Well I'm looking to enhance the handling of my car mildly... And I see no point in throwing down $1,000+ into my daily driver's suspension.

So a few upgrades I have taken into consideration are H-Brace, Strut Tower Braces (front and rear) and C-Pillar Bar. I'm thinking about ordering all of these parts from Megan Racing... Does anyone have any reasonable objection to Megan Racing for suspension components?

Any input is welcome

-Wes

 

all of those "upgrades" are like throwing your money in the trash.

 

And since I see no reason in starting a new thread pertaining to the same topic... I'll just add this little question.

I know the C-Pillar bar is supposed to control movement from side to side, so would it be safe to make my secure point for my seat harness on the C-Pillar bar? So would it be ok to attach my seat harness to the C-Pillar bar, with no worries of its structural integrity being questioned under stress?

Thanks in advance,

-Wes

 

Any reason why those 'upgrades' are trash?

-Wes

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZedEx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any reason why those 'upgrades' are trash?</TD></TR></TABLE>

they don't do anything? as far as attaching a harness to it? no way, it couldn't handle the force of an impact. might as well not wear a seatbelt.

 

Haha... Good enough reason for me.

Appreciate it.

-Wes

 

what are you looking to spend?

 

if you just want a little bit of handling for a daily driver, lower it a little, get some adjustable shocks, and maybe a strut bar

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mountaindewguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you just want a little bit of handling for a daily driver, lower it a little, get some adjustable shocks, and maybe a sway bar </TD></TR></TABLE>

fixed for you

 

If you have an integra or civic. Get an itr sway bar. One of the best mod for under $100.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xaznxboixsirx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you have an integra or civic. Get an itr sway bar. One of the best mod for under $100. </TD></TR></TABLE>

not without a higher spring rate or a reinforcement kit... tearing your subframe is not fun.

 

Well I found Front Rear Upper and Lower braces for $62.95+$45.00 shipping on Ebay from the same seller that I purchased my headers from. And seeming as those parts on Megan Racing's website are $40 a piece, I am deffinately going with that.

And from what I've read (and after talking to the Tech guy at Megan) my ride quality wont be effected if I dont go any lower than 2.25"... And seeming as I only want to go about 1.75" in the rear and 2.00" in the front, the lower springs will suffice for my needs... I'll get some Tokicos later over the summer when I have about $400+ to spend

And I figure I'll get the H-Brace as well... Apperently this wont do too much to stiffen my suspension, but it will put some metal in between my headers and the pavement.

I'm also going to invest in some Lower Control arms... Since the only type of racing I do is Auto Cross, this will be an excellent investment I think. From what I've read, this will reduce the wear on the sidewalls of the rear tires, and reduce body roll quite substantially. And from judging from my last Auto Cross, body roll was a VERY big issue... So was the wear on my sidewalls, even at 40psi all the way around

So after the suspension upgrades, my car is pretty much done... Maybe a ZEX Lightweight Flywheel and Exedy Clutch later this summer... But she's almost there.

Sound like a solid plan? Or am I heading in the entirely wrong direction here?

Thanks in advance,

-Wes

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZedEx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well I found Front Rear Upper and Lower braces for $62.95+$45.00 shipping on Ebay from the same seller that I purchased my headers from. And seeming as those parts on Megan Racing's website are $40 a piece, I am deffinately going with that.</TD></TR></TABLE>

the money would be better off saved and put in to a "shock fund."

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZedEx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And from what I've read (and after talking to the Tech guy at Megan) my ride quality wont be effected if I dont go any lower than 2.25"... And seeming as I only want to go about 1.75" in the rear and 2.00" in the front, the lower springs will suffice for my needs... I'll get some Tokicos later over the summer when I have about $400+ to spend </TD></TR></TABLE>

never trust a salesman... ride quality will be affected no matter how much you lower the car, i guarantee. do me a favor and get some quality lowering springs though (eibach pro kit, hr sports) though.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZedEx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And I figure I'll get the H-Brace as well... Apperently this wont do too much to stiffen my suspension, but it will put some metal in between my headers and the pavement. </TD></TR></TABLE>

waste of money, unless you can justify it by not scratching your header. it is header btw, only one on a four banger

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZedEx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm also going to invest in some Lower Control arms... Since the only type of racing I do is Auto Cross, this will be an excellent investment I think. From what I've read, this will reduce the wear on the sidewalls of the rear tires, and reduce body roll quite substantially. And from judging from my last Auto Cross, body roll was a VERY big issue... So was the wear on my sidewalls, even at 40psi all the way around </TD></TR></TABLE>

where did you read that? how do these aftermarket lcas differ from stockers? they don't alter geometry in any way. at most they are a pound lighter, which isn't worth the investment.[/QUOTE]

what i'd do in your situation: get some quality lowering springs and a smallish rear sway bar. if you REALLY need the bling, get som e of those tower bar thingies, i really don't have any proof that they don't work, but at the same time there is no proof that they do. put the rest of the money away until you can afford some decent shocks.

you say you autocross, you do know some of those braces will bump you in to mod classes?

 

Thanks Mike C...

I really dont like 'bling' on my cars... I would prefer my upgrades be hidden to the casual observer. Plus I've seen the way some of these cars handle with sway bars... Not too smart for daily driving I suppose.

And technically the upgraded exhaust manifold that we installed should have knocked me into Street Modified... As well as the hard intake piping. But the challenges that the NCR-55 Region puts on aren't the biggest ones (All NCR-55 Region Auto Cross events are capped off at 50 entries only, and is strickly enforced) also I seriously dont think anyone really cares. I recently just lost first place in H-Stock to my buddy with a built B18 powered EG Hatch... Yea... Stock

But I dont think anyone would care... Our technical inspection at our last event was a strict analysis of... Seeing if the battery was secure... And if the throttle isn't stuck... I tell you, that took a whole 30 seconds.

O and all apologies about my mis-spelling... I always thought Headers were like Pants... You dont call them Pant... Or Eye Glasses... Eye Glass... Maybe if I had a Single Banger, I would call it a header.

I need to stop thinking so much

-Wes

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZedEx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> H-Bracer
-Wes</TD></TR></TABLE>

waste of money

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZedEx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Strut Tower Braces (front and rear)
-Wes</TD></TR></TABLE>

waste of money

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZedEx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> C-Pillar Bar
-Wes</TD></TR></TABLE>

waste of money


get an itr rear swaybar, and some decent shocks, say KYB AGX, Koni , or Bilstiens

 

only thing those "braces" do is make your car heavier

 

Well that seems to be the general advice given...

Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated

-Wes

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZedEx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks Mike C...
And technically the upgraded exhaust manifold that we installed should have knocked me into Street Modified... As well as the hard intake piping. But the challenges that the NCR-55 Region puts on aren't the biggest ones (All NCR-55 Region Auto Cross events are capped off at 50 entries only, and is strickly enforced) also I seriously dont think anyone really cares. I recently just lost first place in H-Stock to my buddy with a built B18 powered EG Hatch... Yea... Stock </TD></TR></TABLE>

you'd be surprised, someone is probably trying to win h-stock. i'm not familiar with the group so maybe they don't even keep standings, i don't know. i know if i were in h-stock i'd be pissed. also, i believe the h-bar would put you in a class even higher than street mod...

 

Well I was deffinately trying to win H-Stock... And to be perfectly honest, I was some kind of pissed off when he only beat me by .200 of a second. His best time was 47.685 and my best was 47.885... I deffinately would have won if he had been in the proper class. The trailing time behind me was a VW Jetta who ran a 48.956, and a ZX3 Focus that ran a 51.550.

So the only person that it really affected was me... And honesly, if I lost to a built B18 power EG Hatch with suspension work GSR wheels and nice sticky tires, by only .200 of a second... Hell, Im a good driver... With my stock *** Civic

It felt great beating S2000s, 350Zeds, and a handfull of other expensive cars... With a $2,200 Honda Civic. But I guess what they say about Auto Cross is true 'Auto Cross is 10% Car and 90% Driver'

-Wes

 

they say that, but i'd say it's more 50/50 from A LOT of personal experience

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZedEx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well I was deffinately trying to win H-Stock... And to be perfectly honest, I was some kind of pissed off when he only beat me by .200 of a second. His best time was 47.685 and my best was 47.885... I deffinately would have won if he had been in the proper class. The trailing time behind me was a VW Jetta who ran a 48.956, and a ZX3 Focus that ran a 51.550.

So the only person that it really affected was me... And honesly, if I lost to a built B18 power EG Hatch with suspension work GSR wheels and nice sticky tires, by only .200 of a second... Hell, Im a good driver... With my stock *** Civic

It felt great beating S2000s, 350Zeds, and a handfull of other expensive cars... With a $2,200 Honda Civic. But I guess what they say about Auto Cross is true 'Auto Cross is 10% Car and 90% Driver'

-Wes</TD></TR></TABLE>

well, unless there are A LOT of straight aways. then, faster cars would win. if it was constant hairpins and such, then its more driver.

i dont know why are you wasting money on this stupid crap. if you wanted a better suspension ride. go get koni yellows + ground control + nice stiff sway bar. maybe that takes out out of the stock competition..but save your money.

 

Well this is exactly why I am asking, before complusively buying stuff left and right. After reading all of these responses, It would probably be best to save up, and just do it right.

And actually, there was an awful lot of straight Wide Open Throttle sections on the course... This turned out to be all of the fast cars problem, they were braking entirely too late, and either locking up their tires and losing it... Or coming in far too early, or far too late. For the most part it was their turn negotiation that killed them.

It was the Miatas and Del Sols that were doing the best times... A lot of the guys with expensive cars were getting quite pissed of at this

-Wes

 

if you have an eg you can get like a gsr strut brace for cheap.
only brace i felt any diffrence in was the one for the subframe that i got off an integra and put it on my eg. it dont hang under the sub frame either no scraping problems. cheap too

and of course sway bars

 

Wes- They put him in HS... It was also his first race, and that b18b did not help on that track, you can have his trophy if you'd like... he really doesn't care.