Extended Top Hats

gtcali

Just installed GC coilovers a couple of weeks ago. Stock dampers for now. I'm thinking about getting some extended top hats. Who uses them? Thoughts? I'm thinking of getting front and rear, or should I just worry about getting the fronts?

I can push down on the rear and the car will go down. If I push on the front, it doesn't seem to go down. My bumpstops have been cut in half.

luis808

I am a fan of tophats if you are running stock struts or even aftermarket struts but slammed. They help retain some of the strut travel when lowering.

hondamatic

I have them. Don't go too long or you'll hit your hood

gtcali

Before and after effects? Or were they installed from the get go?

luis808

less bottoming out(struts)

dirtydirty

yes less bottoming out of the strut
will improve the ride a great deal also along keeping your struts from blowing out nearly as fast

gtcali

Update: Installed ebay extended top hats. Fronts only. Reused the stock bushings and shortened bumpstops. The ride is so much better. Now I need to save for better dampers, but honestly the stocks currently feel like they are doing the job.

Chaucer87

Can extended top hats cause the car to become more bouncy? Too much travel, while the car mostly sits on the spring?

dirtydirty

only if the struts are blown to begin with

Chaucer87

@dirtydirty they are accord front shocks with 1" extended top hat. They are new kyb gr-2 shocks. Somehow they ride less bouncy without the custom hats.

1sleeperwagon

Ok have made my own top hats and running Ebay coils and KYB AGX's and love the ride no issues for 6 months. I'm running 3" in the front and I have 2" for the rear just havn't needed to put them in yet.