Hey guys,

My ride: Stock '01 4dr I4 EX Metallic Gray
So i've been cruising various honda forums (especially this one) to get more info and learn about different things i can do to my car to make it more fun to drive. i give up on trying to make this 4banger any faster than it is since the 5-10hp gain with a CAI doesn't seem like a big deal (esp given that it's achieved at the highest speeds) and i don't want a turbo/nitrous solution since this car is my only car and is the daily driver.

so that leaves the suspension. i want to lower my ride 1.5-2" and keep the ride quality pretty close to stock. i want that lower center of gravity and the more aggressive look. i also want to be able to adjust the height upward for when i drive to LA (reppin San Jose). this leaves me looking at coilover solutions and i'm liking the tein basics for their price range, people's overall comments about the ride quality being close to sock and their adjustability. tein ss are a bit pricey plus i don't know if i need all that adjustability since i'll never track this car or autox it. i've seen the tein basics for $660 online, but the places closer to me are sellin for $712. how much can i expect to pay for installing the coilovers? do i need a camber kit so my tires will last close to their recommended 50k miles? how much do those run and what models should i look for? also, i plan on riding on my stock michelin's and the ex premium wheels (15s).

i've read a lot about people putting in the acura tl rear sway bar (anywhere from 17-23mm) to neutralize some of the understeer and that is really appealing to me too since i like to take my corners fast and want to get rid of that body roll. i see people picking up the stock rear sway bars from acura dealers for 60-80 bucks with the bushings. seems reasonable and i will probably go with a 17 or 19mm bar so i don't lose too much grip in the back. i'd like to have this installed when i get my suspension done so it won't cost that much to do.

finally, i'm planning on getting the windows tinted, (20% rear, 35% up front, $225 for sunTek) and getting some coverking seats to break up the gray exterior w/ gray interior look ($165). i will consider wheels and tires later once my current tires get worn but i just dropped $500 on the stock michelins last year that i want to use up before going to 16s or 17s. i'll have to save up for that next year

alright that's where i'm at for now. anyone have any other suggestions? Also, REALLY important. Anyone know of any good shops to get this work done in the South Bay area? I'll go up to SF and down to San Jose if needed. Just want a place that's reputable and affordable that'll put up with a newbie like me getting this initial work done.

Thanks!
G

 

bump... c'mon 12 reads and no replies? help me out plz

 

do as much suspension as you can

acura cl-s rear sway with neuspeed poly bushings

acura cl-s front strut tower bar coupled with neuspeed front strut tower bar.

complete spring\shock or full body coilover suspension

ingalls adjustable rear links and adjustable front UCAs

some decent bridgestone potenzas

neuspeed lower front tie bar

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Beach Accord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
acura cl-s front strut tower bar coupled with neuspeed front strut tower bar.

ingalls adjustable rear links and adjustable front UCAs

neuspeed lower front tie bar</TD></TR></TABLE>

what do the front strut tower bars do? i don't want to lose any more grip up front...

also, what are rear links and front UCAs? and what will the neuspeed front tie bar do?

just haven't run across these in my research, thanks!

 

why would i provide you information on how to LOSE grip?

front tower bars help to further stiffen the chassis.

rear adjustable links help to make adjusting toe and camber easier and possible.
UCA = upper control arm and makes adjusting front camber possible.

neuspeed front lower tie bar stiffens chassis around the subframe area.

 

i had read that a rear sway bar, while providing stiffness to the chassis, lowers grip on the road and people have experienced the backend of the car swinging out on turns. that's why i was confused about a front bar...

how stiff will the front tower bar and lower tie bar make the car? will it make the ride significantly different from stock?

 

yeah, im kind of unsure on the verdict about a rear sway bar....however would there be a huge difference with front strut, rear strut bars, and rear sway?

 

larger diameter rear sway will reduce understeer thereby increasing oversteer. this will make your care more tail happy, but it's much more maneuverable. and a 19mm cl-s bar won't make a drastic change to where u lose grip. if you jumped to a 23mm bar, you might have to get used to it around the corners.

tower and tie bars simply reduce chassis flex during hard cornering, thereby keeping more of your tire firmly planted on the pavement.

 

where could I get a cl-s sway bar online? and the tower and tie stuff?

 

just go to your nearest dealer
or maybe http://www.acuraautomotivepart...y.jsp

but i would def. go to the dealer if you are not familiar with the parts catalog

get 19mm poly bushings from http://www.neuspeed.com and call their 800 number to place the order