[FAQ] DIY H-brace install on EK... 56K take a break
Thread Starter
As long as I dont have to take out any more Metal Gears
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 0
From: Socal, CA, USA
My recent thread https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1189489 Many people have been asking me how this bar looks when installed, how the fitment issue was and such. Some complained that the Megan Racing H brace was so shitty, that it needed to be modified to fit. So I decided to do this for all to see, using my very own car. All u need is a 19mm socket.
Here's my 2 point Cusco brace RIP... had to take it off a few weeks ago to replace my stock header so that I could pass smog.

And here's what I'm installing

To start off you need to remove the front LCA bolts: Passenger side

Next: Driver side. The trick to this side is that the oil pan will be in the way, plus when u put on the bar, depending on how fat your socket wrench is, it may not fit into the cylinder of the bar. The solution is a deep socket 19mm on a 3/8 inch ratchet.

Now you have to remove the bolt here at the 90 degree bend of the sway bar that is towards the center of the car. Repeat for both sides

Here's another pic of that bolt from a different angle

Ok the tricky part comes here. The bar was made so exact, that you are gonna have to basically put all 4 points on at the same time. U might need a buddy, but if u are persistant like me, u will find a way to do it yourself. What i did was to put on the two rear points on first, and then the two front ones. U may need a sof mallet to help line it up to insert the bolts. I reccomend putting a little grease on the crossmember first. When I first got my Cusco bar installed, it would do a little creaking sound, i couldn't figure out what it could be, but then i discovered that it was the Cusco bar moving ever so slightly against the crossmember. So put some grease and tighten it down good.

This is one of the rear points mounted

Ok! Now its time to tighten them all down!

Finished install


My clearance from the ground, not bad

Overall the install was easy. I didn't have to modify anything like the crappy Megan Racing H brace.
Here's my 2 point Cusco brace RIP... had to take it off a few weeks ago to replace my stock header so that I could pass smog.

And here's what I'm installing

To start off you need to remove the front LCA bolts: Passenger side

Next: Driver side. The trick to this side is that the oil pan will be in the way, plus when u put on the bar, depending on how fat your socket wrench is, it may not fit into the cylinder of the bar. The solution is a deep socket 19mm on a 3/8 inch ratchet.

Now you have to remove the bolt here at the 90 degree bend of the sway bar that is towards the center of the car. Repeat for both sides

Here's another pic of that bolt from a different angle

Ok the tricky part comes here. The bar was made so exact, that you are gonna have to basically put all 4 points on at the same time. U might need a buddy, but if u are persistant like me, u will find a way to do it yourself. What i did was to put on the two rear points on first, and then the two front ones. U may need a sof mallet to help line it up to insert the bolts. I reccomend putting a little grease on the crossmember first. When I first got my Cusco bar installed, it would do a little creaking sound, i couldn't figure out what it could be, but then i discovered that it was the Cusco bar moving ever so slightly against the crossmember. So put some grease and tighten it down good.

This is one of the rear points mounted

Ok! Now its time to tighten them all down!

Finished install


My clearance from the ground, not bad

Overall the install was easy. I didn't have to modify anything like the crappy Megan Racing H brace.
Nice writeup. Doesn't look like you should have ground clearance issues. If you lowered any further then that, I would consider taking it off. You could cause some serious damage if you happened to drag it across something solid.
that things looks a millions times better than my megan bar and looks like it was a million times easier to install as well.
very good write-up!
very good write-up!
Trending Topics
does it function good?<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by qp »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">exactly waht are these things used for?</TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dimi »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd rip that thing off in 2 seconds.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thread Starter
As long as I dont have to take out any more Metal Gears
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 0
From: Socal, CA, USA
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdmcivicsilver »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what are they used for ? and where and how much did you get it for</TD></TR></TABLE>
The h brace reinforces the chassis to reduce flex. It also supports and maximizes the swaybar function and gives you stability in the corners.
you can get it from here https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1189489
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eK9aT10pSi »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how is the overall feel with the h brace? more aggressive feel? etc ...</TD></TR></TABLE>
I just took it to a local canyon rd, Carbon Canyon, and it feels really great. The front end feels as if its been tied together. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the wheel hop is virtually gone. THose of you who live local who know about Carbon canyon knows about those 2 consecutive hairpins on a very steep hillside. The nose turns in nicely, and it felt much more stable than before. I feel that I could take it faster than I usually do. My corner entry was definately faster when i ran it a second time. Now I wish I had an LSD. The braking feels much better too. The front brake dip has been significantly reduced.
The h brace reinforces the chassis to reduce flex. It also supports and maximizes the swaybar function and gives you stability in the corners.
you can get it from here https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1189489
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eK9aT10pSi »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how is the overall feel with the h brace? more aggressive feel? etc ...</TD></TR></TABLE>
I just took it to a local canyon rd, Carbon Canyon, and it feels really great. The front end feels as if its been tied together. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the wheel hop is virtually gone. THose of you who live local who know about Carbon canyon knows about those 2 consecutive hairpins on a very steep hillside. The nose turns in nicely, and it felt much more stable than before. I feel that I could take it faster than I usually do. My corner entry was definately faster when i ran it a second time. Now I wish I had an LSD. The braking feels much better too. The front brake dip has been significantly reduced.
and you will have the same problem I had with mine. first time you hit a rock or something that makes a dent in the middle, you will have bar to header contact under heavy acceleration.
Luckily for me, my new header took care of it, but it's a pain.
Good write up man, the bar looks good under there.
Luckily for me, my new header took care of it, but it's a pain.
Good write up man, the bar looks good under there.
Thread Starter
As long as I dont have to take out any more Metal Gears
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 0
From: Socal, CA, USA
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Relic1 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">and you will have the same problem I had with mine. first time you hit a rock or something that makes a dent in the middle, you will have bar to header contact under heavy acceleration.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's what My torque damper is for!
That's what My torque damper is for!
Thread Starter
As long as I dont have to take out any more Metal Gears
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 0
From: Socal, CA, USA
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jmk2888 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does your header or any part of your exhaust touch the BAR???</TD></TR></TABLE>
not at all
not at all



