Hey guys,

I moving on from my pig of a accord (94 - auto) that I auto-x'd for years, to a slower car - a 04 civic hybrid manuel. hahaha.

(14 inch maganesium rims - 9 pounds, ftw!)

Sad part is, I think i can get some faster times with the right style of driving.

All torque kicks in low...woot. haha.

So I was checking out the honda part books, and the hybrid uses the same suspension as the standard sedan models, so im thinking Koni yellows right? However, the rear is about 100-150 pounds heavier because of the deep cell battery.

So, should I go with just the koni's and stock springs? or go with Coilovers, and deal with a saggy, or maybe unpredictable ***?

Remember, I dont care what class I'm in. This is just for fun. Of course!




Modified by carbnjunkie at 9:21 AM 1/8/2007


Modified by carbnjunkie at 10:14 AM 1/8/2007

 

Koni yellows are fine, may want to opt for the RSX rear shocks (a little bit harder) the *** of the hybrid weighs more than the *** of the sedan because of the batteries. I think stock springs would be the name of game at first, because no one makes lowering springs for the hybrid, I would think using GCs or some type of coil that will let you prevent the saggy butt would be the wise move on springs. On the 7th gens in general, all of the lowering springs with the exception of the 1 or 2 springs that are specifically labled SEDAN will give the 4 door a saggy butt.
In general, the suspension geometry stinks... the key seems to be to just get the rear end as stiff as you can make it, and try to get the car to swing around. There's no active camber, and the motion ratio of the rear is terrible.

Good luck with it... I've seen an insight autoXed before... it sounds like a golf cart.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boilermaker1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Koni yellows are fine, may want to opt for the RSX rear shocks (a little bit harder) the *** of the hybrid weighs more than the *** of the sedan because of the batteries. I think stock springs would be the name of game at first, because no one makes lowering springs for the hybrid, I would think using GCs or some type of coil that will let you prevent the saggy butt would be the wise move on springs. On the 7th gens in general, all of the lowering springs with the exception of the 1 or 2 springs that are specifically labled SEDAN will give the 4 door a saggy butt.
In general, the suspension geometry stinks... the key seems to be to just get the rear end as stiff as you can make it, and try to get the car to swing around. There's no active camber, and the motion ratio of the rear is terrible.

Good luck with it... I've seen an insight autoXed before... it sounds like a golf cart. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks Boilermaker.

Great info - as I know nothing about these cars. The rear has double wishbone, so I thought the front was more of a issue?

What type of setup do you have on your car? Also, what is the chassis nomenclature for these things?

 

The rear is a multilink, the front is struts.
I'm running Koni Yellows with Tein DC5R Camber plates custom fitted on top of them in the front.
GCs, 375/525 (the rears are off the shelf springs from the RSX kit)
Stock 25mm front sway bar, comptech 22mm rear sway bar
Hotchkis rear camber links
Prelude 11" front brakes, EP3 discs in the rear
16x8's w/ 225/45/16 Hankooks all the way around.

If the car is 03 or later, then EP3 stuff will bolt right in. The Si and 03+ coupes/sedans use a 16mm crash bolt in the front, while the 01-02s use a 14. When ordering Konis, it doesnt matter since you have to do cut-a-strut, but if you end up ordering any other aftermarket strut, it will matter.

As far as chassis nomenclature, I don't know exactly what you mean. I think you mean...The coupe is EM2, the sedan is ES1, the hatch back is EP3 and the RSX is DC5.
You may find yourself using parts labeled EP3 or DC5, but a lot of them bolt right in. The only thing that for sure does not is the front swaybar.
DC5 struts don't fit unless you also use DC5 tie rod ends.

I don't know what class you're running, so I don't know what you can do.
These things don't have much camber in them.... the more front camber you can find, the better. But if you lower it, since the steering arm is on the strut, you'll also get massive toe in. Don't lower it more than about an inch and a half.

 

So would a shock replacement of dc5 parts make the car somewhat more stiff?

Worth a shot right?

 

using stock DC5 parts? not gonna do much.... your best bet is to go with the Konis.

 

Cool thanks man.

Not many people driving these things on HT!

 

go hug a tree

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by frank828 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">go hug a tree</TD></TR></TABLE>

dont be mad because he can roll you with battery power.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by frank828 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">go hug a tree</TD></TR></TABLE>

Will do!




Modified by carbnjunkie at 8:57 AM 1/9/2007

 

i always thought u were a pseudo-gay skinny indian kid....

fat white nerdy tree hugger aint much worse i suppose

haha


back on topic: gooooo cars! vrooom vroooom

 

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

dont be mad because he can roll you with battery power. </TD></TR></TABLE>

this likely is quite true...my element is quite slow

 

Update : Neuspeed front strut bar doesnt fit in front, nor does anything else I've seen.

The AC condensor lines go up and around the passenger strut mount - oh wells.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carbnjunkie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Update : Neuspeed front strut bar doesnt fit in front, nor does anything else I've seen.

The AC condensor lines go up and around the passenger strut mount - oh wells. </TD></TR></TABLE>

this reminds me, dont junk my strut bar and tie bar

maybe gar can use it

 

Thanks frank.

Can we keep this thread to suspension only please bro?


Modified by carbnjunkie at 9:24 AM 1/10/2007

 

you probably aren't going to get a ton of input here on that car for a few different reasons, the largest of which being that is that you don't have a terribly common or competitive ra/ax car, and that the suspension is very different from the cars that most people here race. with that being said, i'll try to point you in a productive direction.

first, have a look in the newer civic forum and in the suspension forum, as they will stay the most current.

then search here on stups for rsx's- a lot of the info carries over, and the chassis has been explored quite thoroughly by professional race teams. the koni's are a great idea, and ideas about correct spring rates and other variables are fairly plentiful. you aren't going to get tons of help, but you'll certainly be going a bit faster.

lastly, i wish you luck with the power steering system if it is the same as previous years, as it will be your limiting factor for a while in tight autocross courses, untill you get used to it's limitations.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rsca_crx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you probably aren't going to get a ton of input here on that car for a few different reasons, the largest of which being that is that you don't have a terribly common or competitive ra/ax car, and that the suspension is very different from the cars that most people here race. with that being said, i'll try to point you in a productive direction.

first, have a look in the newer civic forum and in the suspension forum, as they will stay the most current.

then search here on stups for rsx's- a lot of the info carries over, and the chassis has been explored quite thoroughly by professional race teams. the koni's are a great idea, and ideas about correct spring rates and other variables are fairly plentiful. you aren't going to get tons of help, but you'll certainly be going a bit faster.

lastly, i wish you luck with the power steering system if it is the same as previous years, as it will be your limiting factor for a while in tight autocross courses, untill you get used to it's limitations.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks!

The power steering, IMO isnt too bad. I thought it was going to be really sloppy, but its fairly tight - dare I say S2k like?

I will keep you guys updated, as to what works and what doesnt. Appreciate the help!