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EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Old 08-10-2011, 05:09 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Originally Posted by MadLorGLK
Pls Help...

We were unable to install the DC5 Front LCAs on my ep
This was needed since I have 17x8.5+45 on 255/40/17 azenis and it would have pushed out the hub 15mm to change the offset from +45 to +30. So next option is 15 mm spacers. Do you guys know if there is a difference in the way your offset is changed by using the DC5 Front LCA's vs the spacers? I'm not talking about the amount but more about the location of the where the "push" is coming from. As the spacer is directly on the hub and pushes the entire wheel out from the center vs the LCA's which I think pushes the wheels out from a lower position. Not sure if I'm making sense here.

Pic for reference. It seems that at this spec the tires are already way past the fenders. I'm thinking if I add 15mm spacers it would pass the fenders even more. But if I don't add spacers then we might be hitting the inside. I have the J's fenders that coming in a couple of months but for Nisei this saturday I wanted to use the oem fenders in the meantime. Any tips on how to make this work.
OK, here is a little trick with lca's....you pretty much need to pull apart the whole suspension....even the axle nut so you can move the knuckel around on the axle... the brake caliper needs to be off and hang it with a bent coat hanger from the coilover spring..the 3 bolts that hold the coilover to the strut tower should be loose so you can swing the coilover around.

go at it like this.....
1) slide the lca into the sub frame and install the bolts( with nothing attached to the lca!)
2) with the knuckel loose( loose = axle nut not installed but axle in the knuckel) on the axle, install it on the lower balljoint...install lower balljoint nut....
3) now install the 2 bolts that attach the knuckel to the coilover
4) next is the tie rod end and brake caliper
5) now you do the sway if you are using one...
6) now tighten every thing up and start working on your alinemt and ride hight.

hope that helps
Old 08-20-2011, 12:04 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Question: Is there any way to see if my stock rear shocks are blown?

Everytime I go over a speed bump slow, my rear end just jumps up (sometimes makes me catch air from my seat). My cousin said that my rear shocks aren't good. I'm not sure if my rears are completely blown or just going bad.
Old 08-20-2011, 06:13 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Originally Posted by b_ron
Question: Is there any way to see if my stock rear shocks are blown?

Everytime I go over a speed bump slow, my rear end just jumps up (sometimes makes me catch air from my seat). My cousin said that my rear shocks aren't good. I'm not sure if my rears are completely blown or just going bad.
Push it down hard. If it bounces its blown.
Old 08-20-2011, 12:32 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Like a noticeable oscillation/bounce when pushing down?
Old 08-20-2011, 05:41 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Originally Posted by b_ron
Like a noticeable oscillation/bounce when pushing down?
ya. should go back up then down a little. if it goes up twice thats bad news.
Old 08-21-2011, 11:43 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

my rule is you get the car bouncing, let go on the down stroke....the car should rize up and then settle at ride hight. If it does any more than that....dampers are blown.
Old 08-21-2011, 03:51 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

It takes a lot of force to push it down. If i give it a good push downward, it will bounce once.

Any recommendations to replace the stock shocks?

Last edited by b_ron; 08-21-2011 at 04:51 PM.
Old 08-23-2011, 04:43 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

.....you have aftermarket springs?
Old 08-23-2011, 02:06 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

stock springs
Old 08-24-2011, 06:03 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Koni Yellows.

Doesn't sound like they are really blown tho.
Old 08-24-2011, 07:44 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

I love koni's.....do not install the top nuts with a impact wrench. A lot of people do this even though it says not to in the instructions.
Old 08-24-2011, 10:14 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

I don't have enough for Koni Yellows, but I do have an interest in the Koni STR.T thats f/s in the stickies. I think they should be good enough for a DD.
Just waiting to hear back from him if the 50mm fronts fit on my 04
Old 08-25-2011, 11:37 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

just do the rears....
Old 09-16-2011, 10:15 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Hi guys sorry to hijack this thread, just wondered if you guys can give some advice. I own a uk spec ep3 type R and am looking to overhaul the suspension as front shocks are blown. I am not at all interested in ride height or appearance and would be quite happy keeping standard height. I would however like a slightly stiffer setup as I do find on trackdays it can be a little soft, although the car is used daily so must maintain drivability on bumpy uk roads. Can anyone recommend a suitable setup? I am planning on replacing all bushes with ES poly jobs and fitting front camber bolts and rear arms, I just need to decide on spring/shock combo. I am very tempted to replace dampers with Bilstein sport (b6) jobs and keep standard springs. I do around 6 track days a year other than that the car is used on road running 215/45/17 eagle f1 asym 2. My budget for spring/shock or coilovers is £1k, can anyone recommend anything?
Old 09-16-2011, 10:29 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Koni yellow
Old 09-16-2011, 10:40 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

I have heard good things about the koni's, are they a spring/damper combo or just dampers? Koni sport is the same thing I assume? Thanks for your advice
Old 09-27-2011, 10:47 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Fantastic thread! I'll be copying your suspension setup Mustclime, haha!
Old 10-27-2011, 09:01 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

how much negative camber will there be after dropping ~1.5 inches on coilovers?
is there a general trend or does it depend on the specs on the coilovers?
just debating if i can pass without a camber kit when i'm not going to go that low, while not experiencing too much uneven tire wear
Old 11-05-2011, 12:42 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

just installed my front and rear 06 type s suspension on my ep. It seems to ride a little high in the back but the front is just right. no camber needed but the back ill have to re adjust from being lowered. I had eibach sportlines and the pretty much suck IMO for the EP. I would highly recomend the Acura type s suspension.
Old 11-30-2011, 05:58 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Mustclime, thank you very much for sharing your suspension knowledge. There should be more thread like this one. Use to have Koni+GC's on my EJ6 and i will use same setup for the ep3 but with wider tires this time. Thanks again,

K4nuck
Old 12-03-2011, 09:47 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Old 12-20-2011, 05:06 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Just wondering, do any of you guys have much experience with Raceland/Rokkor coilovers? I've had them on various VW's but I've never tried them on a honda... And sorry if this isn't in the right thread.
Old 02-03-2012, 11:42 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

I need some advice for properly setting up the suspension on the base DC5. I have decided to concentrate on handling over power but fear I am heading down the wrong path. So i was going to list the parts I installed and see what you think and what I need to change. Here's what I have:

Progress Front SB-27mm w/ Hotchkis endlinks
Progress Rear SB-22mm w/ tie bar and Hotchkis endlinks
Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs
Skunk2 LCAs
Skunk2 Adjustable Rear Camber Kit
GReddy Front Tower Strut Bar

The car is used primarily for DD but I also drive in the canyons and occasional tracking. I'm also getting new wheels and tires soon. I was planning on getting some 17's but not sure what width to go with or the best tires. I really need some good advice!
Old 02-04-2012, 10:36 AM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Well thats the wrong path....

rule 1.....you only have s much grip as you have in your tires....sh*t grip = no handleing.
rule 2 ..sway bars reduce grip....go as small as you can.
rule 3 ...there are no drop springs that are siff enough for our cars...if you lower a car 20% of its upwards suspension travel( 1 inch), you need to increase spring rates by almost 50%...this would blow your stock shocks quick so spring makers don't make them.
rule 4....skunk 2 is a motor shop and they know nothing about setting up suspension....all of their crap is made in china...just say no.


my advice is get a aspec kit from curry acura and some stickie tires...maybe a pair of crash bolts for the fromt and add s much neg camber as you can....if your car is not a 05-06 type-s...get one of their rear swaybars and bushings.
Old 02-07-2012, 06:08 PM
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Default Re: EP3/DC5 Suspension Tuning Basics/FAQ's (As told by Mustclime)

Originally Posted by mustclime
Well thats the wrong path....

rule 1.....you only have s much grip as you have in your tires....sh*t grip = no handleing.
rule 2 ..sway bars reduce grip....go as small as you can.
rule 3 ...there are no drop springs that are siff enough for our cars...if you lower a car 20% of its upwards suspension travel( 1 inch), you need to increase spring rates by almost 50%...this would blow your stock shocks quick so spring makers don't make them.
rule 4....skunk 2 is a motor shop and they know nothing about setting up suspension....all of their crap is made in china...just say no.


my advice is get a aspec kit from curry acura and some stickie tires...maybe a pair of crash bolts for the fromt and add s much neg camber as you can....if your car is not a 05-06 type-s...get one of their rear swaybars and bushings.
My suspension choices are coming down to...(purchasing in spring time)
Driving DD 40K a year, including winter. Fun/good suspension on the track.
I also do a lot of traveling the car completely loaded. (Roadtrips)

Bilstein B16 PSS9
Bilstein B14 PSS
KW Inox Variant 2
Progress Competition Coilovers

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