suspension first and foremost. a stock engine with a properly built suspension can be quite a contender. i have a d15b7 with i/h/e but my suspension has been reworked from the ground up and it handles like a dream. i watched an oldsmobile aurora with the northstar v8 and a younger gentleman behind the wheel get smaller in my rearview on the twisties just outside of town here along the river :TU:.
here is what i have that works wonders for me:
oem honda 14x5.5 del sol si wheels
195/60/14 all-season bfg tires
tokico illumina adjustable shocks
progress 2" drop sport springs
generic strut tie bars (front and rear, upper and lower)
front 21mm si stabilizer bar conversion
energy suspension poly bushing master set
energy suspension rear trailing arm bushings
energy suspension motor mount inserts
i'm making some changes to the above lineup but that is what i rode on this summer and it impressed me greatly. even with the all season tires, the car still kicked some serious ass in the corners (i shudder to think of what it could do with a SERIOUSLY sticky tire like the azenis
). based on what i WANT the car to do, these are my planned upgrades:
24mm gsr front bar
rear ITR bar with ASR brace
integra front lower subframe brace
pasword:jdm solid tie bars (uppers)
15x6.5 wheels with falken azenis tires OR keep my del sol wheels and go with the 195/60/14 azenis tires (depending on the money)
usually with an exterior like we see on that crx, it will be a prelude to what the underbody may look like. if you can afford it and and have the resurces at your disposal to make it so, i would do the following:
- remove the suspension from the car. if you can afford the downtime, put it on jackstands and do it all at once. if you need to have the car mobile by monday morning, do one corner at a time
- inspect all suspension components for wear, damage or any play whatsoever and replace as required. no sense putting in brand new illumina shocks, H&R springs and suspension techniques stabilizer bars on if your tie rods or ball joints are shot. **REMEMBER** upgrading your suspension includes replacing worn parts FIRST AND FOREMOST
- install a polyurethane bushing master set from energy suspension or prothane (ES is what i have on my own car and i love them) because your bushings are likely on their way out, if not already.
- determine what your needs are for your car, keeping in mind longevity, maintenance and price i.e. you dont need mugen mf10Ls wrapped in advan ao32rs on custom valved konis and custom rate ground control coilovers if you're using it as a daily driver or just want a better handling for the street.
- do your homework on different brands and combinations of parts. that means surfing web forums and reading or asking questions (use the SEARCH button whenever possible), talking to people at shows or the track and see what works well for them and what didn't.
- draw up a list of parts to buy then get out your credit card :TU:
honestly, you can get all the info you need here on the site. and i'm sure you can probably find a vendor or two or even a link to one so it's almost like a one-stop shopping superstore here
IMO putting together a suspension should not be taken or done lightly. it is the one thing that keeps your car off the ground aside from wheels and tires and bad choices with poor products can produce unfavourable results.
just my $0.02 and then some
p.s. yes it's long and yes i have nothing better to do today
. it raining here lol
