Just curious if shocks from my local Acura parts counter can be swapped in when the time comes to replace my OEM shocks. Just wondering if I can get something a little tighter, while still retaining OEM ride qualities. Any thoughts or suggestions?

No aftermarket please...I've been down that road more times than I care to recall. The Honda will only be getting OEM parts.

My car is a 98 4 cyl sedan with 5 speed.

 

01-03 CL/CL-S, TL/TL-S shocks will fit a 6th gen. I have a set of CL-S shocks on my car.

 

I'm pretty sure they won't work on an I4.

 

Mine is an i-4, same shock just different valving. You can get them for a decent price from CL owners(acura-cl.com). Most of the ones I've seen for sale have less than 10k miles. Acura will charge you an arm and a leg for them.

 

Great...thanks!

Any idea how different the spring rates are between our cars, and a 4 cyl CL? I'm assuming the CL-S TL and TL-S are all 6 cyl, which I would prefer not to get (heavier front springs will increase understeer in our cars). Will the springs from the 4 cyl CL swap right into our cars?

 

Yeah Im using i-4 Neuspeed Sports on CL-S shocks. If you want to retain the stock i-4 springs they will fit the CL-S shock. The shocks are identical so its a direct bolt on.

 

I don't think you will be able to swap in springs from a 4cylinder CL that shares the same chassis as the 6th gen Accord, because it doesn't exist

I'm sure the CL-S/TL-S shocks will fit on 6th gens, as stated above, but why? Are you on lowering springs? If so, are you sure the OEM Acura shocks have the valving to handle the higher spring rates from lowering springs?

As for the CL-S/TL-S Springs, the front springs are a higher rate since the front end is heavier (V6). I doubt you would want to put them on the 4cyl with the lighter front end...

 

This is exactly what I've driving at.

The purpose of going OEM is to get something a little firmer, but still something that places a greater emphasis on ride quality. In my past experience, aftermarket shocks throw ride quality out the window. I already have a tricked out car, the Accord is a daily driver, and will remain that way. Eventually, the shocks will wear out and need to be replaced, so if I can find cheap, used, OEM parts, that's ideal.

If I used another set of shocks, I would prefer the shock and spring set (matched). As you've pointed out, there are no shock and spring sets from an I4 car off the Acura line. And the V6 cars have the suspension set up for a heavier front end. Installing the entire shock and spring package from a V6 Acura on a 6G 4 cyl Accord will just increase the already unbearable understeer.

So, it looks like my choice is to keep the OEM springs on my car and do the shocks from a V6 Acura (which will have firmer front valving, and may add some ride harshness as a result), or stick with another set of OEM Accord shocks (reusing my OEM springs).

 

well, are you sure that a set of aftermarket shocks on stock springs will be harsh?

The Koni Yellows are great shocks, and the "full soft" setting matches the stock spring rates. I don't think the ride would be too harsh in that case...

 

I'm 100% positive I don't want to go that route with the Honda. I've had 5 different aftermarket suspensions on my Audi's, in addition to the OEM suspensions. On top of that, I've driven in cars with at least 5 different aftermarket suspension kits.

The concept of mixing and matching off the shelf springs and shocks generally comes with some compromises. Coilovers usually sacrifice ride comfort for better performance (and cost more). I know I won't be happy with either, if I go down the aftermarket path with the Honda.

I was hoping to find a shock and spring set from some other 4 cyl Acura with a similar chassis, that would bolt right into place. When the time comes, I might just try the TL shocks, but more than likely, I'll just stick with another set of OEM's.

 

RKA your shocks are shot almost on the 98 already? I've got a 93 EX with 298,000 PA driving on it, near philly so we're talking pot hole central.. and they are just fine, no bouncing or wandering or anything and they are the original shocks front and rear. ALthough I did get rid of the original sway bars as they were like creaky old doors and the improvement in handling was impressive. Relatively cheap as well, if you want to go a different route. It also helps with the relative understeer that the stock sways had. Just my .02.

 

With 75K on them, they are a little soft right now, but fine. They seem to be wearing at the same rate the shocks in my old Integra wore. By 100K, the shocks on my Integra were still completely functional, but I deemed them a little too soft, and in need of replacement (for my needs). I'm sure there are people out there that could squeeze another 100K out of them (you being one of those people), but I would rather have the car performing optimally, rather than slowing down, so I don't "overdrive" the car.

25K will go by in about a year for me, however by next summer, I will no longer have a garage to work in, so if I want to swap the shocks out, I'll probably need to do it before April/May. If I wait, then I'll probably end up paying a shop to do something that I have the tools and knowledge to do...and that will just **** me off! :-P

I should add...the first signs of worn shocks are poor high piston speed responses from the shocks. Meaning, you hit a sharp bump, and the shock just gives, with very little resistance or control. On the rebound side, it's very hard to notice...it's mostly the compression side where it's noticable. There is no loss of control...it has a greater effect on ride quality IMHO...the car doesn't have a stable solid feel as you're going over bumpy pavement. It's a very subtle change, and I've noticed that my Honda with 75K on it is starting to exhibit this symptom.