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(long post, please bare with me)

Hello, this is my first post here..
I drive a '03 Civic SI. I have to admit it's a fun car to drive and i've been pushing this little thing. Just got an AEM V2 air intake on it so far. I'm DEFINITLY (big dreams) planning on doing lots more (motor wise, then exterior etc..).

Okay the boring part is over with.. keep reading!

Last weekend I tried to take a turn going a little too fast (maybe I could of took it if I hit the gas instead of brakes) and I skidded off to the side and ran over two metal poles (the ones that have the yellow arrows to help drivers). That same night I got a flat tire, probably from what was in the grass.. My rain guard ripped off and that was it. So the day AFTER that I took the highway to pick up my mom and I noticed whenever I went over 70mph my steering felt loose and shaky. So I called up some peoples and I was advise to have my alignment checked. I was told it needed an alignment, had it done, rotated my tires and now it does the same thing but only at around 85mph.

What gives? Could it be the plug in the tire? The tire maybe got worn on one spot when I skidded and now it has improper wear? Maybe a bent rim? Suspension problem (someone mentioned the lower control arm)?

OK.. my second question is about the VTEC in this car, it was said the k20a3 doesn't have high speed cams or whatever like the k20a2. What has to be replaced to, let's say, "fix that". Do I need to buy the whole block and have that replaced, or I can just swap the cylinder heads from a Type-S.

Notice I don't know much about cars yet but im slowly learning.

Thank you for your input..

Fabio

 
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the first thing I would suggest for your suspension would be to start checking the tie rods, steering rack, axles, control arms for anything that may be bent or something got knocked out of place. you said you ran over 2 poles, so thats my guess. Also check the rims for any damage, your tires may have possibly come out of balance when you hit those poles. And now you just need them re-balanced.

Also do you have the alignment angles before they did the alignment and after they did the alignment?

 
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Ok, I do have a nice Jack, I don't have jack stands though.. I also don't know where any of those things are, exept the lower control arm because the dude at tire kingdom showed me. I would have to take it to a shop and explain the issue. I shall do that when money comes. CREAM. I will also ask about balancing my tires. Thank you.

As far as the angles no I don't. He did show me on the screens some numbers like 2.6 on the left tire, and 1.8 on the right one. He said my right one was a little low, but the alignment would NOT change those numbers. Those numbers are permanent.. The numbers were still in the "green" area not the red "danger" zone though..

Thank you for the reply

 
Rep Power: 452

well the only reason I asked if you had the alignment specs was to see if before you got the alignment if anything looked way out of spec. Alot of times when you cause damage to suspenion components from hitting something, it will show up on your alignment angles. one spec will usually be way out of spec. But normal alignment angles or ones a bit out of spec wont cause any vibration issues, usually alignments are needed when you start showing abnormal tire wear (if not caused by low or too much tire pressure), or if the car starts pulling heavy to one side.

the shop should have given you a sheet of your before and after alignment specs.

just look over everything really good, again look at all suspension components, the rims, hubs, everything for any signs of damage.