Best Suspension Part Review Project
<<< 1/16/14 Edit: No more test cars needed>>> .... but please read on to understand what we are doing!!!
Hi all,
I am embarking on a seriously cool project to review the "install", "quality", "comfort" and "performance" of every aftermarket suspension part available for the 2006-11 Civic. Yes, you heard right. Crazy? Maybe. Value? Absolutely. This will take some time... as in it will probably never end. And all pics, videos, DIY info, and reviews from every install will be available publicly.
If you are interested in being part of this project, please let me know (NO MORE TEST CARS NEEDED). I will install any suspension part for FREE that has not been reviewed yet. (btw nothing has been "reviewed" as of the posting of this.) The install will take place at my shop (Kingston, PA 18704 in northeast Pennsylvania). And yes I said FREE install... you will become part of this great project (and in the pics and videos if you are ok with that).
This includes shocks, springs, coilovers, anti-roll bars, tie bars, bushings, camber kits, suspension kits, and anything else interesting.
What's the catch? You have to make the suspension parts available to me 1-2 weeks in advance of the install for me to do bench testing and quality checks (no parts will be harmed)...or I can get them for you. Then you will arrive for install and alignment, and you and I will road test the car for an hour or so to get a feel of it, making shock changes or other adjustments that are available. This is *not* about lap times on a race track (although I will certainly have a good sense of whether the part is track-worthy after all my research). After a 1 hour road test, I'm sure we'll have a very good idea of what we like or don't like. No beating the car up... this is about handling and performance, and I value my life; so no crazy stuff. (note: people like to drive a bit crazy when I'm a passenger because I guess they think I will be impressed... almost been killed a couple times.... none of that please!)
So, this is how your part would be tested and reviewed:
1) spring rate testing on springs and coilovers
2) shock dyno testing on shocks, including coilover shocks, using a pro-level Intercomp Variable Speed shock dyno
3) general hands-on quality checks of materials, machining, fit, and finish. No destructive testing... your parts will not look or be damaged in any way. All warranties remain intact because we will not do anything to a part that the car won't do in normal operation when the part is installed.
4) install review and DIY info collection
5) road testing and discussion with car owner
6) review documentation and DIY sequences to post publicly online with lots of pictures and video (using a Nikon D7000 SLR with good lenses and lighting) for everyone to see and enjoy.
What will result as time goes on and more and more things are reviewed is a collection of very worthwhile information and totally unbiased reviews from me (an industry veteran) and customers (newbies to veteran racers) of how good the parts are and what the parts really do. So, it will be a great source for everyone to see what works and what doesn't.
Remember we want to review any popular or new lowering springs, coilovers, shocks, anti-roll bars, tie bars, bushings, alignment kits, etc. Anything from Raceland coilovers to Swift springs to KYB shocks to Honda Factory Performance items to super-fancy Moton coilovers to Buddy club alignment arms to Beaks tie bars to whatever part and whatever manufacturer.... you get the idea. If it exists, I want to test and review it. Obviously I won't pay for your parts...although I will get them for you if it's easier... but consider them installed professionally for free. That's what's in it for you.... and to be a part of an incredibly interesting project that lots of people will pour over in the years to come.
Remember installs are in northeast PA. Please don't contact me unless you really want to do this... I don't need a ton of people asking questions who aren't really serious about doing this because that will be a waste of my valuable time.
As of today, I have no "Review Items" scheduled or posted. ANYTHING is game... I'm assuming that will change.
Hope to hear from you.
Cheers,
Chris
<<< 1/16/14 Edit: No more test cars needed>>> .... but please read on to understand what we are doing!!!
Hi all,
I am embarking on a seriously cool project to review the "install", "quality", "comfort" and "performance" of every aftermarket suspension part available for the 2006-11 Civic. Yes, you heard right. Crazy? Maybe. Value? Absolutely. This will take some time... as in it will probably never end. And all pics, videos, DIY info, and reviews from every install will be available publicly.
If you are interested in being part of this project, please let me know (NO MORE TEST CARS NEEDED). I will install any suspension part for FREE that has not been reviewed yet. (btw nothing has been "reviewed" as of the posting of this.) The install will take place at my shop (Kingston, PA 18704 in northeast Pennsylvania). And yes I said FREE install... you will become part of this great project (and in the pics and videos if you are ok with that).
This includes shocks, springs, coilovers, anti-roll bars, tie bars, bushings, camber kits, suspension kits, and anything else interesting.
What's the catch? You have to make the suspension parts available to me 1-2 weeks in advance of the install for me to do bench testing and quality checks (no parts will be harmed)...or I can get them for you. Then you will arrive for install and alignment, and you and I will road test the car for an hour or so to get a feel of it, making shock changes or other adjustments that are available. This is *not* about lap times on a race track (although I will certainly have a good sense of whether the part is track-worthy after all my research). After a 1 hour road test, I'm sure we'll have a very good idea of what we like or don't like. No beating the car up... this is about handling and performance, and I value my life; so no crazy stuff. (note: people like to drive a bit crazy when I'm a passenger because I guess they think I will be impressed... almost been killed a couple times.... none of that please!)
So, this is how your part would be tested and reviewed:
1) spring rate testing on springs and coilovers
2) shock dyno testing on shocks, including coilover shocks, using a pro-level Intercomp Variable Speed shock dyno
3) general hands-on quality checks of materials, machining, fit, and finish. No destructive testing... your parts will not look or be damaged in any way. All warranties remain intact because we will not do anything to a part that the car won't do in normal operation when the part is installed.
4) install review and DIY info collection
5) road testing and discussion with car owner
6) review documentation and DIY sequences to post publicly online with lots of pictures and video (using a Nikon D7000 SLR with good lenses and lighting) for everyone to see and enjoy.
What will result as time goes on and more and more things are reviewed is a collection of very worthwhile information and totally unbiased reviews from me (an industry veteran) and customers (newbies to veteran racers) of how good the parts are and what the parts really do. So, it will be a great source for everyone to see what works and what doesn't.
Remember we want to review any popular or new lowering springs, coilovers, shocks, anti-roll bars, tie bars, bushings, alignment kits, etc. Anything from Raceland coilovers to Swift springs to KYB shocks to Honda Factory Performance items to super-fancy Moton coilovers to Buddy club alignment arms to Beaks tie bars to whatever part and whatever manufacturer.... you get the idea. If it exists, I want to test and review it. Obviously I won't pay for your parts...although I will get them for you if it's easier... but consider them installed professionally for free. That's what's in it for you.... and to be a part of an incredibly interesting project that lots of people will pour over in the years to come.
Remember installs are in northeast PA. Please don't contact me unless you really want to do this... I don't need a ton of people asking questions who aren't really serious about doing this because that will be a waste of my valuable time.
As of today, I have no "Review Items" scheduled or posted. ANYTHING is game... I'm assuming that will change.
Hope to hear from you.
Cheers,
Chris
