I have searched already on this whole site with no luck. I read this forum alot becuase of I'm an advid autoX'er and you guys seem to know your stuff.
I ordered myself a set of Buddy Club Racing Spec Damper system and want some opinions on it. I rode in an EP3 with these on it and it feels extremely smooth untill you start hitting bumps. U-turns and under passes are crazy smooth and firm. Here are my questions.

Specs:

15-way adjustability
Spring rates: 10K front and 16K rear (EP3)
Pillow ball mounts
This is all I know about the specs so far.

1. From the search, it doesn't seem like you R guys run these and I would like to know why?

2. If you have this set up, what is your opinion on them?

3. Do you know anyone with this set up and what is their take on these?

4. I was going with the Tein Flexes but got these instead. Was it a better choice?

5. How do you guys think these perform against the other systems?

My list of mods so far:

Eibach Pro-Kit(soon to be replaced when the BC's get in)
D3 Double X-brace
CTR 22mm rear sway bar
Skunk2 rear lower-tie bar
Neuspeed front upper strut bar(1-Peice)
15x7 Kosei K1's

I believe the Buddy clubs will put me up there in STS. What is your opinion on these Buddy Clubs?

More info here:

http://www.buddyclub.us/buddyclub/top_m.html

 

What car do you have?

 

Many people will agree that the BC's are one of the best street/track systems you can buy. Other than being steel bodied, they dont have too many disadvantages. They have fairly strong valving and can handle a nice array of springrates. I would not put the TEIN Flex's in the same category as the BC's...the TEIN's just don't have as strong of valving as the BC's, so they aren't suited for the track, mainly just a street setup.

I think many R owners dont use this setup as much as you would think, because a custom pieced kit with revalved Koni Yellows and matched GC's can offer a greater range of adjustability along with the confidence in knowing there is a very little chance of the valving going out.

 

the BC's are great coils

i was going to buy them, but decided it wasnt what i really wanted.

But, you may love them, a lot of people do

 

I have nothing but good things to say about my BC set-up on my hatch.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bbasso &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What car do you have?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have the bastard child. 2002 Si(EP3)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92TypeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Many people will agree that the BC's are one of the best street/track systems you can buy. Other than being steel bodied, they dont have too many disadvantages. They have fairly strong valving and can handle a nice array of springrates. I would not put the TEIN Flex's in the same category as the BC's...the TEIN's just don't have as strong of valving as the BC's, so they aren't suited for the track, mainly just a street setup.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Cool. This is just reasuring that I made the right choice. Why would the BC's being steel bodied a disadvantage? I got the impression that the flexes were mainly for street use but their marketing got me though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hooch’n &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have nothing but good things to say about my BC set-up on my hatch. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Why not say more? Hows the ride quality and when hitting th corners. Have you used any other set-up b4 the BC's?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fASTBACK &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Why would the BC's being steel bodied a disadvantage? </TD></TR></TABLE>

If the coating ever gets chipped off, the steel can rust. Plus, they are heavier then aluminum.

 

The buddy club race spec are very comfortable on the road, and even some of the bumbp arent bad.
I had them on my last ITR with 12F and 14K rear springs (along with Mugen sway and tower bars), and the handling was excellent on track while being easy on the road.

I'm currently awaiting my second set for my present ITR.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92TypeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If the coating ever gets chipped off, the steel can rust. Plus, they are heavier then aluminum. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Does this mean the BC's are stronger and beefier than the Aluminun set-ups? Can I coat them with something before the install to prevent rust? These are pretty pricey so I want them to last for awhile.

Here are some pics from the local speed shop I ordered the BC's from. I don't see this car everyday where I live so enjoy non-the less.


Anymore opinion on this set-up is Greatly appriciated. Thanks.


Me after squirting my Pimp Juice inside the Silvia. Man it was hot in the garage.



Some more:

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fASTBACK &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does this mean the BC's are stronger and beefier than the Aluminun set-ups?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Most race-only systems are all aluminum, because they are just as strong and are lighter. The only performance drawback of steel is the weight. But it is very possible to have the system last you a long time w/o any rusting problems. The only company to really have problems with their steel bodies were TEIN, and they have since fixed this issue of premature coating failure.

The coating that comes on the BC's is adequate I think...but doing a brief visual scan every once and a while to make sure would not hurt. Its just to protect the investment.

 

92TypeR,

You have a PM.

This will be my first ever damper system so if any of you guys/gals have any tips such as what to measure before the install or anythign else is very welcomed. Or any tips that will give me more longevity in the system.

I am also not familiar with the term pre-load or preloading. I have searched but no luck.


Modified by fASTBACK at 8:25 PM 7/18/2004

 

AWWW man. I just came back from riding in an Ep with the same set-up. It feels so bad ***. It rides extremely smooth. U-turns and corners are no longer feared...lol. It was an Ep with a greddy turbo kit. He had the buddies for his suspension and no other braces or bars. I could only imagine it with the mods I have. It will be in this Thurs. I will post results and videos if possible. Braking is so much better even with the stock brake set-up. The car basically felt like it was on rails.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92TypeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If the coating ever gets chipped off, the steel can rust. Plus, they are heavier then aluminum. </TD></TR></TABLE>

If im not mistaken the are Stainless steel...and ss doesn't rust? Correct me if im wrong.

 

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

If im not mistaken the are Stainless steel...and ss doesn't rust? Correct me if im wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>

They are chromoly steel w/special coating.

 

The believe they powder coat them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fASTBACK &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if any of you guys/gals have any tips such as what to measure before the install or anythign else is very welcomed.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Send them to Koni to have them tested on their shock dyno - PM "CRX Lee" for more info

 

I currently have a set of BC Racing Spec Dampers on my EK civic. I will have to agree that they are by far the best street/track coilovers i have ever owned. The large valve allows it to have a wide range of dampening characteristics. They are extremely civilized on the street (full soft) but get pretty stiff at the track when you trun up the dail.

I have owned/tracked Tein RAs, Apexi N1 (99 specs), BC racing specs and have tracked spoon/showas coilovers on a ITR. Another advantage teh BC has over the list have mentioned (except the apexi) is the fact that are stroke adjustable meaning you are not sacraficing suspension travel while lowering your car. You can SLAM your car and the ride will still be tolerable. However, i am not sure if this still applies to the EPs since they ride on MacPherson structs up front. I can assure you that you will have great fun with these on the streets or track! Good choice!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92TypeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Most race-only systems are all aluminum, because they are just as strong and are lighter. The only performance drawback of steel is the weight. </TD></TR></TABLE> you forgot to mention the issues of HEAT PROBLEMS relative to the shock body material....

aluminum bodies dissipate heat much better, reducing the chance of poor damping from the super high fluid temps when on track/competition.
steel bodies dont perform as well... that is a major reason why true racing setups are more commonly made of aluminum.

 

Tein Type Flex and BC Racing spec should not be mentioned in the same sentence. The BCs are far superior.

As for comparing EP3 BCs to any other Honda model, this won't work because of the "unique" suspension setup the EP3 has.