Fa5 Fsb

[TJ213]

I have a FA5, and since I am trying to stay in g stock I can not mess with much. Fortunatly I think there is no restriction on the front sway bar. Are there any smaller bars I can put on, or can I just run without one at all?

How much work is it to swap sway bars, and if I am running with no sway do any parts need to be secured?

Depending on the install time I also may need the ability to go to / from the event with my setup, especially since the pits are usually on grass and I don't know how to get under the car safely there.

Any ideas as to how much of a difference this will make? I am trying to get as fast as I can while staying in g stock (with the exception of wheels and tires, I know those will make the biggest difference (except the driver), but they are more $$$ than I want to spend right now)

[Highrev1]

You can run wihtout one, major problem is the lack of front camber allowed in G-stock wiht the factory slip bolts. MAx you will get -1 degree without a FSB you will acutally end up losing camber as the suspension compresses, and running on the shoulders of the tires and overheating them. THe only solution would be to get more camber than allowed by GS rules. ALso even if you were to get custom D/A dampers you could increease your bump valving and that would momentarily increase the spring rates. But this only works for transitons.
Although you are right to look for a smaller front bar to increas corner exit speed, traction, and power to the ground. AND of course Faster exit speed will mean a lower TIME.
You may need to find somthing in the middle of the LX front bar and somthing like a 15MM. I would s ay a 18mm would be ideal for you problem is NO One has such a thing. It comes down to testing out what makes the fastest times than something else. Keep practicing on a "Stock" tire then after at least one season switch to R comps they can tend to cver istakes and make you "think" you are faster than you really are they are less forgiving and limit your learing potential. BUTT if you truly want to be competitive I feel that unless the MINI Cooper S goes to DS the Civic won't be competitive in the class, especially against the new 07 which is almost a second faster than the onld supercharged models.

[TJ213]

Would the LX (EX, DX, Hybrid, GX, according to honda they are all the same) sedan bar make much of a difference at all?

I really don't want to run without a bar and overstress my tires, I don't think they are in the best shape (6/32 tread, filled to 50 psi once when the max is way below that (long story) curbed way to many times)

Is there anything else I can do (besides removing my spare tire) short of wheels and tires (and shocks, waiting for the Konis) that can help me in g stock, I've never completely understood the (never ending) rule book.

[LucasBlack]

i don't know the rules for g stock, so be cautious of my advice.

the sedan stock front bar is 24.2mm, while the si sedan receives the 27mm. that is almost a 3mm "downgrade" which, as far as i've found out, will be a noticeable difference to your advantage.

something i mentioned in another thread was the possible use of the fd2 type-r rear bar. i don't know where that might fall in g stock rules, but it might be a possibility for a rear bar compliment to the smaller front bar.

and then, as you've mentioned - playing with tire pressures could net good results (as if this is new news).

realize this information is coming from a person who has yet to even visit an autocross....wow, yeah. :)

then of course, there is always....seat time! spend time figuring out exactly what can be done to help rotation simply by driving, and driving, and driving....THEN see what to change....

[TJ213]

there's no playing around with the rear sway bar in g stock, otherwise I'd probably look at a progress RSB

I know tire pressure will help, I run a few psi over what the door says, I haven't had a chance to chalk my tires yet as I keep going to autocrosses with rain. (although IMO the rain is more fun, it really lets you know when you mess up)

[LucasBlack]

ah rain! yesh...good times autocrossing...possibly not so good on streets with curbs. not saying i've had an incident such as that, but it's just a fact. :)


what pressures have you been trying out?

[TJ213]

not much, pretty much just 35 all around, next time I'm thinking 34/36

btw, do you think that my front tires having 6/32 tread and rears having 9/32 will increase my understeer much? (hmm, that seems like a lot of wear for 3500 miles)

[LucasBlack]

what tires are you running? because my initial thought is that if you have the all-seasons on your car, i'm wondering if the lower tread on the fronts might maybe help a little with its grip....?

[TJ213]

the stock A/S tires, which squel 100% of the time, and have pretty poor grip

[LucasBlack]

haha yeah, i have those same tires....i feel bad for them sometimes; they're like teething children - you just know they're in pain. :)

i wonder if running a slightly lower front pressure might help these under-achieving tires get a bit more of a contact patch. might be something to test.

[TJ213]

okay, so where could I get a R18 sdn front sway (part number anyone?), and are the two bars easily interchangable?

[LucasBlack]

i would assume that they should swap out no probem, but i would make sure to get the corresponding bushings for the smaller bar.

i would actually check the for sale section on this site and see if someone with an r18 upgraded and therefore has their stock one laying around, or maybe if you're willing to part with yours, you could possibly swap your bar with someone with an r18 if they're looking for an si front sway.


edit: http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46499 guy trying to sell stock ex sedan suspension....