I have a 1998 Honda Shuttle (F23A7 SOHC VTEC), which is the UK version of the Mk1 JDM/USDM Odyssey. See eBay item 140182721157 for an example.

I don't like the steering and handling as 1. there is loads of understeer (particularly in the wet), 2. the steering lock is poor when parking in tight spaces and 3. you have to turn the wheel a lot to get the amount of corner turning you want.

In short, I think the steering and handling is intended for moms driving kids around town at ordinary speeds, not for open roads.

I don't know what to do about the understeer apart from putting super-soft tires on the front and changing the weight/moment distribution by putting 200lbs of lead inside the rear bumper - neither of which appeals very much as the tires are nearly new and it needs all the acceleration it can get.

However, I thought of a simple way of fixing the second and third problems - that is, to replace the arms from the kingpins to the steering-rack with (say) 15% shorter ones. This would mean that a given movement of the rack would have 15% extra effect on the direction of the wheels, and give 15% more steering lock.

I would have to be careful not to overdo it, so that I didn't introduce any bump-steer, but the car is used on tarmac 99.9% of the time anyways so I don't think that would be important.

Does this sound a good solution? Can anyone give me any advice about suitable and compatible parts and numbers - probably from the mid-90's Accord? I'm assuming that I won't have to completely dismantle the suspension...?

Thanks!

 

i think youre in totally uncharted waters about modding a odyssey. im sure youre not the only nut in the world to consider working on a MINIVAN but for sure around here i doubt anyone can give you hard advice.

im not even familiar wit hthe odyssey front suspension, but im guessing shortening the steering arm is not going to be a wise thing to do. probably require cutting and welding... and yeah, mess up the bumpsteer/ackerman.

btw, honda R&D DID track a odyssey in the one lap of america competition. but im not sure what help thats going to be.

best thing to do is slap on good tires on those wheels. good luck.