Hey guys...I've already got a good idea of what I wanna do...
But I thought I'd get some opinions from you guys.
Right now....stock.....and I plan to run a few events that way, to "learn the car". (Lesson learned from the EM2)
Future....within two months..... Progress Springs or Ground Control springs (custom spring rate? what do you recommend for the EP3's?....best guess?)
After that, it'll be the Progress Rear Sway bar/tie bar.
Then...when the winter hits, and I have more overtime available....
Either JIC's or TEIN Flex with EDFC (Haven't decided yet....opinions?)
Inbetween there somewhere, I'll be stiffening the rear with either the Cusco Rear Strut bar, or Mugen Rear Strut bar (for the DC5, some mod required)...and maybe a front strut bar (I've got too much "hop" in the corners with the stock suspension).
Overall....the stock suspension for the 04 EP3 is pretty damn nice. I'm impressed, and on my "fun road" I've almost gotten it up to the old EM2's level...but the stock tires SUCK....so I'm affraid of going off the side of a cliff, lol.
So.....I know you guys don't have to deal with EP3's too often...but some helpfull input would be GREAT!!! (Like ideas for custom spring rates)
Why get springs/sleeves when you are going to swap them out with true coils? That is a waste of money. EDFC is a gimmick. Tein will have better customer service than JIC. Compare spring rates and the difference between front and rear. The progress bars are nice. I don't know what to suggest for you to start with.
All knowledge from the EM2 should carry over. Only difference being more weight over the front end. Change the rear sway bar, get some stiff stuff, adjust the front sway bar to suit your level of tail happiness.
As far as JIC/Tein... both their customer services aren't the best. But I have had better luck getting straight answers from JIC than I did from Tein while I was shopping.
After the fact, the JIC people have been pretty helpful about sorting little issues out.
EDFC isn't legal for racing, so just forget about it.
Test-n-Tune... But to start, I get a set of konis.
Grassroots Motorsports did a build up of an EP3 a few years ago, they ran Konis with ground controls + ground controls camber plates.
They started out with 550LB/in front and 900LB/in rears, and although the car handled great, they felt that it was WAY too stiff for any kind of street use, so They droped it to a Less Filling rattling rate of 425LB/in front and 550 LB/In rear.
Only down side I see with the EP3 over the EM2 is the extra weight, but you should be able to make up the loss in handling by having more power for the straights.
Why dont you stiffen up with strut bars while on the stock suspension first? Then go with a coilover system with adjustability. What about the tein ss? Or if you want performance over street, the mugen or spoon suspension systems(money will be an issue here)?
Why get springs/sleeves when you are going to swap them out with true coils? That is a waste of money. EDFC is a gimmick. Tein will have better customer service than JIC. Compare spring rates and the difference between front and rear. The progress bars are nice. I don't know what to suggest for you to start with.
True...it IS a waste of money....for now. GC's will run me about $200 MAX....and they'll last me for quite some time...until I can save up enough for FULL coilovers.
I guess my reason for sleeves v. coils is GC's have been used...and WON with on MANY cars.
My reasoning for going with GC's v. waiting for FULL coilovers...is..well...I'm just impatient, lol. And I'm tired of my EP3 looking like it's a damn 4x4, lol.
Only difference being more weight over the front end. Change the rear sway bar, get some stiff stuff, adjust the front sway bar to suit your level of tail happiness.
I agree with the rear sway and the "stiff stuff"....but....call me ignorant here....HOW WOULD I ADJUST THE FRONT SWAY BAR?!?!? Unless you mean getting a smaller/larger bar and replacing it entirely. To the best of my knowledge, the EP3 front bar is NOT adjustable.....but if it is...WOO HOO!!! lol
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As far as JIC/Tein... both their customer services aren't the best. But I have had better luck getting straight answers from JIC than I did from Tein while I was shopping.
After the fact, the JIC people have been pretty helpful about sorting little issues out.
I have enough faith in BOTH companies that I don't think customer service is going to be an issue....but DEF. something to think about...THANKS!
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EDFC isn't legal for racing, so just forget about it.
REALLY?!?!? Damn...ok....THAT'S out of the question!
Test-n-Tune... But to start, I get a set of konis.
Grassroots Motorsports did a build up of an EP3 a few years ago, they ran Konis with ground controls + ground controls camber plates.
They started out with 550LB/in front and 900LB/in rears, and although the car handled great, they felt that it was WAY too stiff for any kind of street use, so They droped it to a Less Filling rattling rate of 425LB/in front and 550 LB/In rear.
Only down side I see with the EP3 over the EM2 is the extra weight, but you should be able to make up the loss in handling by having more power for the straights.
Excellent stuff! THANK YOU!!!
BTW...the gain in power for the straights will be VERY nice...but I think it's a null point being as the weight distribution is so F'd up that (at my current driving ability) I won't be able to compensate during the entrance/exit of a corner to really benefit... ...but I'll get better eventually!!! AND the BTCC Civic Type-R's give me hope...if THEY can do it...I CAN DO IT!!! (With enough $$ and enough PRACTICE!!! lol)
Hotchkis makes a sport sway bar set, with a 25.4mm front bar and a 25.4mm rear bar.
both are 2 point adjustible (hollow). Now, I'm only interested in the Rear bar, and Hotchkis told me flat out that they will not sell me Just the rear bar.
So heres my Proposition. If I were to order the whole set, would you be interested in buying the front bar that I'm not going to use? (it should fit the Si) it comes with bushings and brackets but no endlinks.
Hotchkis makes a sport sway bar set, with a 25.4mm front bar and a 25.4mm rear bar.
both are 2 point adjustible (hollow). Now, I'm only interested in the Rear bar, and Hotchkis told me flat out that they will not sell me Just the rear bar.
So heres my Proposition. If I were to order the whole set, would you be interested in buying the front bar that I'm not going to use? (it should fit the Si) it comes with bushings and brackets but no endlinks.
Ive been looking around for good deals on the pacage,
Hotchkiss Lists it at $299, but I've found it at other sites for around 270-280.
I was thinking of Half the total cost? so thats around $130
I'm probably going to get the set any way, but if I could get rid of the front bar it would be more of an insentive to get it sooner. (I have a little 89 Si that I need to chase down )
Ive been looking around for good deals on the pacage,
Hotchkiss Lists it at $299, but I've found it at other sites for around 270-280.
I was thinking of Half the total cost? so thats around $130
I'm probably going to get the set any way, but if I could get rid of the front bar it would be more of an insentive to get it sooner. (I have a little 89 Si that I need to chase down )
Well...if you can CONFIRM that the front will fit my EP3...and it's around $130. You got a deal. Gimme about a week or two to get the $$ allocated for it, and we're golden.
Oh...and if that front fits the EP3...will an '03 coupe front sway fit the EP3?
...but I'll get better eventually!!! 
AND the BTCC Civic Type-R's give me hope...if THEY can do it...I CAN DO IT!!! (With enough $$ and enough PRACTICE!!! lol) 
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