COMPARISON: Stock vs. Tokico Blue w/ Sportlines vs. HFP

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by ProgressAuto

We probably should have done this sooner but we have finally released our own reinforcement kit for the weak Honda lower control arms on these 06+ Civics. This bar has been a great seller for us and we want to keep it that way! All bars packed in April 2009 and beyond will include our new reinforcement kit. You can see the details of the piece and instructions here: The Progress Group -

Our kit will give you a few different options to install it depending on how skeptic you are of the OEM piece failing. We are comfortable using the one existing hole in conjunction with the plate as reinforcement but we also included another hole if you want to drill and use two bolts. If you want to take it even further, we made the tab very close to the wall of the rear lower arm so you can actually weld the tab right onto the OEM piece.

As of right now, we are not going to sell this kit seperately.

[09_SI]

nice thread, got my HFP ordered, just dont like the fact that in your pictures your front had about 1/4" more gap than your rear.

[ocdcivic]

Originally Posted by 09_SI

nice thread, got my HFP ordered, just dont like the fact that in your pictures your front had about 1/4" more gap than your rear.

I'll get an updated pic up soon. The fronts have settled in now after a month as well as getting a proper alignment.

[Richiest1]

This has been the best thread I've visited, I been researching and asking questions about suspensions and being dropped, I like u commute like crazy, I live in pa, and work in ny so that's 80 miles each way.. 160 a day... Reading this thread finally made me decide HFP with 18s to hide the wheel gap all the way! Thanks bro!

[ocdcivic]

Originally Posted by Richiest1

This has been the best thread I've visited, I been researching and asking questions about suspensions and being dropped, I like u commute like crazy, I live in pa, and work in ny so that's 80 miles each way.. 160 a day... Reading this thread finally made me decide HFP with 18s to hide the wheel gap all the way! Thanks bro!

Glad to hear this helped your decision making process. And :SHOCKED: I thought I had a long commute. Where in NY do you work?

[Richiest1]

Well, I was born and raised in corona, queens, I also had a long distant relationship and I basically decided to move in pa because the cost of living is so much cheaper.. I planned on quiting my job, but I was offered a better position and raise if I stood so I did... I work in woodside queens.. The commute could be long at times but I enjoy racing up and down i78 lol so I really don't mind it... Its only about an hour and a half drive..

[ocdcivic]

Originally Posted by Richiest1

Well, I was born and raised in corona, queens, I also had a long distant relationship and I basically decided to move in pa because the cost of living is so much cheaper.. I planned on quiting my job, but I was offered a better position and raise if I stood so I did... I work in woodside queens.. The commute could be long at times but I enjoy racing up and down i78 lol so I really don't mind it... Its only about an hour and a half drive..

Nice, yea I'm in a similar situation. Long distance relationship in RI so I'm trying to get closer to there. I have a buddy who works at Moravian that's right near you right?

[steveb]

I have an FG2 and made the switch to the HFP suspension. The coupe it seems sits a little lower then the FA5 does..... Visually I am happy with the setup When I did my switch I put on a Progress RSB at the same time. I am curious to see if you notice a different after you throw that into the mix. Since I did them both at the same time I have no comparison. When this suspension goes I will replace it again with the HFP. It drops the car just enough to increase the grin on my face when going through the twisties and make it that much more fun. It is civil enough though as to not have to time coffee sips in between bumps.

[ocdcivic]

Visually I would love .3-.5 inches lower but then again we run into driveability issues. I'll definitely keep you posted when I add the RSB. Hopefully going to order one by mid June.

[Piotrush]

Great write up. I've had the HFP since October and I love it. I do wish it had a bit more of an agressive stance, but I take my car into NYC pretty often and every time I'm amazed at how well the HFP compromises between comfort, performance, and durability. Ray where did you get your alignment done? I still haven't aligned mine since October (bad, I know). I think I'm going to go with at least some neg. camber up front, and maybe leave rears at stock settings for now. I think I'd rather do it through a shop that works with aftermarket components often, instead of asking one of the MINI techs to do it even if it costs more.

Pete

[ocdcivic]

Originally Posted by Piotrush

Great write up. I've had the HFP since October and I love it. I do wish it had a bit more of an agressive stance, but I take my car into NYC pretty often and every time I'm amazed at how well the HFP compromises between comfort, performance, and durability. Ray where did you get your alignment done? I still haven't aligned mine since October (bad, I know). I think I'm going to go with at least some neg. camber up front, and maybe leave rears at stock settings for now. I think I'd rather do it through a shop that works with aftermarket components often, instead of asking one of the MINI techs to do it even if it costs more.

Pete

Thanks Pete and no alignment since October :SHOCKED:

Anways, I have been bringing my cars to the same Mavis, yes I said it Mavis since day 1. I've tried numerous places local to me and these guys truly get it right all the time. They have experience with camber bolts and kits and have a really nice alignment setup, the one with the lasers and stuff. They did my old EM1, my old Evo, and my new Civic and I've never had any problems or complaints.

You're going to have to get some bolts up front to run negative camber, IMO not worth it just to run -1*

[ocdcivic]

I also hear great things about a shop called Little Bear by me that is supposed to do an amazing job (expensive though) although I've never tried them out because Mavis has never let me down.

[09_SI]

Originally Posted by steveb

When this suspension goes I will replace it again with the HFP.

I hope the suspension lasts at least 75k miles

[ocdcivic]

Originally Posted by 09_SI

I hope the suspension lasts at least 75k miles

That would be awesome but I doubt it. If I get 50k out of mine I think I'll be pretty happy.

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by ocdcivic

That would be awesome but I doubt it. If I get 50k out of mine I think I'll be pretty happy.

I have 35K on my HFP and either I am getting use to it, which it most likely is, but feels loser. Not like stock was, but definately can tell it is not new, or under 1K miles. Still performs great though.

Honda recommends replacing stock dampers at 60K I believe anyway, well, that is at least from what I have read from the suspension gurus.

[ocdcivic]

Originally Posted by Xtreme Thunder

I have 35K on my HFP and either I am getting use to it, which it most likely is, but feels loser. Not like stock was, but definately can tell it is not new, or under 1K miles. Still performs great though.

Honda recommends replacing stock dampers at 60K I believe anyway, well, that is at least from what I have read from the suspension gurus.

Good to know, I replaced my stocks at about 42k. I wouldn't say they were blown but they were definitely tired and worn.

[09_SI]

hmm well i only have 5k miles on my car.. maybe i should wait it out a bit to get these installed then

[simcivic08]

I personnaly have 1K Km on my fa5 and the hfp is getting installed next week

[09_SI]

lol nice, yeah ive done a lot of modding to my car in the past 3 months of ownership.. hope im not overdoing it and all these aftermarket parts rot on me down the line.
i paid the extra money for quality parts so i hope they pull through in the long run

[simcivic08]

you're right, i can't stand having low quality parts on my car. it's why the HFP is the only mod this summer i'm broke as hell now