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Civic 6th Gen... Lower Control Arms

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Old 08-14-2017, 05:12 PM
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Default Civic 6th Gen... Lower Control Arms

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.
Old 08-16-2017, 01:35 PM
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Default Re: Civic 6th Gen... Lower Control Arms

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?
Old 08-16-2017, 02:03 PM
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Default Re: Civic 6th Gen... Lower Control Arms

Stronger and lighter is what I've always heard!
Old 08-16-2017, 03:10 PM
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Default Re: Civic 6th Gen... Lower Control Arms

Originally Posted by KoRn_vIRuZ
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.
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.
Old 08-16-2017, 03:45 PM
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Default Re: Civic 6th Gen... Lower Control Arms

Originally Posted by spAdam
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!
Old 08-17-2017, 09:48 AM
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Default Re: Civic 6th Gen... Lower Control Arms

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.
Old 08-17-2017, 06:47 PM
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Default Re: Civic 6th Gen... Lower Control Arms

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.
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