I have a 2002 Ep3 and am looking for a good suspension set up for autocross. I am lookin at Tein or Mugen. I heard that Mugen is really good, but also really stiff for daily driving use. What would you guys think?

Thanks, Matt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScratchAddicts &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a 2002 Ep3 and am looking for a good suspension set up for autocross. I am lookin at Tein or Mugen. I heard that Mugen is really good, but also really stiff for daily driving use. What would you guys think?

Thanks, Matt</TD></TR></TABLE>

Most of Tein's stuff if garbage. They are on the bottom rung of suspensions in Japan. Between those two, Mugen is a much better choice. Not super stiff, perfect drop and they're the only company to fix the bump steer problem when lowering the car.

 

If you have the money get the Mugen SS (~1.5", fixes the tie rod problem), if not try to pick up the HFP SS (1", doesn't fix the tie rod problem).

Neither one of those two will be super stiff and are equally good choices for DD/autox.

 

What are the top suspension companies in Japan. Im not jumpin on the JDM bandwagon, I just love the s**t they do over there.
Japan makes parts for Japanese car, like wise with American Cars
Thanks- Matt


Modified by ScratchAddicts at 6:25 PM 6/25/2005

 

I have tein basics and they're great but I just wish I would have gotten SS with EDFC.... I want to try the MUGEN myself too... so go with MUGEN and tell us what you think.....

 

What's the tie rod problem?
What's the bump steer problem?
Is this only a problem for the ep3?
Does it happen for other 7th gen Civics?

Thanks.

 

the tie rod problem happens when you lower the car with macpherson front struts past a certain point,the tie rods are forced to an extreme angle which causes a squeaking steering rack as well as increasing bump steer. unless you really drive your car on a track or autox, it's doubtful you'll notice the bump steer. not to be mistaken for wheel kickback when you run over a bump or pothole while turning. depending on what kind of driving you do, that should decide the suspension you buy. hfp and mugen are good choices because they don't lower the car much and keep sufficient stroke room and are also set up for a comfortable ride on the street while being stiff enough for the casual autox and track day. you could also pick up some eibach pro kit springs for your stock dampers if you don't have the money for a full suspension. they probably work just as good. if your a "go low or go home" guy or a seriuose racer, get an adjustable suspension. but remember that lowering the ep or any car past a certain point requires serious tuning or your car will handle like crap. new mugen suspensions are $1100 while you can pick up some hfp's for about $600.

 

I have a Mugen SS on my EP3 daily driver and I do not find it harsh at all. I wish that it had a little more negative camber on the front, but they seem to have thought it out well for daily driving. I guess it's for safety's sake in general driving.

That's the only suspension I can recommend from personal experience w/the EP3, I'm afraid. All the other cheap suspensions have one problem or another.

The Omnipower suspension that has been in development for quite some time shows some promise. He's taken a long time with deciding on the damping rates, and the spring rates are even stiffer than the Mugen SS. I also understand that there will be a more aggressive camber adjustment.

Omnipower stuff is always a very good buy, but there's still no sign of releasing the suspension to the public, so I would go with the Mugen SS right now unless you have time to wait.

If you're talking about racing an EP3, that changes everything, of course.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rasper &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Is this only a problem for the ep3?</TD></TR></TABLE>
This is the only question I don't think the previous poster answered in his excellent response.

The McPherson suspension design is a decidedly inferior way to go with a front engine/front drive design <u><FONT COLOR="red">IF</u></FONT> handling is your only consideration. If you want to design a high performance, well handling front drive car, then double wishbones is the way to go. McPhersons make more sense in Porsches, where the front wheels only do the steering (not the propelling), and there is no drivetrain weight on the wheels.

However, Honda had very good reasons to go with McPhersons on the EP3.

I don't know whether you've seen some of the crash photos that have circulated, but the design of the EP3 stands up very well in serious crashes that would have injured the occupants in other small cars. I remember marvelling at one scene where at EP3 basically left the road at 80 and smacked into a tree head on. The passenger and driver opened the doors and got out of the car, which is amazing.

Moreover, since they wanted a K motor in such a small car, the McPherson design allowed them to fit it without having to make the car at least as big as the CL7/CL9.

The other thing about the McPheson design, of course, is that the unit manufacture of the entire strut and the ease of its attachment on an assembly line makes the EP3 a very cheap car to build.