Yes, I drive a <u>'00 Civic Si</u>, so the ITR elitists might wanna skip this thread altogether

Also, I have not done ANY roadracing or auto-x to date. I do not claim to be a suspension guru.

However, since several people have asked for my opinion about coilovers, and since nobody else seems to have hands-on experience with both, well here goes...

My Si has the following "footwork" pieces:

Carbing 3-pt front strut bar
Cusco rear lower tie bar
Mugen 20mm rear sway bar
16x7 SSR Type R wheels (12.5lbs each) with Kumho 712 (205-45ZR-16)

For the past 1.5 years, I have been using the Zeal Function S (S6 with non-adj. valving). Spring rates are FRONT: 12kg/mm (672 ft/lbs), REAR: 8kg/mm (448 ft/lbs). Lowered approximately 1.25 inches over stock, alignment performed by Gran Turismo East in Chamblee, GA (can't remember specs), not cornered weighted.





Several H-T members (Black R, Cosworth, Jason Franza, Jetydosa, etc.) have driven my car with this setup. It is quite stiff, but still tolerable for driving in ATL, GA.

I recently found a set of Mugen Lowdowns for the EK Civic that have been used for approx. 12,000 kms...these went in place of the Zeals about a week ago. Zeals are on their way to their new owner in Canada.

My impressions are as follows:

The Zeals are true race coilovers that happen to be streetable. It is pretty difficult to find the limits of these dampers driving on the street...closest I've gotten is on a deserted parking lot and on some selected stretches of (deserted) backroads. Uppermounts will squeak sometimes, and the stroke is definitely shorter than the Mugens...I've actually hit my head against the headliner a few times

However, find a smooth stretch of road and the Zeals (to me) feel spot on. Same "S" bend that I could take in the Zeals without lifting, I would feel a "push" with the Mugens at similar speed. Not exactly scientific I know, but I am 100% sure that the people that have driven my car with the Zeals (Black R, Cosworth et al) would report the exact same thing - the difference is distinct enough to notice.

The Mugens are high quality "sports shocks." The combination of longer stroke, softer progressive rate springs and rubber upper mounts means better compliance over rough surfaces and a smoother ride, but the ultimate grip is not as high as the Zeals. Also, the steering feel seems slightly less "direct" vs. the Zeals, I suspect it has something to do with the upper mounts or maybe the weight difference...

*** This does NOT make [the Mugen] an inferior choice ***

Specifically, they demand less of a tradeoff which would probably make them better suited to those who drive in areas with really bad roads (Marc). Zeals will tend to dart around on washboard surfaces, Mugens will not. Those with sensitive posteriors may tire of the stiff springs (particularly in the rear) found on the Zeals.

So it really depends on the specific conditions - good quality roads or primarily auto-x/track, I would favor Zeal...rough roads and occassional auto-x, you would probably want to go with Mugen.

Last thing to consider...BUILD QUALITY. The Zeals have endured 35K miles of street driving with ZERO maintenance. Other than some road grime, they pretty much look like new

Mugens to me look like a souped-up OEM shock:



Zeals, in particular the aluminum bodied Function S/S6, look like someone paid attention to detail:

On the rear EK shock, notice the exquisitely machined "fork"


Contrast that with the Function Basic/B6 rear EK shock (or Buddy Club Racing Spec):




You may or may not care about such things, but I do

Also, there is one MEASURABLE difference...WEIGHT


Zeal Function S (each): (F)6lbs, 9oz/(R)6lbs, 1oz
Mugen Lowdown (each): (F)11lbs, 2 oz/(R)10lbs, 7oz


I like the Mugens a lot, and honestly, I can think of no downside to upgrading from stock ITR suspension other than cost...I know Cosworth is quite happy with his Mugen Lowdowns.

<u>Still, when I am ready to purchase another set of coilovers next year, I will be looking at Zeal S6 or maybe Quantum...</u>



[Modified by kengs, 6:24 AM 12/14/2002]


[Modified by kengs, 6:41 AM 12/14/2002]


[Modified by kengs, 1:25 PM 12/14/2002]

 

Thanks for such a detailed review. I have been interested in the Lowdowns for a while. Cheers!

 

Ditto.

 

Mr. Kengs, your statement about hitting your head on the headliner is biased in my view. You must inform the public that you have a somewhat larger than usual head.

len, who has plenty of room in his kaa...105Lbs dry weight ownz!

 

the Mugen looks so skinny

 

cool ive been thinking of ethier Zeal or Mugen for my new 97 ITR

 

a d0pe suspension setup is way down at the bottom of my list right now. H&R sports 0wn me

 

do you live in the next room over or something?

LOL

 

Good review. Thanks for sharing your conclusions about these two setups. That was very informative.

 

It is not the opinion he's concerned with but the numerous people who don't like non-itr related things on the itr board.... probably why i just lurk.. too intimidated.. to shane

 

Sweet post, very informative, clear and concise.

Just the way we like them


As for hitting your head on the headliner, hahaha, I cross a drawbridge here where I live and will often hit my head. Got much better when I switched to delSol seats

 

Honestly George, I am not sure...

I think my wheel/tire combo is actually better than the stock OEM setup for the ITR given that my SSRs weigh 12.5 each; however, I don't have a LSD so I am not sure how much that affects handling feel. Also, I don't know how the spring rates on the Mugen Lowdowns differ from the EK and ITR versions.

Mugen Part No. 50000-XGE-K0S0

According to the enclosed spec sheet the spring rates are:

Front: 3.8-5.5kg/mm
Rear: 2.7-4.0kg/mm

Still, I think the main points about both types of shocks would transfer over to the ITR versions...the vastly stiffer spring rates, lighter construction, solid upper mounts and shorter stroke = a discernable difference between Zeal and Mugen.

I guess that was the point of the whole thread; [the differences] may have already been obvious just by looking at the specs, but I know I would hate to spend $1400 only to find out I bought the wrong suspension.

 

Len, there's no replacement for displacement

 

Don't be a sissy! Get the super functions!

Quantum? DROOL!!!

 

Good Review

 

Nice review.

 

Very good review..

 

awesome review. i can't wait for my S6's.

is the valving the same between the Function S and the S6?

 

Good stuff

 

The Mugens will make your car "push" more at the limit with your setup. You have quite a skinny rear sway bar (20mm). If you upgrade that to a thicker bar and set the front and rear settings right, I bet it will be just as good or better than when you had your zeals.

Not sure what the settings would be on your car, but for my ITR,
the stock front swaybar, 26mm Mugen rear sway bar and shock settings 2f/5r work great for autox.



[Modified by arren123, 1:21 PM 12/14/2002]

 

I think the Zeals would probably "push" at the limit too with my setup, but the point I was trying to make is that (IMO), the limits of the Zeals are higher.


[Modified by kengs, 4:10 AM 12/15/2002]

 

Function S is the same as S6, except the valving is fixed...think of it as being [S6]stuck on the "3" position


[Modified by kengs, 4:06 AM 12/15/2002]

 

theanx for the great review shane...
i have already placed my order for the mugen lowdowns...
I CAN"T WAIT!!!!

 

Great review, Shane. Quite frankly, I probably would have went with the S6 if they had been available. It seems as if those things will never make it over here

Jason-
who had always thought the Lowdowns were adjustable, because of the cost

 

darth...the shocks ARE adjustable, the height is not with the lds