Si Sedan HFP Suspension

[StLVtec]

looks good but not very low. hopefully it will settle and yes the rear does look lower

[bioevolve]

The rear wheels don't look vertical. Front looks good, rear looks like it needs a camber kit?!?!

[CZ-75]

Originally Posted by krypt0

As promised, below are some before/after pics:


Profile Before -
http://home.comcast.net/~krypt0/si4.jpg

Profile After -
http://home.comcast.net/~krypt0/aft1.jpg

Front Wheel Gap Before -
http://home.comcast.net/~krypt0/b4front.jpg

Front Wheel Gap After -
http://home.comcast.net/~krypt0/aftfront.jpg

Rear Wheel Gap Before -
http://home.comcast.net/~krypt0/b4rear.jpg

Rear Wheel Gap After -
http://home.comcast.net/~krypt0/aftrear.jpg

Misc After Shots -
http://home.comcast.net/~krypt0/aft2.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~krypt0/aft3.jpg

I only drove about 5 miles from the dealership to my house in rush hour traffic, so I didn't get to really test out the suspension much, but here are some initial impressions. As soon as I pulled out from the dealership, I noticed that increased stiffness of the suspension. It's not uncomfortable or harsh, but it's totally noticeable in a good way. I had to take a sharp loop to enter the freeway and as I cut through this corner, I couldn't believe the difference I felt - there was no detectable body roll at all and the car just felt pinned to the road. There's a HUGE difference compared to the stock suspension and I knew right then this whole project was worth it. As I finished the drive home, I became aware of the lower ride height - felt lower to the ground and more connected to the road like my old Integra used to feel. I love it! No regrets at all!

Regarding the alignment issue - my dealership told me they put the car on the rack and everything checked out. Therefore they didn't need to do an alignment.

Time for me to head out and find some twisties to play with!

Any rack that is approved for use on a Honda should have a printout of the alignment settings. No printout means they jerked you off with a cock-and-bull story.

[krypt0]

Originally Posted by bioevolve

The rear wheels don't look vertical. Front looks good, rear looks like it needs a camber kit?!?!

Damn man, you're totally right. I just went out to the garage and took a look and the rear wheels are definitely angled in like this /-----\ What the hell!?? I'll have to give Honda a call tomorrow and ask them what's up. They'll probably want to charge me another $600 to take a look at it.

[CZ-75]

Originally Posted by krypt0

Damn man, you're totally right. I just went out to the garage and took a look and the rear wheels are definitely angled in like this /-----\ What the hell!?? I'll have to give Honda a call tomorrow and ask them what's up. They'll probably want to charge me another $600 to take a look at it.

I guess that didn't show up on their "alignment" check, huh?

[krypt0]

Originally Posted by CZ-75

I guess that didn't show up on their "alignment" check, huh?

Yeah, no kidding! I think the reason the rear may have looked lower is that I still had the old stock suspension sitting in my trunk. I'm guessing these old parts weighed 60-70lbs. I took them out and now things look a bit more even - although the rear still seems slightly lower. Anyway, the rear wheels are definitely not vertical, so I'll be running down to Honda first thing in the morning to see what they have to say.

[exbauer]

the rear does not sit vertical. with standard suspension it is tilted like /----\ also

[krypt0]

Originally Posted by exbauer

the rear does not sit vertical. with standard suspension it is tilted like /----\ also

Is that right? I never noticed this on my stock suspension, but then I never had a reason to be looking that closely either. I looked back at a bunch of photos I took when the car was stock, but none of them are at the right angle to really tell. Anyway, it would be a big relief to know that this slightly angled stance of the rear wheels is normal.

I just had my car out for a little spin and damn I love this new suspension! This car was definitely fun to drive before, but now it's just crazy fun!

[CZ-75]

That is correct, but it should be only around one degree negative, which should be difficult to notice.

[krypt0]

Originally Posted by CZ-75

That is correct, but it should be only around one degree negative, which should be difficult to notice.

This is good to know. The angle on mine looks like more than one degree, so I'm planning to run down to my dealership on my lunch break to ask them about this and to check out some stock sedans. I just want to be sure everything is ok. I really appreciate all the help and comments from everyone here. :)

[tnel2005]

so is it at all an uncomfortable ride??? over bumps or bad roads???

[krypt0]

Originally Posted by tnel2005

so is it at all an uncomfortable ride??? over bumps or bad roads???

I wouldn't say it's uncomfortable, but the comfort level has decreased and I definitely feel the bumps and rough patches in the road more now. This was an expected trade-off for the better handling though and I like the way it feels. I've never been a fan of cushioned, floaty suspensions that isolate you from the feel of the road.

[tnel2005]

cool.thanks

[krypt0]

I just got back from the dealership where I spent some time looking at the rear wheel camber of a stock sedan and it looks about the same as with my HFP suspension. I talked to the service department about the issue and they said they'd be happy to throw the car back on the rack to check out the alignment again, so I'll be taking the car in next week. I think everything is probably fine, but it won't hurt to have them check it out again. And this time I'll ask to see a printout of the results.

[Woody34]

Originally Posted by krypt0

And this time I'll ask to see a printout of the results.

You might also ask them what they're comparing the spec to because the HFP suspension should have different specs from the stock suspension. I wonder if they're using the soecs for the coupe HFP suspension since Honda hasn't released the installation instructions for the sedan suspension yet....

Also, I noticed from your pictures that you have Oregon plates on your car. Just curious, which dealer are you using?

[TampaSi07]

Install is 2.2 book hours for the HFP kit. How the hell are dealers charging $600? Even at $80 rounded up to 3 hours that is still only $240!

Oh well, let the buyer beware.

[krypt0]

Originally Posted by Woody34

You might also ask them what they're comparing the spec to because the HFP suspension should have different specs from the stock suspension. I wonder if they're using the soecs for the coupe HFP suspension since Honda hasn't released the installation instructions for the sedan suspension yet....

Also, I noticed from your pictures that you have Oregon plates on your car. Just curious, which dealer are you using?

Thanks for the good advice Woody, I'll definitely ask them what specs they're using. The dealer I'm using is Kendall Honda in Eugene.

[krypt0]

Originally Posted by TampaSi07

Install is 2.2 book hours for the HFP kit. How the hell are dealers charging $600? Even at $80 rounded up to 3 hours that is still only $240!

Oh well, let the buyer beware.

My dealer told me the install was listed as a 7 hour job. I asked him how it could take 7 hours and he just said there's a lot of work involved. He said the alignment itself could take 2 hours - which is funny considering they didn't even do an alignment on my car.

[CZ-75]

No fvcking way an alignment takes two hours.

[krypt0]

Yeah, the guy I was talking to was just the desk jockey in the service department and I don't think he knew what he was talking about.