Rep Power: 0

I recently received a set of Type-S suspension(don't know the size but is bigger than the on EM2 EX has), complete set with mounts, spring, strut. Got the rear installed(the front still waiting for the tie rod end), but I found that for the rear strut, the end that links to the control arm had to be shaved in order to fit. Anyway, have the mechnic done it and installed. So now, the car is bouncing in the rear(sometimes almost throw me off the seat, seat belt on). Probably not balanced for F/R, right(Front heavy?)? But in general, it makes a lot less vibration, the acceleration feel is a lot better, and less jolt when I shift sometimes(sometimes getting so tired and just doing harsh shifting). And, the car's rear is about 2 inches higher than the front....
Now talking about the front, everything just bolt in perfectly(bolts are the same size), except tie rod end. So, if I change it to type-S tie rod end, the car is going to be / \(longer)? But that will handle better than \ /, right?
What can I expect after I drop in the front suspension? More bouncing?

 
Rep Power: 403

get a front camber kit to fix that. i believe you need to mess with ur axels... im not positive about that.

ask some people like hawk that have done the full type S swap

 
Rep Power: 424

You need new end links to fix the toe, not the camber.
Its never going to look right because the springs are different lengths, so I really don't know what the point of doing it was... you're still going to need Civic springs to get the height to work. Toe in tracks better, toe out corners better but wanders. Ideally you want 0 toe.

 
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End links? I think the end links is for sway bar. Are you talking about the outer tie rod?
The RSX-S springs are longer, but the suspension assembly is the same length. So what's the difference bettween that?

 
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82801BA, are you sure the bolt hole that hold the strut in place with the knuckle arms are the same size ? 14mm ?

 
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Yes, I did the actual bolt pass thru before I tried to drop in the suspension(then I found that the tie rod end is too small on the Vic)
Also what I found on my car is, the bolt is not 14mm.

 
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OK, I got what happen now. By researching on the Honda parts website, the 4 bolts of 2001 EX's front is 14mm, and the 2003 EX is 16mm.
This is the illustration:


2001, 2002 EX
23202 012 BOLT, FLANGE (14X67)
369036 014 NUT, FLANGE (14MM)

2003 EX
588383 012 4 BOLT, FLANGE (16X62)
590256 014 4 NUT, FLANGE (16MM)


RSX Type-S

204843 013 4 BOLT, FLANGE (16X62)
204792 015 4 NUT, FLANGE (16MM)

I have a 2003 EX, so no difference w/ respect to RSX-S.....(The knuckle of 01 and 03 EX are different too)

 
Rep Power: 424

Tie rod end link. Same thing as Tie rod end, tie rod ball joint, etc..... And the Front springs are going to hold the front of the car up higher. RSXs have about 9% more of the weight over the front axle than the Civics do.

 
Rep Power: 417

"except tie rod end. So, if I change it to type-S tie rod end, the car is going to be / \(longer)? But that will handle better than \ /, right?"
thats why you get an alignment so that you can have it lookin like | |

01-02 CIVIC: 14mm
Earlier RSXs: 14mm
03-04 CIVIC: 16mm
Newer RSXs: 16mm
I believe you can check the vin on the rsx's to see which bolt size they use.

and ya i agree with boiler, you should have used the civic springs with the rsx shock. rsx shock+rsx spring wouldnt work too great... 1 huge difference being SPRING RATES. sure they fit but do they look/work right... not really

 
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It seems like all RSX(base/S) are 16mm no matter of the year. Anyway, My bolt just fit right in with no loose, and I have a 03 Civic EX, therefore the knuckle will just fit.
If I don't care about the look, what happens will I put the RSX shocks with RSX spring in the car? Going to die?

 
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By the way, does it matter which way I insert the bolt?

 
Rep Power: 417

no but it'll ride different and you'll probably be higher up in the air..
There's about a 100lbs spring rate difference between the civic and the rsx.

nope, doesnt matter which way you insert the bolt

 
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I'll see when I actually do the installation. Thanks for the advise.
If the car is higher up in the air....what will be the problem?

 
Rep Power: 417

nothing, it would just look ugly
also if it does raise, handling wont be as good...
just think of SUVs.. what happens when you take a sharp turn, the top leans a lot and might cause the car to flip over. ok well it wont be as dramatic but exagerating paints a better picture.

 
Rep Power: 424

It'll handle like my car does right now. It won't transition very well at all cuz there's not enough weight to shift the suspension load. The springs in the front are too stiff cuz the JIC kit is set up for the CTR, so they think you got a K20A2 in a mini-minivan. Gotta back the 9K springs off to 7.5K or so... but the 10K springs in the back work just fine.

 
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Well....Now I have the front suspension installed. Nothing different, and the tie rod end is the same length as my Civic, so minor alignment adjustment was made. Now the car handles well(and more comfort, esp. on the freeway), but seems too fast to go oversteer(the front just turn so fast), and the steering wheel is also lighter. In term of the ride height, it doesn't make much difference, except it's about half an inch higher than the Civic one. It doesn't have the problem as people saying the front rises. So generally, the quality is good.

 
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Not much boucy as if only the rear suspension was installed. Vibration on road is reduced. But I can feel the road better.

 
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Are RSX axles thicker/stronger? Because I am looking at getting them for my FI civic. I want my baby to last as long as I can.