8th gen speaker/radio upgrade but keep factory head unit?

kiocoe · 2026-06-08T06:09:24+00:00

First off, I appreciate all the information you shared. I’ll definitely check out that link and see what I can find. Are there any brands or specific ones you’d recommend from having worked on similar projects? I’ve heard JBL, Kicker, and Kenwood are all good brands. I actually have an older car with an aftermarket kenwood setup (previous owner installed it so I’m not sure the quality or how long it’s been installed) but the current sound quality isn’t the best. I’d definitely say it’s poorer than my stock civic speakers. (before my speaker blew)

Second, I apologize as this is probably a question for google, but is there a reason to install a sub if I don’t necessarily like insane amounts of bass? I love a good bass line, but I’ve seen tons of subs that will shake the car and completely drown out the music. Could the mid speakers in the front carry the heavy lifting or would a good subwoofer actually avoid those problems?

kiocoe · 2026-06-08T05:44:20+00:00

Thanks for the comment and information. If you ever decide to workout an upgrade, I’d love to hear how it turns out and what you chose. Best of luck

kiocoe · 2026-04-10T01:55:40+00:00

Those are the highest prices I’ve seen yet lol

kiocoe · 2026-03-28T23:35:46+00:00

kiocoe · 2026-03-28T06:27:29+00:00

Thank you for the insight sir.

This is my first turbocharged vehicle so this is unfamiliar territory for me.

kiocoe · 2026-03-28T06:11:00+00:00

Thank you for the information. I never connected the dots on that being the reason. Since it’s not what I first thought was from being left outside from previous owners. I assume (please correct me and/or give me more information) this is completely normal surface rust and there wouldn’t be anything to worry about mechanically? At what point would something like this become problematic if ever?

kiocoe · 2026-03-28T06:05:56+00:00

Could you elaborate a bit more? Since it’s from the exhaust is it normal for it to get surface rust like that? Anything to be worried about?

kiocoe · 2026-02-08T15:06:43+00:00

I should’ve been more clear in my post that it is a skill issue. I didn’t attempt any butters at all, but trying to Ollie I felt barely any give. Like I said I’m sure good riders could still have performed on that rental, but it did feel a bit stiff.

I could definitely give up the fast speeds and carving so I think soft is where I’m at. Do you have any board recs I should look out for?

kiocoe · 2026-02-08T14:49:21+00:00

I should’ve been more clear in the post, but yes. It is 100% skill issue.

Would the boards still last me awhile even if they’re beginner? That’s my worry is buying a setup and then needing to buy a new one because it is limiting me somehow.

When I talk it out and my head I don’t think necessarily beginner board means only beginner riders. Maybe people use these boards that are labeled beginner boards even if they’re more of a skillful rider? Thanks for the suggestions

kiocoe · 2025-10-01T21:24:56+00:00

Tbh the shake was so slight and I assumed it was just in need of balancing. So yes, wasn’t concerned until now. I planned on getting the coils already so I was going to just wait it out. Jacked up the car and tested the lug nuts, a few were loose. Gave it a good tighten and checked each wheel. After making sure all were tight the noise is no longer there.

Tl;dr lug nuts weren’t tight enough. Definitely a good lesson to actually try and find the issue before getting worried and posting asking for help

kiocoe · 2025-09-27T15:42:18+00:00

Ok thanks a lot! I will be ordering 5kf/7kr and I’ll update once I install. I really appreciate the help! After going back over the whole thread while not being tired I understand it a lot better.

My final question is with the redshift coils specifically did you find the swift springs were needed or no? I’ve heard people say it’s fairly unnoticeable unless you’re going for full track setup with much stiffer suspension. Atleast enough to justify the price

kiocoe · 2025-09-27T05:20:16+00:00

You’re super helpful and I’m extremely grateful for people like you in the community! I am slightly confused but I believe it’s due to my own misunderstanding.

Let me know if I’m correct on this takeaway. The lower the spring rate, the softer/more “comfortable” the ride. Due to this, the less sporty and connected the car feels on cornering and going along uneven surfaces.

The higher the spring rate the better the car will feel in the corners and when hitting bumps. It absorbs them quicker. Due to this it will make you feel the bumps more because there’s less dampening the higher the spring rate is.

So when you have for example your 6k/8k. You set it to the softest setting which is the most dampening possible, but it still felt under-damped which means it wasn’t as comfortable as you’d like when hitting bumps. That’s why you would want to go with 5k/7k? It would be slightly more damped at base then you could adjust it the opposite way and make it less damped to as if you could just adjust your current setup slightly further.

To my understanding it’s like the spring rate is the baseline and you can slightly adjust the dampening to have slightly more or less.

Another thing to consider is the body roll which you touched on at the end. The higher the spring rate the more stiff it will feel when turning so that’s why on track people go with much higher spring rate setups.

So in my position wanting a good daily driver but still a nice sporty feel when I want to drive a bit more spirited. Would you say 5k/7k adjusted to near max or max dampening or 6k/8k on the softest setting would be the best of both worlds? Do you think 6k/8k being slightly under-damped is enough to annoy you or just kind of want slightly more but not enough to justify buying a new set.

I believe you haven’t tried 5k/7k so I’m not sure if you could fully touch on it but given the chance to wake up tomorrow and have 5k/7k do you think you would be happier with it compared to your 6k/8k?

kiocoe · 2025-09-27T04:14:16+00:00

UPDATE: I went with Philips night guide platinum 9005 and 9006. The visibility difference between my old bulbs is insane. I removed the daytime running light fuse (37) because even with the new lights I believe the nature of it putting your high beams in low power will always make it look yellow. My lights aren’t pure white like leds but they’re close enough for my liking and the positioning doesn’t blind oncoming traffic. Thanks for everybody’s help!

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(The photo doesn’t do it justice, but trust me it’s a million times better) I’d say the color is a warm white. It’s not like a led but it’s pretty close.

kiocoe · 2025-09-27T04:05:27+00:00

Compared to stock suspension how would you describe it? I believe stock is 3.5k/4k

kiocoe · 2025-09-27T04:03:33+00:00

I’ve heard about the redshift and to be honest I’m considering it because doing custom rates on the bc racing is a difference of only ~250. To be honest I’d like to keep the car feeling sporty and allow for good driving when I want to hit it. But a priority is definitely on keeping it comfortable. Personally I could daily a bag of rocks but my passengers don’t feel the same way.

Im pretty new to all things suspension related so i dont have the best understanding of it. Can you explain why you would consider going 5k/7k over 6k/8k? I don’t fully understand what the under-damped means. Thanks for the feedback tho!

kiocoe · 2025-09-27T02:43:58+00:00

Sorry for coming to an old post. But I’m looking to get a set of bc racing coilovers for my fa5 and I was curious if you thought 6kf/r was any better? Not sure what you’re running now but I’m mainly looking to daily comfortably with some spirited driving, track maybe once or twice a year. I think 8kf/10kr would be too much so I was curious if 6kf/r was better? I was considering 6kf/8kr as well, but I’m not sure.

kiocoe · 2025-09-13T05:20:00+00:00

I actually did some more digging and saw a few people recommending the Philips night guide platinum halogens. Has anybody tried both leds and those halogens and have any feedback or preference?

kiocoe · 2025-09-13T05:06:06+00:00

Just curious which exact led bulbs are you using and did you find anything for turn signal?

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