HFP/Mugen/Si suspensions?

[cbstd]

How is the HFP suspension different from the stock suspension that comes with the Si? Is it an upgrade from the stock Si? Or is it intended for LX/EX owners who want more?

Mugen is going to debut a new line of suspension pieces when the Mugen Sedan comes out in the spring. How is that suspension different from the HFP stuff?

And if the stock Si suspension is tuned for the LSD and AVS, wouldn't messing with the stock suspension screw up the calibration of the AVS?

I am very pleased wiht my Si's stock suspension, I can not find a reason to mess with it. It has a level of grip similar to my SCCA CSP CRX with the suspension travel and relative comfort of a street car. If fashion were important to me, it could be argued that a modest drop would make the car look better... but I like the amount of suspension travel the car has and would not want to screw with that.

Outside of a softer/grippier tire, I can not see myself messing with the stock Si suspension.

Scott

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by cbstd

How is the HFP suspension different from the stock suspension that comes with the Si? Is it an upgrade from the stock Si? Or is it intended for LX/EX owners who want more?

Mugen is going to debut a new line of suspension pieces when the Mugen Sedan comes out in the spring. How is that suspension different from the HFP stuff?

And if the stock Si suspension is tuned for the LSD and AVS, wouldn't messing with the stock suspension screw up the calibration of the AVS?

I am very pleased wiht my Si's stock suspension, I can not find a reason to mess with it. It has a level of grip similar to my SCCA CSP CRX with the suspension travel and relative comfort of a street car. If fashion were important to me, it could be argued that a modest drop would make the car look better... but I like the amount of suspension travel the car has and would not want to screw with that.

Outside of a softer/grippier tire, I can not see myself messing with the stock Si suspension.

Scott

Drive in an SI with the HFP kit and you will. I have it and it's a nice improvement.

[MutantCheese]

I have the HFP package as well. Handling is very crisp and the car looks much better lowered the 1". Also Rides like it's on rails, the good and bad way.

[hatchbac_smokin_you]

but have you guys driven a SI without the hfp suspension?

[MutantCheese]

Originally Posted by hatchbac_smokin_you

but have you guys driven a SI without the hfp suspension?

No I have not, but I'd really like a chance to compare the two. I do know that the tires on the HFP provide really excellent grip as opposed to stock tires.

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by hatchbac_smokin_you

but have you guys driven a SI without the hfp suspension?

Yes I have I put about 6000 miles on my SI before I got the HFP kit. It is a big improvement.. A tad harsh but the improved handling is worth it.

[Toxis]

Who puts tires on their suspension?

I have the summer tires from Honda and don't have the HPF suspension... maybe you get even BETTER tires if you get the suspension... lol

[taffysi]

I was thinking of doing the HFP suspension kit, but changed my mind due to more rough roads here. The stock SI suspension to me..provides stiff/great/good enough handling..yet..plush enough for more rough roads. I think its the best of both worlds. It sure handled better than my 6th gen. civic dropped on tanabe grip feeling springs and tokico's.

[Cookstar]

Originally Posted by cappykd

Yes I have I put about 6000 miles on my SI before I got the HFP kit. It is a big improvement.. A tad harsh but the improved handling is worth it.

Scott, I agree with cappykd on this one. I would think you would have good roads in Southern California so a little harshness wouldn't be an issue. I also have the Progress rear bar that went on at the same time. According to the folks at the Tail of the Dragon meet, my car had very little roll in the corners. It handles beautifully.

Here's a pic of the drop you can expect:

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by Cookstar

Scott, I agree with cappykd on this one. I would think you would have good roads in Southern California so a little harshness wouldn't be an issue. I also have the Progress rear bar that went on at the same time. According to the folks at the Tail of the Dragon meet, my car had very little roll in the corners. It handles beautifully.

Here's a pic of the drop you can expect:

I also have the Progress swaybar. It's also a super mod. Upgrading to 18's with some grip also makes it handle a little better but it get's a little harsher when you do.

[Cookstar]

Originally Posted by cappykd

I also have the Progress swaybar. It's also a super mod. Upgrading to 18's with some grip also makes it handle a little better but it get's a little harsher when you do.

I'm not sure if going to 18s will make your car handle any better. You might increase grip with the stiffer sidewall but the increase in unsprung weight will make your suspension less responsive and decrease your acceleration and increase your braking distance. I think autocrossers typically stay with lower diameter wheels. I know etf runs 17" Koseis when he autocrosses and Janizary chose his 17" Motegi Trak Lites specifically for the lighter weight.

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by Cookstar

I'm not sure if going to 18s will make your car handle any better. You might increase grip with the stiffer sidewall but the increase in unsprung weight will make your suspension less responsive and decrease your acceleration and increase your braking distance. I think autocrossers typically stay with lower diameter wheels. I know etf runs 17" Koseis when he autocrosses and Janizary chose his 17" Motegi Trak Lites specifically for the lighter weight.

Your right just the decreased profile affecting grip with less roll. Actually the wheels and tires I picked weigh less than the factory setup by 2 pounds each. That's why I didn't go HFP 18's cause they weigh more than stock.. But as far as autocross goes 17" seems to be the sweet spot.

[palerider]

Originally Posted by cbstd

How is the HFP suspension different from the stock suspension that comes with the Si? Is it an upgrade from the stock Si? Or is it intended for LX/EX owners who want more?

Mugen is going to debut a new line of suspension pieces when the Mugen Sedan comes out in the spring. How is that suspension different from the HFP stuff?

And if the stock Si suspension is tuned for the LSD and AVS, wouldn't messing with the stock suspension screw up the calibration of the AVS?

I am very pleased wiht my Si's stock suspension, I can not find a reason to mess with it. It has a level of grip similar to my SCCA CSP CRX with the suspension travel and relative comfort of a street car. If fashion were important to me, it could be argued that a modest drop would make the car look better... but I like the amount of suspension travel the car has and would not want to screw with that.

Outside of a softer/grippier tire, I can not see myself messing with the stock Si suspension.

Scott

Scott- I had the stock suspension for about 4500 miles and just switched to HFP suspension. From my point of view it is a dramatic upgrade. I am not familiar with any other suspension aftermarket so I cannot address that and I do not have Progress sways on so I cannot comment on that.

But the ability to attack corners with this suspension is fantastic.

You may remember that one of the car magazines ran a comparo of a bunch of cars at VIR raceway and really had nothing nice to say about the Si stock handling calling it "flopping all over the place". I would have like to seen the results with this suspension- I am sure they would have been different.
The car "feels" heavier and more planted on the road.

[MutantCheese]

I talked with my from from the dealership about driving a stock Si. I'd really like to have something for reference. He claims that the HFP is a big improvement, but I'd like to decide for myself.

[lpages]

Originally Posted by Cookstar

I would think you would have good roads in Southern California so a little harshness wouldn't be an issue.

I got a kick out of this comment. I commute into L.A., the roads/streets are in unbelievable disrepair. One good rain, and the streets washout. Potholes take months, years, some I'm still waiting on to be repaired. I bent a 5Zigen on my last car when I hit a humongous pothole. And had a set of Eibach Sportlines intalled on the car prior to that. It was a miserable ride into L.A. , I had to watch every dip and bump along the way(which was alot), no cushion at all. It's an issue, choose your springs carefully. I'm still undecided which ones I'm going with yet.

[Cookstar]

Originally Posted by lpages

I got a kick out of this comment. I commute into L.A., the roads/streets are in unbelievable disrepair. One good rain, and the streets washout. Potholes take months, years, some I'm still waiting on to be repaired. I bent a 5Zigen on my last car when I hit a humongous pothole. And had a set of Eibach Sportlines intalled on the car prior to that. It was a miserable ride into L.A. , I had to watch every dip and bump along the way(which was alot), no cushion at all. It's an issue, choose your springs carefully. I'm still undecided which ones I'm going with yet.

I've never been to SoCal, but evidently your politicians agree with me about the roads.

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by Cookstar

I've never been to SoCal, but evidently your politicians agree with me about the roads.

Having lived both on the East coast where roads are crap due to freezing and road salt, and also in Cali where roads are bad because they(The Politicians) are too cheap. I have to say that the roads in a state that gets rain/sleet/freezing rain and snow are MUCH WORSE than Cali. Cali is bad but I've seen much worse.. Get the HFP kit and enjoy it.. I know I do and I do a lot of driving in Socal.

[Type X]

well if your looking for a "drop" with the mugens... look elsewhere

this is a pic i took at sema of the "mugen si"

[Andrei'sCivic]

I drive an 07 Civic LX. As you guys know a lot of parts in my rear differ from those on an EX and Si. I have drum brakes in the back. Can I fit the HFP suspension on my Civic? I heard from the dealer in Temecula that they do have a special HFP suspension that will fit the DX and LX models but the dealer at Norm Reeves told me "you will have to take the route of swapping drum brakes for disc brakes in the back." "We'll see what parts need replacing in order to make the HFP suspension: that reads for EX & Si models fit your LX.
-So I hear my whole rear end is different. Do you guys see a way I can install the HFP suspension on my LX?

[cappykd]

Originally Posted by Andrei'sCivic

I drive an 07 Civic LX. As you guys know a lot of parts in my rear differ from those on an EX and Si. I have drum brakes in the back. Can I fit the HFP suspension on my Civic? I heard from the dealer in Temecula that they do have a special HFP suspension that will fit the DX and LX models but the dealer at Norm Reeves told me "you will have to take the route of swapping drum brakes for disc brakes in the back." "We'll see what parts need replacing in order to make the HFP suspension: that reads for EX & Si models fit your LX.
-So I hear my whole rear end is different. Do you guys see a way I can install the HFP suspension on my LX?

I like Norm Reeves in Temecula but I'm not so sure if that's true. I have the SI and a LX and I can't see any difference in the rear suspension. I havn't removed the LX suspension yet, but I have the factory SI suspension sitting in boxes and from all the measurements I've done, it will fit just fine. BTW I'm in Murrieta if you wanna take a look at the SI suspension and hold it up to your car and what not just let me know..