UPDATE! - Problem has been solved by adjusting the dampening setting clockwise 360 degrees! Apparently the previous owner made an adjustment so even though it was set to #1 out of #5 it was still set WAY past #5.

Now, set to the true #1 setting the ride is very simular to the stock feel. Whoooo!
----------------

Love / Hate Relationship - The perfect analogy for my self created dilemma.

About Two weeks ago I purchased a set of used Mugen Lowdowns in excellent condition for a good price. This suspension was always something I wanted but I was not willing to pay the full $1,450 price tag.

They have been on the car for about two weeks now. I had a friend help me install them so I did not get OWNED by the dealership for installation charges. They wanted me to pay them $450 – yes four hundred and fifty freaking dollars.

The Good
Car is lowered ¾ of an inch – perfect for my taste. It is just a subtle drop - nothing extreme. Cornering feels good with a majority of the body roll eliminated. In other words, go-cart handling characteristics. Braking is great too since there is less dive as well.

The Bad
Even on the softest setting the car really takes bumps in a bad way. On my trip from home to school my CD player skipped a dozen or two times (300 mile drive via Chicago tollway). This really irks me. With the stock suspension it might happen once or twice. It’s hard to remember exactly.

Most roads are fine but if the car is passing over uneven concrete or hits a crude expansion joint you get mini shock waves through the car. Part of the problem is that I live in the north. Milwaukee and Chicago have sucky roads due to the climate swings. And then realize my car is running on 16 inch tires. These tires don’t absorb as much road disturbance as the stock tires so that’s something to consider as well.

Right now I’m on the fence regarding what I should do. I like the handling characteristics. With the stock suspension the car was “tossable” on the corners, now it’s chuckable! However, the ride can be brutal over bad roads. I will tolerate a rough ride but perhaps the one aspect that bothers me the most is just seeing me car get rocked over bumps. I don’t even dare think what would happen if I was unable to steer clear of a full fledged pot hole (could be catastrophic).

If you have Mugen Lowdowns (or even some other aftermarket suspension) I am interested in hearing about your thoughts on this topic. What do YOU think about the suspension compared to the stock ride? What wheel/tire combo are you running, what geographic region do you live in, and how often does your CD player skip (maybe the only scientific way to address ride quility)? I realize that this issue of ride quality is a subjective topic. It also depends on how much you guys drive and where you drive.

Thanks for the feedback guys! for new roads!


Modified by itrsport.com at 7:55 PM 4/10/2003

 

josh,

IM kkim on what he thinks. i believe that he has the mugen lowdowns. sorry to hear about the "tough relationship" w/ your suspension

good luck bruddah!

 

so does batoutahell... i remember the phrase "kidney buster" being used in passing

 

You can lower your tire pressures to 32ish to help out some.

Warren

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Warren &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You can lower your tire pressures to 32ish to help out some.

Warren</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's a good point. I think that's the best temporary solution. I wonder if tire wear would be more significant. My current Pzero's are worn big time - down to the wear bars. New tires will be going on after the Expo.

 

If you think that's stiff...you'd start crying in my car.

Suprdave

 

Also might want to try and get a cd lense cleaner to help fix the skipping.

 

My Lowdowns (EK Civic version) ride about the same as the Zeal Function S that were previously on the car...kind of surprising considering the spring rates of the Zeals are 2X as stiff...but they are not unbearable.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kengs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My Lowdowns (EK Civic version) ride about the same as the Zeal Function S that were previously on the car...kind of surprising considering the spring rates of the Zeals are 2X as stiff...but they are not unbearable.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It was brought to my attention by a car buddy of mine that the struts are the primary element that contribute to ride quality. I originally thought that the spring rate was the "problem".

 

You know what I think about your dilemma. I'd give it a few months before you come to a final judgement. If the skipping cd payer is a big part of you being unhappy w/the suspension, maybe you should consider getting a new deck. Anyhow, I think the suspension is great, thanks for letting me test it out.

 

Solution: get a new CD player and an *** donut..

Sell the Mooogen?? Hell naw.

 

Buy a new CD player.

 

I know what you mean regarding the roads.

I drove from Mercer, WI to Arlington Heights a few times in teh past coupel years.

Roads are **** in Chicago. I thought Toronto Roads were shitty

The real pain in the *** was I90 from Detroit to Rockford

Keep the Mugens, try to slide in some foam between teh dash and cd player. Worked for me when I was riding on 450/700

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dr Pooface &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Buy a new CD player.</TD></TR></TABLE>

anti-skip CD players own your ***

 

wow, that was intelligent

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow, that was intelligent</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hello Pot, this is Kettle calling...

 

Hi kettle!

 

buy some zeals with the "street" spring rates. you'll be happy.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by itrsport.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Love / Hate Relationship - The perfect analogy for my self created dilemma.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not sure what you expected, but if you want the car to handle better than stock then the ride is going to be noticeably rougher. I don't think buying a new CD player is going to solve your "brutal ride" complaint...so be happy that the car handles better and has a nice subtle drop, or put the stock suspension back on the car and enjoy the CD player in all it's glory.

 

arent the lowdowns one of the more streetable coilover setups on the market?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM_Type-R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">arent the lowdowns one of the more streetable coilover setups on the market?</TD></TR></TABLE>
that's what i thought.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM_Type-R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">arent the lowdowns one of the more streetable coilover setups on the market?</TD></TR></TABLE>

They aren't coilovers, but yes it is a good street/track suspension.

 

Aren't the lowdowns adjustable? 1-5?
Which one are YOU on??

 

You could use the stock suspension on the street and swap to the Lowdowns at the track. I know it's a bitch to swap everytime, but that would solve the problem. Really no need for a crazy suspension on the streets, especially if you are worried about keeping the Lowdowns in tip top shape. They are not meant to take potholes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zygspeed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Aren't the lowdowns adjustable? 1-5?
Which one are YOU on??</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm running on the softest setting (1)

Thanks for your suggestions everyone. I'll keep them on for a while longer and if they are too harsh for my daily driving then I will go back to stock.