springs and shocks

[SikVic Coupe]

Firstly hi everyone (first post newbie),

I enquired about getting my Civic lowered by about 30mm and the lowering guy told me that he would only do it if I changed my shocks too. BTW, these were for Pedders springs and shocks. Another workshop I enquired about were happy to just fit King springs and didn't mention anything about needing to change my shocks.
Do I really need to change my shocks given I'm only mildly lowering the car or is the first guy just trying to rip me off? As far as I'm aware my stock shocks are not damaged/worn in any way.

[Chad]

its not really to do with them being damged, its just that u could be decreassing the usable length of your shock absorbers nows, say they had 100mm of damping length before, u now have dropped it 30mm and only 70% of the original shocks ability, so there is a much better chance of it bototming out, becuase it is designed to use teh full length of the shock,

and just because teh car is lowered doesnt mean it will handle better, although in this case, its not going toooo far so the handling may not change toooo much.

so if u can get shocks to suit the new springs, that will make the ride and handling lots lots bettererer

[demuire]

Also, aside from decreased usable length of the shock, lowered springs are usually stiffer than standard springs. This would mean that your shocks would then be too "soft" for the springs and won't provide adequate damping.

Always best to get matched springs and shocks if you can afford them.

[Chad]

that lasst bit was a bit harsh mr gemini

we all take short cuts in performance circles, some of us know better and some of us dont, but maybe the shocks are a plan for the future? I'm sure u have taken shortcuts in the past? this is a tech section of a performance car forum and a question like that has weight here.

cool bananas???

[SikVic Coupe]

OK cool,
Looks like I'll have to replace the dampers too then. I was planning to do it just for the look but didn't realise that the travel may be affected (it's already a harsh ride for the 17" wheels).
And thanks for the replies.

[edit] BTW, which brand is better; Pedders, King or Monroe?

[demuire]

I personally like King springs and Koni shocks... but that's just me.

I've heard Monroe aren't fantastic. I used to have them on my Excel and didn't think they were particularly bad though. Pedders, not very sure...