Regarding your intake question, cai is the best bet. http://www.kseriesparts.com/cr/producttests.html

 

If you're only looking for a mild ~1 inch drop, you should go with aspec. You can find them new or used on the forums in the market place. You get the ~1 inch drop, a little better performance, and retain comfort.

1. You can also throw in springs in the stock struts. My car came with B&G springs (2.25 inch drop) and they rode like ass. I heard they'd blow your struts quickly, but it didn't happen to me.

2. Camber will not be necessary for a drop that low.

3. Heard good things about teins but no person experience there.

4. Used springs... I'd rather get an aspec set.

 

If you're only looking for a mild ~1 inch drop, you should go with aspec. You can find them new or used on the forums in the market place. You get the ~1 inch drop, a little better performance, and retain comfort.

1. You can also throw in springs in the stock struts. My car came with B&G springs (2.25 inch drop) and they rode like ass. I heard they'd blow your struts quickly, but it didn't happen to me.

2. Camber will not be necessary for a drop that low.

3. Heard good things about teins but no person experience there.

4. Used springs... I'd rather get an aspec set.

Shocks/struts are a better upgrade than lowering springs, hands down. People think that lowering the car with "stiffer" springs is good for handling. They're wrong.

Best investment is to take a course
1) Driver
2) alignment
3) shocks/springs
4) Sways
5) springs

http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?t=525861&highlight=driver+shocks+alignment

 

I bought my '03 Type-S in 2005 with 19k miles. I've got 97k now and it was on H&R springs when I bought it. I haven't had any issues with the struts blowing out. The car developed a slight squeak in the passenger rear strut. I just swapped the whole thing for the A-Spec kit and drove a half mile. The squeak is gone, and after looking at the old shocks the rubber caps at the tops are old, worn, and tearing. Probably where the noise was coming from.

The H&R springs were REALLY bouncy, especially with larger rims and lower profile tires. But it never bothered me. I think overall, unless you want to spend over $1000 the A-Spec is the best way to go. It is only $650 new from AcuraOEMParts.com They are an Acura dealer in Florida and have great prices.

 

Thanks for the replies!

Perez, I'll take a look at the Injen CAI. I might even bolt that on first.

Peter and Kawi, at $650, A-spec is a bit more than I'm ready to pay for a slight drop. Pro-kit springs are $230 on Amazon. From what I'm seeing, stock struts should be able to handle a 1" drop, at least for as long as I plan to have the car. I'm just looking to get closer to the road. Might as well enjoy your drive to/from work, right?

Robbclark, I agree that upgraded shocks/struts, especially combined w spring, bars, and wheels/tires are far superior to springs alone. However, this is a commuter car that I'd simply like to drop an inch without paying for a full setup. I also plan to keep her on smooth, straight freeways so I'm not too concerned with getting it done "right."

While I appreciate anyone taking the time to share their input, suggesting that my first upgrade should be enrolling in a driving course or, as you told rbeetz, "learning how to drive correctly" comes off as condescending. I know my commute pretty well by this point and I don't intend to subject her to aggressive driving like I did the Del Sol.

 

It's your car, do what you want. Just don't come back and complain "my shocks are blown and my car rides like shit." They told you that Aspec is the way to go for commuter, but again it's your car. Asking for opinions will really get you nowhere because everyone has a different opinion.

 

Yeah and you don't have to abuse your car to drive it aggressively. But anyways, the A-spec dampers/shocks are paired to the springs so it won't bounce like springs would with shock struts would. They are like plug and play. I use them for my daily/commuter

 

where is everybody getting the aspec set up from ?

 

I live in Ohio so I picked mine up from http://www.parkacuraoemparts.com

 

Where can i get aspec in toronto?

 

check the market place or the canada for sale threads, go into the chat threads and ask some of the guys. i'm sure some of them are letting go stuff that you're looking for