suspension update query
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suspension update query
Damn gas prices have convinced me to keep my '02 Civic EX 5-speed coupe; just replaced Bridgestone RE 950's with 960's(950's no longer available); car has 48K miles. OK, after 3 'vettes ,4 Shelbys and other assorted muscle cars, I know my straight ahead driving reflexes ain't what they used to be. BUT, my wife and I can still corner with the best of them(our CRX was a good example). So here's the deal: how about some opinions.....what do you think I should do, in what order, to make the 02 better, suspension wise? Thanx.
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Re: suspension update query
your tuning tree should look like this..
1. Driver
2. Tires
3. Alignment
4. Dampers
5. springs/anti-roll bars
6. Chassis braces & bushings
Start at the top and work down.
So, Aside from you... Tires should be your next tweak, as they are ultimatly the only thing touching the ground and therefor the only thing that can generate traction.
From there start tweaking your alignment. Pick up a camber kit for the front and rear and set it up with -1.5 deg camber on the nose, -.5 on the rear, with 1/32nd toe out on the front and 1/32nd toe in on the rear. its a good street sport alignment that should greatly improve cornering while still maintaining OEM like wear.
Then on to dampers.... OEM dampers suck, they are bairly able to deal with the OEM springs.. So depending on your tuning buget you should be looking to swap them out for a good performance set. I like Konis, but Bilstiens may very well be the better choice for you. Tokico's are an option as well.
And on to springs/anti-rollbars. You dont nessiarly need a "coilover" as a good lowering spring + a good damper will perform just as well if not better then your average pre-built coilover. So pick one that has a drop you like (assuming you want to change springs) and be done with it.
For anti-roll bars. Pick up an RSX's rear bar either in 19mm or 21 the thicker one will reduce understeer more then the 19mm but that also means that its tendency to oversteer will have grown. For front bars... you may want an 03+'s 15.9mm to replace your 25.4mm, but that should be left low on your list.
and finally... chassis braces & bushings. Lower control arm bushings will help improve the cars consistency and its ability to maintain its alignment while under load. Chassis braces will also help improve the cars predictability.
1. Driver
2. Tires
3. Alignment
4. Dampers
5. springs/anti-roll bars
6. Chassis braces & bushings
Start at the top and work down.
So, Aside from you... Tires should be your next tweak, as they are ultimatly the only thing touching the ground and therefor the only thing that can generate traction.
From there start tweaking your alignment. Pick up a camber kit for the front and rear and set it up with -1.5 deg camber on the nose, -.5 on the rear, with 1/32nd toe out on the front and 1/32nd toe in on the rear. its a good street sport alignment that should greatly improve cornering while still maintaining OEM like wear.
Then on to dampers.... OEM dampers suck, they are bairly able to deal with the OEM springs.. So depending on your tuning buget you should be looking to swap them out for a good performance set. I like Konis, but Bilstiens may very well be the better choice for you. Tokico's are an option as well.
And on to springs/anti-rollbars. You dont nessiarly need a "coilover" as a good lowering spring + a good damper will perform just as well if not better then your average pre-built coilover. So pick one that has a drop you like (assuming you want to change springs) and be done with it.
For anti-roll bars. Pick up an RSX's rear bar either in 19mm or 21 the thicker one will reduce understeer more then the 19mm but that also means that its tendency to oversteer will have grown. For front bars... you may want an 03+'s 15.9mm to replace your 25.4mm, but that should be left low on your list.
and finally... chassis braces & bushings. Lower control arm bushings will help improve the cars consistency and its ability to maintain its alignment while under load. Chassis braces will also help improve the cars predictability.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,857
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
Rep Power: 411 Re: suspension update query
your tuning tree should look like this..
1. Driver
2. Tires
3. Alignment
4. Dampers
5. springs/anti-roll bars
6. Chassis braces & bushings
Start at the top and work down.
So, Aside from you... Tires should be your next tweak, as they are ultimatly the only thing touching the ground and therefor the only thing that can generate traction.
From there start tweaking your alignment. Pick up a camber kit for the front and rear and set it up with -1.5 deg camber on the nose, -.5 on the rear, with 1/32nd toe out on the front and 1/32nd toe in on the rear. its a good street sport alignment that should greatly improve cornering while still maintaining OEM like wear.
Then on to dampers.... OEM dampers suck, they are bairly able to deal with the OEM springs.. So depending on your tuning buget you should be looking to swap them out for a good performance set. I like Konis, but Bilstiens may very well be the better choice for you. Tokico's are an option as well.
And on to springs/anti-rollbars. You dont nessiarly need a "coilover" as a good lowering spring + a good damper will perform just as well if not better then your average pre-built coilover. So pick one that has a drop you like (assuming you want to change springs) and be done with it.
For anti-roll bars. Pick up an RSX's rear bar either in 19mm or 21 the thicker one will reduce understeer more then the 19mm but that also means that its tendency to oversteer will have grown. For front bars... you may want an 03+'s 15.9mm to replace your 25.4mm, but that should be left low on your list.
and finally... chassis braces & bushings. Lower control arm bushings will help improve the cars consistency and its ability to maintain its alignment while under load. Chassis braces will also help improve the cars predictability.
1. Driver
2. Tires
3. Alignment
4. Dampers
5. springs/anti-roll bars
6. Chassis braces & bushings
Start at the top and work down.
So, Aside from you... Tires should be your next tweak, as they are ultimatly the only thing touching the ground and therefor the only thing that can generate traction.
From there start tweaking your alignment. Pick up a camber kit for the front and rear and set it up with -1.5 deg camber on the nose, -.5 on the rear, with 1/32nd toe out on the front and 1/32nd toe in on the rear. its a good street sport alignment that should greatly improve cornering while still maintaining OEM like wear.
Then on to dampers.... OEM dampers suck, they are bairly able to deal with the OEM springs.. So depending on your tuning buget you should be looking to swap them out for a good performance set. I like Konis, but Bilstiens may very well be the better choice for you. Tokico's are an option as well.
And on to springs/anti-rollbars. You dont nessiarly need a "coilover" as a good lowering spring + a good damper will perform just as well if not better then your average pre-built coilover. So pick one that has a drop you like (assuming you want to change springs) and be done with it.
For anti-roll bars. Pick up an RSX's rear bar either in 19mm or 21 the thicker one will reduce understeer more then the 19mm but that also means that its tendency to oversteer will have grown. For front bars... you may want an 03+'s 15.9mm to replace your 25.4mm, but that should be left low on your list.
and finally... chassis braces & bushings. Lower control arm bushings will help improve the cars consistency and its ability to maintain its alignment while under load. Chassis braces will also help improve the cars predictability.
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