I'm currently in the process of completely refreshing the R. I've put 93,000 HARD miles on it (dirt roads, 250 drag passes, and a few auto-x's). The engine is getting refreshed first along with the tranny which will be receiving new syncros. New engine mounts and possibly all new bushings as well.

I feel the stock suspension isn't as fresh as it use to be and that is something I definitely want to regain. My problem is I don't want to substitute mods for driving skill by upgrading the suspension too soon and I don't want to "waste" money on something I will just replace later if I decide to refresh it stock. I have done very well in auto-x with the stock suspension (even though it has been a long time since I've autocrossed) always placing at the top of my class if not winning, but I still know with complete confidence that I suck compared to the cars abilities and there is still significant time to be had (or subtracted rather ) with improved driving skill.

That said I also know what I want the car to do (or so I think) if I upgraded which is too have even more precise turn in and to have greater rotation to the point that I would almost like it to be on the verge of being called twitchy/hard to control for the simple fact that I know if I learn to handle it the car will be faster.

So do I just replace the shocks with OEM units or would it be ok for me to go ahead and spend the cash on a quality coilover setup?

 

I say upgrade.

 

Stock springs and Konis

 

stock w/ bilsteins

 

Stock suspension must be pretty pricy, even through someone like Len. Might as well upgrade it.

 

Even tho the stock suspension is very capable, there's still plenty of room for improvement. For mostly daily driving, I like the Mugen Lowdown a lot (altho a bit pricey).

 

I have a stock suspension (40K miles), at will sell it to you for cheap. IM me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yoshi234 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">stock w/ bilsteins </TD></TR></TABLE>


I just upgraded to this setup from all stock. The Bilsteins absolutely transformed the car, it rides waay better than before, firm but not too stiff. I had 80K miles on my OEM shocks, and they were beat, but I wanted to keep the quality ride of the stock springs. I think the Bilsteins + the stock springs are the best budget combo you can get, and they have really made the car alot more fun to drive. It really soaks up the bumps, but has a nice firm ride, with less body roll than stock. Bumps that would have previously sent me skidding are just soaked up by the new shocks.

Also the Bilsteins have a two way adjustable ride height. If you pick the lower perch, it lowers the car roughly 10mm. Here is a pic of my car with the stock springs and the Bilsteins:



I'm really happy with the new setup, and I can't wait to try it out on a road course.

http://www.shox.com has great prices on Bilsteins for the ITR btw...

 

are those the bilstein "sports"

 

The oem ITR shocks are good, but at 90K they are definitely past their prime.

Upgrade to a set of Koni adjustables or something. You will definitely notice the difference. And, you can always have them rebuilt later on if you wish to run GroundControl coilovers.

Think of the Konis as a first step and providing future options.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DragII &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">are those the bilstein "sports"</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd guess since they are Type-R specific.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DragII &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">are those the bilstein "sports"</TD></TR></TABLE>

yup - they are the only ones that fit the ITR...

 

Stock springs and Konis.

Get some custom GC's when you want to move up in your autox class.

 

Great info so far. I have thought a good bit about just upgrading to a quality shock but wasn't sure of the difference. I'm just trying to think in terms of the future. I would hate to spend $500 now and then 6 months down the road drop $1,800 for another setup that could handle some serious rates.

If I upgrade (as in not just replacing shocks) I will be going aggressive. Buddy Club and Zeal S6's are the two I have looked at the most. Keep in mind that I now have a 2 other cars for transportation so ride comfort isn't much of a concern.

 

imho (after trying personally and having driven all sorts of setups):

cheap no muss setup: bilstein's + kg/mm dr racing springs.

zeal super functions (step up from s6 and only a little more).

How much do you want to spend?

 

not sure...but why not dial in a little less understeer by going with a slightly higher spring rate in the rear?

 

upgrade

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Soup **** &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not sure...but why not dial in a little less understeer by going with a slightly higher spring rate in the rear? </TD></TR></TABLE>

More rotation is the plan, though most aftermarket setups seem to come with front bias setups. That can be easily fixed however.

My budget for upgrading is about $2,000 at the most.

 

These are tempting me especially since they are on sale for $1,400 including pillow mounts.

&lt; might go ahead and buy them because I'm stupid and impatient.

 

Regardless whether you decide to upgrade the springs and shocks, have a look at your suspension arm bushings. These make a HUGE difference in how responsive your car is, especially if you've put hard mileage on them. The inboard front lower control arms are very susceptible to wear but all bushings all well worth looking at.

 

you may want to consider which class you will be in by taking up modifications. I believe ITRs come in at STX and will stay STX with coilovers. I could be wrong.

 

nope, all stock ITR's are in D stock (at least for SCCA Solo II)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by all stock &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you may want to consider which class you will be in by taking up modifications. I believe ITRs come in at STX and will stay STX with coilovers. I could be wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Stock they aren't in STX but that's where I've always competed due to bolt ons. I now have cams so I think I'll be jumping into street mod , I'll need all the help I can get lol.

I want to get the car on a road course as well. Winning trophies isn't as important to me right now as just having fun and getting on track experience.

I plan on replacing my bushings with some ES ones, except for the rear control arms (I think thats the ones) that perform better with OEM rubber in which they were designed. Something about the suspension designed around the bushing and its flexs properties under certain loads.

 

Buddy Club Coilovers are on the way. I'll let you guys know they feel over stock in a month or so

&lt; goes to look up some custom Eibach's for the rear.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ActiveAero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Stock they aren't in STX but that's where I've always competed due to bolt ons. I now have cams so I think I'll be jumping into street mod , I'll need all the help I can get lol.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Depending on where you live, SM is a pretty fierce class. O_o

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I plan on replacing my bushings with some ES ones, except for the rear control arms (I think thats the ones) that perform better with OEM rubber in which they were designed. Something about the suspension designed around the bushing and its flexs properties under certain loads.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're thinking of the rear trailing arm monster *** bushings.