Hi,
I just did a b20b swap into my 1987 Civic Hatch and the old torsion bars are not strong enough to handle the extra weight(28 years old). So, I went online and bought a set of 27mm(bigger than stock 24mm) torsion bars. Now, when I went to a shop to get an estimate of installing, they said 360 dollars.

What I wanted to know was, is this a job I can do in my driveway????? By that, I mean, is there any pressing that needs to be done, or is it a simple bolt removal and reinstall? If anything has to be pressed back together, then I will pay the cost, but if not, I can do it myself.

Anyone old school enough to know from experience?

 

Stock are more like 18mm. 24 is a nice upgrade and 27 are pretty stiff. The replacement bars will more than likely need to have one spline ground off to fit in the keyway. This is something you may be able to do yourself with a grinder of cutoff wheel, but you must be careful. Sometimes the old bars are rusted in place and you need heat, lube and a BFH (big F#$%ing Hammer) to beat them out. Just make sure you remove the circlips before trying to beat them out.

With these stiff front tbars you will need better suspension as well since the valving of stock or replacement struts is insufficient. I would highly recommend the Tein suspension for these sold by Heel Toe Auto.

 

Yes, thank you very much. I put KYBs on it all around. If that doesn't meet the need, I also found an 86 at the salvage yard that had some tokico blues on it and got them. Thanks for the tech help. I think that, since that is the case, and I tend to learn things the hard way(mess ups), I'd rather just pay someone to do the job right and guarantee the job. Thank you.

 

KYB's are complete junk and the Tokicos will not be valved for stiffer spring rates and will not last long especially when lowered.

 

There is a how-to install thread over on redpepperracing. Yes you can for sure do it yourself.