Ok guys 'n' girls, to add to J_D's comprehensive upgrade, I thought I'd fill you in on mine too.

This is my setup so far (yes...it's far from ideal):

Standard springs - front/rear
Koni shocks - rear (top perch) only 11,000 miles old
OEM shocks - front
Standard bushes all round except for the rear lower rear bush on the nearside. I had to get this sorted just after I bought the car to get the camber back in spec.

All of the above is how it was when I purchased the car back in October.

This is my plan:

Add Konis (Larkspeed) to the front.
Add Tein (SRB Power) springs all round.
Set the rear Konis onto the lower perch. I'm doing this as the ride height is actually higher than stock on the top perch.
Polybush (Amber Performance) throughout.
Add Mugen compliance bushes (TDI) when they arrive.

I've calculated that I'll get a 20-25mm drop by using the lower perches and Teins, negating the need for half shaft/steering rack spacers.

Having left it quite late to order the compliance bushes, I know I'll be waiting 2-3 weeks, so will be looking to get the rear polybushed, the new shocks and Tein springs fitted this weekend, leaving the front 'til the Mugen bushes arrive.

I have the luxury of a lift and all the tools I'll need at my disposal, as the owner is away at the MX5 spring rally for the weekend.

I soaked the bolts in copious amounts of lubricant last weekend when installing the Spoon N1, and they will get another soaking before I reach for the electric gun/spanners.

I am armed to the teeth with reciprocating saw/hacksaw blades and plenty of enthusiasm. Fortunately, my JDM was only imported in '07, so hasn't seen much in the way of salty UK roads, when compared to a UK car of similar age. I am fully aware of how painful this upgrade can be, and have no illusions as to the problems I may face, especially as I'll be doing 80% of the work on my own.

It's going to be a loooonnnngggg weekend.

 

Hi mate,

Great to hear your upgrading your suspension.

Just a quick piece of advice. I would make plans for a least a couple of weekends as this is a very big job, which I under estimated.

It took 3 of us a full day to dismantle the rear arms, and it takes about half an hour to cut through each bolt which I had to cut 7 in total. It took 3 of us another day to do the front and to remove all the bushes as you have to burn them out then chisel out the outer bush ring which takes ages.

You'll also have to order new bolts from honda which take a few days so you'll probabley need at least 2 weekends maybe 3 If your on your own.

Good look mate.

 

Cheers for the advice J_D. I'm going to test each bolt on the rear tonight to see if they move. If some don't, then I'll make a call to Honda Saturday morning to order the relevant bolts ready to fit them during the week.

I've got a decent blowtorch to burn the bushes, but may well just use the drill and chisel method, as I have done in the past.

 

 

Someone on here had a press for sale.
I would reccomend that over making smelly bonfires

 

This one .....

 

Update:

So far nothing substantial, other than the wheels have been removed from the car.

I've removed 3/4 alignment bolts, the toe arm bolts and the shock lower bolts. The lower wishbone ball joints have been separated. My method for this is to remove the castle nuts, refit them loosely, then apply some force with a lump hammer to the wishbone to separate the joint. Using a ball joint splitter usually busts the rubber boot, so I chose my tried and tested brute force/ignorance method.

I have encountered seized bolts already. I can't remove four of the nuts, let alone the bolts on both rear/upper wishbones, so have left them soaking in penetrating oil overnight. The same can be said for the camber adjuster on the offside. If a little heat and persuasion don't work tomorrow, then I'll be straight on the phone to Honda to order some more, ready to fit next week, chopping the old bolts out with a reciprocating saw. Fortunately the aforementioned bolts are easily accessible so shouldn't prove too difficult to get out.

I plan to tie the hubs onto the subframe with a bit of rope, preventing any damage to the ABS sensors when the wishbones come off.

An early start tomorrow will hopefully see the rear wishbones and all the dampers removed. Removal of the old bushes and installation of the new ones is scheduled to start on Sunday. I managed to persuade my boss to let me have Monday off, which I'll use to install the new springs and put everything back together.
In the meantime, I have a crappy H reg, wildly under steering Micra to keep me mobile.

 

Good progress
BTW do you know what the spring rates are?

 

Cheers

I haven't got a clue about the spring rates to be honest. I bought them because I heard good things about them, and the fact that they don't make the car too low.

I'm itching to get going again tomorrow!

 

Update:

Three of the four wishbones at the rear are off. I'm currently chopping my way through a really tough camber adjustment bolt...it's taking forever!

I needed a break from that, removed the bushes from one of the upper arms, along with the metal collars, and installed the new Polybushes.

This afternoon, I'll get back on track with the plan and chop the rest of the bolt out, remove the front dampers and install the Tein springs. *Hopefully* I'll be ahead of progress and may remove some more bushes before the day is over.