Dah, which way should I go? - Suspension

[YARDLEY05TSX]

Getting ready to lower my car. 2005 Acura TSX.. I have been going bananas trying to make sure I am getting all the right stuff. Looking at these two options, what would you do? Or something else?

KONI Rear Shocks & Struts - $322.00
KONI Front Schocks & Struts - $322.00
COMPTECH Sway Bar - $108.17
COMPTECH Strut Bar - $287.10
COMPTECH Camber Adjusters Front - $196.00
COMPTECH Camber Adjusters Rear - $178.00
TANABE Lowering Springs - $150.00

$1565.00

OR

H&R Coilover Kit - $1079.00
COMPTECH Camber Adjusters Front - $196.00
COMPTECH Camber Adjusters Rear - $178.00
COMPTECH Sway Bar - $108.00

$1561.00

[sfd]

thats a rear sway bar?

if i had to pick id go with the full coilover kit. it is a true kit right? not some expensive sleeves and struts?

anyway yea, id go with a real coil kit w/ sway AND strut bar(s). im unsure if your car absolutely needs camber/caster adjustment additions (mine doesn't) but if it does I'd also get that.

btw what the hell brand koni struts would you be getting? $700 for a set? wowzers.

if you're just looking for a streetable drop with comfort, I wouldn't touch the coil kit unless it has some solid H&R for street/comfort use.

[YARDLEY05TSX]

The only available Koni's.. yes expensive, but I have heard really good things about them.

take a look: http://www.autocarparts.com/part/242/25

They are the adjustable version.. $322.00 per axle

As for the H&R Coilovers.. here is the link: http://www.overboost.com/obs/product.asp?pid=39355&cat_id=6&cat_name=Suspension %20Kits&sc_id=23&sc_name=Coilovers

[TurboTagTeam]

You don't need the camber kit unless you'r gonna seriously track you'r car. People assume that exessive camber wears tires quicker. IT DOES NOT. Exessive caster or toe angles is what wears tires.

I would go with the sway bars and shocks+springs :thumbup:

[JasterM5]

from what i've seen too much camber will wear your tires quicker, just because of the fact that it wears uneven. I mean you should see my wheels, I'm running like -5 degrees and my tires dont last me very long at all. But I agree with tagteam I would only get the camber adjustments if you put everything on and then notice that its a problem. I would probably go with the coilovers myself for the height adjustability. Although if correctly matched, a good set of struts with a good set of springs can outperform a coilover system.

[LSHatch]

You don't need the camber kit unless you'r gonna seriously track you'r car. People assume that exessive camber wears tires quicker. IT DOES NOT. Exessive caster or toe angles is what wears tires.


Negative or postive camber will wear your tires out quicker. This is a proven fact.


I would go with Option A. The H&R coilovers are set to be a good looking kit., not with much performance in mind. They use very soft spring rates and there is nothing much to them.

I do agree about holding off on some of the camber stuff though. Your car might not need it. A good alignment may or may not be able to fix it. If not, then buy the camber kit. Also, you're better off building your suspension one piece at a time. Lower it first, then see if you need a sway bar. You may find you like the feel of it. Most people assume that if they sell it, you need it. That's not always the way it goes.

[YARDLEY05TSX]

Thanks! I think I will do the Tanabe Springs with the Koni Strut set up to start and if I have a problem with camber then I will make that purchase! By the way, the KONI's are adjustable... is that a good thing?

[LSHatch]

By the way, the KONI's are adjustable... is that a good thing?

I guess it helps. I mean, the amount of times you will actually adjust them, is so minute, that it doesn't really matter. But, for when you first get them, you can set them how soft or hard you want them. So, that is a good thing.

[sfd]

very true. plus the addition of a front/rear sway or strut bar(s) will affect how the car handles and rides.

one thing i learned VERY quickly from upgrading from a little ass hollow stock rear sway bar to a solid 20mm (i think it was 20. might even be 22) is the stiffness of the rear and damnit the rear end breaks out which will affect how you drive in return may make things over aggressive.

as stated, start slow. every car reacts differently to additions. for example, suspension technique makes a sway bar kit for my escort. i own it. the front was never installed. This car already comes with a good front sway bar and this S/T bar is nothing more than a helper bar. No need for it. Same thing with rear strut bars. The sedan especially doesn't react much to it. Now having a good rear sway bar and one of my most prized possessions, a good front strut bar, makes a HUGE difference on my car.

Read up on the major upgrades. Then plan as needed. I got a solid deal on the sway kit and a rear bar when i got my front bar, so i have an entire sway/strut bar kit installed even though i don't really need it.

[Intercooled T]

Who really puts 'YARDLEY' in their name unless its actually their name?

..sorry, but c'mon now :roll:

[YARDLEY05TSX]

Just some jack ass.. ME.. who couldn't think of anything else. No need to be sorry, I should be shot for that one!

[TehWagon]

Getting ready to lower my car. 2005 Acura TSX.. I have been going bananas trying to make sure I am getting all the right stuff. Looking at these two options, what would you do? Or something else?

KONI Rear Shocks & Struts - $322.00
KONI Front Schocks & Struts - $322.00
COMPTECH Sway Bar - $108.17
COMPTECH Strut Bar - $287.10
COMPTECH Camber Adjusters Front - $196.00
COMPTECH Camber Adjusters Rear - $178.00
TANABE Lowering Springs - $150.00

$1565.00

OR

H&R Coilover Kit - $1079.00
COMPTECH Camber Adjusters Front - $196.00
COMPTECH Camber Adjusters Rear - $178.00
COMPTECH Sway Bar - $108.00

$1561.00

Being able to control your suspension from inside the car... priceless... ;)

[htheduck]

Thanks! I think I will do the Tanabe Springs with the Koni Strut set up to start and if I have a problem with camber then I will make that purchase! By the way, the KONI's are adjustable... is that a good thing?

It's not a bad thing-I have koni's in my Taurus - they were inserts...but they are one of the best struts out there. Adjustability is on rebound only in my car I believe. You won't be dissapointed with Koni's.

Your original post does not indicate what you plan on doing with the car after you lower it...so I would therefore go with a budget decision: springs, konis, sway bar...your Comptech sway bar indicated is that rear? or front?

[YARDLEY05TSX]

Not sure what you mean after lowering... I just want to take it down 1.5 inches to rid the gap. Not looking to get crazy, just for that awful gap I have with the 18's and low profile tires. Comptech REAR Sway and Front Strut Bars.

[Intercooled T]

haha, glad you took it the right way :thumbup: :cool:

[YARDLEY05TSX]

Just because of the Yardley location.. doesn't mean we are all snot nose stuck up people.. LOL.. Far from that! Anyway, like I said, was setting this up and just didn't have anything to go on.. so I did that real fast... and again, a well deserved shot in the nuts! :D

[sesolcSTI]

I just ordered some H&R springs for my STi. Havent gotten them on yet, but H&R is a VERY reputable company. Just my .02 :D

[99ElectronBlueCivicSi]

might wanna check out tein they make some high quality stuff my brother had the SS' on his spec-v 16 way adjustable dampening theyre real nice

[htheduck]

Not sure what you mean after lowering... I just want to take it down 1.5 inches to rid the gap. Not looking to get crazy, just for that awful gap I have with the 18's and low profile tires. Comptech REAR Sway and Front Strut Bars.

What I mean after lowering:

Are you asking suspension questions for what will satisfy a 'look' of the car, or 'function' of your car. Both options you've listed will look and work fine (depending on your overall budget).

As for functionality, I would go all out on a quality CO, adjustable plates, and the correct sized bars for the car. (I have done no research on the RSX-I'm just generalizing components).

From the list of your current components-you don't appear to be one to drive laps, (I could be wrong)-so stay within a budget for lower springs & shocks that will work well TOGETHER, and you will get the look you desire.
Good luck.
-H :wiggle: