Si Front & Rear Sways on an EX Sedan

[iVTEC]

The front Si sway bar (and rear bar for that matter) are heavier. I don't think it's enough to make a difference in gas mileage. It's maybe 10-15 lbs more total for the two bars.

What's more of a concern is the weight of the Si wheels. They weigh 23.5 lbs according to my bathroom scale. That's rotating mass that tends to decrease acceleration and braking. I do like the handling improvements, though, of the upsized tires. I just wish it cam in a lighter package.

I will say that the handling is almost comparable to my RSX-S now that I have the Si bars, wheels and 215/45-17 tires. My RSX-S had the A-Spec suspension, neuspeed front strut tower bar and progress 22mm rear sway/tie bar plus energy suspension front sway bar bushings.

I would suggest for the more aggressive driver to consider getting the rear Progress 22mm bar instead of the Si rear sway to go with the front Si bar. I'm considering it for some time in the future.

[Kurt]

Just ordered the front sway. Should have it Wed. or Thur.

[aznives3]

would the improvements be the same for the coupe?? I still feel like my ex coupe is "floaty"

[PayBack]

Originally Posted by iVTEC

What's more of a concern is the weight of the Si wheels. They weigh 23.5 lbs according to my bathroom scale. That's rotating mass that tends to decrease acceleration and braking. I do like the handling improvements, though, of the upsized tires. I just wish it cam in a lighter package.

What is the weight of the stock alloy wheel on the EX sedan? Wonder if the HFP wheel is lighter...

[Kurt]

got my front sway today. probably going in this weekend, im really sick right now

[iVTEC]

Originally Posted by aznives3

would the improvements be the same for the coupe?? I still feel like my ex coupe is "floaty"

I would imagine so. The improvement should be even more obvious, since the coupe is lighter than the sedan.

[iVTEC]

Originally Posted by PayBack

What is the weight of the stock alloy wheel on the EX sedan? Wonder if the HFP wheel is lighter...

The stock EX wheels are 20 or 21 pounds each, if I remember correctly. The HFP wheels are pretty heavy, from what I can remember. Do a search. It's been covered by someone else in another thread somewhere.

[iVTEC]

Originally Posted by Kurt

got my front sway today. probably going in this weekend, im really sick right now

Where are your priorities!?!

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by iVTEC

Where are your priorities!?!

I'm putting it in right now. With strep throat :) Just started taking penicillin today.


man, these screws are hard to get off, even with WD-40.

[Kurt]

Finished about an hour ago then cleaned up and took it for a spin.

Man, that feels great! The weight difference of the bar itself from stock to the Si's is incredible. Now I just need to put my Si shocks/dampers on (they go on first friday of sept.) with my Tein s-techs and my car will be a beast.

Great upgrade, I highly recommend it

[iVTEC]

Originally Posted by Kurt

Finished about an hour ago then cleaned up and took it for a spin.

Man, that feels great! The weight difference of the bar itself from stock to the Si's is incredible. Now I just need to put my Si shocks/dampers on (they go on first friday of sept.) with my Tein s-techs and my car will be a beast.

Great upgrade, I highly recommend it

Man, you are one dedicated dude. Penicillin and all. Mad props to you.

Glad you like the upgrade! I bet you'll really be able to hug the turns with the S-techs and the Si dampers. How do you like the S-techs? Do they ride much rougher than the stock EX springs?

Thanks

[DigitalAnalog]

Originally Posted by iVTEC

Man, you are one dedicated dude. Penicillin and all. Mad props to you.

Glad you like the upgrade! I bet you'll really be able to hug the turns with the S-techs and the Si dampers. How do you like the S-techs? Do they ride much rougher than the stock EX springs?

Thanks

From what I hear, the S-techs are pretty comfy. Firmer ride with a little increase in the bumpage.

What I'm curious to know is:

1) How much different is SI shocks compared to EX sedan/coupe
2) Are they just stiffer to accomodate weight? Is so, would there be an increase in performance or just a harsher ride?
3) How different is the HFP SI and HFP EX suspension? Would getting HFP SI suspension make a difference?

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by iVTEC

Man, you are one dedicated dude. Penicillin and all. Mad props to you.

Glad you like the upgrade! I bet you'll really be able to hug the turns with the S-techs and the Si dampers. How do you like the S-techs? Do they ride much rougher than the stock EX springs?

Thanks

I love the S-techs. It's a perfect drop, ride quality is still great, and there's a little better handling. I haven't had any problems with them.

[spunkin82]

Originally Posted by DigitalAnalog

From what I hear, the S-techs are pretty comfy. Firmer ride with a little increase in the bumpage.

What I'm curious to know is:

1) How much different is SI shocks compared to EX sedan/coupe
2) Are they just stiffer to accomodate weight? Is so, would there be an increase in performance or just a harsher ride?
3) How different is the HFP SI and HFP EX suspension? Would getting HFP SI suspension make a difference?

would getting HFP suspensions with the shocks decrease the life of my civic in the long run? im looking into this mod as well.

[DigitalAnalog]

Originally Posted by spunkin82

would getting HFP suspensions with the shocks decrease the life of my civic in the long run? im looking into this mod as well.

HFP suspension is a shock/spring combo.

What i'm referring to specifically is using the SI HFP kit instead of the EX HFP kit.

[Kurt]

man, my car feels so much better at high speeds (80+)

[tegrady]

Got the front on today! I'm going to drive a bit tomorrow and post again.

[tegrady]

I finally got the time to install the front sway bar, so here's my impression and some install tips.

Installation

- Get the front end off of the ground and secured (use jackstands, set the ebrake and block the back wheels, I know I'm paranoid, but I like the current shape of my head and don't want it altered to resemble a crushed watermelon)
- Leave the key in the ignition on accessory so that you can steer the front wheels by hand.
- There's two pinch bolts, one on each end of the endlink. I removed the one attaching the endlink to the A-Arm since it was easy to get to when you steered in each direction.
- To remove the pinch bolts, use an allen wrench to hold the bolt while you remove the nut with a 14mm box wrench. You may need to spray some liquid wrench on them to loosen them up a bit. My car is only 9 months old and they were pretty tight.
- Remove the bracket bolts and remove the sway bar.
- Remove the endlinks and move them to the new sway bar.
- Lift the sway bar in place and hand tighten the bracket bolts.
- Get the pinch bolts back in place and hand tighten the nuts.
- Tighten everything back up
- Put her back on the ground and enjoy!

Driving Impressions

I did the rear sway bar several months ago and loved the results. Adding the front really completed the picture. I agree with everything in iVTEC's original post, the front end feels way more planted and it doesn't induce any more understeer from what I can tell. I can push the car harder into a corner and it feels like I can alter my line a little easier. I really couldn't feel any discernible change in ride quality with either sway bar.

I'm going to get out and push it a little harder over the course of the week and I'll follow up if I notice anything different.

[06xy]

Shesh, you guys stop torturing me, haha.
I havne't got my civic ex in yet and you guys are talking about upgrading the strut and sway/what nots to make it to SI like or better.

I will have to see though since my intention on this baby is pretty much all commute, luxery and daily but the price isn't bad for a nice suspension upgrade. STOP!!!! haha

[tegrady]

Originally Posted by 06xy

Shesh, you guys stop torturing me, haha.
I havne't got my civic ex in yet and you guys are talking about upgrading the strut and sway/what nots to make it to SI like or better.

I will have to see though since my intention on this baby is pretty much all commute, luxery and daily but the price isn't bad for a nice suspension upgrade. STOP!!!! haha

Mine is completely a daily driver. I still have a list of things that I want to do, but I still want to keep the comfort and driveability intact.

Hurry up and go shopping!!!