Honda Civic Coilovers: The Ultimate Guide
Are you looking to buy coilovers for your Honda Civic?
The Honda Civic is a true JDM icon in the car tuning world. Being relatively quickly, handling well and up until recently, super cheap, made these cars extremely popular with car enthusiasts from all corners of the scene, from stance fans to street and track racers.
In the Japanese street racing world, Honda Civics are extremely popular and are the vehicle of choice for the racers of the Osaka Kanjo loop. Their small size, nimble handling and light weight make them perfect for weaving through traffic.
If you are looking to modify your Honda Civic, whether it’s an EF, EG, EK or even a newer mode Si or Type R, chances are that a set of coilovers are close to the top of the list. Not only will they make your car look better by lowering the ride height, they will also significantly improve the handling.
In this post I’m going to give you the best coilover options for the Honda Civic whether you are looking to build a track car, a daily driver or just want to go as low as possible for shows and hard parks.
The Best Honda Civic Coilovers
Fortune Auto 500 Series
Best for: Street with occasional track use, super low cars if you opt for super low option
Lowering: 1-3 inches, Super Low goes 2.5-5 inches
Dampening Adjustment: Yes, 24-level
Price: $1299-1799
Civic models made for:
- EF 88-91
- EG JDM 92-95
- EG USDM 92-95
- EK 96-00
- FA/FG 06-11
- FB/FG 12-15
- FB/FG SI 14-15
- FC SI 17-19
- Type R 17-19
If you are looking for a coilover kit you will never have to replace, this is it.
The Fortune Auto 500 Series offer a range of features that few other companies offer, as well as their super strict quality control and wide range of customizability.
For starters, what makes these coilovers special is that they are modular, meaning they can be upgraded. So if you decide that you need 2-way adjustable dampening with external reservoir, you don’t need to buy a new kit. Instead, you send yours in to Fortune Auto and they will upgrade them for you.
These coilovers are hand assembled at their Virginia facility, and every single damper is put on a shock dyno, tested and matched in pairs to be within a 3% tolerance. This ensures that every single kit that leaves their facility is absolutely top quality, with minimum chance of issues.
And to back that up, they offer a 5 year warranty, which is one of the longest in the industry and speaks volumes about how much they believe in their product.
The dampers themselves have a monotube design, using high pressure nitrogen and a high flow digressive piston which gives the driver more feel and control over the car. They have also incorporated a “blow-off” technology to keep the ride comfortable even over rough surfaces.
The springs themselves are made from premium chrome silicon alloy which ensures superior performance, ride quality and a long life with minimal sagging. Swift Springs are available as an optional extra if you want the absolute best.
These coilovers really are an amazing kit and are a fantastic choice whether the car is a daily driver or a weekend warrior.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment by the shock body for full suspension travel at all ride heights
- Lowers the car 1-3 inches, Super Low option lowers 2.5-5 inches
- 24-way rebound dampening adjustment
- Monotube dampers with high pressure nitrogen and high flow digressive piston technology
- Koyo Japan radial bearings
- Aluminium T6 6061 aluminium strut mounts with camber adjustment (on applicable models)
- Swift Spring upgrade available
- Upgradable to 2-way independently adjustable with external reservoir
- 5 year warranty
Here is the best price I have found these coilovers for sale:
GET CIVIC FORTUNE AUTO 500 FOR THE BEST PRICE
BC Racing BR Series
Best for: Daily drivers, budget builds and cars that will see the track
Lowering: 1-3 inches, 2-4 inches on the Extreme Low option
Dampening adjustment: Yes, 30-level
Price: $1195
Civic models made for:
- SB/SG 73-79
- CVCC 78-79
- Sedan 80-83
- AH/AG 84-87
- EF/CRX (Rear Fork) 88-91
- EF/CRX (Rear Fork or Eye) 88-91
- EG (Rear Eye) 92-95
- EG (Rear Fork) 92-95
- EK 96-00
- EM2/ES1 01-05
- EP3 SI 02-05
- Civic & SI 06-11
- Civic & SI 12-15
- SI 14-15
- Non SI Coupe/Sedan 16-22
- SI 17-20
- 1.5T Hatchback 17-21
- FK8 17-21
- Non SI 22-23
The BC Racing BR Series is possibly the most popular coilover kit in the whole world, and one of the reasons why is the sheer amount of cars them make them for (just take a look at the models list above).
It is BC Racing’s entry level kit and does a superb job of being the perfect all-rounder that can handle both comfortable daily riving and track duty, all for a super low price.
Another reason why this kit is so popular is the amount of customization options that BC Racing give customers. From custom spring rates and valving, to Swift Springs, Extreme Low, rear camber plates (on applicable models) and more, you can basically put together the perfect kit to suit your needs.
They come with monotube dampers that give you 30 levels of dampening adjustment (simultaneous compression/rebound) which allow you to really fine tune the ride and handling to suit your requirements and quickly change them if you need to (for track days, for example).
The regular kit will lower your car from 1 to 3 inches and if you opt for the Extreme Low option, it will go up to 5 inches lower than factory. The height adjustment is done by the shock body, which ensures you have full suspension travel at all heights and means you can corner balance the car. This not only makes for a better ride, but it means your dampers will last longer at low ride heights since they won’t be bottoming out all the time.
These coilovers have proven over and over again to take almost anything thrown at them, with many people using them for all kinds of things from frame scraping daily drivers to regular track use.
When you take into account the customizability, the build quality, the ride comfort, handling performance and value for money, there are few other kits on the market that can compete.
They come with a 1 year warranty and are also fully rebuildable, with BC Racing selling all the individual parts to do the rebuild.
You really can’t go wrong with these coilovers, and are the perfect all-rounder for both street cars and cars that will see the track.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment from the shock body
- Lowers ride height from 1-3inches, Extreme low option goes 2.5-5 inches
- 30-level adjustable dampening (compression/ rebound simultaneous)
- Monotube dampers with linear valving
- Rebuildable with all parts purchasable from BC Racing
- Custom spring rates and valving available
- Swift Spring upgrade available
- 1 year warranty
Here is where you can get the BR Series at the best price I have found them:
GET CIVIC BC RACING BR SERIES AT THE BEST PRICE
Riaction GT1
Best for: Daily drivers and street cars that will do occasional track days
Lowering: 1-3 inches
Dampening adjustment: Yes, 32-level
Price: $900-$1043
Civic models made for:
- EF
- EG
- EK
- EM2/ES1/EP3
- FB
- FB SI
- FC
- FC SI
- FB
- FE
- FK
- FK8 Type R
In my opinion, the Riaction GT1 coilovers are some of the best value for money coilovers on the market right now.
For a lower cost than the BC Racing BR Series, you can get pretty much all the same features, but also the ability to upgrade them to 2-way dampening adjustment and convert them to digressive valving.
When you add that to the fact that Riaction have a very good reputation for customer service and super quick turnaround times for servicing coilovers (4-7 days), plus the fact that they offer lifetime free labor on their kits, makes these an extremely attractive buy.
If you want to know more, you can read my Riaction coilovers review here.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment from the shock body
- Lower ride height from 1-3inches
- 32-level adjustable dampening
- Monotube dampers with linear valving
- Rebuildable and serviceable in the USA
- Custom spring rates and valving available
- Swift Spring upgrade available
- Can be upgraded to 2-way dampening adjustment
- Can be converted to digressive valving
- 2 year warranty
- Lifetime free labor warranty
GET CIVIC RIACTION GT1 COILOVERS AT THE BEST PRICE
Ohlins Road & Track
Best for: Street & track use
Lowering: Not specified
Dampening Adjustment: Yes
Price: $2790
Civic models available for: FK8 2017+
While these are only made for the FK8, the Ohlins Road & Track are basically the ultimate coilover, so I had to include them on this list.
Ohlins have been in the game sice 1976 and have been making some of the world’s best suspension ever since. They have a long and successful history in motorsport and are the OEM manufacturer for some very high-end cars.
It’s safe to say they know what they are doing, and luckily for FK8 owners they make a kit for your car.
This kit is certainly not cheap, being $2790 at the time of writing this post, they are the most expensive kit on this list. However, you are not just paying for the name, because Ohlins puts an incredible amount of engineering into these kits to make the perfect balance between ride comfort on the road and ultimate handling performance for road and track.
If you need a coilover kit that can handle comfortable daily driving along with track performance, you really can’t do better than the Ohlins kit.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment done by the shock body, which gives you full range of suspension travel at all ride height settings and the ability to corner balance the car
- Dampening adjustable (compression and rebound simultaneous) using Ohlins Dual Flow Valve (DFV) technology
- Corrosion salt spray tested to ISO 9227 standard – perfect for harsh weather locations
- Divorced rear (spring separate from shock)
- Rebuildable
- 2 year warranty
Silvers Neomax
Best For: Daily drivers with occasional track use, super low cars if you opt for super low option
Lowering: Up to 3 inches (75mm) – Super Low kit goes up to 5 inches (125mm)
Dampening adjustment: Yes, 24-level
Price range: $1299
Civic models made for:
- EF JDM 88-91
- EF USDM 88-91
- EG JDM 92-95
- EG USDM 92-95
- EK 96-00
- ES 01-05
- EP3 SI 03-05
- FA/FG 06-11
- FD2 Type R 06-11
- FB 12-15
- FB6/FG4 SI USDM 14-15
- FC JDM/CHDM 16-19
- SI 17-19
- Type R 17-19
These coilovers are actually very similar to the Fortune Auto’s but a bit cheaper.
While these are made and assembled in Taiwan, they have very similar strict quality controls like Fortune Auto and hand assemble every kit.
Each damper is tested on the shock dyno and only pass if they are within a 5% tolerance, otherwise they get scrapped.
Silver’s also pride themselves on extremely fast turn around times, getting kits completed within 10 days even if it’s a custom order.
Also similar to the Fortune Auto 500’s, the Neomax are modular, giving you the option to upgrade to 2-way individual dampening adjustment with external reservoirs.
While they are made in Taiwan, they are not outsourced, but rather made at Silvers’ own facility, allowing them to ensure the strict quality control and fast production times.
They are also customizable with custom spring rates with valving to match, Swift Springs, super low option and more.
These coilovers have a lot of positive reviews online and many happy customers, and come with an 18 month warranty, making these a great option that is still budget friendly.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment by the shock body
- 24-level dampening adjustment
- Monotube dampers with digressive valving and 44mm linear piston
- Carbon steel shock bodies, electroless nickle plated for corrosion protection
- 18 month warranty
- Custom spring rates and valving options
- Swift Spring upgrade available
- And lots more
TEIN Flex Z
Best for: Daily drivers, budget builds and cars that will occasionally see the track
Lowering: Dependent on the model
Dampening adjustable: Yes, 16-level
Price: From $759
Civic models made for:
- EG 92-95
- EK 96-00
- EM2/ES1/2 02-05
- FD2 Type R 07-10
- FG 06-11
- FB/FG 12-15
- FK7 Hatchback 1.5L 17+
- FC2 16+
- FC1 SI Only 17+
The TEIN Flex Z’s are probably the best coilover kit you are going to find under $1000. Despite the low price, TEIN has put together a very high quality kit that has some serious engineering behind it.
One of the most amazing things about this kit is that TEIN makes them specific to the region it is being sold in, to match the conditions that the kit is likely to see – whether that’s rough roads, harsh weather or something else.
This allows them to make the best kit possible for the customer, and is something I have not heard of any other company doing.
The dampers in the Flex Z’s are a twin tube design, the only ones on this list, and TEIN has chosen twin tubes for extra ride comfort on the street. After all, this kit is primarily a street kit.
The smooth stroke of the twin tubes allows the dampers to follow bumps and rough roads better, making for a more comfortable ride at low speeds while keeping stability at high speeds.
They are also 16-level dampening adjustable, which is done with an “ADVANCE needle”, allowing you to fine tune the ride for both road and track use. This kit is also compatible with TEIN’s EDFC system which is an electronic dampening adjustment system that allows you to change the damper settings from inside the car, even while driving.
The oil used in these dampers is specially formulated to ensure it maintains a stable viscosity at all temperatures, which allows the dampers to have a smooth stroke and stable damping in all conditions and temperatures. It also has anti-foaming properties which make these dampers suitable for intensive performance driving, even for extended periods.
TEIN springs are well known for their resistance to sagging and are made from cold formed high-tensile SAE9254 steel, which ensures a long life and increased stability. They are powder coated with TEIN’s patented powder coat to prevent chipping or corrosion, even in the harshest weather.
Ride height adjustment is done by the shock body, which ensures that you retain full suspension travel at all heights, making for not only a more comfortable ride and better handling but also making sure the dampers last longer.
The shock bodies are powder coated with TEIN’s special patented powder coat which is formulated to be extremely corrosion resistant. The adjustment threads have a special ZT coating making them resistant to corrosion in all weather conditions.
While these dampers are not rebuildable, TEIN has instead made them so that the damper insert can be purchased for replacement. Meaning that when you need to replace the dampers, you simple order new ones and swap them in.
Not only does this mean that you don’t have to send the coilovers to TEIN and pay for shipping, but you also won’t have to wait several weeks for them to get rebuilt. Instead, you can just swap them out like you would if you were replacing the suspension.
TEIN have done it this way to keep the price of the kit low and to make it easier for the customer to swap them when the time comes. They will also revalve the dampers to suit whichever spring rates or settings you specify, so if you have decided to change the spring rate, they’ll make sure the dampers match.
All this for under $1000, TEIN have really put a lot of effort to make a superb kit for an extremely low price. You will really have a hard time finding something better at this price level.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustable by the shock body
- 16-level dampening adjustable
- Compatible with EDFC system
- Upper strut mounts included
- No sag springs
- Special TEIN powder coat and ZT coating for corrosion protection in all weather conditions
- Damper inserts replaceable (and can be custom valved)
- 1 year warranty
Godspeed MonoSS
Best for: Daily drivers and budget builds
Lowering: Dependent on the model
Dampening adjustable: Yes, 16-level
Price: From $675
Civic models made for:
- EF/CRX 88-91
- EG/EK 92-00
- EP3 SI 02-06
- Civic & SI 06-11
- LX/EX Hybrid 12-15
- FG/FB 12-15
- SI 12-13
- SI 14-15
- SI 16-21
- FC Non SI Coupe/Sedan 17-21
- FC Non SI Hatchback 17-21
- SI 23-25
The MonoSS are Godspeed’s most popular coilover and provide an excellent option for those on a budget.
These coilovers are specifically designed to offer the perfect balance of performance and affordability, and give you a surprising amount of features given the low price.
The dampers are 52mm monotubes made of “carbon seamless steel” which have 16-level dampening adjustment. They are designed to handle street driving as well as track days, and these dampers make it easy to adjust the settings accordingly.
The dampers also feature “racing grade shock oil with a high viscosity index” and a “Performance Internal Piston” according to Godspeed.
The springs are made from high strength SAE9252 steel, and ride height adjustment is done by the shock body to ensure you have full suspension travel at all heights. They typically give you 1-3 inches of lowering compared to stock, depending on the model.
The Mono SS’ also come with pillow-ball strut mounts with Koyo Japan bearings which are camber adjustable on applicable models. Some vehicles use the factory strut mount.
They come with a 1 year warranty and the dampers can be rebuilt.
Considering the low price and many positive reviews to be found for these coilovers, they are a great option if you are on a budget but still want a decent coilover that can handle occasional track use.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment by the shock body,1-3 inches lower than stock on most models
- 16-level dampening adjustment
- Monotube dampers with racing grade shock oil and performance piston
- Pillowball strut mounts with camber adjustment on applicable models and Koyo Japan 6204z bearings
- Anodized shock bodies
Things to Consider When Selecting Coilovers For Your Honda Civic
What Are You Using the Car For?
Because coilovers will make a significant difference to the way the car handles and rides, it’s important to know what you are buying so that you can get the results you want.
Things like spring rates, dampening adjustment, how the ride height is adjusted, and which strut mounts the suspension uses are all key points.
You need to consider what you are going to be using the car for and then making the decision accordingly.
If you don’t care about ride comfort and just want to go low, then a cheaper set of coilovers with a wide degree of height adjustment will get the job done.
If this is your daily driver and you don’t want to be breaking your back on the way to work each day, then a better quality set of coilovers with dampening adjustability and rubber or OEM strut mounts are not a bad idea. These will allow you to fine tune the ride to how you like it and retain a level of ride comfort while still getting the benefits of coilovers.
If you are building a track car, you need to consider whether the coilovers will be stiff enough, have pillowball strut mounts with camber adjustment and are able to actually handle prolonged periods of intensive driving without suffering from damper fade or parts breaking (can be common on cheaper kits).
Once you make this decision, you can move on to selecting the right kit.
Conclusion
I hope that this blog post has helped you to pick out the right coilovers for your Honda Civic. I have done my best to not only find the best prices but to put together a list that will cater to everyone’s needs, no matter the budget or the requirements.
If you have any questions or would like to submit another coilover for this list, don’t hesitate to post in the comments below.
BUY HONDA CIVIC COILOVERS HERE
Cars owned: Mk2 Golf with 1.8T swap, BMW E28 with M30B35 swap, BMW E36 328I Mtech, BMW 750IL, Nissan 300ZX, Honda Civic EF
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