worthwhile suspension upgrades


nicole_

nicole_

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2014
Messages
676
I'm really new to the world of hondas/ek9s, but I've been doing a lot of research on here and google and I'm getting there :))
I just had a few questions.
I currently have a saxo (they're not that bad! :p) and I LOVE how it's set up. The upgrades on it have made such a difference - and for me, the stiffer the better!
I plan on doing a few track days a year in the ek9, with it then coming off the road for the winter/pothole weather, so road comfort isnt a huge issue with me, and my sax is fairly crashy and vibrates a lot anyway.
The sax is fully polybushed, with grp N engine mounts and grp N suspension and a thicker ARB - personally I love it and was looking at the same sort of upgrades for the ek9. I know they're different cars however, and was curious what people recommend as obviously I dont really know much about them...

-I've been looking at the Hardrace bush kit vs the energy suspension one. Material wise, I'm swaying towards hardrace, but is there much in it and is it worth the extra?
I'm not keen on the RTA bushes being near solid, so would probably go OEM for these.
Also not sure if a kit is worth it if upgrades like rear LCAs will have uprated bushes in already?

-Engine mounts, I have no idea what's available or where to look for different brands/ratings, I've not been able to find much on them. I dont mind vibrations, but can anyone suggest any to look into?

Braces, again - which ones are worth it? If front braces are added, should rears be added to match? I realise there's numerous different places for these and you can run a fair few on the front and rear struts etc. I know on my sax, the upper strut brace is more for show than anything - I dont want 5 braces on the ek that are all for show :D

ARB - i've found a lot of conflicting info on ARBs tbh, what size are the ek9 anti roll bars exactly? Is it best to leave these alone unless being matched with stiffer spring rates/dampers?

And finally - is it best just to leave it alone? haha
The car has meister R zeta S coilies, so I'll probably not get to experience the standard set up - but is it the case that the car is great out the box and should be left alone?

Also, any other suspension upgrades that I might have overlooked that people have found worthwhile on their car? :D thanks!
I've not even started to read into camber/toe yet, so much to learn haha
 
Camber arms and sticky tyres. Then get a proper alignment set up and you'll be blasting round the track.
My car was set up like this
-3deg camber front
-2deg camber rear
0 toe front
6mins toe out rear.(total)
This gave the car real good turn on the brakes and it stuck to the track!
Here's a video of the above set up at the ring
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=er3LAtY9HTw
 
Lol yeah is funny my fastest laps are always with that one passenger. We laugh about it all the time. Unfortunately he was in the car when I crashed it, lucky I had msa spec cage fitted and he wasn't harmed, so we laugh about that now lol
 
jesse888 said:
Lol yeah is funny my fastest laps are always with that one passenger. We laugh about it all the time. Unfortunately he was in the car when I crashed it, lucky I had msa spec cage fitted and he wasn't harmed, so we laugh about that now lol
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear you crashed it mate :(

I plan on doing the nurb at some point. Was lucky enough to ride shotgun in a Supra RZ pushing 430bhp. Not gonna lie, my heart was writing up some dubstep of its own :nerv:
 
Haha yeah I'm a nervous passenger aswell. Anyway back on topic.
The zeta s are ok. Not really a track coilover though, I had the r's on in the video but I did want stiffer really. Felt I'd reached the limit of the suspension, esp on turn in.
 
Wouldn't the Skunk2 Pro-S II coilovers be a pretty good addition? Seeing as how they're fully adjustable (dunno if the OP could be arsed to change it for track and normal day-day driving) so it could be a case of best of both words. Pair that up with a Front and Rear strut sitting on some decent shoes would see it drive the way s/he wants it?

Just my opinion :)

Would also recommend adding some ARB's. Not too sure about these though, however change in spring would happily pair up with some uprated goodies. Really, you'd wanna keep it balanced in terms of one thing working really well, but another part working close to constant max output/ability.
Best way if ya can, blag your way into someone elses civic that's good a few more mods. See how it feels and work around that.
 
Last edited:
If the car already has MiesterR Zeta S then I would just go with your original thoughts and fit a hardback bush kit, but oe RTA bushes. ARBs are quite big standard and ballenced so wouldn't bother changing them, maybe Polly bush the D bushes.

There are various engine mounts you can get. Innovative, etc most do a range of stiffness, wouldn't think much more than 70a be needed for stockish b16 or b18.

Braces are a bit controversial. Personally if track car without a cage I'd be fitting a solid rear top and maybe replacing the std front with a better strut mounted one. If the car feels a bit vague still on the front end then a set of fender braces might help. Other than that you may aswell just fit a cage.

More than anything plenty of seat time in it on the track will show you what it may or may not need.

Ps don't forget fresh decent brakes. Std is good but still has its limits. Updated pads make a fair difference.
 
I'd say get out on the track & until you can push the limits of the OEM parts then leave it as it is.
When you are bordering on Senna skill, then buy some £2000+ Ohlin race dampers or something.
 
jesse888 said:
Camber arms and sticky tyres. Then get a proper alignment set up and you'll be blasting round the track.
My car was set up like this
-3deg camber front
-2deg camber rear
0 toe front
6mins toe out rear.(total)
This gave the car real good turn on the brakes and it stuck to the track!
Here's a video of the above set up at the ring
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=er3LAtY9HTw
Click to expand...


:win: impressive nice drivin man
 
Thanks man. Makes me sad everytime I watch the video. Was an epic car and I'll have to spend big and go bold to top that car for fun/speed/per £
 
jesse888 said:
Camber arms and sticky tyres. Then get a proper alignment set up and you'll be blasting round the track.
My car was set up like this
-3deg camber front
-2deg camber rear
0 toe front
6mins toe out rear.(total)
This gave the car real good turn on the brakes and it stuck to the track!
Here's a video of the above set up at the ring
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=er3LAtY9HTw
Click to expand...

Impressive video! You certainly know how to drive! :bow:
I'm probably going to go with Federal 595s to begin with. I've been pretty impressed with them on other cars. Do you suggest camber front and rear? I was looking into just neg front camber initially..

KieranEG6 said:
If the car already has MiesterR Zeta S then I would just go with your original thoughts and fit a hardback bush kit, but oe RTA bushes. ARBs are quite big standard and ballenced so wouldn't bother changing them, maybe Polly bush the D bushes.

There are various engine mounts you can get. Innovative, etc most do a range of stiffness, wouldn't think much more than 70a be needed for stockish b16 or b18.

Braces are a bit controversial. Personally if track car without a cage I'd be fitting a solid rear top and maybe replacing the std front with a better strut mounted one. If the car feels a bit vague still on the front end then a set of fender braces might help. Other than that you may aswell just fit a cage.

More than anything plenty of seat time in it on the track will show you what it may or may not need.

Ps don't forget fresh decent brakes. Std is good but still has its limits. Updated pads make a fair difference.
Click to expand...

Cheers for the reply :) Really helpful. I'll have a look into those engine mounts :) Sounds like I'd be best leaving the ARBs alone for now. I wont be going down the cage route nope, I dont really like how you need to cut through rear plastics or whatever to fit a rear brace.

Brakes wise, I'm going for ds2500s and see how I get on with the standard brakes. I love these pads so much and would put them on anything now lol
What are the most popular options for bigger brakes, off another car, without going 4 pots etc?

Biscuit said:
I'd say get out on the track & until you can push the limits of the OEM parts then leave it as it is.
When you are bordering on Senna skill, then buy some £2000+ Ohlin race dampers or something.
Click to expand...

Haha, thanks :) It's a shame the car isnt totally standard tbh, I'd have loved to start from the beginning with it. I see your point, but I dont think theres any harm in replacing things like bushes :)


cheers for all the replies guys :)
 
Friend on here runs 595's, done pretty well on his car. Is it ek9 you have now? I've got plenty of parts for sale if you want to check my thread, mostly small modifications left now other than the engine.
I'd camber the rear aswell yes. No point having the front set and then having to pay to get the rears set later on,
 
Last edited:
Yeah I have been running Federal 595 RSRs and I've been very happy with them keeps pace with others running R888s so cant be all that bad.

I wouldnt worry about bigger calipers or anything crazy. Good fast road alignment with good tyres and pads and the EK9 can really suprise some other cars.
 
Last edited:
Adjustable front and rear camber arms,don't bother with the oem Rta bushes get a set of blueprint ones basically the same but the blueprint and slightly thicker, have had both and blueprint feel better as standard there's a thread on here about it. And get a good laser alignment and that'll do to start off. Car is in a whole different league to the Saxo lol not classed as one of the best fwd cars ever made for nothing :) the hard race kit is far superior the energy!!
As for mounts if it's for road/track the 75a will be more than enough and means torque mounts can be removed. I had 85a in my integra track car and the car shook like crazy they were so hard haha
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top