
(They were advertised as being interchangable left to right)
Here is a pic: http://communities.msn.ca/Mycivic/_whatsnew.msnw

Jane

By Damon kelly (24.65.198.208) on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 10:11 pm:

Hi everyone. I have a bone yard special "78". I have wet openable struts in the front, and wet non-openables in the rear. What are my options for Koni's?

My email is talondnf@shaw.ca if anyone can help. Thanks.

By Don (209.181.52.41) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 04:40 am:

First I would make sure that the fronts are openable, some of the later ones look like there openable but there not. If they are openable then you need to measure the inside diameter. Then figure out what insert to put in there. If they open but are not oem you may be out of luck.
For the rear you either have to find some old casings or get new struts.

By Eric (208.60.186.68) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 05:01 pm:

Hello everyone

I have a set of the '74 "dry" casings. I'd like to know what I can do with 'em. I want to lower the car a bit, but not less than 2". I don't plan on doing any extensive "coil over" conversions if I can get around it. I know I need some new struts, I'd either fix the openable ones or buy new ones, I'd like to know what my options are..........Thanks........Eric

By Don (209.181.52.101) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 05:54 pm:

Do you think I would go through all that work if it was not needed?? There is a good reason for each one of the modifications done. You could always hack off about two coils and learn the hard way.

By Don (209.181.52.42) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 07:11 pm:

After thinking about the last post, It may have sounded harsh. Its not meant that way, its out of frustration of posting "how and why" over and over.

By Eric (208.60.186.18) on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 05:42 pm:

I understand Don......I have done a little reaserch on this as far as reading old posts......its still confusing. I think the gist of what I have read is that you can grind off the piece that holds on the brake line and weld it back on higher up?? I also remember hearing that this needs Renault c.v. boots. I haven't found out what model that the boots needed are from though. Anyone here know? I am also confused on what to do with the '74 casings, does Koni make inserts for them that I could just drop in there or would I need to modify the casings? I also understand that you can put front inserts into the rear if you use a spacer (a stack of washers maybe?). How far from the truth am I on this one? Thanks all.......Eric

By Don (209.181.52.53) on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 06:56 pm:

You don't need the Renault boots if you do the mods to the front strut casing (all though dropping the front in the knuckle more than 1.5 will require them). The rear casing is cut on a late and is rewelded back together too.

You could just drop the inserts in, but the Koni rears are 186 ea. That’s one of the reasons I used the front inserts, that and they are shorter. I do have a set of rear Carrera performance inserts that fit the rear casings with no cutting for those who want good cornering but are not planning to "slam" there Civic.

If you drop the car 2 inches plus then you will have very limited wheel travel with out shortening the strut casings. Plus you will unseat the springs every time your suspension extends.

By Eric (208.60.186.48) on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 11:14 pm:

Thanks again Don...

From what I have read the lower part of the casing must be solid and the strut insert must not go all the way to the bottom? And one could just cut some material from the bottom? And i remember you saying something about TIG welding.....are the casings stainless steel or something? I have access to an arc welding setup, would this do for any of the mods needed? I'm not sure about how much I want to drop the car (definately less than 2" to avoid geometry issues), or if I will drop it at all. I do know that I will need some struts and that it'd be nice to lower the car a bit while I'm at it.

By Don (209.181.52.33) on Sunday, February 24, 2002 - 06:15 am:

From what I have read the lower part of the casing must be solid and the strut insert must not go all the way to the bottom? No the strut must go to the bottom otherwise the guts will come apart inside the casing. The threaded part on the top of must not bottom against the casing other wise you can't be sure of this. And one could just cut some material from the bottom?
Are you talking front or rear. In the front that was what was done, In the rear no that will not work. And i remember you saying something about TIG welding.....are the casings stainless steel or something? No they are mild steel and will warp very easy, besides think about what would happen if the casing came apart, while moving. No DIY here, get a certified tig welder to do the welding for you.

The less you lower the car the less mods have to be done to make the suspension usable. It does look cool to have a lowered Civic but there are lots of draw backs epecially if you are not planing on using ajustable stut mounts.

By Eric (208.60.186.128) on Sunday, February 24, 2002 - 10:57 am:

Thanks Don.....

I just took one of the struts apart a minute ago. It looks like pretty simple stuff. I take it that the tab that holds the brake line on is the part that is refered to as the "bump stop". Would I be correct in saying that the casing should be shortened and the brake line mount moved up? After doing this can the inserts be dropped into the casings? What all is needed to mount the coilover setup? I saw the setup on Jim's car, what are the differences between the setup you have and the one on his car? Thanks again.......Eric

By Don (209.181.52.93) on Sunday, February 24, 2002 - 08:26 pm:

Crud, you ask alot of questions .
I think most of your answers will come from the thread "Strut Casings with Threaded Caps For Sale"
A "bump stop" is not the brake line bracket, but you got the idea for the front.