I need some advice for properly setting up the suspension on the base 2005 DC5. I have decided to concentrate on handling over power but fear I am heading down the wrong path. So i was going to list the parts I installed and see what you think and what I need to change. Here's what I have:

Progress Front SB-27mm w/ Hotchkis endlinks
Progress Rear SB-22mm w/ tie bar and Hotchkis endlinks
Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs
Skunk2 LCAs
Skunk2 Adjustable Rear Camber Kit
GReddy Front Tower Strut Bar

The car is used primarily for DD but I also drive in the canyons and occasional tracking. I'm also getting new wheels and tires soon. I was planning on getting some 17's but not sure what width to go with or the best tires. I really need some good advice!

 

Well thats the wrong path....

rule 1.....you only have s much grip as you have in your tires....sh*t grip = no handleing.
rule 2 ..sway bars reduce grip
rule 3 ...there are no drop springs that are siff enough for our cars...if you lower a car 20% of its upwards suspension travel( 1 inch), you need to increase spring rates by almost 50%...this would blow your stock shocks quick so spring makers don't make them.
rule 4....skunk 2 is a motor shop and they know nothing about setting up suspension....all of their crap is made in china...just say no.


my advice is get a aspec kit from curry acura and some stickie tires...maybe a pair of crash bolts for the fromt and add s much neg camber as you can....if your car is not a 05-06 type-s...get one of their rear swaybars and bushings.

 

Well I know enough to stay away from Skunk2 coilovers that's for sure since they are ****. As for the camber kit it was a steal of a deal and I needed an adjustable to fix the toe and camber problem on the back and as for the LCA's they look nice and I find better quality than OEM but that's me, maybe I'm wrong. I read your suspension article and did discover I wasted money on lowering springs so I was thinking of aspec or maybe coilovers like tanabe or progress. As for the swaybars are they really that pointless or should they have been the last thing I installed? As for wheels I was thinking 17x7.5 or 17x8? What are the best tires for this size in terms of grip since I have no idea. For camber I was thinking 2.0 in front and .5 in back with zero toe? This really is my first time messing with suspension and apparently I have a lot to learn.

 

Get the ingrals....its bult like a upper control arm....and thats what it is....the junk2 stuff is cheep because its junk.

 

I really have to disagree on the Skunk2 issue their control arms and camber kits are fine nothing wrong with them and I like them so I'm keeping them especially since I need a rear camber kit anyway and I'm stuck with it lol. On their springs and coilovers however yes they suck *** and got terrible reviews and I will never have them and I know they are outsourced from Taiwan. I will take your advice on the aspec and coilover issue and will get a front camber as well from ingalls and a proper alignment with around a 2.0 camber in front and .5 in back with zero toe. On the swaybar issue is the front too thick and isn't the rear Type S only 21mm? So wouldn't it be pointless to switch from a 22mm to 21mm? I guess on issues of wheels and tires I'm on my own, I was planning on getting Work Emotion XD-9 in 17x7.5 and maybe a 245/40/17 summer tire?