Suspension help - Sway-strut bars and etc for an ek

IN2deep · Post by **IN2deep** » April 25, 2006

Ok guys so i got a couple of questions where ive got part of the info from here and part from there so maybe someone could help me with this
I got a 96 cx hatch that is my current project, i got the cash put back for my motor swap and paint but im going to go ahead whith the suspension, i just noticed today i got a shock leaking so anyway i got a few questions
This car is my to work transportation, im going to do a c5 swap, i have several things in mind for the car, i am goingt o run 16" wheels the lowering will be done with eibach pro kit and koni yellows, if u got other questions about setup just ask
1- what size front sway bar should i use- i was thinking about getting one off an si or a ctr one maybe i know the ctr one is bigger- do i need si lower control arms for either of these?
2-on the rear whats the size i should go with i was thinking about getting a ctr rear and using a sub frame re-inforcement with it, i had read a ctr sway bar without the re-inforcement would tear/bend/warp the subframe

ok so what do u guys think aboutt he sway bars - i know about a good deal on some ctr ones is why i mention them specifically, i can get them for a good bit cheaper than password sells them or ebay so i was leaning that way

What about strut bars? i dont have anything in mind there yet i thought while i was doing the shock/spring install i would take care of the under side of the car first? so what else should i plan on getting while im doing that phase?

What setup do most of u guys run on the daily driven type cars with the strut bars? a 2 or 3 point in the front? i was just thinking about a 2 point tower type strut bar for the rear b/c i have to retain the cargo space in my car

thanks in advance for the help, the post here are always very informative, if ihave not supplied enough info on my car please let me know

Post by **Sean @ NDF** » April 26, 2006

if you go with the ASR subframe reinf. kit it comes with the itr sway bar i beileve. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I know it comes with a thicker sway. Don't waste your money on the toothpick si one.

Strut bars on my coupe, I have the stock one up front - waiting for cusco 2 point. But if done right, a 3 point would be a little stiffer, but I don't want my front end too stiff, coupes tend to understeer enough - and I have EM Racing rear strut, trunk brace, and triangulated bar - but my interior is stripped. Will soon have autopower roll bar too =)

im on koni yellows and ground controls

I have omni power LCA's also, if you were to get the ASR sub. kit, I would just go ahead and pick up either some aftermarket ones or find some stock ones to throw on

CarbonEG6 · Post by **CarbonEG6** » April 26, 2006

This should help http://suja1.com/index2.html

Post by **Sean @ NDF** » April 26, 2006

CarbonEG6 wrote:This should help http://suja1.com/index2.html

damn, thats a good write up on sways.

Like I was saying, dont waste your money on a si sway, when the type r's are almost double the size - if you getting the reinforcement anyway

taylor · Post by **taylor** » April 26, 2006

banzai wrote:
CarbonEG6 wrote:This should help http://suja1.com/index2.html
damn, thats a good write up on sways.

Like I was saying, dont waste your money on a si sway, when the type r's are almost double the size - if you getting the reinforcement anyway

very nice write-up, very informative.

phunhaus · Post by **phunhaus** » June 06, 2006

Awesome - that's MY write up.

IN2deep · Post by **IN2deep** » June 07, 2006

so how does the si compare to the stock CTR setup vs aftermarket, i like using oem japan parts and i have a source for alot of them sometimes the prices aernt the best i nthe workd but its avaible immediately and at other times it is really cheap so what do you guys run?

b/c im going to get into lca's off different models to acomdate the sways etc, im not doing this for show or jdm point i just like the oem honda quality and im going for an oem style build w/ aftermarket and whatever but i am a honda japan parts fan but if i can get some aftermarket for better for less im interested, ive rfead the writeup and it gives several options but i would just like to hear some more about the options and what people are using and how it works and how it compares to the oem honda japan parts

IN2deep · Post by **IN2deep** » June 07, 2006

sorry dbl post by mistake

phunhaus · Post by **phunhaus** » July 18, 2006

The sway bar you pick shouldn't be solely on WHO makes it, bvut what size you're going with. That will be dependent on how YOU want the car to act/react and what spring rates YOU are using and what other sway bar YOU are going to run and how YOU will be driving the car.

People will usually run out and buy the ASR kit because it's a great reinforcement plate with a HUGE ITR bar that makes it safe to run on the stret, but the ITR bar on an underdamped/underrated car is VERY dangerous. You can experience snap oversteer if you're relying on big sways with soft springs.

But, if you're going for a handling feel, you can match smaller sway bars on either end without having as much force applied at the limit and still get the "feel" you're going for.

No one can tell you "Run this and this and this" because it's all subjective. It's about how YOU want the car to be set up. My driving style is most likely VERY different from yous so it's time to get out there and test your friends' setups. Hopefully you can all interchange rides and see who likes what and everyone can benefit.