As you can see by my join date and post count I am a newb to honda-tech and even though it seems like many topics end up in futile arguments (I hope this one doesn't), there is also a vast wealth of knowledge available here if you know how to look at things. Before I begin I would like to thank all in advance for any useful insight into my questions. So I shall begin.

My first question is in regards to strut tower bars. I have noticed that (correct me if I am wrong) there are basically two types of bars available. rigid(solid) and multi-pieced. My question is how do the multi-pieced bars work effectively? Based on what I see they would just flex at the joint negating any possible bracing effect they would have. If that is the case is there some kind of unseen benefit to having the multi-pieced bars that i am not seeing?

my second question is more so DA specific so any owners out there chime in please. I have been looking at the PIC (non-adjustable) suspension available for the DA for a while. At this time I am running the usual blown shocks and unknown coil-over combination that most damn near broke people start out with (i.e. $#!^^* ride . My car is predominantly going to be for street use with plans for occasional autocross once i start getting everything together (damn DA's are hard to find parts for). I was wondering if the PIC suspension for the DA (street) would be the right combination or if it would be a situation where they are to harsh for the street and not enough for the track? If the owner/sales rep of pic could chime in this would also be a great help.

My final question is about suspension bushings, specifically aftermarket companies like energy and the likes. I have done some research on them and based on what have seen myself and heard about it's a 50/50 deal where half say they like it and half have their car on the lift replacing it. my question is are there any feasible alternatives to the usual energy suspension switch or would it be more so recommended to use factory replacements on a primarily daily driven car?

Once again thanks in advance for any useful insight into these questions

 

search the forums for topics like, help i'm a noob, or something...

these questions come up everyday...

The strut tower bars, to some people don't affect anything.. and to others they say it helps... who knows.. i don't have one and my civic is all stock..

Other say that it only helps on cars with McPherson Front Suspension setups, and not the Double wishbone setups found on older integras/civics

Then there are some that say the solid is alot better than the multi piece, but the multi piece is cheaper..

IMO: A strut tower bar, is the last of your worries.. spend the money on things that have a more drastic effect... like springs and dampers.

For anything PIC, just ask the guys yourself.... according to the forums.. their customer service is above standard. Also do a search for PIC Coilovers or something like that.. there is a huge thread.. i think its called Power In Control Coilovers Full Review or something..

Bushings have had a huge debate, but there is enough evidence that poly ones do not last and require replacement after a year or two of daily mixed use.. even if well maintained.

There are also spherical bearing bushings, and hard/race rubber bushings....
if anything; for any dd setup just use oem rubber

if it is a track only car... depending on your budget, you can get away with poly because the car is only driven on the track.... you can also go with hard rubber or spherical..

spherical is the most expensive option... and I would also think that they require more regular maintenance...

hard rubber is sorta hard to come by, but there is one company that is cheaper than the rest and not too bad, but the applications are limited because there is only one importer here in the us.. search the forums for Hardrace Bushings...