Are there any advantages and/or disadvantages to the 2 piece Cast LCA (Non-Si) Vs. the Stamp Steel (SI) for the 96-00 Civic.

 

Good question. I don't know the (full) answer but according to hondapartsnetwork.com the stamped steel ones weigh roughly 1 Kg less (6.5 vs 5.5 Kg). That's one advantage.
Also I've heard people say they prefer the sway bar end links used with the stamped steel arms, although I don't know the technical reason why.

Just as a curiosity AFAIK all Japan-built 6th gen Civics came with the stamped steel arms.

The 6th gen Civic was designed after the Japanese economic bubble burst so I don't know if the switch to stamped steel was technology- or cost-driven, or maybe both?

 

Stronger and lighter is what I've always heard!

 

The end links on the stamped arms are a double heim joint style, so they are zero-compliance as opposed to the typical Civic ones that have a stack of soft rubber bushings at the ends or the Integra ones that mount to the arms with bushings and to the bar with a heim.

 

Thanks, I didn't know the double heim joints eliminate compliance. That must reduce the delay in sway bar response. Neat!

 

Curious to know... Does the stamped steel ones move less than the 2pc ones? I see many different traction bars for the 2pc design, but almost nothing on the stamped steel.
(I know there are other ways to reduce wheel hop; stiffer motor mount and control arm bushings.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and take a guess but...

Every traction bar setup I've seen or dealt with bolts to the LCAs where the halves bolt together. The stamped arms are one-piece, so there's nowhere to bolt the links to. Pretty sure that's the whole story.