I think they are totally worth it! See post:
https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threads/spoon-rigid-collars-installed-on-fl5.51579/
To answer your question, I haven't lowered it. The gap was filled up with meaty tires (265/40/18).
I can confirm that this was the right part number and it was exact same product as OEM filter. These were assembled in Japan by Roki.
Anyway, I grabbed plenty of them for 37 bucks each but some dealerships here in SoCal didn't have them in stock and was charging $67 each to order them.
This...