My shock absorbers need replacing. What can I replace them with?
It used to be the solution to get your shockers refitted with Koni inserts. In the early 2010s, supply of these all but dried up.
A band of owner - engineers banded together and prototyped, vigorously tested and signed off on what is now a variety of adjustablecadjustable solutions for all the 1st Gen Civic models around the world.
Civic coilovers with adjustable height, adjustable camber, and if installed so, adjustable castor.
These are manufactured and available worldwide from BC Racing, and fit the CVCC, 1200, and wagon models (with the latter only being rears from memory).
A couple of spring rates are available. The default rate offered is catered for track and hillclimb (7kg front, 5kg rear), and many find too bumpy for regular street driving (especially with speed bumps).
Most owners have found 4kg front, 2kg rear a comfortable ride, smooth over bumps but still an upgrade over the stock struts.
The low style coilover can be adjusted to go all the way down so the body basically touches the ground, if you so wish to. The regular coilover will also go very low, but can be adjusted back up to the stock ride height.
The dampers have 15+/- steps to soften and stiffen the ride.
Can't I just modify some later model Civic coilovers to fit?
You could, but that would require engineering, labour, and risking both safety and abiding by local laws. Conversely, the BC Racing RA coilovers are a complete bolt - in solution. They are the best bang for your buck for handling, and in 2020 remain the ONLY off the shelf solution.
If you have any questions not covered here, ask over at the Facebook group.
There are many people to thank for the effort made in producing these coilovers. I'll update this with further details and links to purchase as I can.