kingofdust

Hey all,

This is my first post here, but I am not a stranger to forums, so I wanted to say hello to everyone, this site is awesome!

I have a 2003 CL type S, 6 speed manual minus the navigation. Owned her for about a year now, there was a period where I didn't know if I was going to be able to keep her so I haven't really done anything to her yet. Now that I have confirmed that I am keeping her I wanted to get some advice from the members here.

Goals:
1. Lower the car
2. Wheels
3. Tint

Conditions:
I would periodically have to drive the car through some rougher areas as far as roads go, potholes and such, but when I go through there I can be careful. That being said the car will be making a 400 mile trek a few times a year to school and back so I need to keep that in mind with the suspension setup.

I want to lower the car the right way, so that would be coilovers for right now. I want the lowered look, I am not too concerned with trackablity or performance because most of the driving will be high way with mixed in lowspeed city driving. From what I have read the cheapest of options are usually around 600-700 dollars, that's doable for now, but I am not really sure what brands are going to get the best results for my conditions and driving.

My next question is will the car look bad with the stock wheels and a lowered stance? I need to figure out if I should paint the stock rims or buy new. I really want to go with WHITE rims but the maintenance on these will probably be terrible. So what do you guys think as far as wheels go? Paint or buy? If I buy I want a wheel that will fill out the wheel well better but wont rub and doesn't need a fender roll. I'm not saying that they have to be perfect but I want something that looks more substantial than stock but still retains the turning radius without rubbing. So could I go 19 or stick with 18x8? I am trying to stay around 200 a wheel, Idk what I am going to do for tires yet, so looks like I am in the market for a used set of wheels with newish tires.

As for tint I am in NYS so the laws are harsh. I am thinking either 5% or 10% on the back and side fixed windows and either 20 or 30 on the fronts. I haven't decided yet weather to push the law or not, everyone says 30's look stupid and are a waste but they will look better than clear.

Thanks all for any help! I look forward to hearing from you all soon!

kingofdust

kingofdust

I posted some pictures above, as you can see the car had the emblems stolen, that happened before I got it and I have since carefully cleaned up the paint back there. I Blacked out the gold A's as well but besides that the car is stock and ready to rumble with 105k on the odometer.

Thanks again! If you need any more info just ask!

AustinTaper

coils - look for AMR. they are pricey but many of the best cars on here (IMO) ran AMR coils. I just bought a slightly used set for $800. for wheels, 18x8 or 19x8 will be fine. if you start going wider, be prepared to roll fenders, shave (or relocate) the bumper tabs, to avoid any clearance issues and rubbing.

i had eibach springs before, but will be installing my AMR coils next week. Check the 'Photograph Gallery' here in the 2nd Gen CL section for examples of other cars. Many examples of stock wheels used on dropped cars (including mine before I upgraded wheels). best of luck!

for tires, mine are upgraded to 235/35/19 for reference, nice low profile look and keeps your odometer in spec.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

Tein is a great company for springs and coilovers. Nice choice to start with coilovers first but if you want a comfortable ride with a moderate drop, I've been happy with my Tein H-Tech springs. S-Techs are also nice and they drop lower. Both will give a great ride quality and more then half the price of coils. But coils are superior.

As for wheels, I would stick with 18x8. Just pick something with a high offset, between +55 and +40 and you won't be rubbing. As for tires, the best size for those rims are going to be 235/40/18.

I say stick with legal tint on that subject. What is the legal limits?

kingofdust

For NYS legal limit is 35% on side windows and anything on the rear. That being said I dont know what the fixed windows are classified as so I fell like I would be okay going dark on the rear sides and legal on the front.

For springs, I have been reading a lot that the front sits higher some of the times, this would bug the heck out of me because my old car had a trunk that sat low like that it looked like crap. So are there springs for the 6speed that give and even look or a front down look?

AustinTaper

6 speeds sit too high. It will bug you. It annoys many who later upgrade to coils, like I did. I wished I did it right the first time. Check out my picture thread in the photograph gallery section, you'll see the uneven stance. It is subtle, but just enough to bug me! Keep in mind that Eibach pro kit has a lower drop rate in front yet the front still sits higher. Go figure that!

After that, check out others in photo gallery section like p.Diddy or Lippstuh, distortedolskool or civicdrvr - all great examples of coils done well.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

The fixed back windows is classified as rear so you can go as dark as you want. I would leave the front sides at 35%, that's dark enough. In fact, that's what I have on my rears. In cali, tinting the front is illegal period. I put 50% in the front but it's pretty light so I doubt I'll get busted for it.

Thats how mine sits right now but it's only half a finger gap difference. If it really bothers you, you should get the coils.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Dont get those $700 coilover kits. The quality is shoddy. Get a quality setup such as AMR or Zeals. They cost more, but theyre worth it. Tein is nice, but a bit over priced for what you get IMO.

kingofdust

civicdrivr I was hoping you would post. My question for you is can I really not go with cheaper coilovers? the AMR's are 1500 and zeal's seem even higher. Are there really no other options if you want a decent stance without thousands of dollars. I havent even found wheels that will look good with my color blue yet.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

The list on the AMRs are $1500. Call Andy, Im 99% sure he'll offer you a price comparable to Teins - if not better. Plus, the AMRs come with a lifetime warranty.

kingofdust

That would be ideal! Please excuse my ignorance but who is Andy? I have been around for a while but still newish.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Andy is the owner of AMR.

kingofdust

Okay so i'm starting this up again as it gets closer to doing some work on the cl.

Looking for a cheap coilover that will last me two years, not looking to slam (nyc roads and long drives upstate) or should I just stick with springs and shocks? I want an even drop of not raked, I hate a saggy butt.

kingofdust

Think i'm pretty much set on the Tein basis, unless someone says something terrible. They fit all my needs and what not, anybody have experience with them bottoming out?

DLntheCL

i had tein basics...for maybe a month before i realized i should have gotten something better in the first place. ended up going with k sports which i still enjoy after a few years and have been problem free, i went with a stiffer spring rate as well, forget what #.

i just didnt like the teins at all. if your going for a very BASIC set up then i guess go for it, i really couldnt tell a difference between tein basics and stock struts, if you want a tighter/firmer suspension then look elsewhere my friend.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

that is interesting... contact ? or where to look for used ones ? i only seen like maybe two since im on the forum

kingofdust

Street, I contacted him and what not, nice enough guy, was willing to come down slightly but didn't seem worth it. If I wanted to spend that much on coils I would just go with the ones Josh came up with at xclr8. They look like a pretty fire deal.

Im think basis because I don't need damper adjustment currently, and I don't want to slam. I am thinking a mild, even drop, with 5mm spacers. Any advice on other things to replace while I have my struts off?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Out of curiosity, what price did he quote you?

kingofdust

Quoted me 1100 to 1200 before shipping, using rebuilt materials and prototype stuff. Well that was what I gathered from his email at least, could be a misscommunication.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Rebuilt materials and prototype stuff

Thats odd. Mine was $1100 ($1175 shipped) for brand new stuff.

kingofdust

Yeah he was talking about rebuilding some stuff and using older things that had defects but still worked for the suspension.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

That doesnt make sense at all.