David's 2001 Civic EV (80-100 mile range; 65+ MPH; 8 second 0-60)

[TheSGC]

Originally Posted by darcane

Were the Skunk2 springs lowering springs?

I just installed GCs on my Civic. Stock rear spring for the kit is 5 inches long, 425 lbs/in spring rate. My goal was to lower it, so I didn't check how high I could get rear of the car. But, the kit is intended to adjust up to stock height.

Granted, that is without a pile of batteries in the trunk.

How much weight do you have back there? 1200lbs/in is going to be way too stiff unless you have a lot more batteries than I think you do. Stock spring rate is only about 250 lbs/in, so that is about five times as stiff. I'd guess you'll want something around 500-600 lbs/in, 6" tall and the adjustability of the coilovers will get you the height you need.

For the best answer, call up Ground Control directly. I had to call them up and they had good customer service and were very helpful. If you tell them what you are doing, I'm sure they can recommend a spring that will be perfect.

Ground Control Suspension Systems

I have about 700 lbs in the trunk, including batteries, battery box and charger. Yeah, the Skunk2's are lowering coils, but I've put them to their highest setting which worked great until the batteries were in the trunk. I'm figure each of the rear wheels is holding ~950 lbs and I am sagging about 2 inches due to the 450lb/in spring weight. I'm thinking 1000 lbs/in might be better, then it should only sag an inch or so.

I am going to give GC a call.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by TheSGC

I have about 700 lbs in the trunk, including batteries, battery box and charger. Yeah, the Skunk2's are lowering coils, but I've put them to their highest setting which worked great until the batteries were in the trunk. I'm figure each of the rear wheels is holding ~950 lbs and I am sagging about 2 inches due to the 450lb/in spring weight. I'm thinking 1000 lbs/in might be better, then it should only sag an inch or so.

I am going to give GC a call.

Remember, it's not just lbs, it's "lbs per inch". If the 450lb/in spring is compressed 3", then it is holding a load of 1350lbs. Switch to 1000lb/in with the same length and your spring will only be compressed 1.35".

Note, I said spring, and wasn't referring to ride height. Your suspension acts as a lever to increase the load at the spring, I'd guess by about 50% on the rear (I'd have to measure to determine exactly). So, 950lbs at the wheel is probably ~1400lbs at the spring.

Increasing your spring rate means your suspension will be underdamped as well, unless you replace the shock too. Going to a taller spring with a similar spring rate may be a better option if you can.

[TheSGC]

I called GC and talk to them a bit and ended up ordering 6" springs with 1000 lbs/inch rate. I do have new gas shocks and adjustable cambers.

I should have them next week, then I will install them and try them out.

[TheSGC]

I got the new springs and installed them last week and wow what a difference!

I'll get some pics up later tonight, but the car is at stock height now and drives great. I haven't driven it to work yet because I need to check the status of the single plug at work, but my dad has been driving it and loves it.

The weather is starting to get cold here so next on my list is getting insulation around the battery pack. I might also upgrade the heater for some more heat. I have a 1000 watt installed, but runs at 1500 watts. I might upgrade to the 2000 watt to handle the nasty winters better, but I want to wait until some snow before doing that.

[TheSGC]

Here is what the new height looks like:




The Civic rides really well when at stock height and now looks completely normal.

I'm now investigating the sole 110v outlet at my company. I've been told I can use it, and there are parking spots 5 feet from it. I just need to make sure it's still active, then I will start driving to work in my EV!

[Daox]

Looks great! Good luck with the plugging in. I've heard it all from people, some companies dont want to do it 'cause everyone will want to if we let you', and then some don't care at all, still others make you pay for the electricity (big whoop).

[TheSGC]

Originally Posted by Daox

Looks great! Good luck with the plugging in. I've heard it all from people, some companies dont want to do it 'cause everyone will want to if we let you', and then some don't care at all, still others make you pay for the electricity (big whoop).

I already have permission to use it, and if I start using it regularly they will install full blown level II chargers with J1772.

My dad just sent me a text saying the heater needs to be slightly more powerful, so I'm going to order up the 1500 watt version, which should give me ~1900 watts at 144v DC.

[Daox]

Wow, that is awesome! Nice company.

[TheSGC]

I upgrade my heater this weekend because my dad complained it wasn't hot enough. I have not tested it yet, I'm going to do one my round of bleeding the air from the system and hope that it wont burn out when I turn it on!

I also picked up a J1772 socket and plug! I'm going to install in the coming week or so, but once I do I will be able to use all the public charging stations!

[Daox]

I thought you had one of those already? What are you using right now?